Applying for tourist and study visa to USA

Specific details

A student visa in the United States grants international students the opportunity to study in schools, colleges, universities, or improve their English language skills. However, before applying for a student visa in the US, it is necessary to obtain an official invitation from the school and possess official documentation confirming the purpose of the trip to America.

It's important to note that the law prohibits citizens of other countries from studying in primary schools, including pre-school institutions and those schools funded by the state. Therefore, the US visa (F-1) is not issued for these particular cases.

In order to study at an accredited secondary school in the USA for a period of 12 months (9th-12th grade), it is necessary to obtain a special I-20 form from the school. This form confirms that the student has paid all the necessary fees (registration and other).

To obtain the status of a student and, consequently, a student visa in the United States, it is important to have sufficient financial resources, maintain regular attendance in all classes, and demonstrate a genuine intention to solely focus on studies without seeking additional employment. This is a requirement for obtaining a student visa in America. International students usually return to their home country upon completion of their educational program.

During the visa interview, immigration officers consider all applicants as potential immigrants, regardless of the type of visa they are applying for, including the student visa. Therefore, it is extremely important that foreign applicants clearly explain to the police officer why they decided to continue their educational program in the United States, and provide the necessary documents confirming their financial status and detailed information about family ties in their home country. The F1 student visa has a strict rule of staying in the United States after graduation.

For students enrolled in private schools, colleges, or universities in the United States, the F-1 student visa is applicable. However, if students are pursuing vocational or non-academic education, they will require an M-1 visa. Tourists who wish to engage in intensive study, up to 18 hours per week, can apply for the B2 visa category.

Since foreign students are enrolled in full-time programs at universities, they are generally not allowed to seek additional employment, except for on-campus work opportunities. Therefore, applicants must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources to support themselves for the duration of their studies without the need for additional employment.

Sometimes foreign students can return to the USA with educational purposes. It is permissible to enter the country in the following situations:

In cases where the current US student visa has not expired, has not been revoked and you have a document in good condition without any damages.
The purpose of the trip corresponds to the nonimmigrant category specified in visa;
If you change passport, you will need to present both the old and new ones;
The personal information in both documents must match (except in cases of name changes due to marriage);
Both passports must be issued by the authorities of the same country and be of the same type (e.g., two regular passports or two diplomatic passports).

Student category F-1

To obtain a student visa in the US, specifically an F-1 visa, the following steps and documents are required

Complete the electronic form DS-160.
Pay the consular fee of $160 (subject to change).
Schedule an interview with an immigration officer and prepare the following information:

Passport number.
Bar code from the confirmation page with a ten-digit number, after submitting form DS-160.
Document or receipt number confirming payment of the consular fee.

Arrive early at the US embassy or consulate.

For applicants seeking an M or F visa, such as an F-1 student visa, the following documents must be collected

Completed DS-160 application form (non-immigration category) in electronic format.
Valid foreign passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay in the United States. If there are other individuals listed in the applicant's passport who also require a student visa, they must submit separate applications.
Copies of all completed pages of the national passport.
Copies of completed pages from previous passports, if applicable.
One color photo measuring 5cm x 5cm.
Special Form I-20 approved by the school or educational institution.
Receipt for payment of Form I-901 (SEVIS fee).

Supporting documents play a crucial role in the visa application process. Consulate officers assess each applicant individually, considering cultural, social, and professional factors when making decisions. These documents may include proof of close family, social, and financial ties to the home country to demonstrate an intention to return after completing studies. Financial documents should indicate the availability of sufficient funds to cover expenses during the stay in the US and for the first year of education.

International students may need to provide different documents for future education , such as:

School certificates;
Translations of educational documents into English;
Proof of sponsorship;
Confirmed education level.

Additionally, applicants may be required to provide notarized consent for minors and relevant marriage or birth certificates.

It is important to note that providing fake documents to the consulate is strictly prohibited and can result in a permanent ban on obtaining a US visa.

The processing time for a student visa in the United States varies from 7 to 30 working days, depending on consulate workload and the need for verification and administrative processing.

If there is a break in education lasting 5 or more months, the student's visa in the US may be suspended, and a new M-1 or F-1 form must be obtained to continue the course. It is recommended to consult with the educational institution before traveling abroad to ensure that activities outside of the US will not impact the student's education.

In case of transferring to another educational institution or program, failure to renew the study visa within 5 months may invalidate the old visa.

Tourist category b1 / b2

To apply for a tourist visa in the US, the following documents are required:

Valid foreign passport, with a minimum validity of 6 months prior to departure.
Previous passports, if applicable, along with photocopies of all completed pages.
One color photo measuring 5cm x 5cm, and a digital photo in JPEG format with a minimum of 600 x 600 pixels and a maximum of 1200 x 1200 pixels.
Copies of all completed pages of the national passport.
Confirmation of current employment, establishing a link to the country of residence:

For employees: an employment certificate on company letterhead, stating position, salary, length of employment, approval of leave, and, if applicable, purpose of the official trip (original and copy).
For students: certificate from the educational institution.

Marriage certificate and birth certificates of children.
For minors:

Birth certificate.
Consent for the child's travel (preferably covering the entire trip duration, but it is recommended to have it for as long a period as possible in case of travel changes or subsequent trips).

Bank statement showing available funds (copy and original).
Copies of documents confirming ownership, if applicable.
Completed electronic form DS-160 (assistance can be provided by our company's employees).
Travel details:

Tourism: itinerary, hotel reservations, and confirmation of pre-paid deposit.
Study (less than 18 hours per week): document from the school confirming payment for the course and accommodation.
Invitation: invitation letter and document verifying the identity of the inviter.

Information regarding convictions, criminal charges, and sentences, regardless of location, even if the applicant has been pardoned or served a sentence.
Consent from both parents for minors.

Please note that possessing a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. It simply confirms that the US consular officer has granted you the right to apply for entry for a specific purpose. According to US law, most applicants must demonstrate strong ties to their country of residence and show that they intend to leave the US after a temporary visit.
During the interview, the consul places more importance on your answers to their questions rather than the documents provided. However, you can bring any additional documents that support the purpose of your trip, your connections to your country of residence, previous business or tourist trips abroad. These may include old passports, income and property documents, as well as business correspondence explaining your planned stay.

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