Lana Oconnell
International students wishing to study in the United States must obtain a student visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The two types of visas for students are F and M visas. F-1 visas are for academic students, while M-1 visas are for vocational students. To obtain either visa, students must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution, be proficient in English, have sufficient funds for self-support, and maintain a residence abroad. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment during their first academic year and off-campus employment after, while M-1 students may only engage in practical training after their studies. To maintain visa status, students must attend all classes, maintain academic progress, and report any changes to their address, contact information, and employment to their Designated School Official (DSO). Students may also seek employment sponsorship, apply for asylum, or change their visa status to remain in the US after graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F or M |
| F visa category | F-1 (Academic Student) |
| M visa category | M-1 (Vocational Student) |
| F-1 criteria | Enrolled in an academic educational program, language-training program, or similar |
| M-1 criteria | Enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs |
| F-1 employment | No off-campus work during the first academic year; after the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment |
| M-1 employment | May engage in practical training after completing their studies |
| F-1 OPT | 12 months, with an additional 24 months for STEM subjects |
| M-1 OPT | N/A |
| F-1 visa duration | 60 days after completion of the program |
| M-1 visa duration | 30 days after completion of the program |
| F-1 visa extension | Possible with a change of school, education level, or visa status |
| M-1 visa extension | Possible with a change of school, education level, or visa status |
| Required documents | Passport, Form I-20, Form I-94, proof of SEVIS fee payment |
| English proficiency | Required |
| Self-funding | Required |
| Residence | Must maintain a residence abroad |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Student visa requirements
To stay in the USA as an international student, you will need to obtain a student visa. There are two types of nonimmigrant visas for international students: the F-1 Visa and the M-1 Visa. The type of visa you need will depend on the nature of your course.
F-1 Visa
The F-1 Visa is for academic students. To be eligible, you must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or another academic institution.
- Be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- 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 which you have no intention of giving up.
- Be enrolled at an institution approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
M-1 Visa
The M-1 Visa is for vocational students. To be eligible, you must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, or another academic institution.
- Be enrolled in a vocational or other non-academic program.
- 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 which you have no intention of giving up.
- Be enrolled at an institution approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
General Visa Requirements
In addition to the specific requirements for each visa type, there are also some general requirements that all student visa applicants must meet:
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your reentry into the United States.
- You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and the non-refundable visa application fee.
- You must submit a completed Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and upload a photo in the required format.
- You must attend a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, where you will need to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your studies and that you plan on returning home after your studies are complete.
International Students Applying to UPenn: Common App?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![LEGO F1 Collectible Race Car, Visa Cash Up RB | VCARB F1 Team Race Car [71049-8]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81We0kDMHBL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Maintaining visa status
To maintain your F or M student visa status in the United States, you must fulfil the purpose for which the Department of State issued your visa and follow the associated regulations. F-1 and M-1 visas are issued for nonimmigrant students intending to study in the United States, with F-1 students enrolling in traditional academic programs and M-1 students in vocational programs.
Before Arrival
When arriving in the United States, F and M students must enter no more than 30 days before their program of study begins.
Upon Arrival
Immediately contact your Designated School Official (DSO) when you enter the United States. You must also contact your DSO again when you arrive at school, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."
During Your Studies
- Attend all your classes and maintain normal academic progress. If you are struggling, speak with your DSO immediately.
- Maintain a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO right away. You may be eligible for a reduced course load in limited circumstances.
- Do not take any action that detracts from your purpose of studying in the United States.
- If you plan to travel outside the United States, check in with your DSO to ensure your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up-to-date and in Active status. Ensure your DSO has signed your Form I-20 within the last year, and that you are not leaving the country for more than five months.
- If you intend to work during your studies, ensure you are complying with the regulations for on-campus and off-campus employment, which differ for F-1 and M-1 students. F-1 students, for example, may not work off-campus during their first academic year, while M-1 students are not eligible for employment during their program of study but may obtain authorization for practical training employment after completion of their studies. Any off-campus training employment for both F-1 and M-1 students must be related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS.
- If you are planning any significant changes, such as changing your major, program, degree level, or transferring to a new school, consult your DSO.
After Completion of Studies
F students have 60 days after completing their program to leave the United States, while M students have 30 days. If you wish to extend your stay, discuss options with your DSO, such as transferring to another school or changing your visa status.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and it is essential to refer to official government sources and consult with your DSO for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding maintaining your visa status.
Who is an NRI? International Students in India
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Working in the US
As an international student in the US, you may have the opportunity to work part-time, but this is restricted by the terms of your visa. It is important to know all the requirements and restrictions concerning your visa. Most international students in the US hold an F1 visa, which is the US non-immigrant student visa.
F1 visa holders are allowed to work in the US, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). All employment is contingent on remaining within the terms and restrictions of your F1 visa.
On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by the USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, although F1 status includes an on-campus employment privilege, on-campus employment opportunities at most schools are limited. Even if you can obtain a job on campus, you may not rely on it to prove financial resources for the year, and often these jobs are not related to your studies. Many schools do require that you obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment, and may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. Off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study, and who have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances.
M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies. For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting any work.
International Students: Hacking for Bug Bounties?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Travelling as a student
International students studying in the United States may be able to travel during their time of study. However, it is important to take the appropriate steps to ensure a smooth re-entry into the country.
Firstly, students should consult their Designated School Official (DSO) before travelling. The DSO will be able to assist with any questions regarding the legal requirements of staying in the US and ensure that the student's record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up-to-date and in Active status. The DSO should also sign the student's Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", within the last year, and the student should not be leaving the country for more than 5 months.
Students should also ensure they have the necessary documentation, including a valid passport, a valid visa, and financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of re-entry, and the visa should be current. Students should also carry all important documents with them and not put them in checked baggage.
Additionally, students should be aware that US immigration policies can change rapidly and without notice. Therefore, it is advised to exercise caution when travelling internationally and to allow sufficient time for processing a new visa if needed.
Credit Checks: What International Students Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Funding for international students
Scholarships
Some universities offer tuition waiver programs, meaning international students will pay the in-state tuition rate instead of the out-of-state rate. For example, Miami University offers a 100% tuition waiver for graduate international students who demonstrate financial need. Similarly, the University of Missouri provides scholarships for international undergraduate and graduate students.
Grants
Grants are sums of funding that do not need to be paid back. They are usually awarded based on merit, financial need, or other criteria such as nationality and field of study.
The Fulbright Program is one of the most well-known grant programs for international students. It is supported by the US Department of State and offers a variety of merit-based grants for foreign students studying in the United States. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides funding for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to pursue research and studies for a year or more at an accredited US institution. The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program provides funding for foreign students pursuing a degree in teaching English as a foreign language, while the International Fulbright Science and Technology Award provides three years of funding for eligible foreign students pursuing a Ph.D. in an approved science or technology field.
Other grants for international students include the Margaret McNamara Education Grant, which awards approximately $12,000 to women from developing countries studying in the US or Canada, and the International Student Grant from Ohio State University, which is available to international students with financial need who have one semester left until graduation.
Fellowships
Fellowships are similar to scholarships and are usually awarded based on merit. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsors international fellowships for women interested in studying in the US. The amount awarded varies depending on the type of degree.
Other Tips
It is important to carefully research the eligibility rules and application criteria for each funding opportunity before applying. Students can also contact the international student adviser, admissions counselor, or financial aid office at their intended US institution to request information and applications for any available financial aid. Additionally, international student offices and career planning and placement offices on college campuses can be valuable sources of information on scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
International Students: Effort Grades at DCCCD
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You will need a student visa, either F or M visa. F-1 visas are for academic students, while M-1 visas are for vocational students.
You must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution, be proficient in English, have sufficient funds to support yourself throughout your studies, and maintain a residence abroad.
F-1 students may accept on-campus employment during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions, such as STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). M-1 students can only engage in practical training after completing their studies.
You may be eligible for a work visa, such as the H-1B visa, or you can apply for permanent residency (a green card) through employer sponsorship, asylum, or sponsorship from a relative who owns a business.
