Student Visas
Student visas allow international students to come to the United States temporarily to pursue a full course of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school or institution. The most common student visa categories are F-1 and M-1.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the F-1 or M-1 visa category, applicants must enroll as full-time students in an academic, language training, or vocational program at a SEVP-approved school or institution. The student visa applicants must also be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency and have sufficient funds for self-support throughout the entire course of study. Additionally, applicants must maintain a residence abroad, which they have no intention of relinquishing.
Application Process
The first step to applying for a student visa is to be accepted for enrollment by an SEVP-certified school in the United States. If accepted, the student and spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 who intend to live with the student in the United States will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and the school will issue the student and each dependent an individual Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The student must then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee unless qualifies for an exception. However, no SEVIS fee is due for a student’s dependent spouse or children.
F-1 or M-1 student visa applicants and their spouse and minor children seeking F-2 or M-2 dependent classification must then submit a completed Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule an appointment for their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Period of Stay/Extension of Stay
F-1 students will most likely be admitted for “duration of status,” meaning the time during which an F-1 nonimmigrant is pursuing a full course of study at the SEVP-approved educational institution. M-1 students are initially admitted into the United States for the period needed to complete their course of study as indicated on their I-20 plus any practical training (PT) needed upon completion of their program. This time cannot exceed one year.
However, F-1 and M-1 students may be granted an extension of stay under certain circumstances and subject to different requirements and limitations. For F-1 students admitted for the duration of status, a Designated School Official (DSO) can extend a student’s program of study prior to the program end date in SEVIS without requiring the SEVP adjudication. For M-1 students, a DSO should request an extension of stay in SEVIS before the M-1 student applies for an extension with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After granting the request, the DSO will sign a new Form I-20 for the student. The student must use this updated form to apply for an extension of stay with USCIS.
Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status
The noncitizens who were lawfully admitted into the United States with another nonimmigrant visa and are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status may be eligible to change their nonimmigrant status to a student status while remaining in the United States by filing Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).
Employment
During the first academic year, F-1 students may not work off-campus. However, they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), pre-completion or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT). M-1 students may engage in practical training only after completing their studies. Any off-campus training employment for F-1 and M-1 students must be related to their field of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS before starting any work.
F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship or Special Student Relief (SSR) if they meet certain requirements.
Immigration law is complex and subject to frequent changes, making it challenging for individuals to navigate it on their own, and students have responsibilities beyond dealing with immigration issues. Seeking legal advice from an experienced immigration attorney can provide valuable insights tailored to a student’s specific background and career objectives regarding different pathways, eligibility requirements, and potential challenges, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
To learn how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you through the student visa application process, extension, or change of status in the United States, book your consultation now.
Student Visas
Student visas allow international students to come to the United States temporarily to pursue a full course of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school or institution. The most common student visa categories are F-1 and M-1.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the F-1 or M-1 visa category, applicants must enroll as full-time students in an academic, language training, or vocational program at a SEVP-approved school or institution. The student visa applicants must also be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency and have sufficient funds for self-support throughout the entire course of study. Additionally, applicants must maintain a residence abroad, which they have no intention of relinquishing.
Application Process
The first step to applying for a student visa is to be accepted for enrollment by an SEVP-certified school in the United States. If accepted, the student and spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 who intend to live with the student in the United States will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and the school will issue the student and each dependent an individual Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The student must then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee unless qualifies for an exception. However, no SEVIS fee is due for a student’s dependent spouse or children.
F-1 or M-1 student visa applicants and their spouse and minor children seeking F-2 or M-2 dependent classification must then submit a completed Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule an appointment for their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Period of Stay/Extension of Stay
F-1 students will most likely be admitted for “duration of status,” meaning the time during which an F-1 nonimmigrant is pursuing a full course of study at the SEVP-approved educational institution. M-1 students are initially admitted into the United States for the period needed to complete their course of study as indicated on their I-20 plus any practical training (PT) needed upon completion of their program. This time cannot exceed one year.
However, F-1 and M-1 students may be granted an extension of stay under certain circumstances and subject to different requirements and limitations. For F-1 students admitted for the duration of status, a Designated School Official (DSO) can extend a student’s program of study prior to the program end date in SEVIS without requiring the SEVP adjudication. For M-1 students, a DSO should request an extension of stay in SEVIS before the M-1 student applies for an extension with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After granting the request, the DSO will sign a new Form I-20 for the student. The student must use this updated form to apply for an extension of stay with USCIS.
Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status
The noncitizens who were lawfully admitted into the United States with another nonimmigrant visa and are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status may be eligible to change their nonimmigrant status to a student status while remaining in the United States by filing Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).
Employment
During the first academic year, F-1 students may not work off-campus. However, they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), pre-completion or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT). M-1 students may engage in practical training only after completing their studies. Any off-campus training employment for F-1 and M-1 students must be related to their field of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS before starting any work.
F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship or Special Student Relief (SSR) if they meet certain requirements.
Immigration law is complex and subject to frequent changes, making it challenging for individuals to navigate it on their own, and students have responsibilities beyond dealing with immigration issues. Seeking legal advice from an experienced immigration attorney can provide valuable insights tailored to a student’s specific background and career objectives regarding different pathways, eligibility requirements, and potential challenges, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
To learn how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you through the student visa application process, extension, or change of status in the United States, book your consultation now.
Student Visas
Student visas allow international students to come to the United States temporarily to pursue a full course of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school or institution. The most common student visa categories are F-1 and M-1.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the F-1 or M-1 visa category, applicants must enroll as full-time students in an academic, language training, or vocational program at a SEVP-approved school or institution. The student visa applicants must also be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency and have sufficient funds for self-support throughout the entire course of study. Additionally, applicants must maintain a residence abroad, which they have no intention of relinquishing.
Application Process
The first step to applying for a student visa is to be accepted for enrollment by an SEVP-certified school in the United States. If accepted, the student and spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 who intend to live with the student in the United States will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and the school will issue the student and each dependent an individual Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The student must then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee unless qualifies for an exception. However, no SEVIS fee is due for a student’s dependent spouse or children.
F-1 or M-1 student visa applicants and their spouse and minor children seeking F-2 or M-2 dependent classification must then submit a completed Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule an appointment for their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Period of Stay/Extension of Stay
F-1 students will most likely be admitted for “duration of status,” meaning the time during which an F-1 nonimmigrant is pursuing a full course of study at the SEVP-approved educational institution. M-1 students are initially admitted into the United States for the period needed to complete their course of study as indicated on their I-20 plus any practical training (PT) needed upon completion of their program. This time cannot exceed one year.
However, F-1 and M-1 students may be granted an extension of stay under certain circumstances and subject to different requirements and limitations. For F-1 students admitted for the duration of status, a Designated School Official (DSO) can extend a student’s program of study prior to the program end date in SEVIS without requiring the SEVP adjudication. For M-1 students, a DSO should request an extension of stay in SEVIS before the M-1 student applies for an extension with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After granting the request, the DSO will sign a new Form I-20 for the student. The student must use this updated form to apply for an extension of stay with USCIS.
Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status
The noncitizens who were lawfully admitted into the United States with another nonimmigrant visa and are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status may be eligible to change their nonimmigrant status to a student status while remaining in the United States by filing Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).
Employment
During the first academic year, F-1 students may not work off-campus. However, they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), pre-completion or post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT). M-1 students may engage in practical training only after completing their studies. Any off-campus training employment for F-1 and M-1 students must be related to their field of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS before starting any work.
F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship or Special Student Relief (SSR) if they meet certain requirements.
Immigration law is complex and subject to frequent changes, making it challenging for individuals to navigate it on their own, and students have responsibilities beyond dealing with immigration issues. Seeking legal advice from an experienced immigration attorney can provide valuable insights tailored to a student’s specific background and career objectives regarding different pathways, eligibility requirements, and potential challenges, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.
To learn how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you through the student visa application process, extension, or change of status in the United States, book your consultation now.
The F-1 Visa is for international students coming to the United States to pursue a full course of study at an SEVP-approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in an accredited language training program in the United States.
F-1
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The M-1 Visa is for international students coming to the United States to pursue a full course of study at an SEVP-approved vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than in a language training program.
M-1
The F-1 Visa is for international students coming to the United States to pursue a full course of study at an SEVP-approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in an accredited language training program in the United States.
F-1
01
02
The M-1 Visa is for international students coming to the United States to pursue a full course of study at an SEVP-approved vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than in a language training program.
M-1
01
The F-1 Visa is for international students coming to the United States to pursue a full course of study at an SEVP-approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in an accredited language training program in the United States.
02
The M-1 Visa is for international students coming to the United States to pursue a full course of study at an SEVP-approved vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than in a language training program.