Foreign students of other schools on island, including those who are planning to transfer to NMC, also have a year to transition to the U.S. visa.
An F-1 student visa is required for foreign student who wish to pursue academic programs in a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System-approved institution.
These visas are only issued in foreign countries and the foreign students are required to schedule an appointment for interview with the American embassy or consulate in their country of origin.
NMC said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will further explain to CNMI schools the visa requirements for all foreign students.
U.S. immigration law was applied to the CNMI on Nov. 28 by virtue of the federalization law enacted by the U.S. government.
DHS will request all schools to provide a listing of all foreign students who will be applying for a visa.
It also requires them to list the home countries of the foreign students.
NMC said it will be working diligently to issue I-20 forms to all foreign students that will be traveling home for the holidays.
An I-20 form serves as a proof of acceptance to NMC.
‘It’s a proof that they are admitted to the school which they need to show the embassy,” NMC stated.
NMC officials plan to meet with foreign students to inform them about the necessary procedures and the documents they must have.
