Lana Oconnell
International students who want to bring their spouse or child to the US can apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for each family member. The F-2 visa is a derivative visa, meaning that the length of stay allowed will be equal to that of the F-1 visa. The US International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) requires evidence of funding to the amount of $7000 per year for a spouse and $6000 per year per child to issue an I-20 form. This is the minimum amount required, and the cost of living in the US should also be considered.
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for international students
International students who wish to study in the United States must obtain a visa. There are two main nonimmigrant visa categories: F and M. The F-1 visa is for full-time international students pursuing academic studies, while the M-1 visa is for those pursuing vocational studies. To obtain an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an accredited academic institution or language training program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. Your school must also be authorized by the US government to accept foreign students. For an M-1 visa, you must be enrolled in a vocational or other non-academic program, excluding language training.
To apply for a student visa, you must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. You will need to upload a photo while completing the form, and if the photo upload fails, you must bring a printed photo that meets the specified requirements. You will also need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1 or M-1) Student Status (Form I-20) from your school. This form must be signed by both you and your school official and entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Additionally, you must ensure that your SEVIS record is up-to-date and in Active status.
Other requirements for obtaining a student visa include proficiency in English or enrolment in courses leading to English proficiency, sufficient funds for self-support during your studies, and maintenance of a residence abroad that you do not intend to give up. It is important to note that attempting to obtain a visa through willful misrepresentation or fraud may result in permanent visa refusal or denial of entry into the United States.
If you are an international student already studying in the United States on an F-1 or M-1 visa and wish to work, there are restrictions in place. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment under certain conditions. After the first year, they may engage in specific off-campus employment, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). For M-1 students, off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
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Travel advice for international students
International students wishing to study in the United States must follow specific rules and regulations. Here is some travel advice for international students:
Visa Requirements:
To study in the United States as a full-time student, you will generally need a student visa. The three primary types of student visas are F, J, and M. The F visa is for academic students enrolled in an accredited college, university, or other academic institution, including English language programs. The M visa is for vocational students enrolling in technical or vocational programs, excluding language training. The J visa is for exchange programs, including high school and university studies.
Document Preparation:
Before travelling to the United States, ensure that you have all the necessary documents in order. This includes a valid passport, with a validity of at least six months after your planned reentry date. Additionally, obtain your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," from your school, and ensure it is signed by both you and your school official. For M-1 students, it is recommended to bring your Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record." These documents should be hand-carried and not placed in checked baggage.
Visa Application Process:
The visa application process is managed by the U.S. Department of State. Complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and upload a photo that meets the specified requirements. Print the application form confirmation page and bring it to your interview. You may be requested to provide additional documents, such as evidence of your qualifications, during the interview. After the interview, pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee online and present the receipt as proof of payment when applying for your visa.
Travel Advice:
When travelling to the United States, you will arrive at a port of entry and undergo primary and sometimes secondary inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. They may ask questions about your reason for travel and inspect your documents. It is important to maintain your student status while in the United States. This includes ensuring your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up-to-date and active. If you plan to work during your studies, most employment opportunities require authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Departure Information:
Upon completion of your program, foreign students with F visas must depart the United States within 60 days of the program end date listed on Form I-20. M-1 students and their dependents have 30 days after the program end date to depart. You can request an extension through USCIS if needed. Remember to maintain compliance with all regulations during your stay in the United States.
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Employment rules for international students
International students in the US on a nonimmigrant F or M visa are permitted to work, provided they meet certain criteria. The F-1 visa is for academic students, while the M-1 visa is for vocational students. To obtain either visa, students must be enrolled in a full-time academic, language-training, or vocational program at an accredited institution. They must also demonstrate English proficiency or be enrolled in courses to achieve it, show they can afford school and living expenses, and maintain a residence abroad.
International students on F1 visas can work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after their degree. However, they must first be enrolled for at least nine months and receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). F1 students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks if they experience "severe economic hardship."
For both F1 and M1 students, off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS. On-campus employment is also an option for F1 students, who can work for on-location commercial firms providing services for students, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria. Alternatively, they can work at an off-campus location educationally affiliated with the school, such as in contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level.
International students should always seek guidance from their school's International Student Office to ensure they file the appropriate forms and receive the necessary USCIS approval.
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International students' dependents
International students in the UK can bring their dependants, such as their spouse, partner, or children, to live with them during their studies. However, this depends on their visa status and the university's policies. Dependants will need to apply for a Dependant Visa and may need to meet specific requirements, including paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for access to NHS healthcare.
Dependant Visa
International students at Swansea University, for example, can apply for a Dependant Visa for their family members. The university provides guidance on visa applications, UK schooling, childcare, finances, and living costs. Similarly, the University of Bradford mentions that dependants can apply for a Student Dependant Visa or extend their existing visa within the UK.
Requirements
Dependant Visa applicants may need to meet certain requirements, such as providing proof of address and paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS costs £776 per year for each dependant and is mandatory for the duration of the visa. This payment grants access to NHS healthcare, which is essential as babies born to visa nationals in the UK do not have automatic citizenship or residency rights.
Restrictions
As of January 1, 2024, the UK government implemented tougher action on student visas, restricting most international students from bringing family members to the UK. This change aims to reduce unsustainable migration levels and protect public services. The new rules apply to all courses except postgraduate research and those with government-funded scholarships.
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Funding for international students
Firstly, many US colleges and universities offer limited financial aid for international students through their financial aid offices. This funding is more common for graduate studies than for undergraduate studies. Private institutions may be able to offer discounted tuition fees, whereas public institutions rarely have this option. You should enquire about financial aid when requesting an application form from the institution's admissions office. It may also be possible to participate in a formal exchange program between your home institution and the US institution.
Secondly, international students are eligible for private international student loans to study in the USA, although eligibility requirements, such as having an approved school and a cosigner, must be met.
Thirdly, grants are another option for funding your studies. Grants are amounts of funding that do not need to be paid back, and they are awarded for various reasons, from the subject you choose to your nationality. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program, for example, provides funding for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to pursue research and studies for a year or more at an accredited US college or university. The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program provides funding for foreign students pursuing a degree in teaching English as a foreign language. There are also grants for women, such as the AAUW International Fellowship, which provides funding for women in 116 countries to pursue graduate and Master's degrees in the USA.
Finally, family funding is an option for international students, as it is the largest source of funding for this group, according to a study by the Institute of International Education.
It is important to note that international students cannot count on working in the United States unless they have been granted a teaching or research assistantship. F-1 status, the most common status for full-time international students, allows for part-time, on-campus employment (fewer than 20 hours per week).
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Frequently asked questions
There are two non-immigrant visa categories for international students: F and M visas. F-1 visas are for academic students, while M-1 visas are for vocational students.
To qualify for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an academic program at an accredited college, university, or other academic institution, including an English language program. You must also demonstrate English proficiency or be enrolled in courses to achieve this. Additionally, you must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies and maintain a residence abroad.
M-1 visas are for students enrolling in technical or vocational programs at a recognised non-academic institution, excluding language training programs. Similar to F-1 visa requirements, you must demonstrate English proficiency or be enrolled in courses to achieve this and have sufficient funds to support yourself.
You will need a valid passport, your Form I-20 "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", and your most recent Form I-94 "Arrival/Departure Record". Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned re-entry date.
Yes, your spouse and/or minor children can live in the USA with you. They will each need to obtain an individual Form I-20 and may need to undergo an interview with a consular officer.
