You Need a Visa and Proof of Financial Resources to Study in USA

The most commonly used visa for studying in the United States is the F-1 visa. However, under certain circumstances, students come to the US on J-1 and M-1 visas with the proof of sufficient financial resources.

Image via Wikimedia Commons The process for issuing United States visas uploaded by United States Government Accountability Office

To obtain any of these visas – a person must be in good faith non-immigrant. He must resist the presumption that one seeking to enter the US is an immigrant. The person must establish that he has a residence outside the US and that he has no intention of abandoning.

How does F-1 differ from J-1 and M-1 visas?

F-1 status visa is for one to come to the US as a full-time student. The person must obtain an I-20AB issued by a school or school system authorized by the Immigration Service to sponsor foreign students. Colleges and Universities and other public school systems and private schools are so authorized.

The foreign student must establish that he has sufficient financial resources. He should establish that he has adequate funds to provide for school and living expenses in the US or an affidavit of support known as (form I-134) submitted by a close family relative or other person who is willing and able to provide such support. He must maintain a full course of study which for an undergraduate college or university, usually requires at least 12 credit hours a semester and failure to maintain a full course study is a violation of status – reason to deport him out from the United States.

F-1 students are not permitted to work except certain circumstances. Students can work on campus, engage in an internship or other work study program that is an integral part of the curriculum and obtain employment authorization under certain circumstances including a change in economic circumstances or optional practical training during certain periods before graduation and for one year after graduation.

J-1 status visa also known Exchange Visitor (J-1) Students are admitted to the United States to engage in one of a number of possible activities – one of which is study. J-1 status must be pursuant to a foreign exchange program. J-1 students must maintain a full course of study as the same as F-1 students. A failure to maintain status as a full time student at the authorized school is a violation of status and could be the reason to deport the student out from the US. J-1 foreign students may be authorized to work under certain circumstances example: a possible 18 months of practical or academic training by the responsible officer and up to 36 months for post-doctoral training.

M-1 status visa also known M-1 Student was created to separate from the foreign student category those persons coming for vocational-type training rather than to engage in an academic program. The process and requirements for obtaining M-1 status are similar to those for obtaining F-1 status. He should submit a proof of adequate financial support and evidence to establish that he intends to be a bonafide non-immigrant student.

An M-1 student may not transfer to another school after he has been in the US for six months as an M-1 student unless there is an inability to continue at the school originality admitted for due to circumstances beyond the student control. He is not permitted to be employed in the US except for practical training.

Source of facts and other information: International Student Guide to The United States of America

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America: The Promised Land

America is the home of five left-handed presidents namely: The present President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former President George H. W. Bush Sr., former President Reagan, and former President Gerald Ford.

English: Tomb of Martin Luther King, Jr. & Coretta Scott King (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

America is considered as the land of milk and honey. Others believed it as the promised land. The United States of America is also called the United States, the U.S., the USA, America, and the States – it is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states.

Additional Interesting Facts About America

In the US, the clock times change twice a year. During winter months, clocks are set on standard time, but during the summer months – when days are longer, clocks are set moved ahead one hour. This is done to create more hours of day-light in the evenings. Because winter days are shorter, clocks are moved back one hour. The time changes are official at 2:00am. To remember time changes, some people use the phrase: Spring forward, fall back.

America is divided into four time zones namely:

• Eastern (eastern states)
• Central (midwest and central states)
• Mountain (southwest and west states)
• and Pacific (west coast states).

In America unspoken signals by others may not mean what you think. Various gestures are automatic and vary from culture to culture. For example – burping after meal in America is something that one needs to excuse himself or herself for doing. While in other countries, burping may be seen as a compliment to the cook.

History behind the US Holidays

• January 1 – New Year’s Day. Starting with the night before (New Year’s Eve on December 31st), this is a celebration to welcome the new year.

January (3rd Monday of the month) is Martin Luther King Day. This is a holiday in memory of the birthday of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968), an African-American civil rightsleader who received the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.

• February (3rd Monday of the month) – President’s Day. This is a holiday honoring past US presidents. The month was chosen because of the February birthdays of two famous presidents: George Washington – the US President and Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Armies who won independence; and Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US president who held office during the US Civil War and was known for abolishing slavery.

February 14 – Valentine’s Day. Although this is not an official holiday, this has become a day to celebrate love and romance. Valentines or token of love (cards, candy and other gifts) are exchanged.

• May (last Monday of the month) – Memorial Day. This is a commemoration of all those who died during a war involving the United States of America.

July 4 – Independence Day. On July 4, 1776. the Declaration of Independence was signed. With this document, thirteen colonies declared their independence from England and became the first thirteen states of the United States. Fireworks displays mark this holiday.

• September (1st Monday of the month) – Labor Day. This is a holiday honoring thecontributions and efforts of laborers.

November (last Thursday of the month) – Thanksgiving Day. This is a day of giving thanks for everything. It is usually celebrated by eating a big turkey dinner with family and friends. This feast was initiated by the Pilgrims (the first settlers in the thirteen colonies of the US) and the Native Americans – who are already lived on the land.

• December 25th - Christmas is also a long standing official federal holiday. Although it is a Christian holiday, many Jews and non-religious people have adapted to the holiday with Chanukah and a winter solstice celebration.

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