Call Us Now
Email Us Now
Helping Foreign Students Study in the U.S.
If you’re interested in coming to the U.S. to attend school, you must qualify for a student visa before entering the country. Once you’re approved for the visa, it’s imperative that you know how long you can stay in the U.S., whether you can work while attending school, and any other rules associated with the specific visa you’re approved for. Experienced Schaumburg immigration lawyers will ensure you know these details and are able to get the legal assistance you need when applying, so contact Metcalf & Associates, P.C. today.
Our Illinois immigration law firm has given legal support to countless immigrants hoping to study in the U.S., so we’re confident we can assist you during the visa application process. Call our law firm to learn which student visa is right for you and how a skilled immigration lawyer can increase your approval chances.
What Student Visas Can Our Chicagoland Immigration Attorneys Help You Pursue?
Foreign nationals who wish to study at U.S. schools have a few types of student visas to choose from, depending on the type of school they plan to attend. Our immigration attorneys have experience helping applicants get approved for the following types of student visas:
- F-1 Visas
- F-2 Visas
- M-1 Visas
- J-1 Visas
- J-2 Visas
The right visa for your immigration needs will depend on what kind of program you’re interested in and how many semesters you need to remain at the school. A skilled Illinois immigration lawyer will review your educational plans before identifying the right visa for you and guiding you through the application process. Contact our immigration law office for a free consultation with helpful immigration lawyers.
What Are F Student Visas?
Most student visas fall into the F category, with the F-1 visa being the most popular option. To be approved for the F-1 visa, you must be a full-time student accepted to study academics or the English language at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
If you have a spouse or unmarried minor children, they can accompany you to the U.S. during your studies by applying for the F-2 visa.
If you live in Mexico or Canada and plan to continue living there while commuting across the border for school, you can apply for the F-3 visa.
Our immigration attorneys can help you determine if a visa in this category is right for you. If so, we’ll help you prepare for the application process and ensure you know the rules set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before applying.
What Are J Student Visas?
The J category of student visas is for foreign students involved in exchange programs. Both high school and college students must be approved for a J-1 visa before coming to the U.S. to study, and they’re usually limited to one or two semesters in the U.S.
This visa can be used by students who are part of a government-funded exchange program meant for cultural enrichment. It can also be used by students who need graduate-level business or medical training that is unavailable in their home country.
If you want to apply for a J-1 visa but have a spouse and minor children who need to come to the U.S. with you, a skilled immigration lawyer will help you apply for a J-2 visa for them. Contact us today to learn more about this category of visas for foreign nationals and their family members.
What Are M Student Visas?
International students interested in traveling to the U.S. for non-academic programs should apply for M student visas. This visa category is meant for anyone who wants to study at a vocational school in the U.S. So, while an F-1 visa lets you study academic subjects in the U.S., the M-1 visa allows you to enter the country to learn vocational skills that can prepare you to work in a specific field. In most cases, the M-1 visa is only valid for up to one year.
Note that you must get accepted to a vocational school or similar non-academic program before you can get an M-1 visa. You also must show proof of enough funds to pay tuition and support yourself while in the U.S. since you can’t work when you have this visa.
If you need to bring your spouse and minor children to the U.S. while you study, they must apply for M-2 visas. If you live in Mexico or Canada and plan to keep living there while attending a U.S. non-academic school, you need an M-3 visa to easily commute across the border. An experienced immigration lawyer can determine which visa you need and how to increase your odds of approval, so call our Schaumburg, IL immigration law firm today for legal help in Chicagoland.
Why Hire Trusted Schaumburg Student Visa Attorneys?
No matter what kind of college you want to attend in the U.S., it’s a good idea to hire a skilled student visa lawyer. Schaumburg, IL is the home of Metcalf & Associates, P.C., a firm that has spent more than 25 years helping immigrants with a variety of immigration cases. Our clients have ranged from international students seeking help with visas to foreign nationals hoping to achieve the American dream by pursuing permanent residency or citizenship.
Whether you have questions about qualifying for a visa, green card, or asylum status or are struggling with serious immigration issues like the threat of deportation, we’re here to help. Our immigration attorneys are prepared to provide quality legal advice on dealing with customs enforcement, immigration court, permanent residency requirements, and more. Please call our Illinois immigration law office at 224-328-1900 to schedule a free consultation with our caring team.