|
 
| |
Visa Counselling
Student Visas for the United States
If you are going
to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of
less than 18 hours per week, you may do so on a tourist visa. Otherwise, please
read this article for general information on how to apply for an F1 or M1
student visa.
What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa?
What Items Does a Returning Student Need?
How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa?
|
In most countries,
first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person
interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets its own interview
policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should consult
Embassy web sites or call for specific application instructions.
Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most
consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get
during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make
repeat visits to the Embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring
the documents suggested below, as well as any other documents that might
help establish their ties to the local community.
To allow time to overcome any unforeseen problems that might arise, students
are encouraged to apply for their visas several weeks before they plan to
travel. Students should not apply more than 90 days before the registration
date noted on the I-20.
It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested
documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Also,
because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two
students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be
required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that
follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers
overseas, depending on each student's situation.
What is Needed to Apply for a
Student Visa?
All applicants for a student visa must provide:
|
 | A Form I-20 obtained from a U.S. college, school or
university. Please be sure to give us all four pages of the I-20 form. The
form must also be signed by you and by a school official in the
appropriate places; |
| A completed nonimmigrant visa application form (OF-156)
with photo for each person applying. A separate form is needed for
children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. These forms
are available at the Embassy at no charge. |
| A passport valid for at least six months after your
proposed date of entry into the United States; |
| A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing
payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each
child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa,
is needed;
|
|
|
All applicants should be prepared to provide: |
| Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions
attended; |
| Scores from standardized tests required by the
educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE®,
GMATTM,
etc.; |
| Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who
are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living
expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or
your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and
original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a
business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax
documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements. |
|
 |
|
Applicants with dependents must also provide: |
| Proof of the student's relationship to his/her spouse
and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.) |
| It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2
visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply
separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa
holder's passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
|
|
What Items Does
a Returning Student Need?
All applicants applying for renewals must submit:
|
| A passport valid for at least six months; |
| A completed and signed application form (OF-156) with
photo for each person applying. A separate form is needed for children,
even if they are included in a parent's passport. These forms are
available at the Embassy at no charge; |
| A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing
payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each
child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa,
is needed; |
| A new I-20 or an I-20 that has been endorsed on the
back by a school official within the past 12 months; |
|
| All applicants
applying for renewals should be prepared to submit: |
| A certified copy of your grades from the school in
which you are enrolled; |
| Financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing
your ability to cover the cost of your schooling.
|
|
How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa?
When you enter the United States
on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your
student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time
student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in
America.
For example, if you have a visa that is valid for five years that will
expire on January 1, 2001, and you are admitted into the U.S. for the
duration of your studies (often abbreviated in your passport or on your I-94
card as "D/S"), you may stay in the U.S. as long as you are a full time
student. Even if January 1, 2001 passes and your visa expires while in
America, you will still be in legal student status. However, if you depart
the U.S. with an expired visa, you will need to obtain a new one before
being able to return to America and resume your studies. A student visa
cannot be renewed or re-issued in the United States; it must be done at an
Embassy or Consulate abroad. |
|
Sunrise Academy
