|
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO UNDERTAKE ACADEMIC STUDIES AS AN F-1 STUDENT IN THE U.S.?
To qualify for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled as a full-time student in an academic educational program or a language-training program at a school approved to accept Foreign students by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. You must also be able to demonstrate you have sufficient funds for to support you during the course of your entire course of study; and you must maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up. Before coming to the U.S. contact the institution of your choice to determine if they accept foreign students and for information about their curriculum. Not all educational facilities in the United States are approved to enroll foreign students. If your school is authorized to accept foreign students, you should seek admission. If you are accepted, the school should send you USCIS Form I-20 F/ID (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status.
Schedule a Consultation now.
WHAT TYPE OF SCHOOLS CAN ACCEPT F-1 STUDENTS?
The following educational instutitions may accept F-1 foreign students for enrollment provided they receive certification from U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) : an accredited college or university that awards bachelors, masters, doctorate or professional degrees; an accredited community or junior college that provides instruction in the liberal arts or the professions and awards associate degrees; a seminary; a conservatory; an academic high school; a private elementary school; or an institution that provides language training, instruction in the liberal arts, the fine arts or the professions, or instruction in one or more of these disciplines.
Current USCIS regulations recognize the following as approved schools:
A school operated as a public educational institution by federal, state, or local government; and
A school accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
SEVP OR STUDENT EXCHANGE AND VISITORS PROGRAM
Students issued an I-20 are tracked via the Student Exchange and Visitors Program, or SEVP program. This program is designed to improve processes for foreign students and exchange visitors holding F, J, and M visas, and schools, colleges and other organizations sponsoring programs for these visa holders. The data contained in SEVP facilitates several processes affecting all foreign students, such as visa issuance and admission into the U.S., requests for changes or extensions of status or other benefits,as well as general information reporting.
EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF YOUR I-20
If you need to extend the validity of your I-20, you should speak with a designated student officer at your school. You must apply for an extension 30 days before your I-20 expires. Failure to do so could jeopardize your legal status in the US, interrupt your study, and have other serious immigration consequences.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For comprehensive information and additional resources on studying in the U.S., visit the State Department’s website at EducationUSA. Additionally, the State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs website provides information on educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, financial aid, admissions and testing as well as other resources.
FAMILY AND DEPENDENTS
Spouses and children of F-1 students may be accorded F-2 dependent status. However, they may not work in the U.S. While they may undertake studies of their own, unless enrolled in grades K - 12, they CANNOT be enrolled in school full time.
Schedule a Case Evaluation now.
|
