what to do for student visa?

Students are encouraged to relate for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. Students may apply for their visa as soon as they are ready to do so.

The consular officer may need to get special clearances depending on the course of study and population of the student. This can take some added time. For more information on applicants who may comprise additional processing requirements see particular Processing Requirements.

Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to subject your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 120 days prior to your start date or registration date as provided on the Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa. Consular officials will use that extra time to achieve any of the necessary special clearances or other process that may be requisite.

Students are advised of the section of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all initial or start students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date warily when making travel plans to the U.S.

A foundation student who wants an earlier entry into the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa. A prospective student notation will be shown on his/her visitor visa and the traveler will need to make the intent to study clear to the U.S. immigration inspector at port of entry. Before beginning any studies, he or she must obtain a change of classification, filing Form I-539, Application for Change of Nonimmigrant Status, and also submit the required Form I-20 to the Department of Homeland Security office where the application is made. Please be aware that there is an additional fee of $140 for this process, and that one may not begin studies awaiting the change of classification is accepted.

Continuing students may apply for a new visa at any time, as long as they have been maintain student status and their SEVIS records are current. Continuing students may also enter the U.S. at any time before their classes start.

How to Prepare for the UK Student Visa Interview?

Studying abroad echo like a great idea, and now it’s about a month before you’ll be traveling to the U.K. You’ve got all your paperwork sent in to the British High Commission in your home state, and you’re worried about the interview for the student visa. First of all, don’t be anxious too much because you may be granted a visa with no an interview if you have traveled to the UK in the past 10 years, and if you have paid 100% of your tuition and have the receipt to show it. However, if you are called for an interview, here are some of the questions they might ask you to assist you get ready your answers.

(1). Be ready to give details how this course is relevant to your previous studies. Why did you decide this institute in the U.K.? How did you find out about it?

(2). Be prepared to give the location of the university, and give details why you picked this university and not one in your home country.

(3). Be methodically knowledgeable about the course you will be studying: what it is, why you’re studying it, the structure of the course, its contents, the benefit of going to this school and the money (dollar amount) you hope to create after you graduate.

(4). Explain your potential vocation path. They may want to know if you plan to work in the UK after graduating, and if you have researched career prospects in whatever country you’re planning to reside in afterwards.

(5). Come prepared with information about your sponsor. They may ask who is sponsoring you, where you will hang about, proof that your back can support you, the income source of the sponsor, their relation to you, how many other dependents the sponsor has and how many brothers and sisters you have.

(6). Give them and draw round of financial commitment and era of study. They will want to know when the course begins, and the total cost per year.

(7). Have a list of any friends or family you have in the U.K. They may ask about that and where/how you will spend your semester breaks.

Visa Rules for Students liberalize

The Government on Monday announced liberal rules for granting student visa. There will be no bar or restriction on the number of courses a foreign student may follow and each time the periodicity of the visa will be counted anew.

The student will be permitted to take multiple courses in one institution or manifold institutions, provided the institutions are recognized and reputed. State governments and Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) have been empowered to extend student visa within the parameters of the liberalised visa regime, an official let go said here.

With the rapid enlargement of the education sector in India in recent years, the require to liberalise the existing student visa regime was being felt and the liberalised regime would aim to make it more user-friendly, the let go said.

Details about Australian Student’s Visa

Many people would welcome the chance to spend some time in Australia studying and they can, as long as sure conditions are met. Firstly they must be proficient in English language, must attend a course or part of a course full time, and that course must be offered by an education or training provider registered with the Australian Government as accepting overseas students. The Department of Education, Science and Training provides full details but such courses comprise both vocational and academic.

There are 7 different types of student visa which may have differing conditions attached and these are:

(1). Independent ELICOS - For those undertaking an English Language Intensive Course either not leading to an Australian award or to a variety of certificates.

(2). Schools - For those in primary or secondary education.

(3). Vocational Educational and Training - which covers a number of vocational certificates and diplomas.

(4). Higher Education - covering degrees and graduate qualifications.

(5). Postgraduate Research - for those undertaking Masters research or a Doctorate.

(6). Non-Award - which are foundation studies or other components of courses not leading to an Australian award?

(7). AusAID and Defence - these are full-time courses undertaken by an AusAID or Defence student sponsored by the Australian Government

Each applicant for a student visa is assessed depending on country from which a passport is under arrest and the type of visa required. The evaluation level is designed to indicate how likely a student is to comply with the conditions of their visa, based on their previous performance. The assessment levels range from 1 to 5 and the higher the level, the more evidence will be required to support the visa application in terms of the student’s aptitude to support themselves and their fluency in the English language.

There are a number of conditions connected with being granted a Student Visa, the most distinguished of which being that the student must maintain enough health insurance for the period of their stay, they may not labor unless the apply intended for a separate visa to do so and they must remain in full-time education. The situation are far-away more detailed than this but this gives an thought of what is required of someone wanting to apply for a Student Visa. The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website will guide students through the steps required to apply for an Australian Visa.

Visa interview tips video

CAN F-1 student visa can be convert to H-IB work visa?

Suppose You now have a degree from a premier educational institution in the United States of America. You’ve pondered over the future and decided you want to work in the US for a while. Will you get a job? More importantly, will you get a work visa? Let’s see how you could convince a prospective employer to hire you and, one year hence, how you could convince them to help you secure a H-1B work visa. Let’s take the case of Harshal, an Indian studying in the US.

At the job interview

Harshal is about to graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles, has practical training and is giving a job interview with a smaller company that is not familiar with the process of securing employment visas.

Here’s how he answers a question regarding his ability to work in the US:

“Currently, I am in the US as an F-1 student and I am entitled to work under my practical training visa as soon as I graduate. Your company will not need to file any visas or take any steps before I can begin work with you. If I am able to prove my value to your company, I will need your assistance in converting to a long-term employment visa when my practical training ends. Of course, I will be responsible for the cost of the visa, and all of the paperwork is subject to your approval.”

The approach, say many observers of the immigration process, has been tremendously successful. By ‘disarming’ the issue of immigration, you give a smaller employer the option of hiring you without investing time and money in an unfamiliar immigration procedure.

We have even had students characterize the practical training as ‘the perfect trial period’ since the company can dismiss the new employee at any time should things not work out, without having to deal with any immigration penalty.

If things work out, many employers will at least contribute to the cost of processing the H-1B visa, mainly for employees who have really excelled in their first year. You should never ask for that upfront, but you can wait for it with many smaller companies.

Finally, bear in mind that if you are dealing with a actually major corporation — Dow, Microsoft, and the like — you can expect them to have in-house or outside attorneys who specifically handle immigration matters.

In such cases, particularly in highly specialized engineering positions and rehab professions (related to health care, where treatment is required to help the patient heal/ improve), your employer will likely pick up the total cost of procuring the visa.

After one year of employment

It is the end of the first year, Harshal’s practical training visa is about to expire, and he must raise the issue of securing a H-1B visa with his employer. This is what he says:

“Hi, Sam. I don’t know if you remember, but we had discussed the fact that, somewhere down the road, I would need your assistance in transferring my visa category. My student practical training is about to expire — we get one year after graduation. I know that Sozo Engineering doesn’t handle immigration paperwork, so I am aware I am completely responsible for the legal cost associated with my transfer in visa.

“Here is a checklist of the information I am going to need to present to my lawyer so he can prepare the paperwork for your signatures. He will then be calling you to explain all of the visa process, and answer any question you may have. He also asked me to tell you that all of the documentation which is submitted will be subject to your approval, and that your willingness to extend my employment does not in any way generate a contract — if I mess up, you guys are still free to get rid of me! Anyway, here is the info, and let me know whether you want to call the attorney or he should call you.

Now, think about it from the standpoint of a human resources professional: they are dealing with hundreds of issues ranging from insurance to workers’ compensation. Do they really want to hassle with immigration paperwork? By taking the initiative and presenting it as your problem not theirs, you are setting the framework for a positive dialogue between you, your employer, and the immigration lawyer.

Getting and keeping a long-term relationship with a quality US employer is a practical reality for many of the foreign students graduating from US universities. The opportunities are abundant, provided you know how to approach the employer and how to’d-fuse’ the issue of your foreign status.

Once you have your H-1B visa, you can remain in H-1B status for up to six years. While in H-1B status, you can also pursue permanent residency, if your employer is willing to sponsor you. Unless you are a physical therapist or a registered nurse, this process requires a labor certification, a costly and lengthy process that should only be attempted when you are extremely secure in your relationship with your employer.

The thing to remain in mind is that your US employer is not doing you a ‘favor’ by hiring you; you are being selected for your skills based upon the professional education you have received in the US, an education indistinguishable to that received by US-based graduates. They are hiring you for what you know, not because of anywhere you are from. Through a clever and honest presentation of the issues at hand and wary message with your qualified migration attorney, both you and your employer can benefit from a long-term connection that could eventually lead to your everlasting citizenship in the US, if you so wish.

Can I get a Job with a Student visa in USA?

(1). Do part - time on campus job while attending school FULL TIME (12 credits at minimum)

(2). Do part time off campus job AFTER you have CPT approved by your school (contact your international student office). Your job MUST be related to your study. In the past, during summer, students were allowed to have full time CPT and worked off campus. Not sure about the regulation now.

(3). Right before you graduate, you can apply for OPT. This gives you 1 full year working with any employer anywhere in the States. The work must be related to you study. This OPT (or work permit/EAD) can’t be used to re-entry the country, in case you go back or going abroad.

Because US immigration law changes all the times, I would encourage you to talk to the international student advisory in your school before even thinking applying for job.

Australian Student Visa

(i) Evidence of Enrolment

One of the important requirements for a student visa application is that you must be accepted for enrolment, to undertake a course, by a Government registered Australian education institution. This is verified by the advice of acceptance from the Australian institution (commonly known as Letter of Offer), which is issued to a student who has been offered enrolment in a full-time course. You should not pay any part of the course tuition fee prior to the outcome of the PVA.

(ii) Financial Ability

Sponsor/s will have to provide documentary evidence of having cash assets ( immediately encashable assets like savings and fixed deposits in banks) held for atleast 6 months prior to the pre-visa application date. For school applicants, funds need to be held for 3 months prior to the pre-visa application date.

Who an be a Sponsor?

Sponsor/s can be the applicant, parents, grandparents, or spouse only ( relatives like brother /sister /uncle /aunt /cousin / family friend are not acceptable). School applicants have no restriction on sponsor/s.

How much funds have to be shown?

For Masters and Doctorate Courses
Sponsors must provide evidence of cash assets for the first year tuition fee (as on the letter of offer) and living expenses (assumed at A$ 12000 p.a.) and access to additional funds (from acceptable sources) to meet the cost of the remainder of study and stay in Australia.

Commercial loans from Banks and government loans are acceptable.

In case the applicant holds a partial scholarship from an Australian institution or an institution in India ( eg. Educational Trusts), funds to cover the remaining costs must be provided as prescribed above.

Private corporate sponsorship is acceptable subject to certain conditions. However if the company is a family owned business and if one/both parents are directors/partners, it is treated as a parent sponsor.

Students with Dependants (Spouse/Children)
Costs could be expected to increase by atleast 35% if the student has a spouse, a further 20% (plus A$ 8000 p.a. for school fees if the child is 5 years or older) if the student has one child, a further 15% for each additional child plus school fees. The above amounts apply irrespective of whether they will accompany the applicant. Individual return travel costs need to be taken at A $ 1500 approx.

For Vocational Education and Training (VET), TAFE, Higher Education and School courses
Sponsors must provide evidence of cash assets covering tuition fee and living expenses of the entire duration of the proposed and pre-requisite course (including foundation/ELICOS/Bridging program that precedes the main course).

(iii) English Proficiency

All students have to demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency, measured by an IELTS overall band score of atleast 6.0, except those enrolling for a Diploma course (VET) in which case 5.5 is acceptable. Please note that TOEFL score is not acceptable and IELTS is compulsory even if the student has studied in English medium institutions throughout his/her academic career.

(iv) Potential to breach visa conditions

This is an assessment of an individual’s current circumstances done by the visa officer by reviewing for example, the situation in your home country - your personal and financial commitments that may prompt you to return to your home country.

(v) Other Relevant Matters

These include:

• Immigration links with Australia

• Usefulness of course for career development

• Satisfactory completion of year 12 / relevant undergraduate degree or equivalent.

• Strong links have to be established between past academic/work background and study goals.

• Guardianship arrangements (if applicant is under 18 at the time of PVA application)

4. Further Processing

If you are advised that you meet the PVA requirements, you will be asked to undergo further processing. This I ncludes payment of course tuition fee to the Australian educational institution and a medical examination. It is essential that the student and the accompanying dependent(s) meet the Australian Health requirements before a visa may be granted. This involves a medical check and an x-ray for applicants over 16. Applicants will need to present an original valid passport to identify themselves to the Doctor and Radiologist. In some cases medical results will be referred to Australia and as this process takes 3 - 4 weeks, applicants will need to allow additional time. Usually only medicals where the doctor or radiologist has detected an abnormality will be referred to Australia. Applicants need to take into account postage or courier times also.

5. Total processing time

As a general rule, applicants should allow a four (4) to six (6) week timeframe for processing of applications.

Factors that may delay this processing time include:

• Medical referral to Australia and the need for any subsequent medical tests;

• Document verification including educational documents, employment references and bank statements; and

• Applications which are incomplete and require the visa office to make contact with the applicant or the applicant’s agent.

6. Health Insurance

It is compulsory for all international students to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for themselves and their dependents, where applicable, for the duration of the visa. The. premium for. OSHC is only to be paid once the PVA requirements have been met. The current premiums for OSHC are AUD274 for a single person and AIJD54S for a whole family.

7. Re-entry into Australia

All Student Visas have a multiple entry facility for the full period of the visa. Students who plan to travel out of, and return to, Australia at any time during their course are advised to check that their visa is valid for return to Australia.

Student Visa Application Process

Whether you are seeking an F visa or J visa, you face the seemingly arduous task of traveling to a US consulate for a face to face visa interview. Since both visas fall in the “non-immigrant” category, there is a legal assumption that governs its issuance. In effect, you, the applicant, face a legal burden of proof the minute you walk up to that window.

Let us explain. According to US immigration law, every person who enters a US consulate to apply for a non immigration visa is presumed to be an intended immigrant unless that person can show evidence to the contrary. This is serious! It is an assumption under Section 214 B of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( INA).

The government of the United States has instructed every counselor at the window to believe that you might be using the student visa as a pretense for entering the US on a permanent basis. So you will have to show them that such is not the case when you get there. How do you overcome such a burdensome presumption?

The key is proper preparation and understanding what is required. Let’s talk about the documents:

Passport

You will have your passport. Generally, if you have traveled to the USA before and not violated the law or the terms of your visa, you are probably most likely to get the student or exchange visa. If you have traveled extensively in developed countries, that helps.

However, if you have been to Cuba or are from a Middle-Eastern or communist country, you may have to do some explaining. While these factors may not directly impact the decision, they are complications that will make the interview a bit more nerve wrecking.

Forms DS-156 and DS-157

You will fill out a form called the DS-156 (and the DS 157 if you are male). The first is the visa application form; the second is the security form. The form requires two passport photos with clearly indicated dimensions, and a $100 US or local equivalent application fee. The form itself is not complex. But you will need to have your intended address (so get it from the university), and you will need to answer questions about your plans.

One touchy issue on the form is about your previous travels to the USA. Records exist, especially for post 2001 activities, so be honest. Another touchy issue is that of relatives. If you have had a previous immigrant filing or a current immigrant petition, then it is not advisable to seek a student visa. You would not be able to clear the “intended immigrant” hurdle. Previous, but not current filing can be explained but might be a hurdle.

Having relatives in the USA is NOT an asset. Don’t believe for a minute that your uncle in New York or your sister in Los Angeles would work in your favor. On the contrary, it demonstrates ties to the USA and not your home country. If such a condition exists, be prepared to explain why it would not be a factor in your plans to return home after completing your degree.

Fees

Fees can be costly. So a mistake the first time could result in you having to re-apply and pay another $100. But even if you have everything right, prior to going for the interview, you must pay a SEVIS or form I-901 fee, in addition to your visa fee. That is also $100. You must have evidence that you have paid this fee online prior to arriving for your interview.

Making an Appointment

Online is a good way to make a visa appointment (where available), and also to submit your DS-156 and or DS-157. Submitting the forms electronically and arriving at the embassy for your scheduled interview can help to accelerate your case and give you a preferred place in line. You will have a bar-coded printout that you can take with you allowing easy access to your application.

Supplemental Documents

Supplemental documents are serious. In addition to the passport, photos, forms, and documents, always carry your financial information that you submitted to the school. But it is also wise to carry any additional evidence of present or future financial support.

Take all your academic documents and copies of your test scores. Carry any correspondence from your school particularly scholarship offers or housing confirmation. If you have a family business, a house, a significant other, a pending job, or a bond, or evidence of anything that suggests or compels you to return, then these are great things to carry.

Keep in mind, the purpose of the interview is to simply assure the counselor that you intend to go to school in good faith and complete the intended program and then obediently return to your home country. It is also important to convince him or her that you have the language skills, academic ability, and the financial means or support to total this. Given those situation, you should have no problems getting your visa.

How to Get F1 Student Visa? Read

An F1 visa is subject to international students who are presence an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F-1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. They can remain in the US up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to total their academic program. In addition, an F1 student can stay for 12 months after securing a degree to work under the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program. F1 students are predictable to total their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) which is give by the US College or university that the student has been accepted to and will attend.

In sequence to meet the requirements, applicants need to satisfy several strict criteria:

(1). Must have sufficient financial support;

(2). Must have strong ties to home country (e.g. job offer letter upon completion of studies, assets, bank accounts, and family).

(3). It may be possible to convert this visa to a temporary work visa upon completion of applicant’s studies. Spouses and minor children obtain F-2 visa status and are not authorized to work in the U.S.

(4). Must have a foreign residence and must intend to return there upon completion of studies;

(5). Can only study at the academic institution through which the visa was granted;

In our Working in the USA section, we provide detailed guidance on the various employment opportunities for F1 students in the USA. Generally, immigration regulations are very strict with respect to working while carrying a student visa. F-1 status, which is the most common status for full-time international students, allows for part time, on-campus employment (fewer than 20 hours per week.) Jobs available on campus typically do not pay much, certainly not enough to finance a university education. Do not count on this kind of a job for anything more than a supplement to other funds.

An F-1 student is generally entitled up to one year of post-completion practical training. Authorization for this type of practical training may be granted for a maximum of 12 months and only starts once you have graduated or completed your course of study.

Please visit our Working in the USA section for complete information regarding OPT and other permitted employment for F1 students.

Speak to the international students department of your university to get the necessary forms to apply. They will inform you of the different practical training options available to you. Find out about your practical training options when you start to study so you can adequately prepare for the future.

Applying for an F1 Visa

Different universities have different admission policies. Your university will inform you what they need from you in order to determine that you are academically eligible. Amongst other requirements, you will need to show the school that you have enough money to support yourself while studying without having to work and you may have to show health insurance in order to cover any medical expenses should you need any medical assistance. Always protect yourself by keeping a copy of everything that you fill out and send off. Once the university has determined that your application is complete and you are academically eligible, they will issue an I-20 form to enable you to apply for your student visa.

Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. This will normally be your home country, the country in which you live. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

You will need the following when applying at the consulate for your student visa:

(1). A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States. If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must make a use.

(2). One photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37×37mm) for each applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background

(3). For the “F” applicant, a Form I-20A-B. For the “M” applicant, a Form I-20M-N. This form shows that you have been admitted into a US college, university or other institution.

(4). You will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself.

(5). You will have to pay a non-refundable application fee. This means that if your visa does not get approved, you will not get your money back.

(6). An application Form DS-156, completed and signed. These forms are free at all U.S. consular offices.

(7). A DS-157 form for all males aged 16-45.

Basic details of Student Visa for USA

Any global student who wants to enter US student should obtain legal consent from the country, by applying to a nearby US embassy or consulate. There are mainly two types of student visas that exist for studying in the USA. ‘F1 Visa’ is the ‘Student Visa’ meant for students who register in any academic or language program. The students who get this F1 visa are allowed to be there in the country for the entire period of the course and sixty more days. ‘J1 Visa‘ is the second kind of student visa for pursuing studies in the USA, generally called as ‘Exchange Visitor Visa’. This is issued for students needing practical training that is not obtainable in their resident country to complete their academic program.

In the latter case, the training must be directly related to the academic program. The J1 visa obligates international students to return to their inhabitant land for a minimum of two years after the completion of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant or enduring visa. The essential and most important documents generally required for getting the US student visa are a valid passport known by the country you belong, your new passport sized photographs and a non-immigrant visa claim available from the Consular section.

Proof of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved is needed and visa fee is to be paid in the currency form of your native country by a Bank Draft. You will be asked to offer details like income details of your parents, your regular annual living expenses, details of your and your parents’ belongings assets and sources of funding for your education other than from the university or the school. However, the students are advised to search for the help from the respective embassy place of work or consulates for the precise details.