U.S. Student Visa Types and Requirements

Learn the art of studying in the top destination for international students. In 2019, the total number of international students enrolled in US colleges was 1,095,299.

U.S. student visa, its types, and Basic requirements for international students.

The United States is a country of 50 states, covering large parts of North America. The major cities on the Atlantic Coast are New York, a center of global finance and culture, and the capital is Washington, DC. An overseas national who normally desires to enter the United States for studies purposes must first obtain a US student visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued with the citizenship of the traveler’s country. Some international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the visa requirements.

In 2019, the total number of international students enrolled in US colleges was 1,095,299, making up 5.5% of the total US student body:

• 223,085 Optional Practical Training (OPT) workers
• 431,930 undergraduate students
• 377,943 graduate students
• 62,341 non-degree students

Types of U.S. student visa 

As an international student coming to the United States, there are three different student visas that can be issued to you:

1. F1 visa
2. J-1 Visa
3. M1 visa

F-1 and J1 visas allow employment possibilities in the United States during your stay, while M1 visas are no longer available. You need to be aware of the sorts of visas, how they affect your financial support while residing in the United States, and how they go through the application and arrival process.

1- F1 visa 

The “F” visa is for academic studies. F1 visas are issued to students who participate in an academic program or English language program. The F1 visa is by far the most common form of worldwide student visa in the United States. F1 students must maintain a minimum course load for full-time scholar status. F1 status allows for part-time, on-campus employment (less than 20 hours per week). In addition, students can work on optional hands-on training (OPT) for one year after completing their education program. Students have to complete Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Students) by way of the expiration date.

(a) Requirements for F1 visa

To be eligible, candidates are required to meet and show a number of standards during the F1 visa interview, including:

• accommodation proof in the USA
• candidates ought to have overseas residency and intend to return there after the visa duration is over
• while living on your F-1 visa, you can only study at the educational institution via which the visa was issued
• applicants must demonstrate substantial financial support – Study USA Financing Guide can assist you to prepare for this aspect of your time abroad.
• all candidates must show that they have strong ties to their domestic country (this could be in the form of a job offer letter upon completion of education, assets (ie house, land, vehicle, etc.), bank account, and family)

(b) University admission requirements

Different universities have different admission policies. Your university will inform you what they need to determine if you are academically qualified. Among other requirements, you must show the school that you have sufficient money to support yourself while studying without working and that you can seek medical assistance if you need medical help. You may need to show health insurance to cover the costs. Once the university has determined that your application is complete and you are academically eligible, they will issue an I-20 form to allow you to apply for their student visa.

(c) Where to apply for your F-1 visa?

Application for the student visa is applied usually with jurisdiction at the US Embassy or Consulate. This will usually be your home country, the country you live in. Although visa candidates can apply at any US consular office abroad, it can be more challenging to qualify for a visa outside the country of permanent residence.

2- J-1 visa 

J-1 visas are issued to students who need practical training that is not available in their domestic country to complete their education program. J1 student status allows employment comparable to the F1 visa, with similar restrictions, unless authorized by the Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor.

(a) Basic requirements for J-1 visas

• Age between 18-26 years
• Good health conditions
• Previous childcare experience
• English knowledge, speaking and understand English
• Secondary school education
• Police clearance report
• International driver’s license and at least 50 hours of  experience
• Ready to stay 12 months away from home
• Become a post-unskilled student, younger worker, teacher, or professional

3- M-1 Visa 

The M1 visa is issued to a student who is going to study in a non-academic or vocational school. Holders of M-1 visas for technical and vocational packages are no longer allowed to work whilst studying. M-1 student visa candidates should have proof that a sufficient amount of money is immediately collected to cover all tuition and accommodation expenses for the entire period of the required stay.

(a) Basic requirements for M-1 visa

You can’t enter as M1 just to study “normally”. Your program should have a reason and you should be included in the “full course of study.”

• A full-time course. A full-time course of study means studying in a community or junior college
• With at least 12 semester or quarterly hours. It needs to be in such a school
• Where full tuition is taken from participants for at least 12 semester or quarterly hours, or it is considered full time. The only exception is if you need a small course load to complete your study. It can also mean studying in a post-secondary vocational or business school that presents associate or other degrees
• Alternatively, a school may be eligible if it can show that its credit has been unconditionally accepted by at least 3 institutions of higher learning
• If this is no longer possible, study in a professional or non-academic curriculum, certified by the DSO so that
• Require at least 18 hours of weekly attendance or at least 22 hours per week (if most of your education is in a shop or lab)
• If this is no longer possible, the last choice is to study the curriculum of the vocational or non-academic high school which is certified by the DSO that the course of graduation is additionally within the minimum required for normal development

Top universities of US hosting international students in 2019

Countries whose students got most student visas in 2019

Living Expenses in the USA as an international student

When you start thinking about financial resources for your education and housing expenses in the United States, remember that you can’t be trusted to work in the United States until you are given education or research support. Immigration rules are very strict when it comes to working on a student visa and you can’t rely on potential income when you provide proof of your financial resources.

Careful long-term and momentary planning are integral to ensure that you have a rewarding educational experience in the United States. If you are sensible about your financial needs, you will be able to enjoy an exciting educational and cultural trip of living and learning in the United States.

Entring the United States as an international student at the port of entry

You need to know that even if you have been granted a visa, it does not guarantee your entry into the United States. Ultimately, it is up to the CBP [Customs and Border Protection] to bring you into the United States. It is additionally up to the CBP to decide how lengthy you can stay in the United States. At the port of entry, a CBP official verifies Form I-94, a record of arrival and departure, noting the size of the stay permit. This will be a small white card issued by US Customs and Border Protection upon your entry into the United States. Form I-94 is your residence permit in the United States. After determining your student visa status, you need to carefully observe your healthcare options while studying in the United States.