F-1 Student Visa
Every year we assist students from many countries in coming to the U.S. to enroll in local universities, study English as a second language, and train in vocational programs. An F-1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English language program at a U.S. college or university. An applicant for a student visa must come to the U.S. to pursue an academic program in an institution recognized by the U.S. government. The foreign citizen must have a valid educational purpose for coming to the U.S. and must be a full-time student.
F-1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. They can remain in the U.S. up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete their academic program. In addition, an F1 student can remain for 12 months after receiving a degree to work under the Optional Practical Training program (OPT). F-1 students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status) which is provided by the U.S. school.
Your university will inform you of what they need in order to determine that you are academically eligible. Amongst other requirements, you will need to show the school that you have enough money to support yourself while studying without having to work and you may have to prove that you have health insurance in order to cover any medical expenses.
Once the university has determined that your application is complete and you are academically eligible, they will issue an I-20 Form to enable you to apply for your student visa. Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.
You will need the following when applying at the consulate for your student visa:
- A non-refundable application fee
- A DS-156 application form
- A DS-157 form for all males aged 16-45
- A passport valid for travel to the U.S.
- One photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37x37mm) showing full face, without head covering, against a light background
- For the F-1 applicant, a Form I-20A-B. For the M-1 applicant, a Form I-20M-N. This form shows that you have been admitted into a U.S. college, university or other institution
- You will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself
In order to qualify, applicants need to satisfy several strict criteria:
- Must maintain a foreign residence and must intend to return there upon completion of studies
- Can only study at the academic institution named on the I-20 form
- Must have sufficient financial support
- Must have strong ties to their home country such as assets, bank accounts, and family
It may be possible to convert a student visa into a temporary work visa upon completion of the applicant's studies. The spouse and minor children of the F-1 student can obtain an F-2 visa status to remain in the U.S., but they will not be authorized to work.
Traveling on an F-1 Student Visa:
- Foreign students may enter the U.S. multiple times if they hold a valid F-1 student visa
- It is important that the F-1 visa holder has all the necessary documents and signed authorizations to avoid any problems at the U.S. port of entry
- The passport must also be valid for a certain amount of time in order to be granted entry into the U.S.
Working on an F-1 Student Visa:
- Students may work on campus as long as they are enrolled in school
- Students may apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain work experience in their field of study while being a full-time student
- Students may take advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT) once the degree is completed allowing the student to work off campus full-time for 1 year
- Many students obtaining a bachelor or master's degree in the U.S. go on to be sponsored by their employer for an H-1B or other work visa
Contact our office to find out which forms are required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and your school. If you are currently on F-1 status, we can also inform you of the different practical training options available to you that may allow you to work.
Please contact us to start your immigration application now.