International Student (F-1) Visas and Employment:
A
t any given time, there are more than one million international students studying in the United States and the vast majority come to study in the U.S. on an F-1 visa. The typical international student attends an American college or university to complete a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD program. However, students can also apply for an F-1 visa to attend a U.S. primary school, secondary school, or even to complete a short-term English language program. While less common, there are two other student visa categories, the J-1 visitor exchange program and the M-1 for vocational student attending programs that are typically two years or less. Here are some common U.S. Immigration Law terms that are applicable to International Students: CPT: A job training program known as Curricular Practical Training where international students can work or volunteer during their course of study. F-1 Visa: A non-immigrant visa specifically for full-time international students in an academic program F-2 Visa: A non-immigrant visa reserved for spouses and minor dependent children of international students D/S: Duration of Status which is the authorized period of stay for an F-1 visa DSO: Designated School Official is the person who helps maintain the status of the academic and employment records of an international student I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification which verifies the identity and employment authorization of all individuals hired for employment in the United States OPT: A job training program Optional Practical Training in which a student can work pre- or post-completion for a period of up to 12 months SEVIS: An online database, Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, where the school and student both
62
must be enrolled, and student records are tracked and monitored SEVP: The Student and Exchange Visitor Program in which schools are approved and students are managed by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM: Classified programs of study in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics There are certain requirements to be granted an F-1 visa. The U.S. based program must lead to a degree, diploma, or a certificate. Additionally, the school must be both 1) SEVP approved and 2) enrolled in the SEVIS program. The student must already be proficient in English unless they are specifically enrolling in an English language course or program. Furthermore, the student has the burden to prove they have enough funds to support themselves while attending school. Fortunately, family resources back home or U.S. friends/relatives can be used as a source of funding. Most international students are unaware of the advantages and disadvantages of an F-1. Like most visas, the F-1 is a non-immigrant visa. At the U.S. Consulate interview, you must demonstrate the following: 1) why you need to study in the United States, 2) how you will be paying for your program including living expenses, 3) your plans to return to your home country at the completion of your studies and 4) further demonstrate your non-immigrant intent by clearly proving substantial ties to your home country. The F-1 visa can be denied if you do not satisfy any of these requirements to the satisfaction of the consular officer. A student visa is a multiple-entry visa. The international student can return home or go on an international vacation between semesters using their foreign passport and re-enter the United States on their F-1 visa as long as they have maintained their status. It is very important for an international student to not violate the terms and conditions of their visa. F-1 students, like anyone else on a non-immigrant visa, always need to always maintain their valid immigration status. Unlike most visas which have a specific date where their authorized period of stay expires, an F-1 visa has an authorized period of stay marked as “D/S”. If the student continues to be in their program in good standing, they can remain in the U.S. on their visa. Also, the spouse and minor dependent children of an international student can enter the U.S. on an F-2 visa. It is important to remember that spouses on F-2 visas are not work authorized and they can only remain in the United States for as long as their F-1 spouse maintains F-1 status. One of the most common questions I am asked is “how can I work on my visa”? While you cannot work on a B1 or B2 visitor visa, students on an F-1 can have authorized employment under certain conditions. Generally, you can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week in an approved work study program. While in school you may participate in job training programs known as CPT or OPT. However, most F-1 programs only allow one year (12 months) of a
MARCH 2022 - WWW.DESHVIDESH.COM
