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Student Visas: Student applicants (for F-1 & M-1) overview When do I need to apply for my student visa? When should I apply for a student visa? What are SEVIS and SEVP? What should you know about it? What documents does a foreign student returning to Puerto Rico needs? How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa? Puerto Rico is a US territory. The US policy welcomes citizens from around the world who genuinely want to study in PR. The new visa procedures reflect concern for ensuring the safety of US residents and visitors alike, not a desire to make it more difficult for legitimate travelers to enter PR. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, some changes have been made in the federal laws governing visitor entry and exit to the US and PR. The law requires additional application forms and security clearances. Visa applications take longer to process. However, better interagency cooperation and automated procedures have speeded up the clearance process. The goal is to make the visa process not only thorough but also respectful and efficient. For detailed information, visit: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/visapolicy/index.html If you’re a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you’ll need a visa to enter to PR. A visa doesn’t necessarily permit entry to PR. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you’re eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State. A US visa allows you to travel to PR as far as the port of entry (airport) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the Country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter to PR. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the US Department of Homeland Security. There are two categories of US visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in PR. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the US but who wish to be in PR on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study. For detailed information, visit: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/whatis/index.html Student visas: Students applicants (for F-1 and M-1) overview If you are going to PR primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so with a visitor visa. You should inquire at the appropriate US embassy or consulate. If your course of study is more than 18 hours a week, you will need a student visa. Please read this information for general information on how to apply for an F1 or M1 Student Visa. For additional student related information, visit the EducationUSA Web site, created by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, to learn about educational opportunities for graduate study, opportunities for scholars, financial aid, testing, admissions, and much more. In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. However, each US embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should consult embassy Web sites or call for specific application instructions. For detailed information, visit: http://usembassy.state.gov/ What is needed to apply for a student visa? It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Also, because each student’s personal and academic situation is different; two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers overseas, depending on each student’s situation. All applicants for a student visa must provide: Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students. You will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, I-20, which was provided to you by your school. You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. All students, as well as their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) , an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and exchange visitors and their dependents (F/M-2 visa holders). Your school is responsible for entering your information for the I-20 student visa form into SEVIS. Students will also have to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee for each program of study. Questions regarding your exchange program should be directly to your program sponsor;
All applicants should be prepared to provide:
Applicants with dependants must also provide:
For detailed information, visit: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/obtainingvisa/index.html When do I need to apply for my student visa? Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make repeat visits to the embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring the documents suggested HERE, as well as any other documents that might help establish their ties to the local community. Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. It is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date. For detailed information, visit: http://usembassy.state.gov/ The consular officer may need to get special clearances depending on the course of study and nationality of the student. This can take some additional time. Students should note that US Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 90 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 90 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 accomplish any of the necessary special clearances or other processes that may be required. Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all initial or beginning students enter to PR 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 carefully when making travel plans to PR. A student who wants to an earlier entry to P.R. (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-506, 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 until the change of classification is approved. For detailed information, visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/embassies/embassies_1214.html What are SEVIS and SEVP? What should you know about it? The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the US Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M Visa), exchange visitors (J Visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the US Department of Homeland Security and US Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. All student applicants must have a SEVIS generated I-20 issued by an educational institution approved by DHS, which they submit when they are applying for their student visa. The consular officer will need to verify your I-20 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your student visa application. Unless otherwise exempt, participants whose SEVIS I-20 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the US Department of Homeland Security for each individual program. The fee may be paid either through a special website, via Western Union, or by mail. Once the UPRH's BA Programs that promote the International Exchange Program: "Gateway to the Greater Caribbean" recommend the admission, the UPRH's Exchange Office or the Coordinator will contact you. In order to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student Status, they will request you the following:
Beginning September 1, 2004, a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule goes into effect that requires new F-1 Visa applicants pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the federal administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The fee can be paid to the DHS by mail or online and must be accompanied by Form I-901. You can download Form I-901 at www.FMJfee.com o www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm. What documents does a foreign student returning to Puerto Rico needs? All applicants applying for renewals must submit:
All applicants applying for renewals should be prepared to submit:
How long may I stay on my F-1 Student Visa? When you enter to PR on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 Visa in your passport expires while you are in America. A student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, is allowed the following additional time in the US before departure:
For detailed information, visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html#public. |
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