The_English_Bride

I am not aware of this being a condition of an F-1 visa, though some schools apparently may not permit work during the first semester, but that is a school rule not an immigration one.

Just Jenney

I work in our university's international education office, and F-1 students are limited to working 10 hours/week on-campus until they've completed their the first semester. Once they've passed the first semester, they can work 20 hours/week. I don't know if that's an F-1 regulation or just our own university policy, but I'm guessing that it's the latter or else it wouldn't conflict with what you're saying.

~ Jenney

Bob

Must have changed a few years ago then to allow the 10 hours, as everyone I knew that did the exchange with San Fran had to show they had access to at least $10K in cash to cover the first semester as they weren't allowed to work till the second semester.

The_English_Bride

That must have been the deal with the San Fran school, but doesn't apply to all schools. The one I went to allowed me to work the full 20 hrs in my first semester.

Bob

The school didn't have a problem with anyone working, it was the consulate that had the issue, show the readies or no visa was their stance.

Just Jenney

Working while in the US and certifying one's finances are two different things. Just because a student meets the financial requirements doesn't mean they might not want to work for some extra cash. Especially since it's almost always Mom and Dad's money that's meeting the financial requirement.

~ Jenney

jenbug

Hi – very interested to read all your responses.

I’ve made the decision to do a couple of courses at a local liberal arts college for the time-being. There are just too many variable factors to make a decision at the moment. However, hopefully in a month’s time we’ll know if we’re staying or not.

If yes, I’m going to pursue the possibility of starting a Masters (arts) in the Spring semester on a Graduate or Teaching Assistantship option (as suggested by The English Bride – thanks!). This will involve changing my visa and a whole lot of other headache I’m sure! Otherwise it seems to be so prohibitively expensive I think I’d have to abandon the idea.

Interesting, my boyfriend asked another English couple that we know here how it is that they pay resident’s rather than non-resident’s fees. They told him that they just registered through General Admissions, rather than International Admissions, and the question of residency never came up. I haven’t had the chance to grill them further on this yet but I will do!