Student VIsa FAQs
I have been accepted by a U.S. school and issued an I-20. Why isn't that enough for a student visa issuance?
The
approved I-20 is just one piece of information the interviewing officer
must consider when deciding whether a visa may be issued. Remember,
under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, all
applicants must prove that they will leave the United States after
completing the purpose for which they entered. In student visa cases,
applicants may intend to stay in the United States for many months and
even years pursuing a course of study. Consequently, visa officers
must consider the applicant's overall circumstances when deciding
whether to approve a student visa. Student visas may be refused if it
appears that the applicant's primary purpose of travel is not to obtain
an education, but, rather, to facilitate an indefinite stay in the
United States. The fact that a school has admitted a student to study
and issued the student an I-20 is, therefore, only one factor we
consider.
Must applicants take tests such as
the TOFEL, SAT, GRE, and GMAT, in order to obtain a student visa? Is
any particular score on these exams needed to get a visa?
Applicants
are generally not required to take any particular tests to qualify for
a visa. However, we not that motivated and serious student visa
applicants often take such tests when seeking admission to schools in
the United States. The fact that a student has taken one or more of
these tests may help to indicate the seriousness of the applicant's
study plans.
As the only son in my family,
I will certainly return to China to take care of my parents. Why did
the officer say I have insufficient ties to compel me to return?
Immigration
statistics show that being an only son has not deterred many travelers
from remaining indefinitely in the U.S. While this factor may be one
consideration to an individual's personal circumstances, it would not
usually, in itself, be sufficient to establish eligibility.
What if I have more questions on U.S. student visa?
More detailed information on U.S. student visa may be found by visiting the Embassy's student visa web page.