Each year, individuals from all over the world travel to the United States to earn academic credentials, attain degrees, and graduate from renowned universities. Some people are attracted to the campus culture of American schools, while others are interested in the cachet of attending specific programs that are globally respected in their prospective career field. […]
This week, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy update that is intended to lessen the burden on those hoping to complete a change of status (COS) and enroll as international students. The new policy states that nonimmigrants do not need to file status extensions while waiting for their approved F-1 […]
Are you thinking about continuing your education in the United States or Canada? You probably have a lot of questions! Well, we have a lot of answers for you—and they are all one click away. We collected the best advice from our experts and all of the WES Advisor archives to put together the ultimate […]
Expert Ambassador Kasie Reyes is the associate director of the International Student and Scholar Office at Old Dominion University in Virginia. In recent years, her school—like most others in the United States—has seen an increase in the number of visa denials being issued to international students. Receiving a visa denial can be confusing, disappointing, and […]
The United States offers a serious advantage over other study abroad destinations: It offers Optional Practical Training (OPT) to international students who have completed one full year of academic study in the U.S. OPT means that new graduates may begin to accumulate paid work experience in their field. After graduation, they can stay in the […]
The F-1 student visa interview can be an intimidating experience. Not only do you have to be prepared with the required documentation and receipts, you also need to be ready to answer questions regarding your future plans and motivation behind studying in the U.S. You can prepare for the F-1 visa interview by getting a […]
For international students and exchange visitors in the United States, things changed dramatically, if quietly, on August 9, 2018. On that date, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published guidance that swiftly altered how “unlawful presence”—being in the country without legal status—can now be calculated. Students can now begin accruing unlawful presence the day after […]
If you are an international student in the United States, you have the opportunity of working either full time or part time. It is important to remember, however, that you must follow the rules pertaining to your visa status. You must remain aware of all the regulations regarding your F-1 visa before you can start […]
Each year, over a million international students start or continue their studies in the United States. However, the F-1 visa policies that impact these students change frequently. If you are an international student, it is important to understand the policies and procedures that could impact your stay. Recently, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), […]
Over the years, as an international student, I have realized that it takes a village to secure an on-campus job. It can take months and sometimes years of preparation. Before working on my PhD in the U.S., I knew little about the strategies and resources that I could use within my institution to find a […]
Attending college in the U.S. comes with many exciting opportunities; international students can learn in a new environment, meet new people, and gain new skills. However, college in the U.S. also comes with a big price tag. In fact, the average college student in the U.S. graduates with $30,000 in debt. Fortunately, there are ways that […]
Any international student wanting to study in the U.S. will need a student visa. Because the process for obtaining an F-1 visa can be time-consuming, it is important to have all of the required documentation in place to help simplify the process. The following is an F-1 visa application checklist to help you prepare: DS-160 form: You […]
