Student Visas - F1
Student visas are designed for persons wishing to study in the
U.S. in academic programs in colleges, universities, seminaries,
conservatories, schools and other educational establishments as
well as English language training programs.
Student visa applicants must also establish to the satisfaction
of the consular officer that they have a residence in a foreign
country which they have no intention of abandoning in order to overcome
the presumption of intending immigrant of the Immigration and Nationality
Act.
To receive a student visa applicants must have:
- Sufficient ties with their country of permanent residence
- "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student
Status for Academic Language Students" form I-20 A-B properly
completed and signed by the applicant and a designated school
official;
- Adequate scholastic preparation required for enrollment at the
level of study contemplated;
- Sufficient proficiency in English to pursue the intended course
of study;
- Documentary evidence that sufficient funds are available from
a specifically identified and reliable financial source to defray
all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated
study in the United States.
- Students must present credible documentary evidence the
he or she has enough readily available funds to meet all expenses
for the first year of study, and that bearing unforeseen circumstances,
adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year
of study. Bank statements may be presented for this purpose.
- If study is sponsored by a source in the U.S., last year's
tax return in addition to bank statements may be presented
to help confirm that funds are available. Receipts from the
academic institution showing payment in full may also be submitted,
however, applicants should be prepared to show the source
of those funds.
On September 11, 2002 the State Department introduced the Interim
Student and Exchange Authentication System (ISEAS), which will monitor
the visa adjudication process of foreign students and exchange visitors
who enter the United States in F, J, or M nonimmigrant visa categories.
According to new legislation, academic institutions and program
sponsors must enroll all visa applicants into the ISEAS database.
F, J, and M visas will not be issued until the Consulate has confirmed
that this data has been deposited. If, at the time of visa application,
data regarding a particular F, M or J visa applicant does not appear
in ISEAS, the applicant will be asked to contact his or her sponsoring
institution or program and advise it of the need to enter the data
into ISEAS.
Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security
regulations state that holders of F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas
will not be admitted to the United States until a date thirty days
or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date,
as given on your Form I-20 (for F and M visas) or DS-2019 (for J
visas). Please consider that date carefully when making travel plans
to the United States.
Accompanying Family Members
Family members (spouse and children) of students may apply for
F-2 visas to accompany or follow the principal applicant. They must
meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence that
they will have sufficient funds for their support, and that they
will depart the United States upon termination of the student's
program.
Employment While Studying
An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time
during the first year of study. Under certain circumstances, the
Immigration and Naturalization Service may grant permission to accept
off-campus employment after one year.
F-1 students may accept on-campus employment from the school without
Immigration Service permission. Spouses and children of students
may not accept employment at any time.
Public vs. Private School
Section 214 (l) of the IIRIRA prohibits the issuance of any F-1
visa to attend public elementary school (grades K through 8) or
publicly funded adult education programs.
The legislation allows F-1 visas for attendance at public secondary
schools (grades 9-12). Visa eligibility is limited to a cumulative
12 months attendance in public secondary schools. Students must
reimburse the school district for the full unsubsidized per capita
cost of education, covering the period of intended study.
Students on F-1 visas going to private schools are always required
to provide evidence that they or their sponsors have paid or are
able to pay school costs.
There is no restriction on the number of years a foreign student
may attend a private school in the U.S.
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