Written by Eric Chambers from our Las Vegas, NV location. Call us today if you need any guidance with this process.
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The F-1 Student Visa is intended for foreign nationals who wish to study in the United States. Before making application for the student visa it is important to determine if you are eligible or meet the necessary requirements for an F-1 Visa to be granted. The following 5 criteria must be met to get a visa to study in Nevada:

1. Education Facility

It is necessary to first be accepted into a school in Nevada that is approved by ICE or Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the United States. Ice runs a Student and Visitor Exchange Program that accredits certain tertiary education facilities for students from countries other than the United States.

A tertiary education facility provides learning after completion of a secondary education such as high school. These schools primarily include universities and colleges but may also include other types of education facilities.

2. Country Of Origin

All applicants must be able to prove that their country of origin is one other than the United States. In other words, they need to live or reside in a country that is not in the US.

3. Financial Independence

A student will need to prove that they will be able to support themselves financially for the duration of their studies in Nevada. This financial support is over and above the expense of the education and is to cover regular day-to-day expenses like rent, food, utilities, transport etc.

An applicant may need to provide a bank statement to prove that they have the necessary funds available. Alternatively, they will need to prove that they will be receiving financial support from another person such as a parent, guardian or financial aid such as a scholarship that covers their cost of living.

This is because it is illegal to work on a student visa in the United States. Some F-1 applicants may be granted the right to work on a limited basis in order to supplement their income. However, there is no guarantee that this will be granted and the work that they will be allowed to do will be very limited.

4. Visa Expiry

The visa will only cover the period of study. If a student plans to study for 3 years, the visa will expire after this period is over. The student must leave the country upon expiry of the visa. They will also need to provide proof that they plan to return to their home country after they have completed their studies. They cannot expect to stay in Nevada and look for work after finishing school.

If the study period has been extended for any reason or the student failed and wishes to return to continue studying, they can apply for a visa extension. Alternatively, they may be required to apply for a new F-1 visa to continue their studies in Nevada.

5. Family Ties

As part of their intention to return home, an applicant will need to prove that they have family or other ties in their home country to which they want to return. For example, a mother and father or husband or wife waiting for them at home. If there is any suspicion that the applicant does not intend to return to their family and home country after they have completed their studies, the F-1 Visa will not be granted.

There are three steps to the process that applicants need to be aware of.

Step 1 – Acceptance To An Approved School

It is not enough to have made applications to schools, no matter how high your past educational achievements. You must be accepted into a school before starting the application process.

Step 2 – Applying

You will need to complete and submit the required forms and submit supporting documentation such as a copy of your passport, school acceptance letter, etc.

Step 3 – Interview

Once the documentation has been processed, you will need to make an appointment for an interview at your local US embassy or consulate. This is the last and most important part of the process in determining your eligibility to be granted a F-1 Visa in Nevada.

There are other factors that may be taken into account during the process such as a criminal background check to determine eligibility.