Student Visas: F-1/M-1/J-1

Ever wondered what it would be like to study in the United States? Every year, thousands of foreign-born students travel to the United States to study at many different universities and training programs throughout the country. If you wish to pursue academic studies in the United States, A Student Visa could be your ticket.

There are three categories of student visas: F-1, M-1, and J-1.

I. F-1 Academic Student Visa

The F-1 visa is for students attending a full-time degree or academic program at a school, college, or university approved by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The F-1 visa is valid for as long as it takes the student to finish his or her course of study. An F-1 visa also allows students to work on campus and in some situations even off campus. In addition, F-1 visa students are eligible to apply for employment-authorized practical training after the completion of their academic program. This training is usually limited to twelve months but may be extended to as much as 29 months for students who are pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. F-1 visa students are able to transfer schools and change their focus of study while pursuing a degree in the U.S. Once they have completed their course of study or practical training (if applicable), they have sixty days in which to depart the U.S.

Qualifications for F-1 Student Visa

1. The student must be enrolled in an “academic” educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program;
2. The school must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
3. The student must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution;
4. The student must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency;
5. The student must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study; and...
6. The student must maintain a residence abroad which he/she has no intention of giving up.

II. M-1 Vocational Student Visa

The M-1 visa is for students enrolled in non-academic or “vocational study”. Some examples of “vocational study” would be mechanical studies, technical studies, cooking classes, a language program, flight school or cosmetology program. Unlike the F-1 visa, the M-1 visa is valid for only one year. Students may apply for cumulative extensions for up to three years. Also unlike the F-1 visa, M-1 visa holders are only authorized to reduce their course of study below full time for medical reasons and for a maximum aggregate period of six months. While F-1 visa holders have fairly broad freedom to transfer schools, M-1 visa students are typically only free to transfer schools within the first six months of the program. Like the F-1 visa, the M-1 gives the student the opportunity to earn paid practical experience after graduation. USCIS employs a formula whereby it authorizes one month of employment authorization for every four months in which the M-1 visa student was enrolled in the vocational program. A maximum of six months of employment authorization for practical training is available. This means that the maximum time students could stay in the U.S. on an M-1 visa is three and a half years. The M-1 visa does not, however, allow students to work while they are in school. The M-1 visa also allows students 30 days after the completion of their program in which to prepare to leave the U.S.

Qualifications for M-1 Student visa

1. The student must be enrolled in a “vocational” or “non-academic” educational program;
2. The school must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
3. The student must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution;
4. The student must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency;
5. The student must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study; and...
6. The student must maintain a residence abroad

III. J-1 Exchange Visitor Student Visa

The J-1 Exchange Visitor student visa is for students that are currently enrolled in a college or university program outside of the U.S. that are interested in participating in an international student exchange program with a U.S. institution. These program can be for academic study or for approved internship or training opportunities. J-1 programs are for a maximum of 36 months. Exchange Visitors may not complete an academic degree (i.e., Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.) on a J-1 visa. Students wishing to complete an academic degree in the U.S., must apply for an F-1 student visa.

High school or secondary school students between the ages of 15 to 18 ½ can study in the U.S. for a semester or for an academic year while living with a host family via a J-1 Exchange Visitor student visa.