But Commerce will continue to review the permit renewals of foreign student who have umbrella permits until the students move on to the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, or SEVP, voluntarily or on Nov. 27, 2011.
Igisomar said they are advising foreign students to visit www.uscis.gov for more information on how to transition to a federal student visa under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS.
“We also ask them to visit the USCIS office on Beach Road Garapan for more information,” he added.
Igisomar said SEVIS-certified educational institutions on island should be able to provide better support and guidance to foreign students seeking a foreign student-visa.
According to the USCIS Web site, visas under SEVP/SEVIS are: for students pursuing academic courses — F-1, academic students; F-2, spouses and children of F-1; F-3, Canadian or Mexican national academic commuter students.
For students pursuing vocational programs: M-1, vocational students; M-2, spouses and children of M1; M-3, Canadian or Mexican national vocational commuter students.
For exchange visitors: J-1; and J-2 for spouses and children of J-1.
To be eligible for F and M visas, a student must ne enrolled in an academic educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
The school must be approved by USCIS.
The student, moreover, must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution and must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
Likewise, the student must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study and must maintain a residence abroad which he/she has no intention of giving up.
