Student visa for sister

[jaycali 415]

Thank you so much for the honest responses! Not the answer I was really hoping for. I wish immigration processes could've been easier for all of us. I find it upsetting but oh well, this is life.. Complicated things happen.. Again, thank you so much..

An F-1 application is very much like a B-2 tourist visa application in that 1. She has to apply herself, and 2. She has to show evidence of ties to the Philippines.

In addition, in order to apply, she has to have:

1. Been accepted into a fully accredited US educational institution.

2. Prove sufficient funds.

Keep in mind that "sufficient funds" does not mean tuition alone. It also means books, travel, housing and food. I went to a private school and had to prove funds of $40,000 a year, while tuition, room and board was $30,000. That's $10,000 a semester after tuition, room and board. Also, keep in mind that even at a local community college, she won't be paying in-state fees. She'll be paying international fees. They can run in the $200 - $300 per unit for international students and as an F-1 student she has to be a full time student (which at my school was at least 12 unites per semester). Assume that the minimum you'll need to prove is access to $16,000 a year allocated for her.

On the flip side, there's a common misconception that a student will have to prove they cannot get the same education in their home country. That's not true. The US actively tries to promote international students to come. Having hundreds of thousands of people worldwide educated at US institutions is a major asset the US has on the world stage, both policy and business wise. But it still has to balance it with a level of security.

I wish the immigration process was easier too. The sad part is that so many people attempt to get into a school in the US just in order to get a foot in the door and then never leave. That ruins it for everyone.

Edited April 23, 2012 by jaejayC

[cerebus407 16]

It is true that a student can go to a university in the US for the same degree she could get for much cheaper back home but the question the CO will have to ask is "why would anyone do that"? If a person was going to a name school or a renowned nursing school in the US, that is one thing. But to go to a community college that will cost as much per semester as an entire nursing education would in the Philippines is just silly and does not appear credible. Its just a fact that her situation does not look good. When you factor in the significant family ties to boot, she just appears to be someone who is trying to immigrate via F1 and will likely not qualify. That refusal will then sit there like a dark cloud over every subsequent F1 of B1B2 visa for which she may apply.

Since you have 3-5 years to go for her immigration, the money would be better spent bringing Dad over and sending sister to the best school she can get into in the Philippines. That way, when she immigrates she will have a degree and no debt in the US.