F-1 Student Visa

Studying in the U.S. can open many doors for foreigners. First, the U.S. boasts some of the top academic institutions in the world, in all specialties and at all levels. Second, studying abroad can also increase future job prospects for those who dream of working in the U.S. in the future, as employers often prefer their new hires to have an American academic background. Even for those who wish to make significant progress in their English, nothing is more effective than an intensive course combined with the cultural immersion of physically being in the U.S.

The F-1 visa opens doors to all those possibilities, allowing foreign students of all ages to stay in the U.S. for as long as the normal course of study lasts, as well as one additional year of practical training after the completion of study in certain cases. Any foreign student pursuing a full course of study in approved colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, private elementary schools, other academic institutions, as well as in language training programs in the United States is covered by the F-1 visa.

Students must be accepted by the academic institution, which must be registered as a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) institution.  The alien student must satisfy two criteria: (a) He must prove that he has no intent to remain permanently in the U.S. and that his travel to the U.S. is only for the purposes of completing a course of study; and (b) he must also prove that he has the financial resources required to pay for his educational and living costs while in the United States.

Generally, the US consular officer has the total discretion to grant the visa or not, which makes preparation for the consular interview of paramount importance. Steve Maggi specializes in preparing student visa applications and students for their consular interviews. If you have any questions concerning studying in the U.S. or any other visa questions, please contact us at info@usavisaspecialists.com

J-1 “Exchange Visitor” Visa

The J-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for the "Exchange Visitor." Visa holders of this category secure their employment through sponsors associated with the Exchange Visitor Program designated by the U.S. State Department (DOS). Similar to professional visas, an offer of employment must be secured before any other action is taken. Individuals who qualify for the J-1 visa include secondary school, college and graduate degree students, research scholars, college professors, business trainees, flight aviation program trainees, primary and secondary school teachers, medical residents or interns receiving medical training.

There are also other alternatives within the J category. In some situations, J-1 holders may work for non-sponsor employers provided they meet eligibility requirements, which vary depending on the applicable category. J-1 research scholars are eligible to work for a non-sponsor employer in a closely-related research program for a maximum duration of six months, provided the program has been approved (written authorization required) by the original sponsor. Additionally, there is also the Practical Training Program (PTP), which allows college students and post-doctoral students to receive relevant practical training after graduation, up to eighteen (18) months for college students and thirty-six months for post-doctoral students. PTP participants do not need to obtain DOS or USCIS approval. The duration of J-1 status depends on the rules established by your particular Visitor Exchange program but may be extended in certain cases.

The J visa category also provides one advantage that no other nonimmigrant visa does: It’s the only nonimmigrant visa that allows employment of dependants, allowing a J-1 holders' spouse and minor children (J-2 status) to work with USCIS authorization, provided that their income is not used to support the J-1 visa holder. The downside of the J category is that certain classes of "Exchange Visitors" are required to return to their country of last permanent residence for two years after completing their J-1 status. However, there is a waiver to this requirement which can often alleviate this side effect.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about J-1 visas, waivers, extensions or exchange programs in general, please contact us by calling us or via email by writing to: info@usavisaspecialists.com.