F1 Visa Information

The F-1 Visa is for temporary high-school, college or trade-school students.

The F-1 Visa is a temporary student visa for foreign students who wish to attend a college or university, or an academic, language, or high school approved by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Visa petitioners must already be accepted into an educational institution before applying, and intend to fulfill a degree or certification. The F-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa, meaning that its holders don't intend to permanently settle in the United States.

Requirements

An F-1 Visa petitioner must already have been accepted into an accredited educational institution as a full-time student. Part-time study isn't allowed. Students must prove they are able to fully pay tuition and living expenses through graduation, or a family member can fill out an Affidavit of Support, claiming this ability. Petitioners must also prove that they don't intend to reside in the United States permanently. Holders of other temporary visa types who are already in the U.S. may decide to go to school and change their status to F-1, but must still meet financial and other requirements.

Application

If a student has been accepted to a school approved by Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), he'll fill out Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Form I-20 is supplied by the school, not the government. Other required forms include Form DS-156, Form DS-158, a fully completed visa application, a valid passport, a 2-inch square photograph and the visa fee. The application requires transcripts from previous schools and any relevant test scores such as TOEFL, SAT or GMAT. Petitioners will be interviewed, sometimes more than once, at the local U.S. consulate.

Employment

While enrolled and attending school full time, F-1 Visa holders may work part time or full time, off or on campus. Part-time on-campus work, especially if related to the student's field of study, doesn't require special permission. Full-time or off-campus work, however, must be requested and approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). F-1 Visa holders who hold unauthorized jobs are in violation of their visa and may be deported.

Time Limitation

Once issued, the F-1 Visa is valid for the school specifically listed on the application through the time that the student completes her studies and finishes any required practical training, plus 60 additional days. If the student wants to continue living and studying in the U.S., she can apply to another degree program and transfer into it by filling out the appropriate paperwork to maintain a valid F-1 Visa.

Public Schools

F-1 Visas are not issued to students wishing to attend public grade or high school, or an adult education program that iss publicly funded (not including public universities or colleges). There are special cases, however, when a student on an F-1 Visa may attend a public school, such as transferring from a private high school to a public high school. In such cases, the student is restricted to 12 months of attendance and must reimburse the school system the full, unsubsidized cost of attendance. Costs range between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the school.

References

• U.S. Department of State: Student Visas.
• U.S. Department of State: Foreign Students (F-1) in Public Schools.
• "U.S. Immigration & Citizenship: Your Complete Guide"; Allen Wernick; 2002