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The United States welcomes foreign students to its colleges, universities, and other schools. Their presence enriches U.S. cultural life and brings in much-needed revenue for academic institutions. The United States also, however, makes a point of ensuring that the students plan to return to their home countries (or to some other country) when their studies are over. That is why part of any application for an F-1 or M-1 student visa will involve proving your residence in and ties to your home country to a U.S. government official; in other words, your must present a slate of reasons why you will be motivated to return home, rather than put down roots in the United States, after your graduation. Here, we will give you tips on doing that successfully.
In preparing this part of your student visa application, think about finding convincing documents that will answer the question, "Why would you want or need to return home after your trip?"
This question and requirement might sound patronizing or insulting to you, reflecting an underlying assumption that everyone would want to live in the United States forever. Unfortunately, the U.S. government tends to believe that is the case, thinking everyone is angling for a way to stay in this country for as long as they possibly can.
Factual details concerning your home, family, and employment situation will probably be the best sources of proof that you will return home when your studies are completed. The most likely visa candidate is someone whose spouse and children will stay behind in a home that they own in their country (though these are not required, and realistically only a small percentage of applicants can show this).
Possible documents to gather for your visa application might include the ones listed below.
Possible documents to show the U.S. consular officer:
However, do not feel limited by the above list. You might have a unusual reason for wanting to return home at the end of your studies that no one but you could think of. For example, perhaps you are an expert at a form of dance that only people in your country are interested in watching, you are the sole heir to a family business, .
Here's how your employer might write a letter on your behalf:
Tivoli Productions, Inc.
Tivoli Alle 100
2020 Copenhagen
To Whom It May Concern:
We have authorized our employee, Dag Moller, three year's leave in order to pursue a master's degree in business administration in the United States. Moller is a marketing assistant at our office and a valued employee, whom we are convinced will become a high-level marketing expert with further training. We have hired a temporary substitute in his absence. However, we eagerly await Mr. Moller's return in July of 20xx.
Very truly yours,
It would be a shame if, after all your hard work collecting documents proving your intent to leave after studying in the United States, you were to undermine that message with what you tell the visa officer at your interview. Alluding to the possibility of staying in the United States if you get a job offer (unless it's a job that will support your post-graduation practical training) will practically guarantee a denial of your visa. Consider in advance what you can honestly tell the visa officer about your plans.