Tourist visa to F1

[rian]

I had posted related questions recently on this forum and thanks to Hadron, Mithya, studious, etc. who answered my questions. Following your advise I asked around regarding my brother (anesthesilogist practicing in India) in regards to his possibilities of coming here from India to practice medicine.

Most people encouraged tourist visa and then converting to F1 after getting here. HOwever, I was told that at the Port of Entry, when the immigration official asks you your intent, you have to say that in addition to being a tourist you may explore some study opportunities. Following which he will indicate that on your paperwork (visa?). Supposedly you need to have that to successfully get an F1 approved. In other words if you come here as a tourist and all of a sudden decide to change to F1, they may reject that application. I have been told that this is something new since Sept 11. Can anyoone shed some light on this. Thanks, Rian

 

[hadron]

Initially, after sept11th they had indeed abolished any opportunity to change from B1/B2 to anything else. Later I met people who successfully changed their status to F1.

This proceeding sounds like a reasonable scenario but I haven't run into it yet You are allowed to enter the states on a B1/B2 to interview at universities for example. So I guess there is nothing wrong with saying at the POE that he intends to visit his brother and plans to look at some universities during the trip (for DOS Kaplan is an institution of higher education).

(not much 'light' from me here, mainly speculation, sorry)

 

[mithya]

If you enter the US on a tourist visa, you don't have to declare any other intention provided you don't apply for change of status within 90 days. In some cases they could object to changing status to F from a tourist if you do apply for a change within 90 days...so I would say don't complicate things by declaring anything else other than tourist intention at the Port of Entry.
But I thought the aim of your brother was to come here to do a residency? If he manages to get a tourist visa then why go to the trouble of an F after that...he could get a tourist visa, take his step 1 and step 2 in india, come to the US for step 2 CK and step 3 on tourist visa...also for interviews on the same visa....after that go back and if matched with a hospital doing H, get all the processing done in India....H1 is rarely refused ....( he can get the same kaplan training in India...delhi i know...for reasonable rate...step 1 @50k rupees and step 2 slightly more)
I initially recommended F, because tourist visas for docs have a very high rejection rates...if he is willing to try tourist...and he gets it..he may not need to convert to F.....most folks use F to do an MPH etc..which is a 2 year course, gives you the "US feel" and stamp...not for Kaplan..

I had posted related questions recently on this forum and thanks to Hadron, Mithya, studious, etc. who answered my questions. Following your advise I asked around regarding my brother (anesthesilogist practicing in India) in regards to his possibilities of coming here from India to practice medicine.

Most people encouraged tourist visa and then converting to F1 after getting here. HOwever, I was told that at the Port of Entry, when the immigration official asks you your intent, you have to say that in addition to being a tourist you may explore some study opportunities. Following which he will indicate that on your paperwork (visa?). Supposedly you need to have that to successfully get an F1 approved. In other words if you come here as a tourist and all of a sudden decide to change to F1, they may reject that application. I have been told that this is something new since Sept 11. Can anyoone shed some light on this. Thanks, Rian