Home to Student Visa to US Citizen - Visa USA Expert

Home to Student Visa to US CitizenAs a foreign student coming, or already here in the US on a student visa, did you know it typically takes more than ten years for international students who graduate and want to stay in the country to go from a student visa to US citizen?That’s why our current discussion on immigration reform can mean great news for international students who want to come to the US for their studies…This long path to becoming a citizen also means my country needs immigration reform immediately. Here is some info on the four ways students can come here to study… Student Visa (F-1) A person on a student visa must be accepted to a recognized university, college, English language program and show they have the financial resources to attend school for the required years of study, and that they intend to leave the U.S. upon completion of studies.They must prove all three of these requirements in a face to face interview with an American Consular Officer, in English, before they are allowed to come into the US legally. A student visa expires upon graduation though a one-year extension can be granted for internships and as much as a 17 month extension is available for some work training programs. H-1B work visa.For highly skilled workers, 65,000 H-1B visas are available each year, plus 20,000 visas for U.S. master’s degree graduates. These visas are available on a first-come, first-served basis to companies that sponsor a worker. Demand always exceeds supply: This year, the allotment of visas was filled in just 10 weeks. It took 33 weeks last year. The visas expire after six years. Green card. Workers who receive an H-1B visa can apply for a green card to earn permanent residence. The annual cap is 140,000 permanent resident visas for those sponsored by an employer. The visa cap can produce wait times of at least five years or even decades, depending on a person’s field of employment, level of skill and country of origin. This is why I’m personally excited that immigration reform may include giving visa students who are on F-1 visas green cards when they graduate if they are earning degrees in STEM areas. Citizenship. A person must have a green card for at least five years to be eligible for citizenship. Other requirements include an ability to read, write and speak English, have knowledge of U.S. history and government, and be a person of good moral character. Helpful LinksUnited States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)http://uscis.govU.S. State Department Visa Information (DOS)http://state.govForeign Embassies in the U.S.http://embassy.orgEducation USA Pre-departure Informationhttp://educationusa.state.gov/predeparture/travel/documents.htmFrequently Asked Questions for F- Nonimmigrant: Entry & Exithttp://ice.gov/sevis/students/index.htmUS Visa Video (Approx.10 minute video)http://state.gov/r/pa/obs/vid/36172.htm SEVIS I-901Fee Informationhttp://ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htmVisa Wait Times http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/wait-times.htmlU.S Embassies Abroadhttp://usembassy.state.gov/Fees for Visa Services http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.htmlVisa Photo Requirements http:travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.htmlU.S. Visithttp://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/visit-united-states Go USA!-MikeAll information presented here is from my personal research and my attempts to save you time and money when pursuing your dream of coming to the USA to study. Do not take any of this information as LEGAL advice – I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. This information is gathered from a variety of sources including many U.S. Government websites and I urge you to validate this information as much as possible, just as I do when posting on this blog.