F-1 Visa Help Needed-Can Proof of Funds be in a non-U.S. Bank?

[cellardoor10 0]

Dear VJers,

i need some urgent advice regarding a Chinese friend who is currently visiting here in the U.S. and is applying for a student visa. Her lawyer is telling her that she needs to show $50,000 in a U.S. bank account. As a former engineer, she has this money but it's all in her Chinese bank account, so there is no way she could transfer it to a U.S. Bank that quickly.

Is this lawyer correct in stating that the money needs to be in a U.S. bank? Would the visa be rejected if the proof of funds was a bank statement from her Chinese bank account? She is freaking out about this and I'm trying to figure out the truth for her. Thank you in advance for your help and insight.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment

Pretty vague

"Sufficient funds" but it does not say whether it has to be in US funds

good luck

[cellardoor10 0]

Hmmm, yeah that is vague and doesn't help much. :-( Thank you for the link though as I didn't have that before.

Anyone else have any insight on the matter?

[lkerky 25]

The criteria states that you have to be enrolled into the educational program.

When I was on a F1, the school issued the visa. I never showed any proof of funds to either the school or immigration.

Edited January 3, 2014 by lmihler

[jan22 3,056]

The criteria states that you have to be enrolled into the educational program.

When I was on a F1, the school issued the visa. I never showed any proof of funds to either the school or immigration.

The school did not issue the visa -- it issued the I-20 showing your admittance. You showed that I-20 at the POE (or should have) and were granted entry as an F1 (student). It's differenet for Canadians--they don't need the physical visa; rather, the student status can be granted at the POE.

[jan22 3,056]

Dear VJers,

i need some urgent advice regarding a Chinese friend who is currently visiting here in the U.S. and is applying for a student visa. Her lawyer is telling her that she needs to show $50,000 in a U.S. bank account. As a former engineer, she has this money but it's all in her Chinese bank account, so there is no way she could transfer it to a U.S. Bank that quickly.

Is this lawyer correct in stating that the money needs to be in a U.S. bank? Would the visa be rejected if the proof of funds was a bank statement from her Chinese bank account? She is freaking out about this and I'm trying to figure out the truth for her. Thank you in advance for your help and insight.

If your friend is currently in the U.S., she can't be applying for a visa, as that process only occurs outside the U.S. Assuming she is applying for a Change of Status (from visitor or whatever status she was granted at the POE to F1 student status), the funds would have to be available for her for immediate use in the U.S -- which pretty much means in a U.S. bank. When applying for the visa outside the U.S., the funds can be in a local bank, assuming that the person has immediate access to them to transfer/take to the U.S. when they travel to take up the student status. One of the requirements for student status is proof of the ability to pay for the entire first year of study (liquid assets) and a funding source to ensure payment for subsequent years.

[aaron2020 11,651]

The criteria states that you have to be enrolled into the educational program.

When I was on a F1, the school issued the visa. I never showed any proof of funds to either the school or immigration.

Schools do not issue visas. The US government issues visas.

Furthermore, it's an absolute requirement to show the ability to pay tuition and cost of living before a visa can be issued.

[dropsofvenus 0]

I'm pretty sure your friend doesn't need 50k in a US bank. I applied for f-1 visa three years ago in China. I simply asked my bank (Zhong guo jian she yin hang) to print out a translated version of bank statement, proving that my first year's tuition plus living expense are funded. You can just use the amount on your I20 form. I only had 40k in my Chinese bank account.