Frequently Asked Questions
Student Visas
Q: Does the US Embassy interview for student visas?
A: Yes! The US Embassy Consul section interviews for F-1 Student Visas. International students are an integral part of American colleges. The US State Department encourages international students to apply to American universities.
Q: My mother wants me to go to one university and my dad wants me to go to another. There are more than 3,000 universities in the US How do I know which is right for me?
A: Choosing the right college is a difficult process for any student, but it can be especially challenging for international students. EducationUSA.state.gov has programs available to help you narrow the options with your US 5-Step Study.
The US Embassy has four American Spots at the National Library in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden, and the University Library of Guyana. These American Dots have resource materials about US universities, guidelines for the application process, standardized testing information, and financial aid. One-to-one or group virtual counseling is also offered by appointment which can be done here: https://calendly.com/amajeed-1/educationusa-virtual-advising.
Q: I found the perfect university program in the US However, it’s completely online right now because of COVID-19. Can I still get a visa to live on campus and experience American college life?
A: Students who take all their classes online are not eligible for a student visa. If your program is available online and in person, you will need to choose the personal option if you want to live on campus. On the other hand, taking classes online and living at home could be a good way to save money in the first two years.
Q: Can I apply for a student visa before I apply to American universities? It seems like a long process if I can’t get a visa.
A: No, you must be admitted to a US university before you can apply for a student visa. Your interview will cover details of your plans and finances in the US that you will not know until you are admitted to university.
Q: I have three younger siblings and we all want to study in the US Is it OK if I save money by studying for two years at a community college before transferring to a 4 year college or university?
A: Studying at a community college is a great way to start your college education while saving money. Many American students study at a less expensive community college before transferring to a more expensive 4-year university. Many community colleges even have special transfer and counseling degrees to make sure you stay on track and follow all the courses you need to transfer.
Q: My US citizen cousin worked part-time on campus when he was in college. Can I do that?
A: Students in the US on an F-1 visa may not work while studying. The exception is students in programs that allow work-based training (OTJ). These programs allow students to have 1-2 years of experience in their fields during or after their studies.
Q: My dream is to be a pilot for Caribbean Airlines. Do I need an F-1 student visa or a B1 / B2 tourist visa to go to aviation school?
A: You will need an M-1 visa to go to flight school. M-1 visas are for technical and vocational schools that do not confer educational degrees. Examples are flight school, cosmetology schools, cookery school, welding school, secretarial school, or similar.
Q: I was accepted to a university in the US. I paid my SEVIS fee and received my I-20 form. When I am interviewed, what is the officer going to ask me?
A: Congratulations on being accepted! Generally, the consular officer will ask you about three things: your plans to study, your plans after graduation, and how you’re going to pay for your tuition fees. We hope you have already considered these topics during your application process. Bring any documents that help present your case, including letters and bank statements from financial sponsors, a leave of absence letter for your job if applicable, high school transcripts, job offers after graduation, etc.
Q: I’m graduating soon, and I want to travel around the US to see the sights before I return to Guyana. Can I do that on my F-1 student visa?
A: A student has 60 days to leave the US after graduating / completing the program of study. (OTJ is considered part of the program of study.) After 60 days, the student is out of visa status. This can lead to disqualifications preventing future travel to the United States or immigration
The US is a very large and beautiful country. Students are encouraged to see different parts of the country while they are there. Make sure you plan ahead and travel during your winter, spring and summer vacation of classes.
Q: I am graduating at the end of the summer term and have already been accepted to start a masters program in the fall. I won’t have time to return to Guyana and get a new visa. What should I do?
A. school or continue the same course of study. That means if you graduate with your Bachelor of Science in engineering and want to continue for your master’s at the same university, you can use the same SEVIS fee. Or if you started your Bachelor of Arts in history at University A, then transfer it to University B to continue studying history, you can use the same SEVIS fee. However, if you are graduating from a Bachelor’s program at University A and want to start a master’s program at University B, you will need to pay a new SEVIS fee and apply for a new visa.
“Ask the Consul” is a monthly column from the US Embassy that answers questions about US immigration law and visa issues. Detailed information on visas and travel can be found at https://gy.usembassy.gov/, https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ and https://travel.state.gov/. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prepare their own documents and avoid third party advice. US consular rules change frequently, and government advisers outside the US often provide inadequate or inaccurate information. Contact our Visa Information Service Center at toll-free numbers: 1-877-246-6788 or 703-988-5765 if you have general visa questions.