I'm a Canadian high schooler looking into US colleges. Do I need a student visa to attend school in the US, or is my Canadian citizenship enough? Just trying to get my paperwork sorted early on!
As a Canadian student, you are indeed required to have a student visa to study in the United States. The most relevant type of visa for students attending college in the US is an F-1 visa for academic students. Canada maintains a privileged relationship with the United States, but this does not exempt Canadian students from the requirement of having a student visa to study in the US.
The process of acquiring a student visa begins after you have been accepted into a US college or university. Your chosen school will issue you an I-20 form, which is the Certificate of Eligibility for NonImmigrant Student Status. You will then need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and schedule a visa interview at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
During the interview, you will have to demonstrate that you have financial resources to cover your tuition and living expenses during the duration of your studies, and you will also need to show that you intend to return to Canada after your educational program is completed.
Getting your paperwork in order can take several weeks, or in some cases, even months, so it is wise to start the process early. Monitor the deadlines posted by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to ensure you don’t miss any important steps.
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