How to obtain a Student Visa to Study in The United States?

Feb 27, 2011 Features / Columnists, News

By Attorney Gail S. Seeram, [email protected]

Who is allowed to study in the United States?
People who are coming to the United States to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies are usually admitted in one of two non-immigrant categories.
The F-1 category includes academic students in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, other academic institutions, and in language training. The M-1 category includes vocational students.
What are the requirements for a F-1 or M-1 Visa?
You must be enrolled in an “academic” educational programme, a language-training programme, or a vocational programme. Your school must be approved by USCIS. You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study. You must maintain a residence abroad which he/she has no intention of giving up.
How do I apply if I am outside of the US?
You first must apply to study at an USCIS-approved school in the United States. When you contact a school that you are interested in attending, you should be told immediately if the school accepts foreign national students.
If you are accepted, the school should give you USCIS Form I-20 A-B/ID. If you require a visa, then you should take the USCIS Form I-20 to the nearest U.S. consulate to obtain a student visa. You must also prove to the consulate that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the United States.
How can I change my non-immigrant status to become a student if I am in the US?
You first must apply to study at an USCIS-approved school in the United States. When you contact a school that you are interested in attending, you should be told immediately if the school accepts foreign national students.
If you are accepted, the school should send you USCIS Form I-20 A-B/IID. You must submit this form with an application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status to the USCIS. You must also prove that you have the financial resources required for your education and stay in the United States.
Can I work with a F-1 or M-1 Visa?
F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. There are various programs available for F-1 students to seek off-campus employment, after the first academic year. F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, after they have studying for one academic year.
These three types of employment are: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.
For both F-1 and M-1 students any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorised prior to starting any work by the Designated School Official (the person authorised to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) and USCIS.
How long an I stay in the United States?
You are allowed to stay in the United States for as long as you are enrolled as a full-time student in an educational programme and making normal progress toward completing your course of study.

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