The United States of America has opened up several opportunities for foreign academic students who wish to pursue American education. The Immigration and Nationality Act issues F-1 Visas for non-immigrant academic students attending full time American language schools, high schools, universities and other institutions of higher education that are accredited by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS has made provisions for academic students wishing to change institutions while holding F-1 Visas without the need to leave the country. The F-1 Visa is normally issued to a student at a US Embassy or Consulate where he or she resides.
How the F-1 Visa is Beneficial?
• The F-1 Visa holder is entitled to enter the United States as a full time academic or language student.
• Upon being issued the F-1 Visa, students are authorized to work on campus on a part-time basis they are also legally free to work outside their academic precincts.
• Academic students pursuing full time courses may gain practical knowledge over their theoretical approach by attending a special program called Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Whilst studying, students are free to move within/outside the US or can stay in the US until the completion of their course.
• F-1 Visa holders are entitled to bring their dependents, spouse and children under the age of 21 to the US.
Essential Criteria to Obtain F-1 Visa
• The F-1 Visa is issued to an applicant who has successfully enrolled to an educational course within a recognised institution in the US.
• The applicant must have been approved for a course in an institute recognized in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The institution issues a USCIS Form I-20A-B, which is meant for Certificate of Eligibility for Non immigrant F-1 Student Status for Academic and Language Students.
• Applicants must have good English language ability to be eligible for enrollment. However, this is irrelevant for those students who are enrolling on an English language-training program in the US.
• Academic students must be financially stable enough to bear the expenses incurred during the first year of study and must have easy access to funds to cover expenses for the entirety of their course.
• Applicants must hold permanent residency status in their native country.
• Upon completion of the course, applicants can return to their home country. For this, they need to show reasons of connection towards their kith and kin.
Role of the Student / Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) on the issue of F-1 Visa
The SEVIS supervises the visa application process and evaluates the educational aspect of non-immigrant academic students and their dependants who are either issued an F-1 or F-2 Visa to enter the US. The intended US school of a foreign academic student must wire all the essential information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) before they can be issued an F-1 Visa.
Tenure of Stay once acquiring an F-1 Visa
Academic students who are issued with an F-1 Visa are entitled to enter the US for up to 90 days ahead of the scheduled date of registration mentioned on the Form I-20AB. There is a provision for them to extend the time of living in the country for up to 60 days after they have completed their course of study.
