Visa for Temporary Visitor (B1/B2 visa)

A visa for a temporary visitor is a document that allows an individual to travel into the United States of America for a given amount of time.  This allows individuals who reside in other countries to visit the United States of America for business or please.   This visa is not given to individuals who intend to live permanently in the United States.

In order to apply for this specific visa, the applicant must show proof of employment, family, social ties, and anything that will demonstrate that they have permanent residence outside of the United States of America.  If the consular officer doubts the applicant’s intentions to return to their home country, the officer has the authority to deny entry into the United States of America.

For this specific type of visa there is always a time limitation; and depending on the reason for the visit, one will be issued a specific time-frame for visitation.  The individual who is travelling to the United States of America may be admitted for six months (with a possible extension of up to 6 additional months).

Visa for Students (F, M)

A visa for students is issued only to those who meet the required regulations for this visa.

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. Your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.

The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training.

You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:

• You must be enrolled in an “academic” educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program
• Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
• You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution
• You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
• You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study
• You must maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up.

F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)