Start by choosing a college; which would fit your budget and offers the courses which would serve as a start for the student's career. My advice is - begin your research with the community colleges. Sometimes the cost of the tuition is lower than in private institutions.
Contact the colleges and ask if they are a USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)- approved institution and accepting international students. If they say "yes" then the next step is to contact the department for international students and ask for an appointment with an advisor.
Prepare the required documents in advance, before you meet with the international student advisor. Here are the required documents:
• College registration form (will be provided by college);
• I-20 form (will be provided by college);
• I-134 form - Affidavit of support (the copies of the sponsor's (your) tax returns and a recent financial statement from the bank);
• DS-156 & DS-158 forms (Non-Immigrant visa application). It is important to have every one of these forms completed correctly and signed.
The original copies of these forms will need to be presented by the applicant (relative or friend you are inviting) at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate during the interview. The interview is required in order to get an F-1 Non-Immigrant Student visa; visa is an endorsement in a passport which gives the right to enter the country and stay until the expiration date. All above referenced immigration forms and fees can be found on the USCIS website.
Prepare your relative for the interview.
- Send the forms along with an invitation letter to your relative. Your invitation letter has to be detailed, but yet concise. Include your mailing address and contact information in case if U.S. Consulate officer would want to contact you for additional information regarding your relative. Sign and date it. It doesn't have to be notarized. The invitation letter is not required, but it sure helps. It communicates your intentions and shows that you have a plan. So you may want to consider it.
- Ask your relative to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, located in his or her place of residence and set up an appointment for the interview. Have them ask about the process and visa fees, and what documents he or she will need to present to the interviewer, besides the packet which he or she already received from you. This information may be available on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
The check list of main required documents for the applicant (the person who you are inviting) in order to obtain an F-1 visa:
- Valid passport for traveling;
- 2 photos (2 inch x 2 inch), U.S. Embassy may ask for an additional photo;
- I-20 form;
- I-134 form;
- DS-156 & DS-158 forms;
- Invitation letter;
- Depending on the country there may be additional documents be required. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate located in your relative or friend's place of residence.
