Student visa
.
31 Oct 2019
.
Student Visa from Nigeria to United States of America
- Individuals who want to study in the United States can apply for a student visa.
- This visa is of two types the F1 and M1 and are both valid for the duration of the course of study.
- To be eligible for the student visa, you must
- be accepted into a renowned academic institution in the United States
- be a university/college, high school, seminary or elementary school.
- take up approved language programs
- be enrolled in a course that lasts over 18 hours in a week.
- The M1 visa is issued to individuals who want to take up a vocational/non-academic course.
- Holders of both the F and M visa must resume their course within 5 months of getting the visa otherwise, they would lose their status.
- You can take up short courses such as cooking courses with a tourist visa.
- The admission/acceptance letter issued by the institution in the United States should be presented during the consular interview.
- Students are usually given a period of 60 days extra at the course completion to either leave the US or register for another course.
- If you are married or you have children that are still minors, a dependent visa called F-2 visa will be issued to them alongside your F-1 visa if they intend to live with you.
- Ensure that The officer at the port of entry issues a Form I-94 with expiration date indicated as "D/S" (Duration of Status), which means that the student is in authorized status in the United States until the program end date indicated on the I-20.
- Your transcripts, test scores from your school or other similar documents might be required.
- The institution you are applying to has to be a SEVP-approved school in the United States. After the school has accepted you, you will be registered for SEVIS and pay a fee different from the application fee.
- Whoever is accompanying you with an F2 visa has to also register for SEVIS but will not be required to pay the fee.
- Students must have a sponsor who would have to issue a proof of relationship.
- If you are on scholarship, you would have to submit the letter of scholarship which should state the duration of the scholarship, and how much of your studies the scholarship covers.
- You must show that you would return to your home country when your visa expires.
