Student Visas
Student Visas
The first step for a prospective nonimmigrant student is being accepted for enrollment in an established school which is SEVP certified. An F visa is appropriate for academic students attending a: university, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory or other academic institutions, including a language training program.
Foreign Student Admission Program
For students attending vocational or other recognized nonacademic institutions, an M visa is generally the appropriate category.
When do I need to apply for my student visa?
- Students are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. Students may apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so
- Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you apply for your visa more than 120 days prior to your start date or registration date as provided on the Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa. Consular officials will use that extra time for application processing.
- Students are advised of the DHS regulation which requires that all initial or beginning students to enter theUS30 days or less in advance for the course of study starts/report date as shown on the Form I-20
- A beginning student who wants an earlier entry into theUS(more than 30 days prior to the start of the course date) must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa.
- Continuing students may apply for a new visa at any time, as long as they have maintained student status and their SEVIS records are current.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Foreign students completing associate, bachelors, masters or doctorate degrees as well as non-degree students completing structured or certificate programs in F-1 student status are eligible to receive permission from the USCIS to be employed for a period of one year. This employment authorization is called optional practical training. Practical training after completion of studies is a one-time option. If you use a one-year period of practical training after completion of your degree, you cannot obtain another period of practical training upon completion of another degree.
In order to receive practical training, you must apply to your Designated School Official (DSO) or foreign student advisor at your university. You may apply for practical training at any time prior to the completion of your studies or within 60 days thereafter.
