How long is a student visa for?

[luis_bici_ 4]

Thank you for those who have given advice. As posted in the other threads, I am a US citizen trying to bring my Venezuelan girlfriend here on a student visa. We have a good relationship, but are not fiances yet. She wants to learn English and we both want to be able to continue to develop our realtionship. We will be applying to a school soon, and I don't think getting the I-20 will be any problem. She is nervous about the embassy interview and we would like to know how long a student visa is for usually. I understand that as she is studying English, it can vary. Does she ask for the visa for a certain amount of time or is there a standard initial time given for the visa? Please take into account that I know basically nothing of this process, so some of my questions may seem basic, but that is my level of understanding of this process. Again, thank you for your time.

[Anh map 2,098]

Google is your friend. Educate yourself >>> http://www.uscis.gov...000082ca60aRCRD

and here >>>>> http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

Edited August 20, 2011 by Anh map

[canadian_wife 1,826]

When you apply to a school you will typically apply to a specific program that has a general length of time that it takes to complete. So the visa will be good for that amount of time.

For example, when I applied for my tourist visa, I applied to a 4 year program at a university, thus my student visa was good for 4 years - the length of time written on my I20 given to me from the school.

Good luck

[Little_My 464]

When she gets her I-20 from the school she would attend, it will have a date by when she is expected to finish her studies. The visa will be issued for that time period. Once she has been issued her visa and is here studying, it is possible to extend the I-20 if for some reason she was not able to finish her program on time. I came here to study in a 2-year graduate program, so my visa was issued for 2 years, as well as my I-20. I did graduate on time in May 2011, but could have extended until December if I needed to - many of my international friends did.

[Harsh_77 718]

+1 to little and CW it will be based on her program and it will be put on the I-20 by school.

Just a word of caution learning English would not be a good enough to enroll in school or getting visa. Most ppl come to US to get higher education like Master or PHD.

Most CO would question are there not any schools in her home country that can teach her English, why does she have to come to US?