>What is a VISA?

A visa represents permission from the Department of State for the bearer to enter the United States in a particular visa category. Those who wish to come to the U.S. as students or scholars, and have been issued the Form SEVIS I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019 by an educational institution or sponsor are eligible for the F-1 visa or J-1 visa. Once a visa is issued, it appears in one page of the passport, it is machine readable and many times includes photo of the bearer. The visa has a period of validity that the bearer should be aware of and indicates the number of times that it can be used, either “multiple” (M) or a limited number such as “1” or “2.”

There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study. For more information on student visas, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html.

>How do I get Visa?

Since Visa requirements and processing times are not the same in every country you should contact the U.S. embassy in your home country. The following link will help you find the closest embassy or consulate to you: http://usembassy.state.gov/ (if you do not reside in your home country at the moment, you can still apply for American Visa at the nearest American embassy or consulate).

Please, note that in order to receive Visa you must show that you have "strong ties" to your home country and that you have no intentions of staying permanently in the U.S. Click here for more information about Visa denials and explanation of the term "strong ties".

>How early should I turn in all my documents for Visa?

Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the following website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php.

>What is I-20 Form? 

The I-20 Form is a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) form which is completed by educational institutions approved by the USCIS to admit international students for full-time, post-secondary studies. The I-20 Form certifies that an international applicant plans to pursue a full course of full-time study at a USCIS approved educational institution in the United States and that they are both academically and financially qualified to do so. This form is required by U.S. embassies from international applicants who are applying for a visa to enter the U.S. as full-time students. The I-20 Form must also be presented to the USCIS officer upon entry into the U. S.; therefore, during your trip to the U.S., you should always keep your I-20 Form close and ready for control.

>After Cabrillo College has received all my application documents, when will I receive my I-20 form?

Once we have all your documents, it will take 2-3 weeks before I-20 form arrives to your address. 

>Can I work in the U.S. while on F1 student visa? 

Yes. But, the possibilites are limited. You are eligible to work on college campus up to 19.5 hours per week during Fall and Spring semester. You may be eligible to work additional hours during school break  (up to 39,5 hr. per week) with the approval of student employment office. Moreover, in order to work on campus, new international students are required to take CG 51 course (Introduction to college) during their first semester. On-campus jobs are not easy to find and pay around $8 per hour.Other options are CPT, OPT and Economic Hardship Employment (see below).

>What is CPT?

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is authorized by the  USCIS and gives international students the opportunity to work part-time, at a job that is directly related to their major and receive course credits at the same time. It is a great way for students to gain job skills and experience needed for future employment. Employment can be paid or through unpaid internships. From student is required to be in full-time status for at least 9 academic months and have satisfactory academic progress before entering CPT.

>What is OPT?

OPT (Optional Practical Training) is temporary employment authorization that gives F-1 students an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. You may use some or all of the available 12 months of practical training during your course of study or save the full twelve months to use after you complete your studies. Authorization for optional practical training is granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) – formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS - and can take at least 90 days and frequently up to 120 days to obtain. It is important that you apply for the authorization at the earliest possible date.

>What are the Eligibility Requirements for F-1 Optional Practical Training?

To be eligible to apply for optional practical training, you must:  

-have been in full time student status for at least one full academic year preceding the submission of your OPT application

-be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application, and

-intend to work in a position directly related to your major field of study. 

>What is Economic Hardship Employment?

In some instances, a student who is able to prove severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond his or her control, which arose after obtaining the F-1 students status, may be eligible for permission to work off campus. Students must have been in student status for one full academic year, and must be able to document the circumstances causing the economic need. If authorized, employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time during the break or vacation periods. Applications must be endorsed by OISS and submitted to the USCIS for approval. This application may take up to ninety days to process. See an OISS adviser for more information.

Useful websites: 

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) 

http://www.firstgov.gov/ (U.S. government) 

http://www.ice.gov/ (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) 

http://www.state.gov/ (Department of State)

 Did this help? Please give us feedback on this page:     Yes...     Not really...

Updated: March 7, 2008