Immigration attorney Brad Bernstein has given five simple but vital tips for students applying for US visas for higher studies. With the US authorities carefully checking every visa request and rejecting more than usual, students need to prepare well. Bernstein said applicants must prove strong ties to their home country. This convinces visa officers that the student intends to return after finishing studies. "The State Department is taking extra caution for cases where they have reasons to believe that an applicant wants to settle down in the US," he said. Student visa applicants are initially assumed to have an immigrant intent, meaning they wish to live in the US indefinitely. Now, applicants must show a clear non-immigrant intent. "So if they ask you, if your studies are over, do you plan on working, and you say 'yes I would love to get a work visa and ultimately a Green Card', your visa will be denied," Bernstein warned. The second tip is to submit strong financial documents showing the applicant has enough funds for student life in the US and the family back home can support themselves. Bernstein added, "Make sure you speak English. You shouldn't be picked up at the airport by your illegal alien brother and finally have a positive attitude." Currently, the US has banned student visas for many countries citing security risks. Those from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and many others cannot get US student visas. Also, people traveling on documents from the Palestinian Authority are barred. Other countries added to this travel ban list include Angola, Cuba, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, among others. These rules mean students from banned countries cannot study in the US for now. Those eligible must prepare better to face strict scrutiny of their visa applications.