Non-Immigrant Visas

Student Visas

Student Information Sheet

The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The "F" visa is for academic studies, and the "M" visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies. In order to qualify for a student visa, an alien must meet the following requirements:

Documentation
To apply for a student visa for academic or language study, an alien must have been accepted for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in an academic institution approved by the Attorney General. The student must present to the consular officer a Form I-20A-B, "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students," properly completed and signed by the alien and the designated school official. To apply for a student visa for vocational studies, an alien must have been accepted for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study in a non-academic institution approved by the Attorney General. The student must present a form I-20M-N. "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (M-1) Student Status -- For Vocational Students," properly completed and signed by the alien and the designated school official. All applicants must also submit a completed Non-immigrant Visa Application Form DS-156.

Financial resources
The F-1 student visa applicant must present documentary evidence that sufficient funds are, or will be available from a specifically identified and reliable financial source to defray all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States. Specifically, the applicant must present credible documentary evidence that he or she has enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study, and that barring unforeseen circumstances, adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study. The M-1 student visa applicant must have evidence that sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of intended stay.

Scholastic preparation
The student visa applicant must have successfully completed a course of study normally required for enrollment at the level of study contemplated.

Residence abroad
Student visa applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will depart the United States upon termination of their student status.

Family members
A spouse or child of a student may also be classified for a non-immigrant visa to accompany or follow the principal applicant. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence that they will have sufficient funds for their support and that they will depart the United States upon termination of the student program.

Student employment
An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study. Under certain circumstances, the Immigration and Naturalization Service may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. F-I students may accept on-campus employment from the school without Immigration Service permission. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M- I student may not accept employment. Spouses and children of students may not accept employment at any time.