F-1 Student Visas
Comprehensive guidance for international students and exchange visitors seeking to study in the United States
Student and Exchange Visitors
The United States welcomes foreign citizens who come to the U.S. to study or participate in an exchange program. Before applying for a visa, all student and exchange visitor applicants are required to be accepted and approved for their program. When accepted, educational institutions and program sponsors will provide each applicant the necessary approval documentation, to be submitted when applying for a visa.
Visa Categories
Study
- • Student Visas - Academic and vocational (F and M Visas)
- • Students - in Public Schools - F-1 Students Attending High School (Grades 9-12)
Exchange Program
- • Exchange Visitor Visas (J visas)
- • ICE Updates List of SEVP Approved Schools
SEVIS and Student Responsibilities
The international student or exchange visitor has some responsibilities to attend to before they can enter the United States to attend a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) certified school or program. This section provides comprehensive guidance for those responsibilities.
How To Become a Student or Exchange Visitor
One of the first responsibilities for the international student or exchange visitor is to apply for a visa. Keep in mind that visas are issued by American embassies and consulates.
- • Apply for appropriate visa category
- • Obtain SEVIS approval
- • Complete required documentation
- • Schedule consular interview
SEVIS Approved Schools
- • List of Approved Schools (PDF | 1.3 MB)
- • Map of Approved Schools
- • Tips for Students and Exchange Visitors
Upon Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry
What a Student Can Expect
Available in multiple languages:
- • Spanish (PDF | 39 KB)
- • Japanese (PDF | 122 KB)
- • Korean (PDF | 220 KB)
- • Chinese (PDF | 90 KB)
What an Exchange Visitor Can Expect
Available in multiple languages:
- • Spanish (PDF | 40 KB)
- • Japanese (PDF | 125 KB)
- • Korean (PDF | 222 KB)
- • Chinese (PDF | 90 KB)
Maintaining Your Status
Available in multiple languages:
- • English (PDF | 844 KB)
- • Spanish (PDF | 227 KB)
- • Arabic (PDF | 252 KB)
- • Japanese (PDF | 277 KB)
- • Korean (PDF | 329 KB)
- • Chinese (PDF | 258 KB)
Important Immigration Documents
- • Passports
- • Visas
- • I-20/DS 2019
- • I-94
- • Border Crossing Cards
- • Employment Authorization Documents
Travel
FAQ for Travel Reentry
- • F Visa (PDF | 218 KB)
- • M Visa (PDF | 209 KB)
I-515A Tool Kit
I-515A Tool Kit (PDF | 708 KB) will help to ensure a smooth travel experience for International Students and Exchange Visitors.
Employment and Practical Training
Employment
- • Pursuing Employment In The United States (PDF | 194 KB)
- • Memo on Pursuing Employment In The United States (PDF | 206 KB)
Social Security
New Procedure between the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (PDF | 231 KB)
Practical Training
8 CFR 214.2(f)(10) Practical training. Practical training may be authorized to an F-1 student who has been lawfully enrolled on a full time basis, in a Service-approved college, university, conservatory, or seminary for one full academic year. This provision also includes students who, during their course of study, were enrolled in a study abroad program, if the student had spent at least one full academic term enrolled in a full course of study in the United States prior to studying abroad.
Key Points:
- • A student may be authorized 12 months of practical training
- • Becomes eligible for another 12 months when changing to a higher educational level
- • Students in English language training programs are ineligible
- • Employment must be directly related to major area of study
Two Types of Practical Training Available:
- • Optional Practical Training
- • Curricular Practical Training
Departing the U.S. and Emergency Information
Departing the U.S.
- • NSEERS
- • I-94
Emergency Information
- • SEVIS Tips for Emergency Evacuations
- • Replace Lost or Stolen Documents
- • Emergency FAQs
Useful Links
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- • US-VISIT — Information on who must enroll in U.S. VISIT and the processes used
- • USCIS Forms and Fees — Copies of forms and instructions to use when filing with USCIS for a benefit
Department of State
- • Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs — Information on exchange visitors (J visa holders)
- • Catalog of State Designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors
- • Consular Affairs — Page includes links to locate local consulates
- • EducationUSA — Assists international students with finding, applying, and preparing for study
Other Resources
Social Security
Social Security Administration (SSA) — Information on how and when you can obtain a Social Security Number
Federal Income Tax Information
Tax Information for Foreign Students and Scholars — Special rules for taxation of income for students, scholars, teachers, researchers, exchange visitors, and cultural exchange visitors
Department of Education
Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education — The database lists approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs, each of which is accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a "reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education" within the meaning of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
Immigration Laws and Regulations
- • Federal Register Home Page — Published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- • Electronic Version of 8 CFR 214 — Links to all CFR (8 CFR 214 is the section of the immigration regulations dealing with nonimmigrant status)
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