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F-1 Visa
Student

Who Qualifies for an F-1 Visa Classification?

An F-1 visa is a student visa granted to pursue a full course of academic study at a U.S. college, university, high school, primary or elementary school. If you are presently in the U.S. in status, the National Visa Service Legal Department can submit the application here in the U.S. If you are residing outside of the U.S. National Visa Service will help prepare Form OF-156 for you to submit to the U.S. Consular office where you live. The consular officer may require additional documents to verify the purpose for obtaining the visa. The visa may be issued on the same day you apply and is in the form of a stamp in your passport.

What Are the Requirements For An F-1 Visa?

You must show that:

1. You have been accepted by an approved school in the U.S. shown by the certificate of eligibility (Form I-20A-B) signed by you;

2. You possess sufficient funds or have made other arrangements to enable you to pay tuition and living expenses with out having to work.

3. You have sufficient scholastic achieviement and knowledge of the English language to pursue a full course of study, or if your knowledge of English is inadequate, the school has accepted you for study in a language with which you are familiar, or has made special tutoring arrangements that will enable you to pursue a full course of study.

The full course of study will be satisfied in the following situations:

Full time study in a primary or secondary school for normal progress towards graduation.

Study for at least 12 hours weekly in a postsecondary language, liberal arts, fine arts or other nonvocational training program consisting of at least 18 hours of classroom attendance a week if the dominant feature of the course is classroom attendance and 22 hours weekly if the dominant feature is laboratory work.

Undergraduate study at a college or university (at least 12 semester or quarter hours of instruction per academic term).

Postgraduate study or postdoctoral study or research at a college or university, or undergraduate or postgraduate study at a conservatory or religious seminary.

Can An F-1 Student Accept Employment?

An F-1 student may accept employment under the following limited circumstances:

On-campus employment You may engage in on-campus employment without obtaining specific permission from the INS if you are engaged in a full course of study and the employment will not displace a U.S. resident based on the following guidelines:

1. The on-campus employment must be performed on the school’s premises or at an off-campus location affiliated with the school and is a key part of the school’s educational program;

2. The on-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session and 40 hours a week when school is not in session as long as the student maintains status; and

3. Authorization for employment may continue for the duration of the student’s F-1 status.

Pilot program employment To be eligible for this program, you must:

1. Be in good academic standing;

2. Have been an F-1 status for one academic year; and

3. Demonstrate that accepting employment will not interfere with your ability to carry a full course of study.

Off-campus employment because of severe economic hardship You may be authorized under the following circumstances:

1. You must be in good academic standing for at least one year and carrying a full course load.

2. You cannot work more than 20 hours a week when school is in session but can work full time during holidays or school vacations;

3. Cases considered include:

Loss of financial aid;
Loss off on-campus employment;
Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate;
Substantial increases in tuition and/or living costs;
Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support or medical bills.

International organization internships An F-1 student may request employment authorization as an intern with an International Organization.

Curricular practical training Programs that are an integral part of an established curriculum. The training must either be:

An alternative work-study;
An internship;
Cooperative education, or;
Any other type of required internship or course that is offered by a sponsoring employer through a cooperative agreement with the school.

An F-1 student must satisfy two general qualifications:

1. Lawful enrollment on an full time basis in an INS approved college, university, conservatory or seminary for at least 9 consecutive months; and

2. Request for authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to the student’s major field of study.

Optional practical training This type of training refers to practical training in two time periods:

1. Before the completion of the student’s course of study; and

2. After completion of degree requirements or the course of study.

Optional practical training may be authorized in the following situations:

uring vacation periods when the school is not in session in which you are currently enrolled and intend to register for the next term or session;

While school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours a week;

After completion of all requirements for the degree;

After completion of the course of study (within 14 months).

The general qualifications are the same as for curricular practical training. This type of training may only be authorized in an application directly related to the student’s major area of study. Optional practical training after completion of studies is authorized for up to 12 months, to take affect after the student has completed his or her course of study.

How Long is the F-1 Visa Valid?

F-1 visas are valid for the duration of status. You are required to maintain a valid passport at all times and for at least six months beyond the expiration of the status or as long as you maintain a full course of study at any educational level in the same school and during any authorized practical training plus 60 days thereafter.

What Is the National Visa Service Legal Department Fee?

The fee is $1,100, which includes the INS processing fees.

To hire a National Visa Service Attorney to help you get this visa now:

F-1 VisaStudent

F-1 Visa
Student