Student Visas
An F-1 visa allows you to pursue a full course of academic study at any government approved U.S. college, university, high school, primary or elementary school. Only students qualify for this visa.
What are the requirements for a student visa?
You must be able to show three essential things:
Application is made by filing of a Form DS-156, but first you have been accepted by an approved school in the U.S. When a school accepts you, it will send a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20A-B). This must then be signed by you and submitted with your application;
You possess sufficient funds or have made other arrangements to enable you to pay tuition and living expenses without having to work; and
You have sufficient scholastic achievement and knowledge of the English language to pursue a full course of study, or if your knowledge of English is inadequate, the school has accepted you for study in a language with which you are familiar, or has made special tutoring arrangements that will enable you to pursue a full course of study (see definition below).
What is a full course of study?
A full course of study may be one of the following:
-
Full time study in a primary or secondary school for normal progress towards graduation. Study for at least 12 hours weekly in a postsecondary language, liberal arts, fine arts or other non-vocational training program consisting of at least 18 hours of classroom attendance a week if the dominant feature of the course is classroom attendance and 22 hours weekly if the dominant feature is laboratory work;
-
Undergraduate study at a college or university (at least 12 semester or quarter hours of instruction per academic term);
-
Postgraduate study or postdoctoral study or research at a college or university, or undergraduate or postgraduate study at a conservatory or religious seminary.
Can an F-1 student accept employment?
Yes. An F-1 student may accept employment, but only one of the under the following circumstances:
On-campus employment
You may engage in on-campus employment while you maintain a full course of study for the duration your F-1 status under the following guidelines:
- The employment will not displace a U.S. resident.
- The on-campus employment must be performed on the school’s premises or
at an off-campus location affiliated with the school and is a key part
of the school’s educational program; and
- The on-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours a week while school
is in session and 40 hours a week when school is not in session as long
as the student maintains status.
Pilot program employment
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- Be in good academic standing;
- Have been an F-1 status for one academic year; and
- Demonstrate that accepting employment will not interfere with your ability to carry a full course of study.
Off-campus employment because of severe economic hardship
If you are in good academic standing, you may be authorized to work (20
hours maximum per week) under the following circumstances:
-
Loss of financial aid;Loss off on-campus employment;
-
Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate;
- Substantial increases in tuition and/or living costs; and/or
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support or medical bills.
International organization internships
An F-1 student may request employment authorization as an intern with an International Organization.
Curricular practical training consists of programs that are an integral part of an established curriculum. The training must either be:
- An alternative work-study;
- An internship;
- Cooperative education, or;
- Any other type of required internship or course that is offered by a
sponsoring employer through a cooperative agreement with the school.
In addition, an F-1 student must satisfy two general qualifications for curricular practical training:
- Lawful enrollment on a full time basis in an INS approved college,
university, conservatory or seminary for at least 9 consecutive months;
and
-
Request for authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to the student’s major field of study.
Optional practical training
This type of training refers to practical training either before the completion of the student’s course of study; or after completion of degree requirements of the course of study and may be authorized in the following situations:
- During vacation periods when the school in which you are currently
enrolled is not in session but you intend to register for the next term
or session;
- While school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours a week;
- After completion of all requirements for the degree;After completion of the course of study (within 14 months).
The general qualifications for optional practical training are the same as for curricular practical training. This type of training may only be authorized in an application directly related to the student’s major area of study. Optional practical training after completion of studies is authorized for up to 12 months, to take affect after the student has completed his or her course of study.
How long is the F-1 visa valid?
F-1 visas are valid for the duration of status, meaning for as long as you continue to fulfill requirements. You are required to maintain a valid passport at all times and for at least six months beyond the expiration of the status or as long as you maintain a full course of study at any educational level in the same school and during any authorized practical training plus 60 days thereafter.
How can I get an F-1 visa?
You must first apply and be accepted at an approved school. The school will issue you an I-20. As with all U.S. Visas, you must then apply and undergo a rigid screening process by the U.S. State Department. Application is usually made through the U.S. Consular office where you live by submitting a form DS-156 with you I-20. The consular officer may require additional documents to verify the legitimacy of your application and that you intend to return after completion of your studies in the U.S.A. The visa may be issued on the same day you submit your application in the form of a stamp in your passport.
Here's a tip: If you are in the United States on a temporary visa, such as a B-2 Visa, at the time that you register for school, you will probably have to return to your country to apply for the F-1 visa unless you specified that the purpose of your trip was to enroll in school at the time you entered.
F-2 visa: Spouse or child of student
An F-2 visa may be issued to the spouse and/or child of an F-1 applicant. Application may be made on a Form DS-156 submitted to the U.S. Consular office where you live. The consular officer may require additional documents to verify the purpose for obtaining the visa. Subject to verification, the visa may be issued on the same day that you apply and is in the form of a stamp in your passport.
What are the requirements for an F-2 visa?
There are three basic requirements: (1) Proof of the relationship to an F-1 applicant; (2) Sufficient funds to cover expenses in the U.S.; and (3) Intention to leave the U.S. upon the termination of the status of the F-1 student.
Can F-2 dependents be employed?
No.
How long Is the F-2 visa valid?
An F-2 visa is valid for as long as the F-1 student’s visa is valid.
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