Location: Knoxville, TN
TuitionFee: $12,600/year
Accreditation: SACSCOC
School Type: Private Non-Profit
Enrollment Windows: May/Jun/Aug/Sep/Jan/Mar
Onsite Frequency: 1/semester, 3 days every visit
CPT Renew Frequency: Update 1 time per semester
CPT Programs: EMBA, MSBA (STEM), MSPM
Common Types of Accompanying Visas for Parents
B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa for Accompanying Study
The B-1/B-2 tourist visa allows parents to accompany their children while they study in the U.S. The B-1 visa is granted for short-term business activities such as attending conferences, signing contracts, or conducting business negotiations. The B-2 visa is issued for tourism, including visiting family, sightseeing, medical treatment, attending graduations or weddings, and participating in various social events.
Advantages:
- Low requirements for the parent’s professional background, making it relatively easy to apply.
- Typically valid for 10 years once granted.
Disadvantages:
- Each stay is limited to a maximum of six months.
- Frequent short-term entries may result in visa cancellation or entry denial by U.S. customs.
F-1 Student Visa for Accompanying Study (Recommended)
Under U.S. immigration law, "F" visas are granted for academic studies, while "M" visas are for vocational or non-academic studies. To obtain an F-1 student visa, applicants must first apply to and be accepted by a U.S. school, which will issue an I-20 form. The applicant must show this form when applying for a visa and demonstrate the ability to be a full-time student, as well as the financial capability to cover tuition and living expenses.
Advantages:
- Children can attend local top-rated public schools for free.
- Parents can obtain a degree from a U.S. university while accompanying their children.
- Flexible schedules allow parents to study while providing care.
- Stay in the U.S. for up to 3-8 years (consult us for details).
Disadvantages:
- Higher language proficiency requirements for parents.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa for Accompanying Study
The J-1 visa is for individuals participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. Applicants must be accepted by a designated program sponsor before applying for the visa. The program promotes knowledge exchange in fields like education, science, and the arts, and participants include students, scholars, and professionals from various industries.
Advantages:
- Children can attend top-rated public schools for free.
Disadvantages:
- Parents’ schedules may be less flexible due to their studies or work.
- The J-1 visa is typically valid for only 1-2 years.
- Higher academic requirements for parents.
Why Choose the F-1 Student Visa First?
The F-1 visa is usually valid for five years, allowing parents to freely enter and leave the U.S. during this period without jeopardizing future visa applications. It also offers parents the chance to immerse themselves in U.S. culture, support their child’s education, and pursue their own studies. With guidance from Wildfire Education, parents can legally maintain student status for 5-8 years.
Why Not Choose the B-1/B-2 Tourist Visa First?
Many parents accompanying their children to the U.S. often opt for the B-1/B-2 tourist visa. However, this visa only permits stays of up to 183 days at a time, and frequent re-entries can raise suspicions with U.S. customs, potentially leading to visa cancellation or entry denial. The restrictions and limitations of the B visa make it less ideal for long-term stays compared to the F-1 visa.
Common Visa FAQs
The key factors include thorough preparation of documents, comprehensive interview readiness, and presenting a highly reasonable explanation for your study plans. The interview is often the most stressful part for applicants. With proper preparation, confidence in your answers, and clear justification for your application, most applicants successfully pass the interview, especially with proper guidance from experts.
"Strong ties" vary depending on the country, city, and individual circumstances. These ties may include employment, property ownership, family members, and bank savings. Strong ties represent connections to one’s home country that compel them to return after their visit abroad, such as having a job, family, home, or other commitments. Showing these connections increases the likelihood of passing the visa officer’s review.
There is no upper age limit for the U.S. student visa. Many parents worry that older applicants might face rejection, but as long as the reasons for studying are justified, age is not a barrier. Western cultures often promote lifelong learning, so education is considered without age restrictions. Even older applicants can successfully apply for an F-1 student visa.
Risks include presenting an unreasonable reason for studying, improper interview responses, inadequate document preparation, misunderstandings, or choosing the wrong school or course. These can all lead to a failed visa application. We encourage you to reach out to us to discuss how to avoid these pitfalls and secure your visa smoothly.
Common reasons include providing inaccurate documents, showing immigration intent, or presenting inappropriate reasons for the visa. If your documents do not reflect your actual situation, visa officers may discover discrepancies and reject the visa. To counter suspicions of immigration intent, applicants should present evidence that shows strong ties to their home country, such as family, property, or employment, which ensures that they will return after their U.S. stay.
Yes, these two applications do not conflict with one another. The wait time for investment immigration (such as the EB-5 program) can be lengthy. During the waiting period, you may apply for an F-1 visa to start adapting to life in the U.S. Even if the F-1 visa is rejected, it will not affect your EB-5 application.
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