Savanna Hoffman
International students who wish to study in the United States or the United Kingdom must obtain a student visa. The type of visa depends on the student's country of origin, the course they will be enrolled in, and the educational institution. In the US, the most common student visas are F-1 and M-1, while international students in the UK can apply for a Student visa or a Child Student visa. The application process for a student visa typically involves meeting specific requirements, such as proof of identity, English proficiency, and sufficient funds, and may include an interview with a consular officer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries issuing student visas | United States, United Kingdom |
| Student visa types in the US | F, J, and M |
| Student visa types in the UK | Student visa, Child Student visa, Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate |
| Requirements for US student visas | Enrollment in an academic, language-training, or vocational program, school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, full-time enrollment, English proficiency, sufficient funds, and maintenance of a residence abroad |
| US student visa application process | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), interview with a consular officer, fingerprint scans, possible administrative processing, possible visa issuance fee |
| UK student visa application process | Proof of identity, application fee (£524), possible extension or switch, eVisa provided upon approval, access through UKVI account, possible Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) |
| Work eligibility on US student visas | F-1 students may work on-campus after the first academic year and off-campus in specific cases; M-1 students may work on-campus; J-1 visa holders must check with their responsible officer |
| Work eligibility on UK student visas | Depends on the field of study and term-time |
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What You'll Learn
Student visa requirements for the US
To study in the US as an international student, you must get a student visa. The most common types of student visas are F and M visas. Here are the requirements for obtaining a US student visa:
F-1 Visa (Academic Student)
The F-1 Visa is for full-time international students pursuing academic studies at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution. To be eligible for an F-1 Visa, you must:
- Be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Enroll in a school that is authorized by the US government to accept foreign students.
- Be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
- Have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
- Maintain a residence abroad that you have no intention of giving up.
M-1 Visa (Vocational Student)
The M-1 Visa is for full-time international students pursuing vocational studies or other non-academic programs, excluding language training. To be eligible for an M-1 Visa, you must meet similar requirements to those of the F-1 Visa, with the exception of enrolling in a language training program.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the specific requirements for each visa type, there are several general steps to apply for a US student visa:
- Apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the US. If accepted, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- After receiving Form I-20 and registering in SEVIS, apply at a US Embassy or Consulate for a student visa.
- Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and print the confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Attend a visa interview with a consular officer, who will determine your eligibility and take your ink-free digital fingerprint scans.
- After visa approval, pay any applicable visa issuance fees and make arrangements for receiving your passport and visa.
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Student visa types for the UK
In the United States, international students require a student visa to study as a full-time student. The two primary nonimmigrant visa categories are the F and M visas. The F-1 Visa is for academic students enrolled in a full-time course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. The M-1 Visa is for vocational students enrolled in non-academic programs. The J-1 exchange visitor visa is for exchange programs that combine work and study, and it includes visiting scholars, camp counselors, au pairs, and research assistants.
In the United Kingdom, the visa requirements and general immigration criteria are managed by UK Visas and Immigration. While Swiss nationals and those from the EU/EEA states do not currently need a visa to study in the UK, all other international students are likely to need a student visa. The type of visa you need will depend on your age and the duration of your course.
If you are studying a short course and are over 18, you may be eligible for a short-term study visa, which is valid for up to six months and can be extended to 11 months for English language courses. If you are aged between four and 17 and want to study at an independent school in the UK, you can apply for a child student visa. For those aged 16 and above, there is the Tier 4 (General) student visa, but written consent from parents or guardians for independent living and travel is required. If you are studying a longer course, your chosen institution must hold a Student Sponsor License, and you can apply for a general student visa.
Regardless of the type of visa, there are additional requirements that must be met for studying in the UK. These include proof of financial support, typically in the form of bank statements or a letter from a financial sponsor, demonstrating the ability to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living costs. Living costs are assessed based on location, with £1,023 (~US$1,300) required per month for areas outside of London, and £1,334 (~US$1,700) for London. Academic qualifications must also be provided, and there may be requirements for medical vaccinations or a tuberculosis test, depending on the country of origin.
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Student visa application process for the US
To study in the US as an international student, you must obtain a student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend. The most common types of student visas are F and M visas.
F visas are for full-time international students pursuing academic studies. The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. Your school must be authorized by the US government to accept foreign students, and you must be enrolled as a full-time student. Additionally, you must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency, and you must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.
M visas, on the other hand, are for full-time international students pursuing vocational studies. The M-1 visa is for students in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training.
- Enroll in an SEVP-approved school: The first step is to apply to a school in the US that is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). If the school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- Receive your Form I-20: Once you are accepted by the SEVP-approved school, you will receive a Form I-20, which is necessary for your visa application. Make sure all the information on the form is accurate and sign the bottom of the first page.
- Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160): You must complete the online visa application form and print the confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Schedule and attend your visa interview: During your interview with a consular officer, you will be asked questions to determine whether you qualify for a student visa. They will assess if you meet the requirements under US law to receive a visa. As part of the application process, your ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken, usually during the interview.
- Pay the visa issuance fee (if applicable): After your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality. You will also need to make arrangements for the return of your passport and visa.
It is important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. Additionally, if your spouse and/or children will be living with you in the US during your studies, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s, and apply for visas (F-2 or M-2 visas).
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Student visa fees
To study in the US as an international student, you must obtain a student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue. The most common student visas are F-1 and M-1. F-1 visas are for full-time international students pursuing academic studies at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or in a language-training program. M-1 visas are for full-time international students pursuing vocational or other non-academic programs. There is also the J-1 exchange visitor visa, which is for foreign nationals who have been approved to take part in work-and-study-based exchange programs, such as visiting scholars, camp counselors, au pairs, and research assistants.
To obtain an F-1 or M-1 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
- Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
- You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
- You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
- You must maintain a residence abroad that you have no intention of giving up.
Once you have been accepted into an educational program, your chosen institution will send you an I-20 form, which you will need for your visa interview. You must then register for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and pay the associated fee ($350). After receiving the Form I-20 and registering for SEVIS, you may apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. As part of the application process, you will be interviewed by a consular officer, who will determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are usually taken during this interview. After your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality.
It is important to note that visa fees vary depending on the country in which you are applying for a student visa. For example, in Australia, the ruling Labor Party has proposed raising the visa fee for international students to A$2,000, while the conservative opposition has pledged to set the fee at a minimum of A$2,500, and A$5,000 for applicants to the country's top universities.
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Student visa rules and restrictions
To study in the United States as an international student, you must obtain a student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend. The two main categories of student visas are:
- F-1 Visa (Academic Student): This visa is for full-time international students pursuing academic studies at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution. It also applies to language training programs. To qualify for this visa, you must be enrolled in a program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- M-1 Visa (Vocational Student): This visa is for full-time international students pursuing vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training.
Other types of student visas include the J-1 exchange visitor visa, which is for foreign nationals participating in work-and-study-based exchange programs such as visiting scholars, camp counselors, au pairs, and research assistants.
To obtain a student visa, you must meet certain requirements, including:
- Enrolling in a school and program certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- Being enrolled as a full-time student.
- Demonstrating English language proficiency or being enrolled in courses to achieve proficiency.
- Having sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.
- Maintaining a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up.
The application process for a student visa typically involves completing an online application, attending an interview with a consular officer, and providing necessary documentation. It's important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, and you must still be admitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials upon arrival.
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Frequently asked questions
A student visa is a type of visa that allows someone to enter a country as a full-time student.
The US has three primary student visa types: F-1, J-1, and M-1. F-1 visas are for academic studies, J-1 visas are for exchange programs, and M-1 visas are for vocational studies.
The requirements for a US student visa include being enrolled in a full-time academic, language-training, or vocational program at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school, having sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies, and maintaining a residence abroad. You must also attend a visa interview, where your fingerprints will be taken, and pay any applicable fees.
To apply for a UK student visa, you must be 16 or over and planning to study in further or higher education. You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts, and you will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks. As part of your application, you must prove your identity and pay a fee of £524. If your application is successful, you will get an eVisa, which is an online record of your immigration status.
Yes, private universities in the US do accept student visas. To be eligible for a US student visa, the university must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and issue Form I-20. Private elementary and secondary schools are not subject to the same restrictions as public schools and can issue Form I-20 for F-1 visa applications.
