Are you a Chinese student who wants to study or work in the U.S.? If so you might find the visa process confusing. It’s important to follow all the rules perfectly.
This guide will make applying for a student visa simple and give you useful tips on how to balance your study and work as a foreign student in the U.S.
Picking the Appropriate Visa
Chinese learners in America usually get an F-1 visa. This visa is laid out for scholarly studies in a U.S. college or university that is accredited. Bear in mind:
The F-1 visa lets you arrive in the U.S. You must be a full time student at a college university or school. Your school could be a music academy, high school or any other academic place that has proper accreditation. It could also be a language learning program as long as it has a diploma degree or certificate. And the school must have U.S. government permission to take in students from other countries.
Now let’s dive into the other U.S. student visas. The J-1 visa is your key if you’re a student who requires unique practical training. You need this training to finish your academic course but alas it’s not available in your home country.
But what if you’re not on the academic path? Let’s say you’re more of a hands on kind of person interested in vocational training or non-academic study in the U.S. Can you still get a visa? Yes you can! Go for the M-1 Visa instead. It’s the perfect fit for practical training in America.
Next let’s break down the F-1 Visa application process. It all starts when you receive Form I-20. What’s this you ask? Well as soon as you get accepted into a U.S. institution the school’s office for international students hands over this form to you. This form is your first real step towards achieving your dream of studying in the U.S.
Next there’s the SEVIS fee for you to handle. You have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before your visa meeting. This fee supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program in the U.S.
After this, it’s finally time for you to arrange your visa meeting! You will have to set a date with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in China. Interview time slots are different depending on where you live the time of year and the kind of visa. So start your application as soon as you can. The sooner the better. There you have it a simple guide to visa application. All in easy to understand English. Keep the process light and fun. All the best with your application!
Prepare for the Interview
You need to collect several key documents. These are
- your passport,
- I-20 Form,
- your letter of acceptance,
- proof of financial backing,
- SEVIS fee payment receipt,
- your fully filled DS-160 visa form.
You should be ready to give answers about your study plans, your goals after graduation and why you picked the U.S.
Keeping Up with Your F 1 Visa Rules
Remember no deviation from full time study is allowed. The rule wants you to stay focused on your studies and finish them without any delay.
Hope this helps to make it easier for you. Good luck on your journey!
What About Work on a Student Visa?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program for international students who are in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa. It allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study, and even get paid for it. Students can participate in OPT for up to 12 months, and it’s possible to extend for an additional 24 months if your study and work is in the STEM field. To qualify, students must have been enrolled in an accredited academic program for at least one full academic year. OPT can be used either during the student’s studies (pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (post-completion OPT). The application process involves submitting Form I-765 to USCIS, ideally 90 days before graduating or up to 60 days after. Approval grants an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is necessary before starting work. This opportunity not only enhances students’ resumes but also provides invaluable hands-on experience in the U.S. job market, aligning their academic knowledge with practical application.
Getting Your Practical Training Permission
When to Apply? It’s best to apply for your Practical Training Permission (also known as OPT) from USCIS up to 90 days before the last term ends. But don’t wait more than 60 days after you get your degree. Remember! Getting this approval can consume a few months. Hence it’s smart to apply early.
What to Submit? To get your permission you need to provide Form I-765 known as the ‘Employment Permission Application.’ Don’t forget to attach the needed charges, pictures and proof papers.
Post Graduation Employment
Once given the green light you only begin laboring post getting your Job Approval Paper (EAD). You cannot start before that. Wrap Up. For learners from China studying abroad it’s essential to know and find their way around the U.S. permit application process. Doing so is crucial for a fruitful study and work journey in the Big Apple.
Boost your learning path and future work life by careful planning. Just follow each step right. From picking the best visa to staying legal and getting work rights via OPT. Don’t forget make sure you know about new immigration rules. Talk to your school’s foreign student desk for help. They can give you advice just for you. This makes everything easier. It’s like setting a sturdy base for your work life.
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