Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Visa
The Form I-20 is an official U.S. Government form. A prospective nonimmigrant student must have a Form I-20 issued by a certified school in order to become F-1 or M-1 student. Only a certified school can issue a Form I-20 to students that have been accepted for enrollment. It acts as proof of acceptance and contains the information that is needed to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for a visa or change of status, and be admitted into the United States. The Form I-20 has the student’s unique SEVIS identification (ID) number on the upper right hand side directly above the barcode. SEVIS ID numbers are an N followed by 9 digits.
You are encouraged to apply for your nonimmigrant student visa as soon as you have your I-20. To ensure you get an early and timely date you may apply at anytime; however, a student visa may be issued no more than 120 days prior to the start date mentioned on your I-20.
Students may only enter the United States within 30 days of the beginning of the course of study stated on your I-20, regardless of when your visa was issued.
Yes. In general, you may apply to change your nonimmigrant status if you were lawfully admitted to the United States with a nonimmigrant visa, your nonimmigrant status remains valid, you have not violated the conditions of your status, and you have not committed any actions that would make you ineligible. For more details, please visit the USCIS website.
If you have received an I-20 after scheduling your appointment, then you can inform the U.S. consular officer of the new I-20 at the time of the interview.
No. Once you are in the United States, you do not need to apply for a new visa; the visa is only for entry into the United States. Check with USCIS to determine if you need to adjust status. If you leave the country, however, you’ll need to apply for the student visa in order to re-enter the United States.
Full-time students on F visas may seek on-campus employment not to exceed 20 hours per week. After the first year in student status, an applicant may apply for employment off campus with authorization from USCIS. Please contact your student advisor for further information.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program requires schools and exchange programs to verify the enrollment status of all continuing and new foreign students and exchange visitors. Student visa applicants are required to pay a SEVIS fee before a visa can be issued. You can log on to www.ice.gov/sevis for further details.
Canada’s New Study Permit Cap
Canada is implementing a temporary two-year cap on the number of new study permits issued to international students. This is expected to result in a 35% reduction in 2024 compared to 2023 enrollment. It acts as proof of acceptance and contains the information that is needed to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for a visa or change of status, and be admitted into the United States. The Form I-20 has the student’s unique SEVIS identification (ID) number on the upper right hand side directly above the barcode. SEVIS ID numbers are an N followed by 9 digits.
The measures aim to enhance program integrity and ensure that international students receive a quality education, addressing concerns about under-resourced campuses and high tuition fees
The cap will be in effect for 2024 and 2025.
The cap space will be allocated by province based on population. Provinces heavily affected may see reductions of more than 50%.
The cap will not apply to students in graduate-level programs, including master's or doctoral studies. Study permit applications for K-12 students are also exempt.
The cap will not apply to applicants within Canada looking to extend their studies, ensuring fairness for those already in a program.
Effective 1 September 2024, post-graduate work permits will no longer be available to students in programs delivered via public-private partnerships.
Open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students enrolled in master's, doctoral, and professional programs such as medicine and law.
Yes, graduates of master's and other short graduate-level programs will soon be eligible to apply for a three-year work permit.
Provinces and territories are expected to establish a process for issuing attestation letters to students by 31 March 2024
Australia
A valid passport, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from an Australian institution, English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS), proof of sufficient funds, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and a genuine temporary entrant statement.
Processing times vary but generally take between 4 to 8 weeks.
Yes, you can work up to 48 hours every two weeks during the term and unlimited hours during breaks
Yes, you must have OSHC for the entire duration of your stay.
New Zealand
Offer of Place from an accredited institution, proof of funds, health insurance, proof of onward travel, and a valid passport.
Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during scheduled breaks.
It generally takes between 4 to 6 weeks for processing.
Yes, in some cases, your partner and dependent children can apply for visas based on your student visa.
United States
For academic studies, you need an F-1 visa. For vocational studies, you need an M-1 visa
Form I-20 from the school, valid passport, DS-160 form, proof of financial support, SEVIS fee receipt, and academic transcripts.
Yes, but only on-campus employment is allowed during the first academic year, and limited off-campus employment thereafter.
It is valid for the duration of your study program, plus an additional 60-day grace period.
Canada
Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), proof of funds, valid passport, and proof of English or French language proficiency
Processing time varies but typically takes around 4 to 12 weeks.
Yes, you can work part-time (up to 20 hours a week) during the academic year and full-time during breaks.
Yes, you may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allowing you to work in Canada for up to 3 years.
Singapore
You need a Letter of Offer from an approved educational institution, proof of funds, completed Student Pass application, and passport-sized photographs.
The processing time is typically between 2 to 4 weeks.
Full-time international students can work part-time (up to 16 hours per week) if enrolled in an approved institution.
Yes, the course should last at least 30 days to be eligible for a Student Pass
United Kingdom
A Tier 4 (General) student visa for higher education programs or a Short-term Study visa for shorter courses.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), proof of English language proficiency, financial proof, and a valid passport.
Processing usually takes around 3 weeks but may vary depending on the country.
Yes, you can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during breaks.
France
Proof of enrolment from a French institution, valid passport, proof of financial means, accommodation proof, and medical insurance.
The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks but may vary.
Yes, students can work up to 964 hours per year (approximately 20 hours per week).
Yes, you can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (APS) to look for work or start a business after your studies.
Spain
An acceptance letter from a Spanish institution, proof of financial means, medical insurance, and a valid passport.
Yes, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week with a student visa, provided it doesn’t interfere with your studies.
The process generally takes 1 to 3 months.
Yes, you may apply for a residence permit to extend your stay and search for a job after completing your studies.
Germany
Admission letter from a German institution, proof of financial resources, health insurance, and academic transcripts.
Yes, you can work part-time for 120 full days or 240 half days per year.
It generally takes about 6 to 12 weeks.
Yes, you can apply for an 18-month residence permit to search for a job
Denmark
Proof of admission to a Danish institution, financial proof, medical insurance, and proof of accommodation.
It generally takes 2 to 3 months for visa processing.
Yes, you can work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during summer breaks.
Yes, you can apply for a 6-month extension of your residence permit to look for a job.
Ireland
An acceptance letter from an Irish institution, financial proof, medical insurance, and proof of English proficiency.
Yes, students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays.
Yes, students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays.
Yes, under the Third Level Graduate Scheme, students can stay for up to 2 years to search for employment.
Poland
Yes, full-time students can work part-time without a work permit.
Yes, students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays.
Processing usually takes between 2 to 3 months.
Yes, you can apply for a temporary residence permit to search for a job after completing your studies.
