DV & other visas: what do you have to do once you're THERE?

Singerschuecher · Post by **Singerschuecher** » 27 Jun 1999 00:03

Народ! У меня вопрос: у меня интервью по DV в августе. Одновременно с эти так вышло, что, возможно, будет маза съездить в Штаты поучиться на семестр. Я хочу провернуть следующее: получить DV и, не получая F или J, бумажки на получение которых у меня будут, тихой сапой поехать в тот универ, где за меня уже уплочено и тихо отсидеться и осмотреться, не думая о том, где ночью спать и что есть. Вопрос: не возьмут ли меня за одно место где-нибудь на границе? Т.е. приезжая по DV, нужно ли где-то регистрироваться и т.д., или всем пофиг, где ты и что делаешь?

KN · Post by KN » 27 Jun 1999 00:11

I am not sure about DV but you might run into problems from the university standpoint. If you are coming as a foreign student, you will have to register at the office of foreign students before you can attend classes, since from the university standpoint you are a foreigner (they provided F or J visa papers for you). Now, it might be ok to claim that you are now a permanent resident (if you are to become one by then). But, if your program - the one that provides financial support for your studies - is some sort of international exchange/foreign student scholarship then most of these are not open to US citizens/permanent resident and hence you might loose the right to your scholarship. Of course, if you are payed by the university itself or by private sponsor, then your residency status may be irrelevant. It is worth checking though.

Singerschuecher · Post by **Singerschuecher** » 27 Jun 1999 07:55

That's what I thought. Currently I'm more concerned about DV than about what I'm gonna tell the U. After all, I can tell them I lost my passport on my way from the port of entry to the U, can't I? As a matter of fact, I already have been on an exchange program at a US U before, and, frankly, I don't remember that we were made to register with the International office, i.e. we didn't have to show our passports, that's for sure...

KN · Post by KN » 28 Jun 1999 16:13

You can try to tell the university whatever you choose to. Unfortunately, Universities with well organized for student office actually want to see your I-20 or IAP 66 stamped by the immigration officer when you entered the US...

In smaller colleges it may not be the case, but it is not guaranteed.
Good luck.

Singerschuecher · Post by **Singerschuecher** » 29 Jun 1999 04:20

I could say I've lost that one as well... There's an envelope attached to your passport with the forms...

KN · Post by KN » 29 Jun 1999 05:35

You can... I am only saying it is POTENTIALLY risky. This is one place where your legal status matters. It is difficult to foresee all the contingencies. I just would like to add that as a recent immigrant (assuming you get DV) I would be careful making ...mmm.... somewhat inaccurate claims (i.e. recieving financial funds under conditions which you know no longer apply to you)... New immigration rules call for deportation of legal immigrants (but not citizens) for fairly minor offences. The risk is probably very very small if any. But the choice is yours [img:a5821023c7]http://www.privet.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img:a5821023c7].

Singerschuecher · Post by **Singerschuecher** » 02 Jul 1999 12:22

Well, I don't remember any of those programs stipulating that the beneficiary should not be a GC holder. This stuff happens pretty rarely. Anyway, I guess this is a minor thing...