By the Staff of New York Immigration Attorneys
The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein
http://www.4immigration.com/
Question: I entered the U.S. three months ago on a visitors visa. I have been staying with my aunt and cousins. My aunt told me that if I wanted to go to school, I could stay with her. I have a high school diploma from my country. I want to go to college in the U.S. What do I need to do?
Spar & Bernstein: So long as you’re I-94 is still valid, you can change your status from visitor to student here in the US. In order to qualify for the student visa, you must be accepted to the college. The college will issue a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 to you. There is a SEVIS fee that you will have to pay. Once you have Form c from the school, you must file an application to change status with the Immigration Service. In that application, you must prove that you have sufficient financial support. You can have your aunt, another relative or friend submit Form I-134 affidavit of support on your behalf along with proof of legal immigration status (US citizenship or green card), tax returns, W2s, job letter, and bank statement in order to show that you can cover your expenses. You must also prove that you intend to depart the US upon completion of your studies.
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