STUDENT VISA
The immigration and Nationality Act offers two non-immigrant visa categories for individuals wishing to study in the United States. The F1 visa is for non-immigrants wishing to come to the United States to seek out academic studies and/or language training programs.
Student visas are considered non-immigrant visas because they are issued to people who don’t intend to stay in the United States permanently.
The F1 visa is for students attending a full time degree or academic program at school, college or university approved by U.S. Immigration and customs enforcement in compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The F1 visa is valid for as long as it takes the student to finish his or her course of study. An F1 visa also allows students to work on campus and in some situations even off campus. In addition, F1 visa students are eligible to apply for employment-authorized practical training after the completion of their academic program. This training is usually limited to twelve months but may be extended to as much as 29 months for students who are pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. F1 visa students are able to transfer schools and change their focus of study while pursuing a degree in the U.S Once they have completed their course of study or practical training (if applicable), they have sixty days in which to depart the U.S.
Eligibility
-. The student must be enrolled in an “academic” educational program, a language-training, or a vocational program.
-. The school must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
-. The student must be enrolled as a full time student at the institution.
-. The student must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
-. The student must have sufficient funds available for self-supporting during the entire proposed course of study.
-. The student must maintain a residence abroad, which he/she has no intention of giving up.
Application Processes
