Student & Exchange Visitor Visa Programs

How Can an Immigration Lawyer in Charleston, SC, Help Me?

A variety of visas can be considered for people wishing to become a student in the United States. A Charleston immigration attorney from our firm can be your guide through this process to assist you in selecting the visa and program that best suits your needs. Also, should you qualify for a J visa with a mandatory two-year return residency requirement, we can help with your preparation of a request for a Waiver, a No Objection Letter, an Exceptional Hardship Claim, a Persecution Petition, or other relief to continue toward Permanent Residency.

Foreigners who have entered the U.S. on A, L, E, I, or G visas can attend school if it is incidental to the purposes granted in their non-immigrant visas. However, if their entry is solely for utilization of our education system, to participate in a vocational, non-academic, language training program, or to avail themselves of an approved & sponsored exchange program, they (with the limited exception of Border Commuter Students) must first obtain an F-Student, M-Vocational, J-Exchange, or Q-Specialty Program visa. If a sponsor cancels a program, the participant will have 30 days to vacate the U.S.

Specific processes have been implemented for all activities related to the admission and tracking of F, M, J students and exchange visitors.

• Certificate of Eligibility, I-20
• SEVIS & SEVIS II
• Curricular Practical Training
• Optional Practical Training
• STEM-Opt List
• Foreign Student and Exchange Program Participant Liability for Social Security, Medicare, and Income Taxes
• Travel Abroad

With an F-1 student educational visa, foreigners may enter the U.S. for the sole purpose of being a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or language training program, provided said school is government-approved to accept foreign students and the program culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. Our attorneys can assist your school to receive this government approval.

Student Educational Visas

• Border Commuter Students
• F-1 Visa, Foreign Educational Student Studying in the U.S.
• F-1 Visa, Student Work Eligibility
• F-2 Visa, Spouse & Children of F-2 Visa Holder

With an M-1 student vocational visa, foreigners can attend vocational or other non-academic programs other than language training.

Student Vocational Visas

• M-1 Visa, Foreign Vocational Student Studying in the U.S.
• M-1 Visa, Student Work Eligibility
• M-2 Visa, Spouse & Children of M-1 Visa Holder

J visa visitors must arrive in the U.S. with the intent to participate only in government-approved programs for the purpose of promoting and fostering the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, & sciences. The U.S. Department of State designates public & private entities to act as exchange sponsors, and they have discretion to extend the term of the program, with limitations. Programs must exchange a minimum of 5 visitors per year, and the program must be a minimum of 3 weeks long. Some U.S. organizations have "Umbrella Exchange Visitor Programs" for many U.S. companies.

International Exchange Program Visas

• J-1 Visa, Eligible Participants
• J-1 Visa, International Exchange Visitor
• J-1 Visa, Participant Work Eligibility
• J-1 Visa, Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
• J-1 Visa, Waiver of Two-Year Return Home Requirement
• J-1 Visa, Medical Conrad 30 Program
• J-2 Visa, Spouse & Children of J-1 Visa Holder

Additionally, exchange programs to foster specific goals have been adopted by the USCIS. These actions resulted in mutual cultural exchange programs between the U.S. and its cultural country partner and an Irish Peace Process Program to assist in easing the tensions between Ireland and Great Britain.

Cultural Exchange Program Visas

• Q-1 Visa, Participant Visitor in Cultural Exchange Programs
• Q-2 Visa, Irish Peace Process Program Participant, Walsh Visa

Each separate education visa requires a different set of compliances. A Charleston immigration attorney can assist you and/or your sponsor in processing the appropriate required paperwork. As we so often say, "With immigration, nothing is as simple as it first appears." (sm)