VISA POLICIES OF THE US FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you are interested in studying in the US, besides learning about modern American education, surely US policies for international students are content that cannot be ignored. Among them, the policy that receives the most attention is the Visa policy - settling in the US for international students. So, let's learn about this with Balboa through the article below.

1. What is Visa? Classification of Student Visas in the US

America welcomes all foreign nationals to come here to study. Before applying for a visa, all student visa applications must be accepted by the school or their program. Once accepted, educational institutions will provide the student with the necessary approval documents to submit with the US student visa application kit. Therefore, visa is considered as an indispensable requirement of international students when coming to this country.

In the US, there are 3 types of visas for students, they are:

• F-1 student visa: to attend an accredited US school, college or university or to study English in an English academy.
• J-1 exchange visa: for participation in an exchange program, including high school and college studies
• M-1 student visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States .

A valid student visa is required to apply to the Department of Homeland Security to complete immigration clearance to the United States at the port of entry. Student's Form I-20 document (F and M visas) or DS-2019 document (J visa), issued by the institution allowing the student to maintain student status in the US even if Visa expires during study. In order to issue an I-20 or DS-2019 document for a student visa, US facilities must be certified by the Department of Homeland Security SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) (F, M visa) or designated by the respective Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs (visa J).

Although an organization is certified by SEVP for an I-20 (F, M visa), the organization may not be nationally or regionally accredited. Recognition of course credits and degrees by other institutions and by U.S. and international employers is linked to an institution's accreditation. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation list accrediting databases of all American universities. Note that institutions designated by the Department of Culture and Education to place participants in Academic Exchange (J visa) programs must be accredited.

Two separate US government agencies govern the arrival and status of international students while studying in the United States. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for the initial visa application and issuance process. Once the visa holder arrives in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will act as the agency responsible for granting entry to the country, as well as enforcing immigration regulations that affect international members while they are in the United States.

2.1. What is the new US Visa policy?

With the new US Visa policy, international students coming to the US will go through five stages when applying for a US student visa. Specifically as follows:

2.1. Apply to a SEVP-approved institution

As an international student, you should ensure that you choose an institution and program that is accredited by the US government's Student and Exchange Travel Program (SEVP). Accreditation is important as it ensures your degree is recognized by Universities, professional associations, employers and government departments worldwide. Only institutions approved by SEVP can enroll students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide you with the necessary documents to apply for a student visa.

Unlike some countries, the US does not have a centralized University application system. You will therefore need to apply to each University of your interest separately. You will need to meet the admissions requirements of each institution and will often also be asked to provide proof of sufficient financial resources. Once you have been accepted by an educational institution, the University will enroll you in the SEVIS system and you will be sent a SEVIS-generated document called Form I-20 if you are eligible for an F visa or M, or Form DS-2019 if you are eligible for a J visa. SEVP manages international students under the F and M visa subclasses, while the Department of State (DoS) administers the Award Visitor Programs exchange and international students under the J visa classification. Both SEVP and DoS use SEVIS to track and monitor institutions and exchange programs for international students and visitors.

2.2. SEVIS Fee Payment

You must pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before you apply for a US visa. To pay the fee, you need to submit an online application or a paper form. Both can be accessed through the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP website. Be careful to enter the requested details exactly as they appear on your I-20 or DS-2019 form. At the time of writing, the I-901 fee is US$350 for F/M visa holders and $220 for J student visa holders. Instead, J visa holders work as Camping advisors, couples or in work, travel in the summer pay $35. The website explains the process for different forms of payment including debit or credit cards, checks, international money transfers, and Western Union Express Payments. After paying the fee, you can return to the website to check the status of your payment if you wish. A third party (such as your sponsor) may also pay the fee for you. If fees are paid on your behalf, you will receive a receipt from that third party.

You can get and print the payment confirmation from the website at any time after making the online fee payment. You will need this confirmation as proof of fee payment at your US student visa interview. You may also be required to present the confirmation to the customs officer at your chosen US port of entry, if you change your nonimmigrant status or if you are applying for any immigration benefits. any other US resident.

2.3. Completing the US Student Visa Application

Once you have received the SEVIS form and paid the SEVIS fee, you can make an appointment with the US consulate or embassy in your home country to apply for a US student visa. . It's best to apply as soon as possible, regardless of when your program begins as visa processing times can vary. Your visa can be issued up to 120 days before you arrive in the United States. Most countries have websites dedicated to everything related to applying for a US student visa, which you can access https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ from the main website https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ If you can't find your country in the list, you can still find the US embassy or consulate in your country using https://www.usembassy.gov of the US embassy.

2.4. Paying the Visa Application Fee

Machine-readable visa application fee or 'MRV fee'. In Vietnam, the payment of visa fees is made at branches of Vietnam Post by money order. You just need to bring the online confirmation of DS-160 submission to the branch, meet the visa fee payment department and the post office staff will collect the fee, print you a receipt of the MRV fee. The system will update within 1 day after you pay the fee at the post office. Once updated, you will proceed to the step of scheduling an interview. You will be asked to show your MRV fee receipt when you arrive for your visa interview appointment. Some J visa applicants will not need to pay an application processing fee if participating in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program or a federally funded educational and cultural exchange program with serial number the program starts at G-1, G-2, G-3 or G-7.

2.5. Schedule and attend the US student visa interview

The final step to applying for a US student visa is to arrange and attend a visa interview. You can do this online or by phone, by calling your nearest US embassy or consulate. In either case, it is recommended that you complete your MRV fee payment in advance as you may need to provide your MRV fee number.

The visa application process cannot be completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer. Don't worry if you need to schedule your interview appointment at a different US embassy or consulate than the one you used to apply for your visa. The barcode from your DS-160 can be used to retrieve your information in any US embassy or consulate. Be aware, however, that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa if you apply outside of your permanent residence. Waiting times for visa interview appointments vary by location, season and visa type.

Above is the information that Balboa has filtered and shared with students and parents. Hope this sharing will be useful to you in the process of applying for a visa with the new US policy for international students.