Q: I plan to apply for a student visa in order to study my undergraduate degree in the US. If I apply for a student visa, will my B1/B2 tourist visa be cancelled? Will my student visa also allow me to work in the US while I’m studying?

A: Non-immigrant visas are issued depending on the purpose of travel and, as such, an individual may have more than one type of non-immigrant visa valid at one time. An individual who has a valid B1/B2 tourist visa but wants to study in the US will need to apply for an F-1 or M-1 student visa. If your student visa is approved, your tourist visa will not be cancelled.

Some students are eligible to work in the US on their student visa; however, there are certain restrictions that must be abided. A student who attends classes full-time (more than 12 hours per semester) is eligible to work on campus. However, while classes are in session, a student may not work more than 20 hours per week.

Special permission can be requested to work more hours when classes are not in session. In addition, a student may work full-time during vacation periods, such as Christmas and summer, if the student is enrolled in and plans to attend classes the following semester.

Students who want to work off campus must apply for permission from the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). In order to qualify, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. A full-time student for one academic year;

2. A student in good standing who will continue to take classes full-time;

3. The ability to demonstrate that the employment will not interfere with their studies; and

4. The employer submits certain documentation regarding the student’s work hours and pay.

Some students may also be eligible for internships and other practical training directly related to their area of study called Optional Practical Training (OPT). Permission for OPT is also granted by USCIS.

Student visa interview appointments are available Monday through Friday at the US Embassy, Kingston. As appointments do fill up, students are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. Complete information on the student visa application process

is available at kingston.usembassy.gov/student_visas2.html

For those interested in studying in the US, additional information is available at the Educational Advising office of the US Embassy. To find out more about resources available or to set up an individual or group session, please visit kingston.usembassy.

gov/educationusa.html.

You can find more information about how to travel to the US on our website, www.kingston.usembassy.gov. Keep on top of embassy news on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/US-Embassy-Jamaica and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter. We also answer general visa questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The embassy staff in Kingston will answer questions you may have regarding the US Mission, including consular law, regulations and/or practice. In order to respect privacy, staff will not answer questions about specific visa applications. The embassy employs a visa appointment system, so it is only necessary for visa applicants to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Send your questions to: editorial@jamaicaobserver.com and we will forward them to the embassy.