US Student Visa Policy

The United States (US) will certainly be a prerequisite option for Vietnamese students to promote the dream of studying abroad. For students who are preparing to study abroad, the visa is one of the most important keys. In particular, a student visa in the US has always been difficult to apply for its strict conditions. How important are these visas? What are their benefits and conditions?

Types of US student visas:

There are 3 types of US visas for international student:

a. F-1 visa:

F-1 visa is granted to international students wishing to participate in short-term courses or English programs and to those dreaming of once entering high schools, colleges or universities in the US.

This is the most common visa granted to international students in the US. International students wishing to maintain  F-1 visas are required to enroll full-time courses. In addition, F-1 visas allow students to work part-time within the school area for the maximum of 20 hours.  Whilst, students are also given opportunities to join optional practical training (OPT) up for a year after completing the course.

International students can only arrive in the US the maximum of 30 days prior admission day and are allowed to stay up to 60 days after the allowable time limit to finish the remaining progress. Even though, students should complete the program before the deadline specified in 10 to 20 days.

The F-1 visa has a year term with multiple entry and exit, allowing students to reside in the Us to finish the program without any extension. If the visa expires while the student is outside of the US territory, the student will need to apply for a new visa to return to the US and finish the program.

b. J-1 visa:

J-1 visa is granted to students wishing to go to the US for cultural exchanges, exchanging knowledge and skills in fields of education, art and science. These subjects consist of students of all levels; interns; research teachers and scholars; professors lecturing or researching in universities; and international students coming to the US with the purposes of traveling, observing, consulting or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills.

At the interview, all J-1 visa applicants must present a DS-2019 form issued by the US cultural exchange program.

J-1 visa holders are allowed to work overtime the same as F-1 visa holders with similar restrictions with the permission of the exchange program advisor or the student is required with practical training that is not available in their home country but required in the training program.

c. M-1 visa:

M-1 visa is granted to students wishing to apply for apprenticeship.

M-1 visa holders for apprenticeship and vocational courses can not work overtime during their studies.

M-1 visa applicants must sufficiently prove their finances that they are able to pay full tuition fee and cover living expenses during their stay.

M-1 visa is valid for up to one year.

2. How to get US student visa:

a. Education and working progress:

Average learning capacity or higher (note: each program has specific entry requirements, and some programs will have higher entry requirements)

Able to communicate in English

The process is continuous and certifications must be proved. In case of having any gap in your education and working process, you must explain with convincing and reasonable explanation.

b. Study plan  

Clear, coherent, understanding the value of the course.

c. Finance:

The sponsor is required to provide all original documents capable of proving the person’s income, including: passbook, business license, business documents, transfer or rental documents, property ownership, capital contribution documents, etc.

Depending on the documents provided by the sponsor, StudyLink will consult suitable forms of financial proving and equivalent financial explanation.

d. Immigration history: 

Students and all family members need a good immigration history and need to provide precise information about their immigration history to be considered for a visa.

e. Health status: 

Students must purchase international student insurance for the entire course to be considered for a visa.

f. Personal background: 

No criminal record.

For students who study abroad in the US, applying for a visa is not only a challenge but also a chance. If your true purpose is to study abroad in the US then the consideration for a visa is just a stepping stone on the path to your future education. With the following information, have you readied yourself for the journey of abroad education in the US, yet? With StudyLink support, you are not only provided with detailed information about the schools and majors but you are also assisted to complete your profile, apply for visa, practice visa interviews, etc. StudyLink with an enthusiastic and experienced team of consultants will maximize your study abroad opportunities.