International Student Visa: Keys to the Educational Kingdom

An international student visa is needed by any student choosing to study at an American college or university. The word visa comes from the Latin word charta visa which means “paper that has been seen” and is a legal authorization for the person to be in this, or any country. An international student visa is issued only to those who are studying and is good for a specified period of time, either reauthorized from year to year or for the estimated length of time needed for the student to complete their studies and or degree program.

Most International Students Need An International Student Visa

At times in our history an international student visa was not needed by students from some countries. However since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, almost all students from almost all countries need international student visas in order to be in the US legally. Commonly this is an endorsement in the student’s passport.

An international student visa does not give a person a right to immigrate nor does it give them a right to remain in the US beyond what is needed for their studies. If a student should drop out of their college program then they generally have only a few weeks during which they can remain in the US legally, without applying to the State Department and having a new visa issued.

Visas Come In Many Shapes and Sizes

There are many other types of visas in addition to the international student visa. They include the transit visa which is typically valid about five days; the tourist visa issued for a shorter time for leisure travel with no business activity allowed; the business visa if you wish to do any business or trading; the temporary worker visa which was designed for temp employment; spousal visa granted to the spouse of a US citizen; the courtesy visa issued to representatives of a foreign government; the journalist visa issued to members of the media; the immigrant visa for those intending to immigrate to the US; and others. Specialty visas in the US including the H1B and L1 visas which are more difficult to obtain and are issued to those whose work skills are desired, such as engineers.

For most college students to come to the US obtaining an international student visa isn’t that difficult on the US end. They need to have proper financial support, and have clean criminal records. Generally someone in the position of coming here as a student has a solid support system and can afford the travel and lodging along with other school expenses. They have to maintain grades at an adequate level, and cooperate with the school and usually have no problems at all.