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Why Aren’t More Latin American Students Coming to the US?

January 22, 2014 by Chiranth Nataraj

A study shows that large numbers of students from Asian countries like India, China and South Korea come to the US for higher education when compared to the Latin American students.

Obama’s opened the doors to Latin American students – but are they coming through? A recent report from the Institute of International Education and the US State Department shows the United States is an increasingly attractive place for overseas students to visit, but that international students are coming from Asia in much greater numbers than from Latin American countries. This wouldn’t be such a problem, except Obama recently drew up an ambitious plan to boost the number of US-Latin America student exchanges to 100,000 by 2020.

The “Open Doors” report says almost 50 percent of international students came to the US from China (236,000 students), India (97,000 students) and South Korea (71,000 students). Students from the Americas and the Caribbean numbered just 67,000. Does this mean that Obama’s “100,000 Strong in the Americas’’ program is moving too slowly to meet its 2020 target? I look at the figures and see positive growth but too little to be entirely meaningful. The total number of overseas students coming to the US is rising – by 7 percent overall to 2014 – but at the annual rate of growth the number of Latin American students in the US will be only 87,000 in 2020 – a shortfall in terms of Obama’s goal, according to calculations by Andres Oppenheimer in this opinion piece.

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Asian Confidence and Latin American Disbelief
So why do Asian countries have so many more students currently residing in US universities, and more on the way? Asian countries have been proactive in promoting study abroad programs, in part to meet their own agendas in terms of raising standard of living and education. The Latin American countries that send the most students to the US also have programs in place to attract students and inspire them to take the leap and make the most of opportunities for study in the US. For example, the Brazilian government recently launched a scheme for its students to get PhDs and Masters degrees abroad. Mexico sends 14,200 students, Brazil 10,700, Columbia 6,500 and Venezuela 6,200.

However, reports of scholarships and opportunities to head for the universities of the US are often greeted with disbelief on the part of Latin American students. Students look at the publicity surrounding degrees and education in the United States and think, “that’s great, but it can’t be for me.” Often students have concerns about life in the United States that prevent them from making the move – how will they afford accommodation, will they be able to work to make ends meet? The visa requirements for study in the US are often seen as too prohibitive and complex for “ordinary” students to be able to apply. Consequently, well-off students may consider study-abroad schemes but talented individuals with no financial backing believe the programs are not for them.

Financial Appeal of Study in the US
Scholarships are available but how many people know how to apply? And do Latin American governments spend as much time as Asian governments in disseminating information about US universities and publishing the rankings that show US universities are consistently ranked best in the world? Obama and his government could also do more to ensure the success of what is a valuable and worthy initiative to open borders and increase cultural exchange across the nations of the Americas. Latin American countries, despite Obama’s positive spin on study abroad, often have more pressing concerns than sending students abroad, no matter that the benefits from these exchanges may help their future competitiveness and prosperity. Argentina for example, which is ploughing its own isolationist agenda, sent only 1,800 students to the United States in 2013, according to the report. Incentives from the US, which could be offered through an expansion of private sector funding, could secure more university partnership deals and make it more financially attractive for Latin American countries to promote study abroad.

On the other side of the coin, the number of US college students going abroad to study rose by 3 percent in 2013 but only a small number of students – 16 percent of the total – went to Latin American or Caribbean universities. Most US students chose to study in the UK, Italy, France, or Spain. The most attractive countries in Latin America for US undergraduates are Costa Rica (7,900), Argentina (4,700 students), Brazil (4,000), and Mexico (3,815).
If the door’s open, it may take a little extra push for Latin American students to enter – and for US students to do the same and broaden their horizons in South America and the Caribbean.

J Visa – The Foreign Residence Requirement Waiver

December 10, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

Non immigrants can enter the U.S. under a J visa category to take up teaching, studying or other internship and training programs. The main aim of a J visa is to promote cultural exchanges between the U.S. and other foreign nations, giving a unique opportunity to foreign nationals to acquire new skills and get a new set of experiences. However, the new immigration regulations stipulate that exchange visitors entering the U.S. on a J visa, will have a two year foreign residence requirement imposed on them after their visa expires.The argument behind enforcing this requirement is that, since the J visa holder was able to enjoy the use of public funds to gain experience in the U.S. it should be put to use in his or her home country. The reason behind granting these funds is to encourage non immigrants to come to the U.S., pick up new skills and go back to their home country to share their knowledge.

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What is the foreign residence requirement?
According to the two year foreign residence requirement, exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country for a period of two years before they are eligible to obtain a different type of non immigrant visa or a green card. However, such exchange visitors may be able to avoid having to leave the U.S. for two years through the grant of a waiver. The primary reason for granting a J visa is to provide an outlet for American cultural exchange. But with a waiver, an opportunity for a cultural exchange would be lost and would go against the purpose for which the J visa was approved.

It is not easy to acquire a waiver of the foreign residence requirement, because one must obtain an exemption from the government of the home country as well as the American Government, neither of which are keen on granting such a reprieve easily. The exchange visitor will need to submit a waiver application that is professionally prepared to ensure a good chance of success. It is good to consult an immigration lawyer with experience in the area of J visa waivers.

How to get a waiver from the foreign residence requirement?
A foreign exchange visitor can apply for a waiver based on three statutory bases, the most common among them being the “No objection” letter from the visitor’s home country. The foreign residency requirement may be waived if the visitor’s home country issues a “No objection” letter to the U.S. State Department declaring that it has no objection to the granting of the waiver. However, there is an exception; a waiver is generally not available to medical residents or interns who received their medical training in the U.S.

A hardship waiver may be granted if the exchange visitor can establish that he or his family members would suffer exceptional hardship if the waiver was denied. The exchange visitor must provide evidence that his qualifying relatives would suffer financial, medical or emotional hardship in their home country if they were required to return without the exchange visitor for the two year period. It must also be established that the family would suffer exceptional hardship if they remained in the U.S. without the J visa holder for two years.

A waiver may also be granted if it is determined that the exchange visitor is not in a position to return to his or her home country due to a threat of persecution based on race, religion or political opinion.
If the departure of an exchange visitor would prove to be adverse to a program or activity conducted by a government agency in the U.S., then, a waiver may be granted. Such waivers are usually granted to medical school graduates of other countries who come to the U.S. as interns or residents to work in medically undeserved areas.

But how does one find out if he or she is subject to the two year foreign residence requirement? First, one should check the Certificate of Eligibility which was received from the program sponsor and also the J visa which will state one’s foreign residence requirement. It is good to seek the help of an immigration lawyer in case of any doubts, to avoid the risk of losing any benefits.

Doctor Jobs in the US with J1 Visa Physician Program

August 9, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 visa gives an opportunity for international medical graduates from around the world to participate in US medical residency programs.

The J1 visa exchange visitor program gives a great opportunity to foreign medical graduates to come to the US for graduate medical education or training at accredited medical schools or hospitals. The J1 visa program has many advantages such as lesser fees compared to H-1B visa, no employer sponsorship and no prevailing wage requirement.

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However, there are strict requirements for interested physicians to qualify for a J1 visa; they must have passed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in Medical Sciences, they should have proficient English skills and they are subject to the two year foreign residence requirement. Applicants must have prior education and training and also have the background and experience suitable to the program.

However, physicians coming to the US on exchange visitor programs for consultation, teaching or research in which there is little or no patient care are not subject to these requirements. Foreign physicians coming to the US must be certified and sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. The ECFMG assesses if an international medical graduate is ready to enter residency or fellowship programs in the US following which, foreign physicians begin their medical residency programs at hospitals.

A J1 visa is the most common route for international medical graduates to participate in US medical residency programs. It is usually granted for the duration of the approved program to a maximum of 7 years. All J1 visa applicants must demonstrate their non immigrant intent to the relevant authorities and show that they are coming to the US for a temporary period. They may be required to submit documents showing the ownership of property, family ties and other reasons for returning to their home country. The J1 visa physician program gives a perfect solution for employers to fill areas with doctor shortages with physicians from foreign countries.

US Firms Hire J1 visa Students

July 23, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

US firms hire J1 visa students for work & travel program during their summer vacations. They can be hired to work in a variety of fields.

The summer work and travel program allows students from different countries to work and travel in the US during their summer vacations. It is a year round program that is specially designed for students, so they can spend their summer holidays in USA. It gives them an opportunity to work in the U.S. for 3 to 4 months and be exposed to the people and the American way of life. Companies in the U.S. can also benefit from hiring international students as they are motivated workers. Students can discover new culture, traditions and also make some money to pay for their studies back home. The main purpose of this exchange program is to acquaint foreign students with modern American culture. College and university students pursuing studies at post secondary accredited academic institutions outside the U.S. come to USA to share their culture and ideas with people of the U.S. through temporary work and travel opportunities.

These young students can bring diversity to a company and also gain a new perspective with their international experience and knowledge. However, US companies need to fulfil a few requirements before hiring a J1 visa student. A j1 visa is issued to students interested in visiting the U.S. on cultural exchanges. Applicants must meet the specified qualifications and be sponsored by either a private or a government program. Applicants must also be aware that they are in the U.S. for a temporary stay and need to show funds to cover their stay in the country. If the spouse or a child under 21 years wants to accompany the applicant, he or she must apply for a j2 visa and is allowed to study even without student visa but is not allowed to work. As a j1 visitor, you can remain in the U.S. until the end of the exchange program or remain for an additional 30 days in order to prepare for your departure from the country.

There are many positions that U.S. companies can offer work and travel students, but they cannot be employed in childcare, domestic work or any job that jeopardizes the student’s well being or safety. Employers have to follow the minimum number of working hours as indicated in the employment agreement form, but students are usually happy to work overtime, so the working schedule can be flexible. As for the wages, employers must pay the minimum hourly wage for employees, covered by federal laws. A great thing with hiring international students is that it is totally free. Students are required to make their own housing arrangements before arriving in the US. However, if you have a paid or unpaid housing option, it makes your offer more attractive for potential candidates, which means a bigger choice of students. It is a common myth that employers in the US have to sponsor J1 visa students which is not true; international students are already sponsored by their program sponsors before coming to the US.

Employers do not have to pay transportation costs to J1 visa students, as the students are responsible for their own transportation costs to and from the US and also to and from their workplace. US employers need not worry about meeting the minimum employee number requirement for hiring the students, as foreign students participating in the work and travel program come to the US for a maximum of 4 months and are willing to work full time at any entry level job. Whether it is hotels, restaurants, country clubs or resorts, you can find all kinds of student summer jobs, with the opportunity to work anywhere in the U.S. through the summer work and travel program.

J1 Visa Health Insurance Gives You Total Cover

July 12, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 visa health insurance plan offers coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, maternity, mental health and pre-existing conditions.

Every month, almost 170,000 students and scholars come on a J1 visa to study, work and teach in the US. As a J1 visa holder, a student or a scholar can come to the US to participate in an exchange visitor program. Whether you are visiting the US as an exchange visitor, scholar or a research student, having health insurance is a great option because most often, exchange visitors find it difficult to cope with health care expenses in US. Your insurance plan will help you deal with your hospital expenses in the best possible way, as it offers coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization and mental health. Whether it is getting ambulance services on urgent notice, buying prescription drugs or getting hospital care, health insurance offers total medical protection.

J1 visa health insurance is exclusively designed for exchange visitors to the US. It offers a great flexibility in terms of insurance duration. You can choose it for one month or you can get a plan for five years. All these plans are renewable which makes it easy to choose from monthly, quarterly or annual plans. It is easy to find a plan tailored to your specific needs to get several benefits. If you are traveling to the US on a J1 visa, you and any family members traveling with you will be required to have health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your trip. If you are traveling with your family, then you should consider an insurance plan that caters to the health needs of your family members.

Most schools and sponsoring organizations provide mandatory health insurance that meets the J1 visa requirements. If your school or sponsor does not provide health insurance coverage, then you can purchase your own plan and take your pick from a variety of options. Remember, if you do not have visitor health insurance, your visa will no longer be valid and your sponsor will have no choice but to terminate your exchange visitor program. Do remember that there are some regulations concerning your health insurance plan. Your plan should provide benefit of a minimum of $50,000 for accidents and illnesses. There is a deductible limit of $500, which means that a deductible should be less than this limit for an illness or accident. The repatriation limit must be around $7500; the rating of your insurance company must be “A” or more. If the exchange visitor wants to satisfy the requirements of health insurance as per the rules of the home country, then such a plan must be backed by full credit and faith of the home country. However, you need not worry, as there are many insurance providers in the US who are specialized in providing health insurance policies that conform to all the regulations set by the Department of State.

With the wide range of benefits offered by health insurance, exchange scholars can get financial aid for medical expenses. This comes in handy especially in a country like the US, where medical care is very expensive. Before purchasing insurance, it is good to research your options and choose a plan that best meets your needs. Remember to read the plan brochure to understand the benefits and the coverage of the plan you are purchasing. Sometimes, pre existing conditions are not covered, that is, any injuries or illnesses that exist at the time or prior to the activation of the insurance plan. It is a good idea to go through the details of your plan for any conditions and exclusions. With a health insurance plan in place, exchange students and scholars visiting the US can pursue their academic programs in peace.

English Language Courses in The US With J1 visa

July 5, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

Visit the US on a J1 visa to improve your English language skills. ESL classes focus on teaching how to talk, read and write in English.

For international students interested in learning English or improving their language skills, the US is the most sought after destination. English as a second language program (ESL) is the perfect program for students who want to improve their level of English. ESL classes teach English language skills depending on the student’s abilities, interests and needs. All programs however focus on teaching conversational English, reading, writing and vocabulary.

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There is an intensive program that teaches academic English to students, a general English program for people wanting to improve their English for travel or business purposes, where they can learn the skills necessary for communicating in different situations. Business English courses are good for people who want to learn the vocabulary and communication skills that help in their business. Many people take up ESL programs for personal or professional reasons and not just for academic credit. They may be taken to prepare for college or university admissions in the US; some programs even offer bridge programs that can help students transfer into an academic program. They are designed for any level of English proficiency and usually require 20-30 hours per week of intensive study of English language. Most ESL classes have small classes, so students can get individual attention from their teachers. Besides studying English, students also participate in the cultural and social activities of the school.

English language programs may also be taken to improve a specific reading skill such as reading, writing or grammar. They help in adjusting to the culture and campus life in the US; they can even help in advancing your international business skills or achieving personal goals. ESL courses offer a lot of flexibility can be full time or part time and can last from one week to one year. Once you define your priorities, you can narrow down your choices and find the right English language learning program for you.

Read more for information on Employment for students on J1 Visa

J1 Visa Exchange Student Program

June 27, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 exchange program allows students proficient in English from all over the world a chance to visit and study in the US for a year.

The student exchange program offers a life changing experience for foreign students; it gives a great opportunity for foreign students to study in the US while living with an American host family or at a boarding school. To qualify as an exchange student, applicants must be accepted into a certified secondary school exchange program in the US. Participants must be aged between 15 and 18 ½ and should not have completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary education. Students must have proficiency in English and meet specific academic health and character requirements. A J1 visa for exchange student program is usually granted for 1 year and extensions are not permitted.

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Typically, sponsoring organizations look for students who are independent, mature and have an open mind. Sponsors monitor the students program and also help them with any issues during their stay in the US. They ensure that they get a written approval from the students and from their parents and make sure that exchange students do not stay with relatives in the US. Sponsors will have to screen potential host families and give them all the details about the exchange student program and the duties and obligations of the host family. They should get a detailed profile of the host family and the home environment and also get personal references from the school or community.

Host families must ensure that the student has a comfortable stay in their home; they must provide the student with room, board, bathroom facilities and study space. The host family must ensure that the student is in a safe and caring environment where he or she is treated like a member of the family. At the end of their stay, exchange students go back home with a new found sense of independence and memories of a lifetime.

Research Scholar Program With J1 Visa

June 17, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

Research scholars can visit and work in the US on J1 visas. Requirements to be fulfilled to qualify as an exchange research scholar are discussed.

The J1 visa exchange visitor program is great for visiting scholars from foreign countries as it promotes exchange of ideas and research between academic institutions in the US and other countries. It is a temporary exchange program that permits research scholars to conduct research or consult with a research project at an academic institution or a research facility in the US. There are certain visa requirements to fulfill to qualify as a research scholar in the US.

First, the applicant must be accepted in a certified scholar exchange program in the US. The applicant must be a research scholar in a foreign country, be engaged in a specific area of research that meets the sponsoring organization’s requirements. However, the applicant must not have completed a research scholar exchange program in the 24 months preceding the start of the exchange program. Also, applicants who had a J1 visa during the 12month period preceding the exchange program are also not eligible. For a J1 visa to be issued, applicants should provide proof that they will return to their home country upon completion of their exchange program. Participants in the research scholar program are required to meet certain health and character requirements. They will need to be covered my medical insurance as specified by the exchange program regulations. Research scholars must have enough funding to live on during their stay in the US, as immigration documents cannot be issued to scholars with inadequate funding.

A J1 visa for a research scholar exchange program is granted for a maximum of 5 years but extensions may be given to complete a research activity. The exchange visitor program allows the spouse and unmarried children below 21 years to join their spouse or parent in the US by applying for a J2 visa. They can either study in the US or take up employment with an approved authorisation.

Be a camp counselor – summer camp jobs with J1 visa

May 22, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

The camp counselor program gives foreign nationals, who are over 18 and like interacting with children, the chance to work at US summer camps.

The camp counselor program gives foreign nationals an opportunity to work at summer camps in the US as camp counselors for up to 4 months during the summers. It is a great program, especially for international students, as there is job security and the pay is good. Camp jobs come with a contract period and a set salary; this way, one does not have to worry about issues such as layoffs, number of hours or overtime. Since it is necessary for summer camps to maintain minimum staffing levels, you can be sure of a secure job.

A great benefit that comes with a camp counselor job is that you do not have to worry about renting an apartment or a house; since you will work on the camp site itself, your accommodation will be provided by your employers, saving you both time and money. Along with free accommodation, you will also get free food and meals. The only downside is that you will not be left with enough time to take up a second job, as you will have to work longer hours during the contract days.

The camp counselor program is open to any foreign national who is at least 18 years old and a post secondary student and sufficiently fluent in the English language to interact with children. They should also possess a strong desire to work with children and have one or more teachable skills. However, camp counselors will occasionally have to perform some non counseling duties but they cannot serve as staff acting as cooks or janitors. Participants in the camp counselor program should obtain a J1 visa through the US embassy and sponsors are required to interview the participants, secure references and ensure that they have round trip airfare, accessible funds and the required health insurance coverage.

Teaching programs in the US with J1 visa

May 3, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

Teaching programs with J1 visa brings an international perspective, a multicultural dimension and improved spoken language skills to the classroom.

Now, teachers from various countries in the world have an opportunity to work in the US through the J1 teacher visa program. Under this program, certified and experienced international teachers can travel to the US to work in accredited primary or secondary school for a period of 3 years. Hiring educators from other countries can be a lengthy process; many of the challenges are related to visa processing that can be expensive and time consuming. As a result, schools in the US are turning to specialized organizations or sponsors for help in screening and recruiting qualified teachers from different countries. These organizations are designated by the US government as official visa sponsors.

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However, things have changed for the better with the J1 visa exchange program, making it easier to screen and sponsor international teachers for US schools. Many schools are realizing the advantages of hiring international teachers, as it creates great opportunities for cultural exchange; students benefit from learning about the customs and cultures of other nationalities as well as spoken language skills, while teachers get to learn the teaching methods in the US, while bringing an international perspective to the classroom.

To qualify as a teacher under the J1 visa requirements, the applicant must be a qualified teacher with a minimum of three years teaching experience and should also meet the teaching standards of the state in which they will be teaching. Applicants must be sponsored by an approved sponsoring organization, must be sufficiently proficient in English language and must meet some health and character requirements. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age may apply for a J2 visa to join their spouses or parent in the US. As J1 visa holders, applicants must maintain health insurance for themselves and for any dependents using the J2 visa status.