America is full of educational opportunities. From incredible schools to the experience of US culture, you may want to travel from your country-of-origin and spend some time in the United States perfecting your field of study. America welcomes students from other countries, but you can't just hop on a plane and come to the US. Instead, you will need to carefully think through your choice to study in America and fill out some essential paperwork. When you want to spend some time in the US studying, you will need to apply for an F1 student visa. These are only issued to international students who are in the United States to obtain an academic degree. Sometimes the government may also issue an F1 to a student who is studying at an English Learning program.

In order to keep your F1, you will need to maintain at least a minimum course load every semester that you are here. This is because you must be considered a full-time student. You are permitted to stay in the US for up to 60 days after you complete your degree, at which time you will need to go back to your homeland. If you decide to enroll in an Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, then you can stay in the United States for a year after your degree is completed. When you request an F1, you will need to fill out an I-20 form, which is called the Certificate of Eligibility Nonimmigrant Student Status. This form is provided by the college or university that you will be attending. They will ensure that you have been accepted there and committed to being a full-time student. Also, you will need to complete your studies by the expiration date on the form.

There are other criteria that you must meet in order to obtain your F1 visa. For one, you must have a foreign residence and intend to return there when you complete your degree. You are only allowed to study at the institution that is listed on your visa. Changing your college or university would violate the promise you made to the US government and may put you in grave danger of deportation. You must have sufficient financial support to study here. If you arrive in the US without the means to pay for your schooling, you may be sent home.

Also, it is important that you have strong ties to your home country. The USCIS does not want foreign exchange students to move to America schooling and then refuse to leave and go home. Because of this, you will need to prove that you have a job waiting for you at home, or assets, bank accounts, friends, family, or a spouse that is waiting for you in the country that you came from. If you don't have ties, there is a possibility that you could turn your visa into a temporary work visa when you finish your studies.

When you want to apply for an international student status in the US, you must first contact the university you wish to attend. If you have been accepted to study here, then the admissions office will help you to apply for your student visa. You will need to adhere to your specific university's requirements and fill out their paperwork. Each school has their own policies and qualifications, and they will probably evaluate your case to choose whether or not you are academically eligible to study there. You may need to show health insurance and provide proof that you can afford your schooling. If the university accepts you, they will give you an I-20 form to fill out. Then you will need to apply at the U.S. embassy that has jurisdiction over the location of the school.

You will need to pay an application fee to start the process. Unfortunately, this fee is nonrefundable so if you are not accepted to study in the US you can't get your money back. You will then need to fill out the Form DS-156 and sign it. Get this form from a US Consular office. If you are a male and are between the ages of 16-47, you will have to fill out a DS-157. Also, apply for passport that extends 6 months beyond your intended date of departure from the US. To complete this you need have your picture taken at a post office or another place that offers passport photography. As well, you will need to fill out another form that shows that you have been accepted into an American university or college.

Once all of these forms are complete, you are probably ready to enter into the United States and start your education! If you need a job while working on your education in the US, you may be able to get a part-time job at your school. Normally the government is very strict that international students must not get a job off of campus or be hired anywhere full-time. You could probably spend your hours in the school bookstore or library with a work-study job for a maximum of 20 hours per week. By following all of these guidelines carefully and you should have a safe and secure experience as an international student in the United States.