Applying for your F-1 Visa

Once you are officially accepted to Hofstra and you receive your I-20 form, you should contact your nearest United States Embassy or Consulate for an appointment to apply for a non-immigrant F-1 visa. An F-1 visa allows you to enter the United States as well as travel to and from the States at Hofstra. However, the F-1 visa application is not automatic or guaranteed. Below is the information necessary for you to know before and during your interview for an F-1 visa:

The Law

By law, when applying for a student visa, you are seen as someone who plans to remain in the United States permanently. The person who decides whether or not to give you a visa to enter the United States is the consulate. The consulate, by law, must view you as not coming back home when you finish your studies. Student visas are only given to those persons who can convince the consulate that they intend to return permanently to their home country and not plan to emigrate to the United States.

Be Prepared

In order to ensure that your interview for an F-1 visa is a positive experience, you should be prepared for what to expect. Be ready to answer questions like: Why do you want to study in the United States? Why are you going to take this program of study? Why did you chose Hofstra University? What career will your studies prepare you for back home? You must have a good academic or professional objective for coming to the United States and Hofstra to study. You should be ready to prove your acceptance; bring your I-20 as well as the necessary financial resources to cover the costs for the entire length of study.

Returning Home

You must prove to the consulate that you will return home permanently after you complete your studies. It is helpful to bring papers which can prove that you have "ties" or affiliations to your home country, which are strong and will force you to return. For example, ties to your country can be immediate family members living there or a job offer when you return upon completion of your degree. An example of letters proving strong ties to your country are: A letter from a possible employer saying that they are interested in people with degrees like the one that you will be studying. If your family owns a business, take a letter from the bank describing it, and if they own property, it is helpful to take the deeds. In addition, if you have a brother or sister who studied in the United States and then returned home, take a copy of his or her diploma and statement from his or her current employer.

Relationships in the U.S.

It is not beneficial if you emphasize ties that you have in the United States or to family members within the United States. In addition, do not talk about working in the United States since you are required to prove that you can support the financial costs of studying and living in the United States. Employment in the United States is strictly controlled by Immigration and Naturalization and is not guaranteed.

English

Unless you are expected to take English language courses, you are expected to be able speak English. You might also be asked to show your TOEFL.

Passport

Make sure that your passport is valid.

Former U.S. Study

If you have already begun your studies in another immigrant status and you received a change of status to an F-1, be prepared to discuss how your original purpose for being in the United States changed to that of a full-time student. It is also recommended that you speak with an International Student Adviser for additional counseling before you apply.

Personal Matters

Consulates can be impersonal when administering laws. In the United States, laws are applied equally to all people regardless of status or gender. Therefore, it is not in your best interest to negotiate or discuss personal matters with the consulate.

Denials

If your visa application is denied, you can send a fax or an e-mail to the Office of Multicultural and International Student Programs as to the details of what was said at your interview. Tell us the name of the consulate who you were speaking with as well as a written copy of the reason you were denied. We will try to assist you in any way that we can, however it is the consulate's decision to grant a visa. Although we can research the situation for you and try to help, there is no guarantee that it will later be approved.