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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE F-1 VISA

How do I get my F-1/student visa?

The process from your initial online application to having the visa stamped in your passport can take up to a few months, so it’s a good idea to start early. Generally, the process is smooth.

 Once you have submitted all the required documents and your $100 application fee to Sheridan College, Claudia Colnar will send you a packet with your I-20 (Eligibility Certificate), the acceptance letter and information on how to pay the $200 SEVIS fee and set up the visa interview at the US consulate or embassy nearest you. She will also send you tips for how to best get through the visa interview as well as how to maintain your F-1 status.

What should I remember during the interview for the F-1 visa?

  • You’ll want to be sure to establish that you intend to return to your home country upon completion of your studies. What are your plans after you graduate?
  • Be able to explain why you want to study in the United States/Wyoming/Sheridan College/Gillette College.
  • Your main purpose for coming to the United States is for academic study, not to work.
  • Be sure that you can demonstrate that you have adequate funds for at least one year of academic study at the NWCCD.

 

Can I work at Sheridan/Gillette College?

As an F-1 student, you are eligible to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks, provided that you are not displacing a US worker. There is no guarantee that you will be able to get a job, however. Generally, an international student can work in the bookstore, the library, the Student Success Center, the dining hall or with the Maintenance team during the summer, keeping the grass green and the flower beds trimmed. Please note that your F-1 status prohibits you from working off campus.  

What happens if my visa expires while I’m studying?

You are legal as long as you have a valid I-20 and maintain full-time student status, and you have been admitted to the US for duration of status. However, if you leave the US once the visa has expired, then you’ll need to reapply for the F-1 visa in your country.

Please note that your passport must have a validity of at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay in the United States.