ANG isang dayuhan na nagnanais mag-aral sa US bilang full-time student ay kailangang kumuha ng student visa mula sa US Embassy o US Consulate sa kanyang bansa. Ang F1 academic student visa ay nagpapahintulot sa isang dayuhan na pumasok sa US bilang full-time student sa isang accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, o iba pang academic institution. Ang dayuhan ay dapat naka-enroll sa isang program o course of study na magbibigay sa kanya ng degree, diploma, o certificate. Kailangang ang academic institution ay may awtorisasyon mula sa US government na tumanggap ng international students.
Kung ang dayuhan ay nasa US na at may valid non-immigrant status, halimbawa bilang B2 visitor, may mga pagkakataon na maaari siya mag-apply ng change of status mula B2 visitor para maging F1 academic student.
Ang isang dayuhang naka-B2 visitor status ay maaaring mag-apply ng change of nonimmigrant status mula para maging F1 academic student kung ang mga susunod na pamantayan ay kanyang maipapakita sa USCIS: (1) Ang B2 visitor status ng aplikante ay valid pa rin. Hindi di pa siya lumalampas sa petsang ng authorized period of stay na nakalagay sa kanyang Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record; (2) Ang aplikante ay walang paglabag sa kanyang B2 visitor status – siya ay nagbabakasyon lamang at bumibisita sa mga pamilya at kaibigan; (3) Ang aplikante ay walang nagawang krimen o mga aksyon na magdudulot sa kanyang pagiging ineligible para sa change of status; (4) Ang aplikante ay nag-apply at natanggap na sa isang Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school at nabigyan na ng Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status; “ (5) Ang aplikante ay nagbayad na ng $350 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
Kung ang mga pamantayang nakasaad sa itaas ay kanyang natugunan, ang aplikante ay maaaring mag-file ng Form I-539 Application to Change Status mula B2 visitor para maging F1 academic student. Hindi maaaring mag-aral ang student-applicant hanggat makatanggap siya ng approval mula sa USCIS. Kailangang mapanaliti pa rin ng aplikante ang kanyang B2 visitor status sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pagbakasyon sa US hanggang sa maaprubahan na ng USCIS ang kanyang F1 Application.
* * *
An alien wishing to study as a full-time student in the US will need to get a student visa from the US Embassy or US Consulate abroad. The F-1 academic student visa allows the alien to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution. The alien must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. The academic institution must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.
If the alien is already in the US under a valid non-immigrant status, for example a B2 visitor visa, the alien may, in some cases, be permitted to change status from B2 visa to F1 academic student.
An alien under a valid B2 status may apply to change nonimmigrant status to F1 academic student upon showing the following: (1) Applicant’s B2 status is still valid. The applicant must show that he has not overstayed or stayed beyond the period authorized as indicated in Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record; (2) Applicant has not violated B2 status – applicant continues to have a vacation in the US and visit family and friends; (3) Applicant has not committed any crime or engaged in any action that would make applicant ineligible for change of status; (4) Applicant has applied and has been accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school; and has been given a Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”; (5) Applicant has paid $350 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
If the above criteria have been met, the applicant may file Form I-539 Application to Change Status from B2 to F1 with the USCIS. Until the applicant receives approval from the USCIS, the applicant must continue to maintain B2 visitor status. The student-applicant cannot commence studies in the US until his F1 status application has been approved.
* * *
ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, PC. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).
SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email: [email protected].
