Davis & Associates

Noncitizens wishing to study in the United States can apply for a nonimmigrant student visa.

The United States allows for foreign students to attend school in the United States under three visa programs: F Visas for academic students, M Visas for vocational students, and J Visas for exchange visitors.  This article covers F and M Visa students – for more information on J Visas, see the article entitled “Exchange Visitor Visas.”

The F visa for academic students and the M visa for vocational students are similar in many ways.  Both are nonimmigrant visas and one of the requirements for obtaining either is to prove that the student has a foreign residence that they intend to return to.  If the official issuing the visa is not satisfied that the student has no intent to abandon his residency in the foreign country, she can deny the visa application.  Other requirements are listed below:

Acceptance by the US School or Program

The foreign student must be accepted by a USCIS-approved school or program.  The school or program must meet certain requirements in order to obtain and maintain USCIS approval.  The student must pursue a full-time course of study.

Academic Prerequisites

The foreign student must have sufficient academic credits to meet the usual attendance requirements of the school or program.  The student must also be proficient enough in English to manage a full-time course load.  Exceptions exist for students who are coming to the US to attend English language-training programs, and for students whose classes will be taught in their native language, or have made arrangements with the school or program to receive English classes.

Financial Support

Because of the strict restrictions against accepting employment while in the US on a nonimmigrant student visa, a foreign student must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial support to cover their expenses, including things like tuition and fees, books, room and board, etc.  The foreign student can meet this requirement by showing the future availability of funds and rather than the immediate possession of them.

Many learning institutions have programs in place aimed specifically to assist foreign students with every stage in the visa application process.  Contact the admissions department of the American school of your choice for more information on student visas.