Los Angeles Student Visa Lawyers
If you are applying for a student visa, have been denied or have other questions about the legal requirements for studying in the United States, contact an experienced immigration attorney at Hanlon Law Group, P.C.
Applying for a Student Visa
There are two types of student visas: F-1 visas for students enrolled full-time in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories and other educational institutions and language training programs; and M-1 visas for people pursuing nonacademic or vocational studies. As with other nonimmigrant visa applicants, those seeking a student visa must apply for one with their local U.S. consulate or embassy and schedule an in-person interview.
Given that each student applicant’s situation may be different, the type of documents that will have to be included in the application and presented to the consulate will vary. In general, the student should be prepared to offer proof of:
- Acceptance. A foreign national must show that he or she has been accepted as a full-time student in a U.S. educational, language-training or vocational program. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also must have approved the school. Upon approval, students are provided a I-20 form from the appropriate educational institution as proof of acceptance.
- Educational preparation. A foreign national must have successfully completed the course of studies or equivalent that normally is required for enrollment in the school or educational program. Unless the purpose for coming to the United States is to participate in an English language training program, each applicant must demonstrate a command of the English language sufficient to handle the course of study. An exception can be made if the educational institution has made special arrangements for the applicant to enroll in English classes or the classes will be taught in the native language of the applicant.
- Financial resources. An applicant must prove that he or she has enough funds or that funds are being made available to cover all school and living expenses during the time period spent in the United States. Funds to cover the first year of study must be available at the time the visa is requested. Foreign students pursuing nonacademic or vocational studies must provide evidence that they currently have sufficient funds to pay all educational and living expenses during their entire stay in the U.S.
- Intent to return home. Students seeking a student visa must convincingly show that they intend to remain in the United States for a temporary period of time. Applicants that fail to prove that there are compelling reasons for them to return to their homeland after their period of study has ended face a high risk of having their student visa application rejected.
Students should apply for their student visas as soon as they have been accepted by a full-time educational program in the U.S. The busiest months for processing visa applications are June, July and August. While consulates cannot issue a student visa more than 120 days before the educational program’s registration date, students can still apply for a visa as soon as they have received the 1-20 form from their institutions.
Speak to an Immigration Lawyer
Millions of international students have enjoyed the opportunity to study in the United States. The process to secure a student visa can be rigorous and time-consuming.
An experienced Los Angeles immigration attorney at Hanlon Law Group can provide you with the assistance you need to prepare for your interview with the consulate officer in your home country.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
Contact the Experienced Los Angeles Immigration Lawyers at Hanlon Law Group, P.C.
A trusted Los Angeles immigration attorney at Hanlon Law Group, P.C. is waiting to speak to you, find out more about your immigration needs and explain your options. Having handled countless professional visa applications for foreign professionals and U.S. employers, our lawyers have the experience and insight you can count on for exceptional service and representation.
Our experience, skills and dedication to our clients are backed by the following, which all of our clients can expect to receive:
You don’t have to pay us anything to discover more about how we can help you and what you need to do to resolve your employment-based immigration needs.
One of our attorneys will oversee your case from start to finish. This can provide peace of mind that your case will not be passed off to a non-lawyer associate, or to someone who is not intimately familiar with your case.
Our cutting-edge system facilitates the visa petition process, while providing clients with real-time case information about the status of their petition, PERM certifications, etc.
We take pride in providing old-fashioned, personal service and promptly responding to our clients’ inquiries and immigration needs whenever they arise.
We accept all major credit cards. Payment plans may also be available.
We provide immigration services in various languages, including (but not necessarily limited to) Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesian, Tagalog, and Fukienese.
Call (866) 227-5527 or email us via the contact form to learn more about our experience and services, as well as how we can help you.