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Are you considering studying in the United States and obtaining a student visa? Whether your ambitions are to pursue undergraduate, graduate, or vocational studies, obtaining a student visa is the first and most crucial step of your academic journey.
10 Things You Should Know Before Applying for a Student Visa
In this blog, I will outline what I believe to be the 10 most essential points to keep in mind when applying for a student visa. I will also provide insights on the U.S. EB-5 program – which has quickly established itself as the most straightforward and often most viable route to obtaining a visa to study and then build a career in the USA.
Determine whether you need a visa:
The first step for any applicant is to determine whether they actually require a student visa. This will be based on a number of factors, including their country of origin, the duration of their intended stay, their passport status, and much more.
Pass a language test:
Applicants will need to prove that they are proficient in English in order to gain most visas in the United States. This can be corroborated by taking standardized tests like the ‘Test of English as a Foreign Language’ (TOEFL) or the ‘International English Language Testing System’ (IELTS). Of course, to pass, the applicant must achieve the minimum scores (which will be outlined before the examination is taken).
Be confident in outlining your goals:
During the visa interview itself, candidates are expected to be able to confidently and comfortably articulate their goals (academically speaking), intentions, and reasons for choosing the United States as their study destination. You must also be able to justify the reasons that you want to return to your home country on the expiration of your stay. Strong research prior to the interview will help applicants feel much calmer about the outcome.
Understand your chosen program:
Applicants will be expected to know and understand the major that they have chosen and be able to explain how it ties in with their career plans and their long-term goals. This is paramount as it is not uncommon to be asked these questions during the application process.
Be positive:
This advice is more on a personal note, but approaching the entire visa process with optimism can be hugely beneficial. It can be an arduous process at times, so approaching it with a smile and ensuring you are always prepared and willing to comply with any requirements can go a long way to making the process much easier from a personal perspective.
Have all documentation ready:
Applicants must have all of their documentation in order before beginning the application process. This includes things like academic transcripts, financial statements, and proof of ties to your home country; all of these documents will help support any visa application. Correct documentation often proves to be one of the more complex steps in the process, and partnering with an experienced legal firm can help mitigate any risk of inaccurate or incomplete document sets.
Specific requirements for different countries:
The visa requirements for entry to the U.S. will change depending on the applicant’s country of origin. It is crucial to understand the nuances and differences to avoid making any mistakes or providing the wrong information, which can weaken (or potentially end) your application. Thorough research is strongly advised to ensure compliance with all relevant laws & rules, and partnering with a reputable law firm will ensure that any/all mistakes are avoided.
Employment:
Something that a lot of students don’t initially understand is the extensive list of limitations for employment while on a student visa – and breaking these is seen as a violation of visa regulations and can lead to expulsion from the country.
Whilst employment is possible (usually limited to on-campus work), there is a long list of rules and regulations at play, and compliance with them all is paramount in ensuring a rightful stay in the U.S.
Dependents at home:
Another important factor to be cognisant of is whether the applicant has any dependents staying in their home country. If this is the case, you must provide documentation and proof that they have adequate care and support whilst you are completing your studies abroad.
Other Considerations:
The last piece of advice is to research your school or program in depth before the beginning of the visa process. This is because there may be additional requirements or considerations to be made that are specific to your chosen institution or program. These requirements can heavily impact your visa application, so ensuring you are fully prepared and knowledgeable of all rules and requirements can help mitigate this risk.
Different Routes to Study
The U.S. EB-5 visa is an increasingly popular option for students who wish to study in the USA. The EB-5 visa program allows individuals to obtain permanent residency in the United States by making a substantial investment in a U.S. based business, meaning that students can use the EB-5 visa to not only finance their education but also secure a pathway to stay in the country post-graduation. There is also the added perk that a student’s parent can gift them the money while still making them the primary applicant for the EB-5 visa, ensuring they have full residency in the U.S. (if they are older than 21 at the time of application).
By investing in a qualified business, applicants can fulfill the minimum investment requirement and gain access to top universities and colleges in the U.S. Additionally, the EB-5 visa also allows for dependent family members to join the applicant in the U.S., making it an attractive option for those who want to bring their loved ones along during their educational journey. Overall, the EB-5 visa provides students with an excellent opportunity to study and potentially build a long term future in the United States.
Final Thoughts
Studying in the U.S. is a great option for many students worldwide, with its world-class educational systems, multicultural society, and opportunities for long-term career growth. However, it is important to ensure that you understand the rules and regulations at every turn to avoid making any mistakes or risking non-compliance. If you’re interested in studying in the U.S. but are unsure how to achieve that goal, send me an email directly at preeya@stepglobalgroup.com and I’ll be happy to chat through your options with you.
Each Golden Visa program has its own eligibility criteria, which may include financial requirements, background checks, health examinations, and adherence to the country’s immigration laws. Investors must meet these criteria and investment threshold to be eligible for the program.
Golden Visa programs are offered by various countries worldwide, including popular European destinations such as Portugal, Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, and many others. The specific details, requirements, and benefits of each program can vary significantly, so it is important to research and understand the program of the country of interest.
Golden Visa programs typically have certain residency requirements that investors must meet, such as minimum physical presence in the country or maintaining a residence in the country for a certain period of time. These requirements vary by program.
Golden Visa programs often come with a range of benefits and privileges, which may include visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to other countries, access to healthcare and education systems, favorable tax treatment, potential pathway to citizenship, and enhanced business and investment opportunities.
Golden Visa programs require investors to make a significant investment in the country’s economy. The investment can take various forms, such as real estate purchase, business investment, government bonds, funds, capital transfer, loan structures and various other options. The investment amount and specific requirements vary by country and program.
Many Golden Visa programs allow investors to include their immediate family members, such as spouses and dependent children, in the application. This means that the family members can also benefit from the residency or citizenship obtained through the program. The age limitation of dependent children vary from country and country, usually from under the age of 21 to under the age of 28. In addition, some programs, like the Portugal Golden Visa Program, will also allow dependent parents of the primary applicant or their spouse to be included for a Golden Visa.
While the US does not have a Golden Visa they do have investment-based programs available, which include the EB-5 program. This program requires a refundable investment of USD $800,000 in a government-approved EB-5 project. This investment should contribute to the creation of 10 full-full time job for US permanent residents and citizens and the funds must come from a legal source.
While there is no USA Golden Visa, the United States offers various immigrant investor programs, including the EB-5 program or E-2 Investor Visa, which provides an opportunity for foreign individuals to obtain a green card (through the EB-5 Program) or temporary residence visa (through the E-2 Program). The US EB-5 program requires a refundable investment of USD $800,000 in a government-approved project which must result in the creation of 10 full-time jobs for US permanent residents and citizens.
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