F1 VISA INFORMATION
HOW TO MODIFY THE DELIVERY ADDRESS?
We strongly encourage you to update your address with USCIS to ensure that you receive all of our communications and benefits in a timely manner and to avoid delays that may be associated with your case.
Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service does not change your address with USCIS. Please update your information with both USCIS and USPS.
If you fall into any of the following categories, please read the information in the appropriate section. However, most people can change their address in two ways:
1. Through your existing USCIS online account (if you filed the form online)
2. Submit Form AR-11 (Alien Change of Address Card) online, using Change of Address page (as long as you have not submitted one of the forms in the section below). Filing the AR-11 form online will update your address on any pending applications, petitions, or requests as long as you include them on the form. If you use the Change of Address web page, you do not need to mail the AR-11 form.
STUDENT VISA APPLICATION
Overview
Generally speaking, foreign citizens wishing to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary residence or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. You must have a student visa to study in the United States. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine whether you need an F or M visa.
| To enter the United States to study, | You will need the following visa categories: |
| university or college | F |
| high school | |
| private elementary school | |
| Seminary | |
| music Academy | |
| Other academic institutions, including language training programs | M |
| Vocational or other recognized non-academic institution, but does not include language training programs |
Students cannot take advantage of the Visa Waiver Program or visit visa to travel
Studying in the United States requires a student visa (F or M). Foreign citizens are not allowed to study after entering the country on a Visitor Visa (B) or through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), except for recreational study (without credit) as part of a tourist visit. For more information about the VWP, see the Visa Waiver Program.
For short-term recreational study, a Visitor (B) visa may be suitable.
The Visitor (B) visa allows for short-term recreational study that is not intended to earn credit towards a degree or academic certificate. Learn more about visitor visas.
Study leading to the award of a degree or certificate in the United States is never permitted on a Visitor (B) visa, even for a short period of time. For example, students enrolled in distance learning programs who are required to study at the institution’s U.S. campus for a period of time must obtain a student (F or M) visa before entering the United States.
If you want to study in the United States as a full-time student, you generally need a student visa. There are two non-immigrant visa categories for those who wish to study in the United States. These visas are commonly referred to as F and M visas.
You can enter under the F-1 or M-1 visa categories as long as you meet the following criteria.
You must be enrolled in an “academic” education programme, language training program or vocational programme.
Your school must be approved by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program
You must be a full-time student at the institution
You must be proficient in English, or be taking a course leading to improved English proficiency
You must have sufficient funds to support yourself throughout the proposed course of study.
You must maintain a foreign residence that you have no intention of giving up.
F-1 student visa
The F-1 visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student to attend an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or to participate in language training course. You must be enrolled in a program or course leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.
M-1 student visa
The M-1 visa (vocational student) category includes students enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs, but does not include language training.
Student admissions to SEVP-approved schools
The first step is to apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States. After you are accepted into a SEVP-approved school, you will register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The SEVP-approved school will issue you an I-20 form. After you receive your Form I-20 and register with SEVIS, you can apply for a student (F or M) visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. When you attend your visa interview, you must present your Form I-20 to the consular officer.
If your spouse and/or children plan to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain an individual I-20 form from a SEVP-approved school, and apply for a visa (but they do not need to pay the SEVIS fee) .
Please visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and SEVIS I-901 fees.
Visit the Department of State EducationUSA website for educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, as well as an overview of the application process. You can also visit DHS’s Study in the States school search page to search for SEVP-certified schools.
HOW TO APPLY
There are several steps to applying for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please refer to the instructions on the embassy or consulate website.
Complete your online visa application
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing Form DS-160. You must 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application confirmation page to bring to the interview.
Photo – You will upload your photo when filling out the online DS-160 form. Your photo must conform to the format explained in Photo Requirements.
Arrange an interview
Normally, visa applicants are required to undergo an interview, with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may request an interview with any visa applicant.
| If your age is this: | Then the interview is: |
| 13 years old and under | Generally speaking, no need |
| 14 – 79 | Required (with some exceptions when renewing) |
| 80 years and above | Generally speaking, no need |
You should schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. You can schedule an interview at another U.S. embassy or consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of your country of residence.
Waiting times for interview appointments vary by location, season and visa category, so you should apply for your visa as early as possible. Check the interview wait times for the locations you will be applying to.
Appointment waiting time
Check the estimated wait time to schedule a nonimmigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Note: Please check the individual embassy or consulate’s website to determine if your case qualifies for a waiver from an in-person interview.
Applicants scheduling a visa appointment in a location different from where they live should check the job website for non-resident wait times.
Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
| Nonimmigrant visa types | Appointment waiting time |
| Students/exchange visitors requiring interviews (F, M, J) | -sky |
| Application-based temporary workers requiring interview (H, L, O, P, Q) | -sky |
| Crew and transit personnel requiring interviews (C, D, C1/D) | -sky |
| Visitors required for interviews (B1/B2) | -sky |
| Interview exempt students/exchange visitors (F, M, J) | -sky |
| Temporary workers applying for interview exemption (H, L, O, P, Q) | -sky |
| Interviews for exempt seafarers and transit personnel (C, D, C1/D) | -sky |
| Interview exempt visitors (B1/B2) | -sky |
See details about appointment availability and processing times
Freshman – Freshman student (F and M) visas can be issued up to 365 days before the start date of your course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on a student visa within 30 days before the start date.
Continuing Student – Continuing Student (F and M) visas can be issued at any time as long as the student is currently enrolled in a SEVP-approved school or institution and is in SEVIS. Continuing students may enter the United States at any time before classes begin.
Prepare for your interview
Fees – Pay the non-refundable visa application fee if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also pay the visa issuance fee, if applicable for your nationality. Fee information is provided below.
Application fee $160
All fees
Check the instructions on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to which you will be applying to learn more about fee payment.
Gather Required Documents
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview.
Valid passport for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of your stay in the United States (unless there is a country-specific protocol exemption). Each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed on your passport.
Non-immigrant visa application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before the interview.
Photos – You will upload your photo when completing the online DS-160 form. If uploading a photo fails, you must bring a printed photo in the format specified in the photo requirements.
Proof of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – Academic and Language Students, Form I-20 or Proof of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status – Form I-20 for Vocational Students – Your school is in the SEVIS database After entering your information, an I-20 form will be sent to you. You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Your spouse and/or minor children, if they plan to live in the United States with you, will each receive a separate I-20 form.
Additional documentation may be required
A consular officer will interview you to determine your eligibility for a student visa and may request additional documentation, such as the evidence below.
Your academic preparation, such as
transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from the school you attended; and
standardized test scores required by your U.S. school.
Your plans to leave the United States after completing your program of study; and
how you will pay for all education, living, and travel expenses.
Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be applying for instructions on how to apply for a visa.
Attend your visa interview
A consular officer will interview you to determine your eligibility for a student visa. You must prove that you meet the requirements set forth by U.S. law in order to obtain a visa.
An inkless digital fingerprint scan is part of the application process. This is usually done during your interview, but it varies depending on the location.
After your visa interview, the consular officer may decide that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will notify you if necessary.
Once your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable for your nationality) and arrange for your passport and visa to be returned to you. Check visa processing times to learn more.
Entering the United States
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The visa only allows foreign citizens to travel to a U.S. port of entry (usually an airport) and apply for permission to enter the United States. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to allow or deny entry into the United States at ports of entry.
A CBP officer will make this determination after you present your passport, visa, and I-20 form at the port of entry. Once you are admitted into the United States, the CBP officer will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
To learn about the procedures for students entering the United States (on an F or M visa), please visit “Arrival Procedures for Students or Exchange Visitors” on the CBP website. Learn about admission and entry requirements, restrictions on bringing in food, produce, and other restricted/prohibited items, and more by checking the CBP website.
Extend your stay
Foreign students in the U.S. on an F visa must leave the U.S. within 60 days of the course end date listed on the I-20, including any authorized practical training.
Foreign students can apply for an extension through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website (see the USCIS extension of stay page). Additional information about maintaining student status can be found at Maintaining Your Immigration Status While a Student or Exchange Visitor on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVP website.
Failure to leave the United States on time will result in the revocation of status. Under U.S. law, the visa of an individual who loses status automatically expires (Section 222(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). Any multiple-entry visa that expires due to absence will no longer be valid for future entry into the United States.
Failure to leave the United States on time may also render you ineligible for a visa in the future. Please review visa denials and ineligibility and exemptions. Legal to learn more.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DAY-1 CPT SCHOOL
Consider the school’s legitimacy and accreditation as the most important factors:
It is best to choose a well-known school that has been established for a long time, has a high reputation, and has obtained national and regional accreditation.
Lighthouse CPT’s top partner schools include Monroe College, Trine University, Westcliff University, Sofia University, etc. They are all schools with a long history, stable reputation, and complete qualification certification, thus minimizing the risk of CPT.
At the same time, students should pay attention to comprehensive factors such as the school’s cost-effectiveness, project onsite frequency, project value, transportation convenience, and CPT update frequency.
School value for money:
Many CPT schools have high tuition fees, which can easily reach tens of thousands per semester. This is an unaffordable expense for recent graduates. Students who care about cost-effectiveness can choose Trine University. The tuition fee per semester is only about $4,500, which is extremely cost-effective. At the same time, Lighthouse CPT fully considers the needs of students, and partner schools are equipped with exclusive scholarships ranging from $600-$1,000. It can also help students recommend scholarships from other matches to reduce financial pressure on students.
Project gold content:
For students who have high requirements for project quality, Westcliff University is highly recommended. The school has the most advanced WASC Western University Alliance certification in the United States + certification from the Chinese Ministry of Education starting in 2023, and is highly recognized around the world. There are also STEM MBA and DBA doctoral programs, and the flexible combination allows you to legally stay in the United States for 6 years.
Onsite frequency:
According to USCIS regulations, international students holding F-1 visas cannot take fully online courses (exceptions may apply during the pandemic). Regarding the requirements for the number of attendance at school, some CPT schools may require onsite courses once a month (such as Monroe College), while other schools may require onsite courses once per semester (such as Westcliff University’s Professional Format Program and Trine University). There are also schools that require Onsite classes every week. These course plans must be formally filed and approved by the state and accrediting agency.
In addition, students are advised to keep attendance records and properly retain evidence such as transportation vouchers, parking tickets, payment screenshots for purchasing textbooks and paying tuition fees. If the Immigration Department requires proof of in-person classes to maintain legal student status, we can use these materials as supporting evidence.
Transportation convenience:
Try to choose a school that is close to your location to save time and transportation costs. If classes are required weekly or monthly, this may need to last for a longer period of time, so factors such as whether there is a direct airport, train route, bus route, and whether it is convenient to drive to class near the school need to be considered.
CPT update frequency:
Different schools have different requirements for CPT renewal. Some schools may update it once every semester, while other schools may update it once a year. Each CPT update requires communication with the company or superiors. Choosing a school with less frequent updates can effectively reduce the time cost of communication.
EMPLOYMENT
F-1 students cannot work off campus during the first academic year, but can accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students can engage in the following three types of off-campus employment:
Curriculum Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) (before or after completion).
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT).
F-1 students may also be eligible to work off campus due to special circumstances, such as severe financial hardship or special student relief, but on a case-by-case basis. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after completing their studies.
For F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their field of study and must be approved by a designated school official (authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) before commencing any employment. person) and authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For more information about the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, see the Student and Exchange Visitor Programs, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Study and Training Opportunities in the United States webpages.
Generally, only non-citizens who have permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security can apply for a Social Security number. Find additional information about international students and Social Security numbers on the Social Security Administration’s website (PDF).
OTHER INFORMATION
There is no guarantee that you will get a visa. Please do not make final travel plans or purchase airline tickets until you have obtained your visa.
For information about working in the United States while studying, please review the Student and Employment and Form I-765 Work Authorization Form instructions on the USCIS website.
If your studies are temporarily interrupted, please check the information on the SEVP website Do students who are temporarily absent need a new visa to return? If your student visa is still valid but you are outside the United States, you should check with your designated school official.
spouse and children
Your spouse and unmarried minor children who plan to live with you while you study may apply for an F-2 or M-2 visa. Although there is no SEVIS fee, your school must issue them an individual I-20 form, which is required to apply for a visa. You must provide a copy of your F-1 or M-1 visa and provide proof of relationship.
Your minor children are allowed to attend school in the United States while accompanying you.
U.S. embassies and consulates will adjudicate visa applications based on same-sex marriages in the same manner as we do applications for opposite-sex spouses.
A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport remains valid. A visa is valid until its expiry date unless canceled or revoked. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You can travel to and enter the United States using a valid visa from your expired passport along with your new valid passport.
Special Note
If you are interested in changing to F or M student status, please see the Changing to Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status page.