US Student Visas for Filipino Citizens
If you are a Filipino citizen looking to come to the US to study, you must be accepted and approved by your school or program before applying for a US Student Visa.
Contact Total Law to have your eligibility assessed and receive reliable advice on how to apply for a Student Visa to the US from the Philippines. Call Total Law at +1 844 290 6312 or use our live chat online.
Overview of US Student Visa
To study in the US as a Filipino citizen, you must complete an application for admission to a US school. The school or program must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP). Once you are accepted you can apply for one of the US Student Visas.
There are two types of Student Visas available in the US. The F-1 Visa is for students pursuing academic studies, while the M-1 Visa is for students pursuing vocational studies.
To determine which visa type you should apply for, you should consider the length of your stay and the type of study you plan to engage in. Applicants can bring their eligible dependents to join them during their stay and can work in the US while their visa is valid.
Page Contents
- Overview of US Student Visa
- Student Visa Requirements in the USA for Filipino Citizens
- F-1 Student Visa for Academic Students
- M-1 Student Visa for Vocational Students
- Supporting Documents for the US Student Visa
- How to Apply for a US Student Visa from the Philippines?
- Cost and the Processing Time of the US Student Visa Application
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Student Visa Requirements in the USA for Filipino Citizens
Applicants for a Student Visa must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a language training program, an academic program, or a vocational program. The school must be approved by the SEVP and the course must be full-time
- Abe to demonstrate they meet the English language requirements or plan to study leading to English proficiency
- Have enough money available to support themselves during their time in the US
- Intend to return to the Philippines once their course finishes.
F-1 Student Visa for Academic Students
The F-1 Visa is also known as the Academic Student Visa and allows applicants to come to the US for full-time study at:
- An accredited college
- University
- Seminary
- Conservatory
- An academic high school (for a maximum of 12 months)
- Other academic institution
- A language training program
You can only apply for the F-1 Visa if your program or course leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. To be eligible, the school you have registered with must be authorised by the US Government to accept international students and exchange visitors.
The validity of your F-1 Visa will depend on the program duration. Once the program ends, you may be eligible to extend your stay in the US for up to 12 months if you apply for work through Optional Practical Training (OPT). The OPT must be related to your study.
Graduates of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics are permitted to stay in the US for two additional years if they find work in a field related to their studies.
Benefits and Limitations of the F-1 Student Visa
One of the key advantages of the F-1 Visa is that it provides applicants with an opportunity to study as a full-time student in the US and earn a world-class education. Besides studying, F-1 students can carry out off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), OPT and STEM OPT. However, with the F-1 Visa, you can only work off-campus if you obtain permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
Filipino students can also bring their immediate family members to join them if they are eligible for an F-2 Visa. There are no limitations on the number of F-1 Visas approved each year.
M-1 Student Visa for Vocational Students
The M-1 Visa is for students applying for vocational studies and other non-academic programs, such as cooking classes, mechanical classes, technical training, cosmetology, business school, or post-secondary vocational school. Students enrolled in language training cannot apply for the M-1 Visa.
The validity of the M-1 Visa depends on the length of your vocational studies. Initially, after being accepted for a vocational course, you will receive an I-20 Form, which will be valid for 12 months. If your course lasts over 12 months, you will be required to obtain a new I-20 Form for each subsequent year up to a maximum of 3 years.
Benefits and Limitations of the M-1 Student Visa
The M-1 Visa allows you to work for a maximum of 6 months if you apply for an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) prior to taking up employment. You can also work as part of practical training after you have completed your course.
You can also bring dependents to the US if they are eligible for the M-2 Visa. Eligible dependents are allowed to study while they stay in the US and there is no annual limit on the number of visas issued.
However, with the M-1 Visa, you cannot work during your course, and adult dependents cannot study at a US university (they can only study in a vocational or recreational school) or accept any employment with a M-2 Visa.
Supporting Documents for the US Student Visa
To apply for the US Student Visa (either a F-1 or M-1 Visa), you must submit the following supporting documents to prove eligibility:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months after the program ends.
- Submit a certificate from the educational institution you have enrolled with and evidence the course is full-time.
- Evidence of English language proficiency. Although there is no specific test required, you will need to demonstrate that you can read, write, listen, and speak English and this can be done via a standardised test.
- Evidence you have the intention of returning to the Philippines once your study ends, this can in the form of a property deed or proof of return travel.
- Demonstrate you meet the financial requirements for the visa by providing a bank statement or proof of sponsorship.
- Completed I-20 and DS-160 forms.
- Four recent passport-size photographs.
- Medical and physical examination report by an approved physician.
- Police clearance report issued by the police station nearest to where you reside in the Philippines.
- A receipt for the visa application processing fee.
If you are unsure whether you’re eligible for the US Student Visa or need help gathering supporting documents for your application, call Total Law on +1 844 290 6312 to get assistance from one of our immigration advisers.
How to Apply for a US Student Visa from the Philippines?
To initiate the US Student Visa application process, you must contact the Embassy or Consulate and submit the DS-160 Form online along with the payment for the visa application.
Once your application is submitted, you will need to schedule a visa appointment at the Embassy or Consulate in the Philippines and submit the following:
- Passport number
- MRV fee payment receipt number
- Ten-digit barcode number from the DS-160 confirmation page
On the day of your visa appointment, you will need to provide your biometrics information including fingerprints and photographs as well as the following documents:
- Printed copy of your appointment letter
- DS-160 Form confirmation page
- One recent passport photograph
- Your current, valid passport and any old passports
Cost and the Processing Time of the US Student Visa Application
The cost of the US Student Visa application includes the following fees:
- I-20 Form fee – $350
- DS-160 Form fee – $160
The decisions on US Student Visas are made on the day of the interview, and the average procession time is 5-7 working days.
How Can Total Law Help?
Coming to the US to study provides many Filipino students with opportunities and experiences valuable to further their education and careers. However, the Student Visa application process can be complicated and stressful for many applicants.
Total Law is a team of reliable immigration lawyers who have helped many Filipino citizens obtain their visas successfully, stress and hassle-free. Our advisers can assess your visa eligibility and help you gather the required documents to guarantee the highest chance of Student Visa approval.
Call Total Law on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online to receive immediate advice on your case.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money you will need for a US Student Visa depends on the type of studies you will do and the length of your stay in the US. You should expect to have at least $10,000 to support yourself as an F-1 Visa holder.
If your Tourist Visa is still valid, you can apply for a Student Visa from within the US if you fulfil the Student Visa eligibility requirements. If your Tourist Visa has expired, you must return to the Philippines and apply for the US Student Visa from outside the US.
The most common reasons for Student Visa application denial include:
- Insufficient documents
- Missing proof of eligibility
- Inadequate funds
- Incomplete visa application form
- Inaccurate information provided in the application form
