When should I apply for Visa?
Once sent, schools will review your application and send you a letter informing you as to whether or not you have been accepted into the school. In addition, they will also send you the I‐20, which is a required document for applying for Visa. Following acceptance, you should begin the process of applying for your U.S. student visa (aka F‐1 visa) 3 months prior to arrival in the United States.
What are the basic requirements for obtaining a F1 Visa?
Evidence of strong family and home ties in Sri Lanka with intent to leave US and return to Sri Lanka after completion of the educational program. Evidence that you possess the skill level, ability or credentials to qualify for the intended course of study in the U.S.
You should not apply for a public elementary school or a publicly funded adult education program. You can attend a public secondary school only if funds for the program come from outside sources and the duration of attendance is less than 1 year.
Should be proficient in English or is receiving training to become proficient unless the school can explain why English language is not important. Evidence of sufficient funding or that other financial arrangements have been made to attend school and live in the U.S. during the course of the program.
How can I show proof of funding?
For graduate students with funding from the school (assistantships, fellowships and scholarships), the I‐20 will usually have these details and additional evidence is not required.
If you get financial aid from the Sri Lankan government, private organizations or institutions, you will need to provide corresponding documents for such an aid. If you intend to use funds from you or your close family members, you will need a letter from your sponsor showing his/her intentions to support you and bank statements showing the available funds.
Can I bring my dependents (wife, children) with me to US?
Yes, you can. Your dependants will fall under the F‐2 dependent visa category. You need to show proof of your relationship to your dependents (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.) as well as additional funding to support them in the US.
In general, you or your dependents cannot be employed in the US. There are few exceptions to this rule, which will discuss on a later date. Therefore, it is important that you have enough funding to support your family before you arrive in the US. Also it is preferred that families apply for F‐1 and F‐2 visas at the same time, but if dependants must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of your passport and visa.
Author : Janaka Liyanage
Publisher : The Sunday Observer
Date(s) : 31st October 2010
