How to immigrate to the USA through education

Unlike other methods, this type of migration to the USA is semi-legal but still a popular way to get to the USA, settle there, and naturalize. Many people cannot afford, due to various circumstances, to secure a job in an American company or win the DV Lottery, so they use the education scheme. Essentially, migration through education is just a way to cross the U.S. border and settle there for a year or even several years until the employment issue is resolved. To start the process of immigration through education, you first need to obtain a certain type of visa, after which you can proceed with further options for settling and naturalizing.

Types of student visas in the USA. Types of student visas and their differences

Visa F

The most common visa used for migration to the USA. This type of visa allows not only to cross the U.S. border but also provides work authorization, although with certain restrictions.

Visa M

The second most popular visa used for migration. It offers fewer opportunities compared to the F-1 visa, but it allows studying up to 20 academic hours a week without the right to work.

These two types of visas differ in the length of stay and whether or not work is permitted during studies. Often, migrants opt for the F-1 visa due to its expanded opportunities for legal employment, but even the M-1 visa allows a firm foothold in the U.S. for further status transition.

The process of obtaining a student visa. What documents are needed and in what order

To begin the process of obtaining a student visa to the USA, you need to:

1. Request from the educational institution to issue the I-20 form, which is the foundation of the student visa application process.
2. Fill out the electronic DS-160 form.
3. Have a valid passport with an expiration date exceeding 6 months from the expected date of completion of studies.
4. A 5×5 cm standard photograph.
5. Pay the consular fee of $160.
6. Pay the SEVIS fee of $350.
7. Register for an interview and prepare the necessary documents.

Additionally, you need to provide documents proving your previous education, a bank statement showing sufficient funds for living expenses for the entire duration of your stay in the USA.

Immigration to the USA through education: how much does it cost

The cost of studying in the USA consists of several stages:

1. Payment of the entry fee to receive the I-20 form. On average, this costs $500.
2. Consular fee – $160.
3. SEVIS – $350.

In total, you need about $880 for the entry fee stage.

Additionally, to cover living expenses, you must have a bank balance showing $1200 or more for each month of study.

Thus, the minimum amount required to study in the USA for one year is at least $15,200 plus the cost of tuition. If the student receives a grant, it can serve as proof that part of the funds has already been paid.

How to Move to the USA Through Language Courses

This is another “loophole” through which you can move to the USA. Some language schools have specifically developed a program that offers a study format of 20 academic hours per week, which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the learning process and obtain an F-1 visa. To move through language courses, you need to choose a language school for study and follow the same steps required to obtain an F-1 or M-1 visa. The process itself is no different, except that the visa officer will also expect a brief motivational speech from the applicant on the topic of “Why I need language courses and why I can’t learn English in my home country.”

How to Stay in the USA After Studying

So, we have moved to the USA, resolved all issues, and are studying. Our studies are coming to an end, but we want to stay. For example, we moved not for ordinary education in a university or college but even for regular language courses. In this case, we need to “change the status” of our stay.

Depending on the type of visa we had, we still have some time left for internships. During the internship, we need to find a place where we can work in the field of our studies and start earning money to support ourselves and move forward with changing our status or securing a place in the USA.

The first thing that may come to mind is the H-1 visa, which provides for an internship in the USA. To do this, you need to find a potential employer and sign a contract for the internship. There are companies that specialize in internships for foreign students.

The second thing that may come to mind is the H-1B, H-2A, H-2B visas, which allow for official employment in the USA.

If, during your stay in the USA, you became a blogger, received some awards or outstanding results in your activities, you can apply for an O-1 visa for people with extraordinary abilities, and just like with the H-1B, you can get employed by a US employer.

It’s important to remember to take care of the next step in advance, preferably from the very first days of your stay in the USA.

How to Obtain a Work Visa and Legalize in the USA After Studying

As mentioned above, work visas are available. To get a work visa of any category, the first thing you need to do is create a good resume. In the USA, a resume is a critical or even the most important step toward getting a job. After creating the resume, you should actively send it out to employers. If, for example, you studied law, medicine, or programming, then you should apply to corresponding law offices, medical centers, or any company that potentially needs programmers for employment. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll get accepted on the first try, but after sending your resume to a hundred or more companies, there is a high chance that you will get a few interviews, where you could be accepted for the job.