Going for Masters degree: Non-immigrant intent with a pending immigrant visa, priority date 5 years?

[aspirant12 0]

So I will be applying for Masters programs in the U.S. this year. Problem is I have an F1 (family based) visa pending and the priority date will be current in 5 years. What are the chances that my student visa will be denied? Should I even bother applying for Masters programs in the U.S. because the visa might be denied?

Edited February 23, 2022 by aspirant12

[Crazy Cat 41,975]

I think denial is likely.  It could appear you are trying to get around the long wait for a immigrant visa number.  That is my humble opinion, but you won't know until you apply.   One condition of a student visa is no immigrant intent. 

Edited February 23, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[aaron2020 11,651]

All depends if you are a legitimate student in the eyes of the CO.

 

Are you using attending school as a pretense to immigrate earlier than possible under your F1 petition?   That's the question the CO is concern about.  

 

Would the master help you with your career in your home country?

[Boiler 45,651]

How will you cope doing a Masters and looking after your Father?

[arken 4,197]

If you could convince the CO that while you wait for your future immigration, you like to get a good degree from the US and come back to utilize it later, you could get approved. Having a pending petition that allows immigration half a decade later will not cause a straight denial but it will add some resistance for sure.

[aaron2020 11,651]

After reading all your posts, I think your chances of getting a student visa are zero.

 

You want to come to the US to work and help your father.  That's the real reason for coming to America.  Not necessarily your education.

 

You want to know about the "Citizenship Act of 2021" and whether it will help you immigrate faster.  You want to sue because under CSPA you aged out.  You want an expedite before your PD is current in the F1 category to care for your father in the US.  

You are not looking like a serious student.  You look like someone desperate to immigrate to the US.  The CO will likely deny a student visa.  

[Crazy Cat 41,975]

21 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

After reading all your posts, I think your chances of getting a student visa are zero.

 

You want to come to the US to work and help your father.  That's the real reason for coming to America.  Not necessarily your education.

 

You want to know about the "Citizenship Act of 2021" and whether it will help you immigrate faster.  You want to sue because under CSPA you aged out.  You want an expedite before your PD is current in the F1 category to care for your father in the US.  

You are not looking like a serious student.  You look like someone desperate to immigrate to the US.  The CO will likely deny a student visa.  

Great research, @aaron2020 .  Agree.....

[aspirant12 0]

31 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

After reading all your posts, I think your chances of getting a student visa are zero.

 

You want to come to the US to work and help your father.  That's the real reason for coming to America.  Not necessarily your education.

 

You want to know about the "Citizenship Act of 2021" and whether it will help you immigrate faster.  You want to sue because under CSPA you aged out.  You want an expedite before your PD is current in the F1 category to care for your father in the US.  

You are not looking like a serious student.  You look like someone desperate to immigrate to the US.  The CO will likely deny a student visa.  

Appreciate the honest answer. Well I would say I am not using school as a pretense to migrate earlier. My graduate school plans were made much earlier than my immigration began. I have a strong undergraduate student profile and should hopefully qualify for funding/scholarships for graduate programs at top schools. The U.S. has a lot more funding opportunities than other countries so I was considering it. It would also allow me to be present in the U.S. for my father which is a huge plus.

Do you think having funding at a top school would help convince the officer that I am not using school as a pretense to migrate early? Otherwise, I don't want to waste time applying to U.S universities.

Edited February 23, 2022 by aspirant12

[Crazy Cat 41,975]

6 minutes ago, aspirant12 said:

Do you think having funding at a top school would help convince the officer that I am not using school as a pretense to migrate early?

Apples and Oranges, imho.  

[arken 4,197]

 

6 minutes ago, aspirant12 said:

My graduate school plans were made much earlier than my immigration began. I have a strong undergraduate student profile and should hopefully qualify for funding/scholarships for graduate programs at top schools.

 

Have you taken TOEFL if you are not from a country with English as the primary language? Have you taken GRE/GMAT?Those are the steps a serious prospective graduate student takes to apply to top schools way before planning to apply for student visa. If you have already taken those, i say go and apply. If not, don't bother. If people here can judge to some extent, COs can judge much better.

[aaron2020 11,651]

10 minutes ago, aspirant12 said:

Appreciate the honest answer. Well I would say I am not using school as a pretense to migrate earlier. My graduate school plans were made much earlier than my immigration began. I have a strong undergraduate student profile and should hopefully qualify for funding/scholarships for graduate programs at top schools. The U.S. has a lot more funding opportunities than other countries so I was considering it. It would also allow me to be present in the U.S. for my father which is a huge plus.

Do you think having funding at a top school would help convince the officer that I am not using school as a pretense to migrate early? Otherwise, I don't want to waste time applying to U.S universities.

A student visa requires the applicant to have sufficient funding for their studies.  Everyone applying has to have funding to get the I-20 in order to apply for the F1 student visa.

Having funding is not going to help convince the office that you are not using the school as a pretense to immigrate early.  Everyone has funding.  Having funding has ZERO to do with you not wanting to immigrate early.  In fact, having funding makes it easier for you to live and work in the US.  

[aaron2020 11,651]

Get accepted into a top school.  Get an I-20.   Then, you can worry about seeking a student visa.

[Bajinga 136]

TOEFL (for non english speaking countries) and GRE/GMAT are the minimum requirements for most of the top schools in the US for a Masters degree. having a really good score in GRE/GMAT and then I-20 from a top school for a Masters program will reduce a lot of IO's concerns about you being a genuine student. If you can get those done first i would say go ahead and apply after, your chances of F1 will be great otherwise they are nil.

Edited February 23, 2022 by Bajinga

[SalishSea 17,916]

12 hours ago, aspirant12 said:

I have a strong undergraduate student profile and should hopefully qualify for funding/scholarships for graduate programs at top schools.

Why would US schools offer funding/scholarships to foreign students?   There is absolutely no reason to do this.  They can attract enough well-qualified students who can afford the tuition.  Maybe academically low-tier private schools, but not top-tier or public institutions.  

 

Also, how would you demonstrate the ability to pay for your education to a CO, while also looking to get scholarships?

 

Your plan makes no sense, and I agree that your overall situation screams of desperation to get to the US.

[aaron2020 11,651]

8 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Why would US schools offer funding/scholarships to foreign students?   There is absolutely no reason to do this.  They can attract enough well-qualified students who can afford the tuition.  Maybe academically low-tier private schools, but not top-tier or public institutions.  

 

Also, how would you demonstrate the ability to pay for your education to a CO, while also looking to get scholarships?

 

Your plan makes no sense, and I agree that your overall situation screams of desperation to get to the US.

Lots of schools offer funding/scholarships to foreign students in graduate programs.  Even top-tier schools.  Even public institutions.