If you live outside the United States but are seeking an education here, your best bet may be to apply for a student visa first. Specifically, you may need to petition for an F-1 visa to engage in academic studies at an accredited college, university, private secondary school, or approved English language program in the country. So if this is your current predicament, please follow along to find out whether you are eligible for a student visa and how one of the proficient Lancaster County student visa lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can help you make this determination.
How do I know if I am eligible for a student visa?
Before you even think about applying for a student visa, you must apply for a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school in the United States. You must then be accepted into said SEVP-approved school. Once this is squared away, you must ask yourself the following questions to confirm your full eligibility for this visa type:
- Will I be enrolled as a full-time student at the SEVP-approved school?
- Do I have sufficient funds to support myself through the SEVP-approved school?
- Am I proficient enough in English to handle myself at the SEVP-approved school?
- Will I be participating in a course of study that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate?
- Am I able and willing to return to my home country after receiving a degree, diploma, or certificate?
If the answers to all the above questions are “yes,” then you may proceed with your student visa application.
How far in advance can I apply for a student visa?
Generally speaking, you may only be issued your student visa up to 365 days in advance of your first day at the SEVP-approved school. This is unless you are an existing student visa holder, in which case you may be issued your new visa at any time. This is, of course, so long as you are still actively enrolled as a full-time student at an SEVP-approved school.
How long will my student visa be set to last?
You must understand that a student visa is not an immigrant visa. Rather, it is meant for you to temporarily stay in the United States until you complete your studies successfully. With this, there is a temporary grace period of 60 days, so you may have adequate time to prepare for your departure and next steps accordingly.
Importantly, you must do everything possible to honor this deadline. Otherwise, you may be viewed as having an unlawful presence in the United States. This may prompt an arrest or deportation proceedings.
At any rate, please contact one of the talented Lancaster County student visa lawyers today. We, at Lupton Law LLC, look forward to your phone call.
