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Q: How to consider a good graduate school?
A: Do your homework and seek advice from knowledgeable
sources including your school advisor, library, Internet, embassy, friends
and family. Most schools require that you meet the minimum
requirements in TOEFL, GMAT, or GRE scores before considering your
application. Study well and choose the school that best suits you
financially and geographically. (Words of advice: Attempt to pass the
TOEFL, GMAT, or GRE exams before you leave the country. Many students who
wish to study in the U.S. and Canada have difficulties passing the exam
when they flunk the tests, and cannot enroll in the academic program.) To
apply for the selected school, contact the Admission Office and request
for an application by mail. The school will mail you the application
including the instructions and residential information. Read the
instructions, complete the form and mail it back with the application fees
(usually non-refundable.) If you are accepted into the program, the school
will issue you an I-20 form, which is required to obtain the F-1 student
visa from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.
Q: Changing INS rules on I-20 form after the 9/11
A: In the wake of September 11th, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) is proposing several changes to the rules
governing visitor and student admissions. A new rule prohibits
non-immigrant visitors admitted under B-1 or B-2 visas from pursuing a
course of study at a school in the United States prior to receiving INS
approval of their request to change non-immigrant status to that of an F
(academic) or M (vocational) student. Individuals planning to attend
school in the United States are expected to obtain the proper student visa
prior to their admission to the United States. However, INS does
recognize that some intending students will want to visit the United
States first for bona fide visitor purposes, such as touring campuses or
interviewing for admission. The proposed rule will establish new
requirements for B non-immigrant visitor visa holders who wish to become
students. Persons admitted under B non-immigrant visitor status will
still be able to change their status to that of a student, but only if
they stated their intent to study in the United States when they initially
applied for admission and presented any I-20 forms they may have been
issued. Inspectors will be required to note that the alien is a
prospective student and make the proper notation on the alien's I-94 form
(Arrival/Departure Record). This rule will impact only those students
admitted in B status after the rule’s effective date.
Q: Is health insurance necessary?
A: Hospital care and medical expenses in the U.S. are
expensive. It is best recommended that a student purchases his/her health
insurance per semester. To give you some ideas, the average cost of
hospitalization is in the range of $1,000-$3,000 a night (that is when you
have to spend the night in the hospital.) Health insurance is required in
some schools. For more information on where and how to purchase the
policy, please email Webmaster.
Q: Am I required to file for Income Tax Return by April
15th?
A: By law you are required to file the 1040 NR
(Non-resident Alien) form even you are not employed. The dateline for
students is due in March. Check with your International Student Advisor.
You can obtain the 1040 NR form from your library. Abide by laws and avoid
any headaches from the IRS if you plan to get a job in the U.S. after
graduation.
Q: How to obtain an entry visa to any countries when
traveling?
A: Obtain the signature from your International Student
Advisor before leaving the U.S. or you will have problem returning to
school. Contact the embassy of the country of your destination to find out
if the entry visa is required for Thai citizens. If so, you will need to
apply for the visa in person or by mail. To apply in person, visit the
embassy near you and you might be able to get the visa issued within the
same day. To apply by mail, mail the passport along with the visa
processing fees and application to the embassy. Allow 3-4 weeks to
process. If you are traveling to Europe, consider the multiple entry
Schenken visa if you plan to re-enter the country and be sure to allow
plenty of time to apply for different countries before you leave the
country.
Q: How to obtain a working visa in the U.S.?
A: You will need to have a sponsorship in order to work in
the U.S. Your prospective employer can help you apply for the H1-B visa,
which takes about 4-6 weeks to process depending on availability of the
quotas in the state that you file. You can either contact any immigration
attorneys or ask if the company has a lawyer to help apply for your visa.
Since this process is cumbersome and time-consuming, most employers opt to
hire those who currently have a green card or have working
experience in the areas that are high in demand.
Q: How to renew a passport that is expired?
A: You can file for an extension to your passport without
leaving the country. Contact the Royal Thai Embassy in DC at (202)
944-3600 and request to receive the application form by mail. Complete the
form and mail the passport with processing fees to the embassy. Allow at
least three weeks to process.
Q: How to renew an H-1B visa that is expired?
A: You can file for an extension to your visa without
leaving the country. First, you will need to obtain Form OF-156 from the
Royal Thai Embassy or from your attorney. Have the following
documentation ready:
-
Money order in the amount of $45 for the machine
readable visa fee, payable to the Department of State.
-
Money order in the amount of $15 for the visa
reciprocity fee, payable to the Department of State.
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One passport style photograph.
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Original I-94 card.
-
Original I-797A Approval Notice and the tear-off I-94.
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Current passport with the extension date.
-
Letter of Employment from your company.
Mail it to:
The Visa Office
U.S. Department of State
2401 E Street NW, Suite 1306
Washington, DC 20622-0133
Q: What is the duration of an H-1B visa?
A: Once issued, you are authorized to work in country for
up to six years. You can change your employment and re-apply for a new
H-1B as frequently as you would, and you still have six years after the
date that you were first approved. Most H-1B visas are issued for three
years. This allows you ample time to apply for a permanent residency known
as green card. At the end of the sixth year, your work authorization gets
expired and you have to return to your home country for at least one year
before you can apply for another work authorization. Each work
authorization is good for six years. Q: How to export personal belongings home after
graduation?
A: See Export Guide.
If you would like to share your stories and contribute to
this forum, please write to Webmaster.
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