Millions of people around the world dream of living and studying in the United States. It’s no wonder that myths and misconceptions can arise from the F-1 student visa process as friends, family, and classmates talk about the best ways to secure a student visa and the student visa application guidelines.
As California student visa lawyers, we know the truth behind the rumors, myths, and misconceptions. Below, we’ll debunk four myths we often hear when aspiring students call our offices.
Myth #1: You absolutely must be proficient in English to get an F-1 visa.
This is simply not true. A large number of foreign students come to the United States expressly to learn or improve their English. While you must be proficient in English to enter into a full-time program of study that isn’t language-based, you certainly do not have to have a background in English to take English classes.
Myth #2: A limited number of student visas are available.
Although there is a limit on many types of U.S. visas, there is none associated with F-1 student visas and no individual country limits. The number of student visas issued each year is only limited by the number of students who are accepted to a qualifying American institution of learning.
Myth #3: You have to be at the top of your class to get an F-1 visa.
Many people have the misconception that you have to be an academic genius or a stand-out student with special skills in order to qualify for an F-1 student visa. In reality, getting an F-1 visa has nothing to do with your achievements or test scores. When it comes to studying abroad in the United States, only the schools and universities where you apply will judge you by your academic achievement, not the federal government.
Myth #4: You can’t work and go to school at the same time with an F-1 visa.
There are a limited number of opportunities to work while attending school in the United States, but opportunities do exist. All students are allowed to work on-campus for a limited number of hours, while some students will qualify to work off campus in certain circumstances.
