Possible to change from Visit Vsa to Student Visa in the U.S.?
Answer:
Not without leaving the country. Remember that, by entering the country with a visitor's visa, you are legally declaring your intent NOT to seek an extended stay in the country. So, technically, if you try to change your status now your are saying that you entered the country under false pretenses.
You don't give details, but you cannot obtain a student visa without having _first_ been granted admission at a recognized educational institution. It is then up to the school to issue the documents you need to obtain the student visa. In order to do this, they will require proof that you have sufficient resources (personal wealth, scholarships, etc.) to study at their institution and survive financially without having to work...since your are not given a work permit!
So the process goes like this... don't know at what stage you are:
1. apply at the school
2. be granted admission at the school
3. the school will determine how much money you need to study for one year, including tuition fees and cost of room and board.
4. demonstrate that you have the necessary financial ressources
5. At this point the school issues a form (used to be H-20, don't know if it's still called that) that basically confirms that you are admitted as a student and that you can afford it without having to work.
6. You enter the US with this form, based on which you will be issued a student visa. The visa is issued at the point and at the time of entry. So you see that, at some point before this, you will have had to leave the country!
All the best.
Edit: I should add that there is one exception to this. If you have done everything necessary, but for some reason the paperwork cannot be issued to you before you arrive in the US, then you have to explain your situation at the point of entry, providing as much supporting evidence as possible (bank statements, letter of admission from the school, etc.) If the customs officer finds your story believable, they will grant you a temporary stay, giving you 30 days to get your status sorted out. Note two things about this: 1. You absolutely MUST declare your intention to seek a student visa upon entry. You cannot say nothing, enter as a visitor, and try to change your status after the fact. I'm sure you're getting the idea: every time you enter the country, you have to state clearly why you are going, how long you intend to stay, and what you expect to be doing. Every time that changes, you have to leave the country and enter again with your new "purpose." 2. If you try this, you have to understand that you are leaving everything up to the discretion of the individual officer who is processing your case. They have every right to turn you back at the border, without giving you any reason (other than that you don't have the required form).
The Immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness.
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