nursing school portland
nursing school portland
can you convert a tourist visa to a student visa?
My girlfriend’s tourist visa expires in May. She wants to attend community college but time is running out. Can a school help her convert her tourist visa to a student visa before the may deadline? She’s looking to enroll in school either in Portland or Houston for nursing. Any recommendations would be appreciated
In theory, you can. It may be denied though.
I took this from the site of a college:
‘Applications for change of status from B-1/B-2 to F-1 made shortly after arrival arouse suspicion that the individual purposely misrepresented his/her intentions in order to obtain a U.S. visa and enter the U.S. The USCIS routinely denies applications for changes of status for tourists who have already applied to schools in the U.S., who carry school records with them or who enter into contact with American universities before, or shortly after, entry to the U.S. However, if your B-1/B-2 visa or I-94 card is marked “prospective student” or you spent several months in the U.S. before entering into contact with an American university, the change of status application has a better chance of being approved. To obtain the “prospective student” notation, you must inform the Consular Officer in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and the Immigration Officer at the U.S. Port-of-Entry of your intentions of becoming a student.Am I eligible to apply for a change of status from B-1/B-2 to F-1?To be eligible for a change of status to F-1, you must first have been admitted to a degree program at UB, and have received a “change of status” SEVIS I-20 from the Office of International Admissions.
How do I apply for a change of status from B-1/B-2 to F-1?
FIRST – you must pay the SEVIS fee.Please see our handout “The SEVIS Fee Requirement” before submitting your change of status application. A copy of your SEVIS fee receipt verifying that you have paid the SEVIS fee must be included with your change of status application. Next – submit the following to the USCIS:• Application fee of $200. This should be a check payable to the ”USCIS”. Write your 11-digit “admission number” from your I-94 card on the front of the check. • A cover letter from you addressed to the USCIS, requesting a change of status from B-1/B-2 to F-1, and explaining your circumstances. Include why you entered the U.S. as a B-1/B-2 Tourist, why and how your intentions changed after arrival in the U.S. and any other information relevant to your reasons for wanting to study in the U.S. • Form I-539: “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status” (form attached)• A copy of your SEVIS fee receipt verifying that you have paid the SEVIS fee. • Your original SEVIS I-20 from UB. (Please sign Item #11 on page 1) • Photocopies of the financial documentation you submitted to UB for your I-20 • Photocopy of the front and back of your I-94 card with a legible date stamp • Photocopy of your passport biographic data / picture page • Photocopy of your U.S. visa stamp We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor to review your completed application before submitting it to the USCIS. Where do I send my application?Mail your completed application by an overnight, reliable mail delivery service to: U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Vermont Service Center 75 Lower Welden Street St. Albans, VT 05479 Please make a photocopy of your entire application and supporting documents for your files before sending them to the USCIS. How long will processing at the USCIS take?Estimated processing time will be from 2 – 6 months. When you receive a response from the USCIS, please report the outcome to the International Student and Scholar Services office. Send or bring a photocopy of your I-20 and I-94 to ISSS, 210 Talbert Hall.
Can I begin attending classes after I’ve submitted my application to the USCIS and while I’m awaiting a response?You may not begin attending classes as a B-1/B-2 Tourist. You must wait until you have received approval for the change of status to F-1 student from the USCIS before you register for and attend classes at UB.’
Also see:
http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/visa_b2.html
UP Nursing School August 2009 Cohort Slideshow