Canadian Citizen from South Africa

[Phil88 0]

Hi There,

Please can someone assist me urgently.

I'm travelling to America to attend Northwestern University to do my masters.

I'm from South Africa but my mom is Canadian, so have a Canadian passport.

Do I still need to get a visa or do anything from South African side?

Very concerned I will have issues when entering the US if I arrive with my Canadian passport.

It says I need proof of ties, what is this?

Many Thanks

Phil

[belinda63 3,033]

You do have a student visa right? That is required to attend school no matter where you are from.

[canadian_wife 1,820]

Have you been granted an F-1 student visa? You do not mention it in your post and Canadians cannot attend school in the U.S. without a student visa.

Good luck

[Kastrs 723]

Hi There,

Please can someone assist me urgently.

I'm travelling to America to attend Northwestern University to do my masters.

I'm from South Africa but my mom is Canadian, so have a Canadian passport.

Do I still need to get a visa or do anything from South African side?

Very concerned I will have issues when entering the US if I arrive with my Canadian passport.

It says I need proof of ties, what is this?

Many Thanks

Phil

I have put the key information in red. For most schooling type programs a visa is required unless you are a USC.

Edited August 4, 2016 by Kastrs

[Phil88 0]

Sorry My question should then read, do I need to get my visa in South Africa or at the border gate which is clearly stated in this link:

https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/canadian-students/

[Unlockable 7,314]

You need a visa. If you are planning on attending a University in the US then you need a student visa regardless if you are Canadian or South african.

Do you have any visa at all?

Edited August 4, 2016 by NuestraUnion

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Since you are a Canadian citizen, you won;t need to go to South Africa, as long as you have the required forms from your university, and proof of ties to Canada.

[TBoneTX 45,201]

Welcome to the forum.

[Ontarkie 14,201]

~~Moved to Student & Exchange Visitor Visas, from Introductions, as the OP has Student Visas questions along with the intro.~~

[Cathi 5,745]

It doesn't matter what country you are from, you need a student visa to attend school in the US. You don't just show up at the border and get a visa allowing you n to attend school. Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the US, but they do need a student visa to attend school here.

[canadian_wife 1,820]

It doesn't matter what country you are from, you need a student visa to attend school in the US. You don't just show up at the border and get a visa allowing you n to attend school. Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the US, but they do need a student visa to attend school here.

Incorrect Canadians seeking a student visa can show up at the border to apply for a student status.

https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/canadian-students/

However, the last part says one must provide ties to Canada. OP does not seem to have ties to Canada so I am not sure if this avenue would work.

Good luck

[txl344655 7]

Hi There,

Please can someone assist me urgently.

I'm travelling to America to attend Northwestern University to do my masters.

I'm from South Africa but my mom is Canadian, so have a Canadian passport.

Do I still need to get a visa or do anything from South African side?

Very concerned I will have issues when entering the US if I arrive with my Canadian passport.

It says I need proof of ties, what is this?

Many Thanks

Phil

Proof of ties to Canada would typically be a job, ownership of a house or an apartment, family or a bank account in Canada. If you do not think that you can prove strong ties to Canada, it may make sense to apply for a F1 visa from the local US Embassy or Consulate.

Please read below for more information on strong ties:

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/isss/immigration/travel/visa-renewal-information/