rh4stc

Fantastic, thought so thanks.

Well, not so much an extension question, but more about do i need to do anything.

I have an F1 visa that expires in 4.5 years time. When applying, I put on the form that I expect to finish in December 2012. I started my course Jan 2011. This was based on doing 5 subjects a semester.

For one reason or another, I have decided to do just 4 subjects a semester which will increase my course by an extra semester or 6 months. This is still well before my visa expires, but do I need to tell anyone I am extending my course by an extra semester? Or do they just realise that based on the regular SEVIS updates they most likely receive? I'm still doing the required minimum, but want to do the best I can rather than extend myself too much and have my grades slip back.

As it stands, I have a GPA of 4, the max for this first semester

Wheee, arrived yesterday, very simple arrival at Philly airport, only asked two questions, what are you studying and do you have any money on you. Passport and I20 stamped and then even my baggage was the first off the plane onto the conveyor belt!

Just called the POE at Philly airport, it is indeed 30 days, thanks Canadian, I had a feeling that was the case, but thought there'd be no harm in asking.

So, 30 days before 10th Jan is 11th Dec I think. Gives me more time to prepare here at least.

I had an interview at the US embassy in Paris yesterday and this morning have received my visa! Yippeee!!!

Anyway, on my Ds160 form, I put my planned arrival date of the 11 Dec, being one month before my course starts.

I was expecting to see this date on my visa, but I only have a issue date of 16 Nov 2010 and expiry date of 14 Nov 2015.

Do I take it that my visa is valid as of now and I could travel out earlier than planned? Also, I'm surprised that I've been given one for 5 years, as opposed to the two years I requested.

I'm very happy.

There's an additional $200 for the SEVIS.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html#2

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/ (hlaf way down is the fee)

Ok, my I-20 has been sent by the college so I should see that in the next week or so.

Right now I am getting together all my supporting documents ready for when I have my interview.

What I have so far is:

Copy of deeds to both my properties here in France (currently in mine and my wife's name).

Copy of settlement agreement (between my wife and I showing that the aforementioned properties will be transferred into my name only after our divorce, whenever that happens).

Copy of rental contract (I rented one of my properties out 6 months ago for a period of 3 years - this will provide me with extra income during my studies. My other property is inhabitable. I live with friends).

Bank statements from France & Australia (Although I live in France, I recently sold a property in Australia - that's where most of my funds are).

Auto Entrepreneur certificate (I have a small failing business here in France, this is the paperwork to show I have a business, albeit one that doesn't do a lot).

French health care information showing I need to be back within 2 years otherwise I lose my right to health care.

Affidavit of support from my girlfriend who will provide me with board & lodgings (will only show that if I have to).

My resume.

Examples of my work (I am hoping to do an associates degree in graphic design. I was an unqualified graphic designer for 4 years from 2000 when I lived in Australia. This qualification will then marry up with my experience).

UK school certificates.

TOEFL results.

Receipt of payment for course from college.

Is this enough do you think? Already the folder it's all in is bulging, and that's without the official stuff required.

Thanks for the reply.

I wanted the SS# to get a bank account, but it's not a train smash if I don't have one.

I looked on the NJ driving website and it looks like I don't need a SS# anyway, and can obtain an NJ licence relatively easily. Doesn't even say that taking a practical test is mandatory. Driving over here is much easier than driving in Europe, that's for sure!

As for insurance, wow, it is high. I got a quote from Cure just based on a crappy Ford Focus 2000 model, liability only and it came to just over $1000. Double what I pay fully comp on my convertible in France! But that was $1000 than geico and other similar companies. But cure insist I have a NJ licence before I even get the insurance. They don't take my previous 20 years of claim free insurance into account either. Oh well. Start again.

Ok thanks.

So I don't need to worry about social then.

Thanks.

Checked the site for NJ and I can have one.

I'll check for the SSN site as well.

Just been exploring car insurance for when I (hopefully) come out in December to start school in Jan.

They will insure me without a ss number and on an international licence, but of course it is very expensive.

Just wondering if it is possible to go for a US drivers licence and social security number on a student visa to bring those costs down?

I have discovered that I do not need a USC sponsor, and I have enough in my bank account, plus I am renting my house out which will give me extra income, so I do not even need to mention my girlfriend at all, unless asked.

This hugely tips the balance in my favour I feel.

Oh yes, and on the I-134, under relationship to applicant, we have put friend.

I am also married (to someone else, but going through a divorce which should be completed by November) which I have also stated on that I-134 form.

My situation is along the same lines.

I've applied to a college near my girlfriend and have been accepted sunject to good TOEFL scores. Have paid the fees etc.

My girlfriend is sponsoring me, I will be staying with her and I have plenty of money in my bank account. Right now we are not engaged and we have zero plans to get married. Let's face it, two years is a very long time and anything can happen.

As for ties to my country, I have bank accounts, I have two properties that I own outright, but that's about it.

Any suggestions for further strenghtening my ties back in France? I am English, but live in France.

My reason for study in the US is because my French is not good enough to study in France and I cannot afford to study anywhere else in the world due to costs of living etc. I have found a course I want to do and have work experience in it, but not the qualification.

To obtain a student F1 visa, you must take at least 12 credits per semester.

Try starting here

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html

Student visa. We have no intent to marry at present.

She's providing me with board and lodging.

What exactly does the immigration department want?

My girlfriend has already signed the I-134, but we are a little confused as to what the dept exactly want to see.

My girlfriend is still married, going through a divorce at present and is getting the house as part of the divorce settlement and she has a good bit of equity in it. She used to work part time when she was married, but has started a well paid full time job in July.

What we plan on providing is:

Letter from her employer stating date started, nature of employment, salary and the fact it is a permanent position.

A couple of pay slips.

Her bank account details from her bank stating when opened, amount of deposits made and current balance. Again, because she has split from her husband, this account is very new, so not much history there.

I really don't see the point in her submitting tax returns as they will have been done with her husband.

Is there anything else that we need, or should that be enough? And do these documents need to be original or can they be copies. I feel like I've seen somewhere that copies are ok, but am not sure.

I will be supplying a statement from my bank account showing my balance to prove I can pay for college. I don't need to fill out an I-134, do i?

I really do struggle with this "ties" thing. I guess it's just showing that there is "something" to come back to, but really, save perhaps family, a house, a job, a car etc really are not ties. They can be sold at any time from anywhere in the world (I should know, I've done it several times).

But I just need to change my outlook on this somehow, because I feel they are weak reasons, but so long the US government doesn't think that, I should be ok then.

Thanks meijie, I guess it's all about the slant, isn't it? On the paperwork so far, I have just put her down as a friend (she'll be sponsoring me, board and lodgings).

I am starting to get my head around everything, I certainly don't want to lie, but economy with the truth may be the way to go.

I definitely want to do the course and I'm very excited about it, so yes, you are right, that should be the empthasis, the priority. It is going to be my get out of jail card. In fact I have two properties in France, so I can evidence that.

Thanks for your replies.

Perhaps I should have been more specific though, as I think you'll see, my ties anywhere in the world are not strong.

I do own my own house, which is currently rented out in France, but plan on selling in order to buy a property in Australia after my course.

I have no family. Both parents died 12 years ago, not seen extended family since then. I'm 38.

I will be staying with my USC girlfriend in the US during my studies. We have no plans on marrying (neither of us are really ready for such a commitment again, we're both going through divorce).

I do not have a job (my French is too poor to get employment, and I have tried).

This is my means of escaping France and getting back to an English speaking country with a good qualification which I have work experience of (am going for a graphic design associates degree. I worked as a graphic designer in Australia for 4 years about 8 years ago).

But hopefully, I won't be scrutinised as you say and they allow me in with little problem.

This is my stumbling block.

I want to study, and this opportunity to study in the US is the only way I can afford to do it. I live in France, but cannot school there as my French is no where good enough. I cannot afford to return to my native England and study there as the cost of living is ridiculous.

I want to return to Australia after my 2 year course in the US, but have zero ties there. How do I evidence that I wish to go back to Australia after college? 2 years is a long time, I have no idea how to show what will happen in two weeks time, let alone two years!

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks CW. I remember seeing that page a while back, forgot it existed and struggled finding it again.

Ok, thanks. I don't think having a social security number is that important, I can use my bank in Australia if I have to.

So, when I receive my I20 when I'm back in France, I simply phone the US Embassy in Paris and make an appointment? They are not advised of the application any other way?

Ok, I've made an application at a college, looks like there'll be no problems being accepted by them, so it'll just be a case of persuading the immigration dept to give me the F1.

Assuming that I do get one, will I get a social security number for my time in the States? I ask, because I'd want to open a bank account and obviously you can't open a bank account up without a social security number.

Also, the person I had my interview with at the college wasn't sure what happens after they have issued me with the I20. She has only recently started the job and is still finding her feet (think I knew more about the procedure than she did).

How does the US Embassy (the one in Paris in my case), know that I'm applying for an F1 visa? Do I contact them for an appointment or is a duplicate I20 sent to them automatically?