US, British, Canadian & Australian Student Visa Info

F1 Visa – US Student Visa Interview Questions.

Any applicant for a student visa will probably consider the personal interview before the visa is granted at the US Consulate as one of the more nerve wracking experiences that they have faced. The smart way to approach your visa interview is to be prepared well in advance with all your documentation and having an idea of the typical questions generally help in preparing yourself to best answer these questions.

Often people are extremely nervous and the environment at the consulate will only add to the pressure and nervousness. So it is wise to calm yourself and with the knowledge that you are best prepared to face your interviewer with all your documentation ready and a fair idea of the conversation ahead is a smart move on your part. Read our previous article on the entire student visa process along with our detailed visa interview tips.

So without an further ado, here is a list of possible questions that you could be asked at an interview for your student visa. It is not necessary that you would be asked all of these questions. Keep in mind that additionally you might also be questioned on your personal background by the consulate officer.

A list of typical questions that you would be asked in your student visa interview is as follows-

• Why do you want to pursue your education in the United States?
• Why can`t you study in your home country?
• What do you know about the Unites States and what is your opinion on the same?
• Which university or college have you applied to?
• Why have you applied to this university or college?
• Do you see yourself settled in the United States after you have completed your education?
• What do your parents do for a living in your home country?
• Who is financing your education and can you afford it?
• What modes of finance have you chosen and why?
• Are the documents submitted by you, fake?
• Which school have you done your high school from?
• Which college did you go to for your under graduate degree?
• Do you already have a graduate degree? If yes, then why do you still want to pursue an American degree?
• What did you major in when you were in your undergraduate year?
• What is the main reason for you wanting to do this course in the United States?
• Do you plan on returning to your home country on completion of your course?
• Do you have any family or relatives who are residing in the United States?
• How do you know about the college or university that you have applied to?
• Are you eligible for any scholarships from this college or university?
• Are you expecting any funding from the U.S school?
• On what basis did you qualify for the scholarship?
• Have you appeared for a GRE/GMAT or TOEFL?
• What are your GRE/GMAT or TOEFL scores?
• Do you plan on working in the United States after you complete your course?
• Do you have any family members or relatives that are already studying the college or university that you have been granted admission to?
• What if your F-1 visa is denied or rejected?
• Are you going to the United States for an education because your family wants you to or because you want to?
• What is the capital of the United States?
• Have you ever been rejected for any category of American visa?
• Have you traveled to the United States before?

What is an F-1 student visa rejection or denial?

Under the U.S. visa law guidelines and immigration norms, a visa would be denied if an applicant is unable to establish eligibility to receive the same. A visa rejection or denial is a formal mode of communication that states that your visa cannot be issued to you by the U.S. consulate officer acting upon the rules and regulations set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act.

There are various reasons for the refusal, rejection or denial of an F-1, student visa. Many a times the reasons for rejection pertain to clause 221g or 214b.

Find out more information and reasons why a student may be ineligible for a F-1 Visa

What is rejection under Section 221g and Section 214b?

Rejection under section 221g is due to administrative reasons. This means that certain documents, needed for verification by the consulate official, are missing or the information given in the documents is incomplete.

Rejection under section 214b pertains to the INA-Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 214b deals with the strong ties an applicant holds with his or her home country.

Rejection on the basis of 214b is the most common reasons for denial of a F-1 visa. As an applicant you have to prove or demonstrate that you have strong ties with your home country and that you will return once your education is over in the United States. Strong ties include family, business ties and social commitments in your home country. These reasons should be demonstrated to provide confirmed evidence to the consular officer that you have no intentions of becoming an immigrant in the United States.

What to do if my F-1 Student visa has been rejected?

You can always reapply for your F-1 student visa. There is no time gap after which you can apply for visa. If your visa has been denied and the reasons have been stated to you, you can immediately reapply with the necessary modification to your application and submit the additional documents in support of your information given, by you, in your application.

After this, it is entirely up to the consular official to approve or reject your visa application. These consular officials are trained to read applications and applicants really well. So even if your case is genuine, you might be rejected for the visa. Ensure that you appear well groomed, speak well, to the point and have complete information on what you want to do with your education from an American university or college and how you will finance the same. It is equally important that you have ample knowledge about your college or university. You have to give the consular officer concrete evidence that you are what you have stated in your application.

Be prepared for any sort of documentary proof that the official will ask for. Carry extra documents along with you. Provide substantial evidence that you have strong and compelling ties in your home country that will not make it possible for you to settle in the United States.

Is Rejection or Denial of Student Visa Permanent?

Short answer to the above question is No.

If you are being denied your visa under section 221g, then you can return with additional documents that would satisfy the consular officer about your personal and financial background. When you do reapply, your documents should portray significant change such that the consular officer is comfortable that you are indeed going for an education to the United states and that you have enough financial band width to support yourself while you are in the United States.

Further, if your visa has been rejected because of section 214b, then you can reapply for your student visa and show significant evidence that would help determine and thereby convince the consular officer that you indeed have strong and affirmed ties with your home country and that you have no intention of settling or becoming an immigrant in the United States.

Reference

• http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html

The interview process is an integral part of the student visa application process. The interview in many cases end up being the deciding factor based on which you could be granted or denied your student (F-1) visa.

We have explained in detail in our previous articles about what is F-1 visa, how to apply for your F-1 visa and the requirements for F-1 visa. All visa applications culminate with the interview. The visa interview cannot be given a miss and is mandatory for all those who are between the ages of 14 and 79. The interview date is given to you when you submit your completed visa application. The interview date can be as early as ten days from the submission of your application or it can be a month from the date of your application submission. It all really depends on the number of applicants. The waiting time for an interview varies from location to location.

When you do go for the interview, a digital, ink-free, fingerprint scan will be taken. Some applicants may require further administrative processing. The additional processing usually takes place after the visa interview. The additional processes are taken up the same consular officer who takes your interview. But, this is on a case to case basis and is also dependent on the information submitted by you in your application.

Based on your academic and personal information, the questions that would be asked to two different applicants will not be the same. You could be applying to the same university and to the same course, but to expect the same questions is foolish. There will be many differences in your personal and financial information. Most of the questions will be based on the individual and the information the applicant has submitted as part of the application. Again, based on your supporting documents your administrative processing may also differ.

It is important to be thorough when it comes to documentation. This particular point cannot be emphasized enough. You must be prepared with all the necessary academic, financial and application related documentation to avoid unnecessary delays and possible rejection.

Documents to carry along for the visa interview

The mandatory documents required to be submitted by each student are as follows

• The I-20 form (signed by you and your issuing school), Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students and Form I-20A-B.
• Form DS-160, Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application.
• A valid passport for travel to and from the United States
• One 2×2 photograph with a white background.
• The fee receipt of the visa application fee.
• The fee receipt of the SEVIS I-901 fee paid.

Besides the above documents, students should also produce the following educational documents or certificates

• Certificates, diplomas and transcripts of previously attended educational institutions
• Scores of standardized such as SAT, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT, etc…
• Financial evidence to prove that whoever is sponsoring your education has adequate financial resources to pay for your tuition and living expenses during your period stay in the US.

As mentioned earlier, you would be required to carry additional proof pertaining to your financial background, proof demonstrating how you would sustain yourself (financially) in the United States.

Besides the above, it is absolutely important that you prove to the consular officer that you have strong ties with your home country and that you have a concrete intention to return to your home country after you are done with your education in the United States. The consular officials are known to deny or reject a visa application due to ineligibility under section 214b of the INA. Apart from your intent or perceived immigrant risk, your documents could be another reason that your visa would be denied.

Tips for your student visa interview

• It is absolutely important that you are well groomed and speak clearly into the receiver.
• Do not dress garishly and maintain a clean and well kept appearance.
• Speak to the point and have complete and proper information about your course and college or university. Be prepared to answer a question on what your education from an American university would bring to your resume or do for you.
• Carry additional documents. Arrange them in an organized fashion. It is not necessary that the consular official will require seeing all your documents. But, they could ask for anything and you should be prepared to hand over the requested document.
• Do not get into an argument with the official as this only would spoil your chances. If needed, ask the official whether you could come back with the additional information and support your case.
• DO NOT think of taking fake documents with you as this would only lead your visa being rejected and you being banned from entry into the United States for a period of at least 10 years.
• Last but not the least and probably the most difficult tip of them all, Relax and take it easy. Be calm and composed. For all you know, your interview would not last longer than a minute and you would be granted your visa with the visa officer barely asking you any questions and/or looking at any documents.

References

• For complete details on documents required during your visa interview, visit- http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html#1
• To find out the latest and the most current information regarding waiting times, head on to – http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html
• To know more about scheduling your interview appointment and payment of application fee, visit- http://www.usembassy.gov/ . On this website you will get all the information about the application processing and specific instructions that need to be followed by you for your application and interview.

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A visitor’s visa which could be a B-1 visa or a B-2 and a student visa or often referred to as F-1 visa are non-immigrant visas. Since they fall under the non-immigrant category, you can convert or change your B-1 visa or B-2 visa status to an F-1 visa, M-1 visa or even to a J-1 visa.

In order to do so, you need to file an application to change your non-immigration status. A request has to be submitted to the USCIS for the change of your non-immigrant visa status (I-539). The application for a change in visa status is done by filing the form I-539. Without an approved I-539, you cannot stay in the United States for your education. The form I-539 must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Apply for the I-539 early as possible once you decide to change your status to a student. A filing fee of $ 290 has to be filed for the I-539. Changing to a J-1 visa also requires you to file the form DS-2019 to the DHS office where the application is made.

Do keep in mind that if you commence your education before obtaining an approval of the USCIS, you will be held ineligible for a change in status. Further, if you have applied for an extension of your visitor visa, you will not be granted the extension. You will be held liable for violation of rules and it is quite possible that you will be barred entry into the United States for certain number of years. It is therefore very important that you do not start your classes or enrol in school until you have obtained the required approval from the USCIS.

Pr-requisites for change from B visa to F-1, M-1 or J-1 Visa

• Be a valid holder of a non-immigrant visa
• Have lawfully entered or been admitted to the United States
• Have not commenced or enrolled into an educational institution.
• There should be no violations of the conditions of your current, visitor status. You should have committed any criminal act or offense that would hold you ineligible for stay within the United States.

What if I’m not eligible or if my change of status is rejected?

In the event your request to change your visitor visa to student visa is rejected, you should leave the United States before the expiry date mentioned on your I-94. What next? Your best option next is to apply for a F-1 visa from your home country. To make things easier for you and if your admission has been confirmed in a U.S College or university, explain your situation to them and request them to issue you your I-20. With your I-20, you can then apply for an F-1 visa from your home country. The I-20 form is an important document when it comes to applying for a student visa. Learn more about how to apply for an F-1 visa, the required documentation and many more detailed guides. We have extensively covered this topic.

In addition to the guides we have here, always keep yourself updated with the latest rules and requirements by tracking them on the state government website. We have listed them below

References

• http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html
• http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=94d12c1a6855d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD
• http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f0df81a19d68a210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e34c83453d4a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

A non British national requires a visa to enter the United Kingdom, therefore, if you are planning on studying in the U.K. you will need a student visa. With a student visa you can study at the primary, secondary, under graduate and post graduate levels. You can even do vocational courses with a student visa in the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom follows a Point Based System or called PBS in allotting visas for individuals desirous to come to the United Kingdom for work or study.

What is PBS?

The Points Based System(PBS) manages migration of all those people that are looking to work and study in the UK. The PBS has the following tiers

• Tier 1 – Investors, entrepreneurs, post-study work and exceptional Talent
• Tier 2 – Skilled Workers
• Tier 5 – Temporary Workers and Youth Mobility Scheme
• Tier 4 – Student Visa

Since this article is all about student visas to the U.K, lets take a closer look at the Tier 4.

Tier 4 is further sub-divided into two categories:

• Tier 4 (Child Students) – This tier pertains to students who are between the ages of 4-17 years who wish to apply to study in the UK. The children between 4 and 15 years of age shall study in an independent fee paying school. Students between the ages of 16 and 17 years, studying level 3 National qualification framework courses have a choice to apply either in Tier 4 (child) student category or in Tier 4 (general) student category.
• Tier 4 (General Students) – This category is for students who are beyond the age of 16. Students who are of the ages 16 and 17 years and studying at the B2 level of the English language courses of the Common European Framework, should apply under this category.

What are the requirements for a Tier 4 student visa?

Getting approved for a student visa is contingent on the fact that you satisfy all the requirements set forth for that particular category of visa. It is therefore important to understand these requirement thoroughly. Let’s look at the requirement for both the Tier 4 child and adult student visas

Requirement for Tier 4 (Child) student visa

• Prospective student applicants have to provide evidence that demonstrates that they have been granted admission to a recognized course in the U.K. This course must be offered by an U.K. institution that has been approved by the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) and has been granted a license to grant admission to non-British citizen students.
• Clear and concrete evidence by the applicant that have sufficient funds for their maintenance while they are in the U.K to support themselves during they stay for education.
• Tier 4 (child) applicants must, compulsorily, have a written consent from his/her parent or guardian for travel and study in the United Kingdom.

Requirements for Tier 4 (Adult) student visa

• Prospective student applicants have to provide evidence that demonstrates that they have been granted admission to a recognized course. This course must be offered by U.K. institution that has been approved by the United Kingdom Border Agency and has been granted a license to grant admission to non-British citizen students.
• Clear and concrete evidence by the applicant that have sufficient funds for their maintenance while they are in the U.K to support themselves during they stay for education.
• Students cannot take up employment unless it is on a part time basis and they are registered for vocations that have been permitted for the adult category students. Part-time jobs should not exceed 20 hours a week during the operational term period. During the vacation period, students can work for an unlimited number of hours and they do not need the consent of the UKBA.

Can I work with a student visa, in the United Kingdom?

Yes, you can. However, ensure you comply with the following conditions-

• You can work once your study or vocational course has begun.
• You can work on a part-time basis for a maximum of 20 hours in a week when your term is in session
• You can work for unlimited number of hours during the vacation periods. But it is important to note that your college or university must be on scheduled vacation.
• You may work on an internship which is based on your course.
• If you are doing a post graduate or a doctorate degree, you are then permitted to work as a postgraduate doctor or a dentist. However, it is essential that your course be recognized as a foundation program.
• You are a student union sabbatical officer for around two years.

References

• http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
• http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors#564065482
• For verification of the license granted to your educational institution ad its current status, visit – http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pointsbasedsystem/registerofsponsorseducation

Tips to ace your F-1 Visa Interview

Before you are granted your student visa (F-1 visa) to the U.S, all prospective students must attend a face to face interview at the U.S Consulate. This visa interview is usually the final step in your visa application process. During the interview, you will be asked various questions about yourself and your decision to pursue an education in the United States.

Your visa interview is a crucial step in the whole student visa process. A misstep here and you could be rejected. If there is one things that most students dread then it has to be the visa interview. The important thing to do is to realize that by constantly worrying about it you are doing yourself more harm than good. After all, you don’t want to be a nervous wreck on the day of the interview. Make sure you understand and have followed all the requirements and application process as detailed in our previous articles “Requirements for an F-1 Visa” and “How to apply for an F-1 Visa“.

The duration of your interview will depend on your personal and academic information. It will also depend on the consular official who is taking your interview.

Below are a few tips that will help you ace that interview.

• Be well groomed and ensure a clean and well kept appearance. Have a smile on your face ad greet the consular officer with a smile. It is not necessary that they will respond back, but do it anyways!
• Do not be late for your interview.
• Talk clearly into the receiver and be to the point. Keep your answers short and to the point.
• Take along all of your documents with you, including all additional documents. The consular official could ask you for anything or nothing at all.
• Do not get into an argument with the consular official since this would hinder your chances of obtaining a visa.
• Have a clear understanding of why you want an education from the United States and have complete information about the university or college and the course you are applying for. Do not give answers such as ‘The United States is a great country and their colleges have excellent education’…it will not help!
• Take along documents pertaining to your education, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc…All documents pertaining to your financials and college funding must be taken along. Read our article on “Funds to show for an F-1 Visa” for more clarity on your financials.
• Be prepared on questions pertaining to strong ties with your home country. Give ample evidence that you have complete intentions of returning to your home country after your education.
• If you are asked an ambiguous question, Do NOT answer abruptly, pause, think and then respond.
• Have a confident tone as most consular officials are trained to interpret your responses.
• Do not dress up in a garish manner and do not wear flashy make up or jewelry. Ensure that your clothes are not too exposing or too flashy.
• An important point to remember is that your answers should match with the information given in your application form. Do not respond with ‘ I have mentioned the same in my application’
• Be honest about your answers. Do not make up things. If you are asked a question like if you’ve ever been rejected before for a visa, then answer truthfully, do not beat around the bush.
• DO NOT even think of producing fake documents or certificates. You will be caught and banned from entry to the United States for a minimum period of 10 years.
• Finally, relax, be yourself and take it easy. Be calm and composed. For all you know, your interview will not more than a minute and at the end of it you will have your student visa approved.

And there you have it, keep it simple and try not to stress over it too much especially the last few days leading to the interview. Schedule your visa interview well in advance and be prepared with your documentation. Good luck !!

What is F-1 Visa?

An F-1 visa or a U.S. student visa is a non-immigrant visa granted to non-U.S. citizens to allow then to study in the U.S. While applying for a student visa (F-1 visa) to the United States, an important requirement to qualify is the ability to demonstrate financial capability to fund your education and living expenses in the U.S. This is probably one of the most often requested documentation that a visa officer will ask for during your visa interview.

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Before approving your U.S. student visa, the visa officer will want to see clear and demonstrated evidence that you are financially viable to sustain your study course and yourself during your period of stay in the United States. The visa official will need proof that you will have sufficient finances to sustain yourself for at least the first year. Further, you have to demonstrate that you will have undeniable and unquestionable availability of funds for the subsequent years. If you can show that you have your financing in place then your chances of approval are considerable higher. Of course there are other requirements that you have to satisfy which we have explained in detail in our article on “Requirements for an F-1 Student Visa“.

Financial Proof for F-1 Visa

So the big questions for all prospective international students is how much money to show when you apply for a visa? Well, simply put, you need to be able to show financial resources for the amount of your tuition fee for the first year plus you need to have funds for your lodging & boarding, supplies as well as transport and other miscellaneous costs.

If we were to look at an example, if your tuition fee for the first year is $25,000 and your room, board and other costs add up to around $9,000, then you need to show a total of $34,000. Any scholarships or grants will go a long way in reducing that amount. If you do not have any scholarships or grants then you need to show these funds in your bank account. These funds have to appear in your bank statement nearest to your interview date.

An education in a reputed U.S. college or university does not cheap. Make sure you have these funds available or that you are backed for most of your funding through scholarships, grants or student loans. Student loans are fairly easily available or you could look at other avenues like personal loans and other modes of financing to raise the money required for your education. If the visa official is not satisfied with your financial situation then your chances for a student visa will be really low. Having an I-20 form will be of no use if you cannot show finances to back your claim financially to study in the U.S.

Make sure you have all attested copies, be it bank statement, loan approvals, scholarships or grants. Documentation is key and having all of them neatly arranged to enable you to hand them over when requested will help show your preparedness..If not, then you are looking at delays and further running around to satisfy documentary evidence. We have a detailed article on the documents required for an F-1 Student Visa. Read them thoroughly and be prepared for the immigration officer’s request for more proof. If for some reason you do not have documentary evidence currently on hand, you can always come back with the additional evidence to support your case.

The US student visa also popularly referred to as the F-1 Visa, is the non immigrant visa that students who are non U.S citizens have to apply for to be able to study in the United States. The requirements for an F-1 visa can be broken down into two main sections, eligibility and supporting documents. Of course, there is also financial capacity which is covered under both eligibility and supporting documents. We did cover the requirements briefly in our “How to apply for F-1 Visa” article and for those would like more details on the F-1 visa, go ahead and read our “what is F-1 visa” article first.

The most important factor to be eligible for a student visa to the U.S is that you must have a confirmed admission in an SEVP certified educational institution. What this basically translates to is that you have an I-20 form issued to you by an approved university. This is by far the single most important requirement. Only if you satisfy or conform to this requirement can you proceed to actually apply for the US student visa (F-1).

Eligibility requirements to apply for a F-1 Student Visa

When it comes to the F-1 visa, the Immigration and National Act is very stringent pertaining to the eligibility requirements which have to be met by each and every applicant. The consulate will ascertain whether or not you qualify for the US student visa (F-1).

As an applicant you must demonstrate that you meet the following F-1 student visa requirements-

• Availability of a residence in your home country and you should demonstrate no intention of abandoning that residence
• Demonstrate the intent to depart from the United States on completion of your study course
• Possession of sufficient funds to pursue the prospective study course

F-1 Student Visa Documents

Study in the United States

Below are the documents you are expected to bring along with you to your visa interview. Make sure to make copies where required as well as have the original set of documents with you before you enter the U.S Consulate. These documents are to be submitted while applying for the visa.

The documents can be classified into two sections, a mandatory section and a good to have section. If you were me, I would consider all the documents listed below as mandatory. After all you don’t want to be rejected just because you cannot produce a certificate or something vague like proof of finances. Let’s take a look at the important documents first or should I say mandatory documents.

• I-20 form – First and foremost is the I-20 form. The I-20 form must be signed by the school and you. Again remember in the beginning of this article we had stressed on the fact that the I-20 must be from an approved university. What with the recent cancellation and deportation that took place in the case of Tri-valley university, students must be careful and do their due diligence before applying to a school.
• Form DS-160 which is the non immigrant visa application form that you fill out after downloading from the U.S Consulate website when scheduling for a visa interview date.
• Valid Passport – You must posses a valid passport. This part is obvious but make sure that your passport is not expiring in the next one year.
• One 2×2 photograph that has a white background. Like many countries, U.S Immigration requires the picture to conform to certain specifications. Make sure you take a picture from a studio that understands these requirements.
• Your visa application fee receipt.
• Fee receipt of the SEVIS I-901 fee paid.

Apart from the above mentioned documents, you should also be prepared to produce the following documentation if requested by the visa officer.

• All the educational related documents such as degrees, diplomas and or certificates along with transcripts from all previously attended educational institutions. Make sure to have certified copies with you just in case.
• Your scores from standardized tests that apply, like the SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL scores.
• Detailed financial evidence that can clearly show how you will be paying for your studies and living expenses once you are in the United States. Documents regarding scholarships, grants and other financial aid as well as proof of sponsorship if any must be with you when you go to your visa interview.

References

• http://travel.state.gov/

International students work options in the U.S

A question that is of great importance to most students considering studying in the U.S is if they can work while on their student visa. A student looking to work while studying is basically trying to lower his living and total education costs by working part time while continuing to be a student full time.

Now before we give you a straight Yes or No answer let us look at some of the options that a student has at his or her disposal to be able to fund their education and living costs. Like all resident students, international students first objective or priority when it comes to financing their education is to look at available scholarships or grants. While international student are not eligible for federal scholarships, there often are private scholarships or financing available from the college itself that can really help lower your total education costs.

Working while on Student Visa

Back to the question of working on an F-1 visa. Yes, you can but there are many conditions. Make sure you read them thoroughly before you get carried away. On an F-1 Student visa you can work only on campus and only part time. Also remember that working on campus is only permitted if you are a full time enrolled student. Colleges and Universities often have many teaching and research assistantships that are part-time and on campus. This satisfies both the conditions that you can work only on campus and part time.

Now remember, working on campus does not mean that you not be eligible for scholarship funding or you cannot receive scholarship funds. While colleges and universities try to be fair when it comes to disbursing available funds to as many deserving students as possible, you should take heart in the fact that it is always to deserving students that scholarships are awarded. So if your grades are great then you can expect a bit of both. When you work on-campus, you can work for a specified number of hours during the week and you will be paid on an hourly basis. Bear in mind, you cannot exceed your working hours than what is specified. You are, after all, a student who has come to the United States to pursue an education. Once again, just so it is clear, working off-campus is not permitted.

Working while on OPT & CPT

Once you have completed your course, an international student on an F-1 visa can apply for what is called Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the Curriculum Practical Training (CPT).

The OPT is the training period where an undergraduate or graduate international student having completed his degree course that is for a minimum period of nine months are permitted to put their training and education into use by working for a maximum period of one year. They are permitted to work on an OPT by the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) for a maximum period of one year on their F-1 student visa. They do not need to get an H-1B visa or a different type of work visa for their practical training. The same rules apply for the CPT.

The students need to be certified by their college or university and their employer (trainer) that the OPT or CPT is related to their field or course of study and will be useful in achieving their degree goals. The training time has to be divided between the OPT and CPT and the student as to ensure that the period of 12 months is not exceeded.

An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa and is applied for by non- U.S. citizens. An F-1 Visa is for pursuing academic or vocational courses at SEVP certified educational institution. For a detailed overview of the F1 visa, read our previous article on what is an F-1 visa.

Applying for an F-1 Visa

The first step in obtaining a student visa is obviously the application for admission to a Student and Visitor Exchange Program (SEVP) certified educational institution. When your admission has been confirmed in a SEVP certified educational institution, the educational institution will issue you an I-20 Form. This form is an informational record in the database of the Department of Homeland Security. The database system is called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). It is the college or university’s responsibility to enter your details into the SEVIZ. On confirmation of your admission, the I-20 will be mailed to you and you must produce the I-20 when you apply for your F-1 visa.

Ensure that the information in the I-20 form correctly and completely matches with the information in your passport. There should be no spelling errors and your name and date of birth should be mentioned correctly and should be the same as in your passport. If there is a mistake, then it is your duty to contact your educational institution and make sure that they make the necessary corrections. Once the I- 20 is completed, you must now pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

The next step is to apply for student visa appointment at your local U.S consulate. Apply for your visa appointment as early as possible so that there is ample time to process the same. Consulates and Embassies will be able to issue the student visa within a period of 120 days before the date mentioned on your 1-20 or the start date of your college or university. However, if the application for the visa is done before the stipulated period, the consulate or embassy will hold the application and issue it before the date specified in your I-20 as the start date of your college registration or college start date.

The application process includes an interview that takes place at the consulate or embassy. Based on your personal information and education course, you may be required to submit additional documents. Each student will have different documents that would be required of them. The mandatory documents required to be submitted by each student are as follows-

• The I-20 form (signed by you and your issuing school), Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students and Form I-20A-B.
• One 2×2 photograph with a white background.
• The fee receipt of the visa application fee.
• Form DS-160, Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application.
• A valid passport for travel to and from the United States. Do make sure that your passport will not expire in the near future.
• The fee receipt of the SEVIS I-901 fee paid.

Besides the above documents, students should also produce the following educational documents or certificates-

• Certificates, diplomas and transcripts of previously attended educational institutions
• Scores of standardized such as SAT, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT, etc…
• Financial evidence to prove that whoever is sponsoring your education, has adequate financial resources to pay for your tuition and living expenses during your period stay in the US.

For the most updated list of document and for further information on documents required, visit- http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html#1

On completion of your interview, you will be informed whether or not your visa has been approved. If your visa has been approved, you will be informed on the process of collecting your passport. Usually depending on the option you choose and the embassy in question, your passport along with the approved F1 student visa stamped in it will be mailed to the postal address of your choice. Keep in mind that there is no absolute certainty when it comes to receiving your passport by mail, therefore do ensure that you plan your travel accordingly and keep a few days in hand as a safe rule. Infact, tt is advised that you do not make any travel arrangement until you receive all your documents from the consulate or embassy.

Eligibility criteria for an F-1 Student Visa?

The U.S Immigration is very strict when it comes to visas and they go according to the book. This is especially true when it pertains to visa requirements. Student visa requirement and eligibility must be met by each and every applicant, in order to qualify for an F-1 student visa. The consulate will ascertain whether or not you qualify for the F-1 visa based on the documentation you provide and the information available to them. Further, as an applicant you must demonstrate that you meet the following F-1 student visa requirements-

• You must demonstrate the intent to return to your home country on completion of your study course.
• Show you current residence and the assurance that you will not abandon that residence.
• Demonstrate the ability to pay for your education and living expenses while you are in the United States.

Reference

• http://www.ice.gov/sevis/
• http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/