If you’re interested in studying in the United States, you may have options – including getting an F visa, M visa or B visa, depending on what you want to study and how long you need to stay to reach your goals. If you’re like many aspiring students, you may choose to work with a skilled New York immigration attorney to fill out and file your student visa petition; that can help streamline the process and ensure that your petition doesn’t include any errors that could get it kicked back by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This guide explains all your student visa options, how to apply for a student visa and what restrictions each visa type holds. It also covers whether you can bring your family with you, how long you can stay on a visa, and so much more. If you have questions about applying for a student visa that this guide doesn’t address, please feel free to call our office at 914-481-8822 to schedule a consultation.
What Are Student Visas in the United States?
The United States offers several types of student visas for international students who want to study at an American college or university. The most common visas are the F visa and M visa, but the B visa is also available for some circumstances. Each of these has different requirements and restrictions.
F Visas
The F visa is for academic students who want to come to the United States to study at an accredited college or university. F visa holders are also allowed to participate in English language training programs and exchange visitor programs. If you’re planning on studying at a U.S. institution of higher education, this is likely the type of student visa that you’ll want to apply for.
To be eligible for an F visa, you must:
- Intend to study at an accredited U.S. college or university, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, academic high school program, other institution of higher education or in an English language training program
- Be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree program, or a student in a non-degree program that is 18 hours or more per week
- Maintain a foreign residence which you have no intention of abandoning
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources available to cover your tuition and living expenses while in the United States
- Meet the English language requirements for your program of study
The F visa allows you to enter the United States up to 30 days before your program of study begins, and it allows you to stay in the country for as long as is necessary to complete your program (plus an additional 60 days). This extra time is meant to give you a chance to travel or prepare for your return home.
If you want to work while on your F visa, you’ll need to apply for authorization from USCIS. You can work on-campus at your school without this authorization, but you’ll need it for any off-campus employment.
M Visas
The M visa is for students who want to come to the United States to attend a vocational or nonacademic program at a SEVP-certified school. If you’re planning on attending a trade school, culinary school or other type of vocational program, this is likely the type of student visa that you’ll need to apply for.
To be eligible for an M visa, you must:
- Intend to study at a SEVP-certified vocational or nonacademic school
- Be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree program, or a student in a non-degree program that is 18 hours or more per week
- Maintain a foreign residence which you have no intention of abandoning
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources available to cover your tuition and living expenses while in the United States
Like the F visa, the M visa allows you to enter the United States up to 30 days before your program of study begins, and it allows you to stay in the country for as long as is necessary to complete your program.
B Visas
The B visa is for students who want to come to the United States to participate in a short-term program of study. If you’re planning on attending a summer program, non-degree program or other type of short-term academic program, this is likely the type of student visa that you’ll need to apply for. Your immigration attorney can help you determine whether this is a good choice for you.
To be eligible for a B visa, you must:
- Intend to participate in a short, recreational course of study that doesn’t provide credit toward a degree or academic certificate
- Maintain a foreign residence which you have no intention of abandoning
Related: How to help your parents get green cards in the U.S.
What Are SEVP and SEVIS?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SEVP manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which collects, maintains and provides information on international students, exchange visitors and their dependents while they are in the United States.
SEVIS allows schools and programs to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors, and it allows the DHS to monitor compliance with student visa requirements.
All schools who wish to enroll international students must be SEVP-certified by the DHS. This certification process includes an in-person review of the school’s policies and procedures related to the enrollment of international students.
How to Find SEVP-Approved Schools
DHS maintains a list of all SEVP-certified schools that are authorized to enroll international students on its website.
Related: Can you bring your foreign fiancé to the United States?
Can You Bring Your Spouse and Children With You to the U.S. to Study?
If you’re coming to the United States on an F or M student visa, you can bring your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 with you. Your dependents will need to apply for a F-2 or M-2 visas, respectively. Your attorney can help you with the application process.
If you’re coming to the United States on a B visa, you cannot bring your dependents with you unless you separately apply for a B2 tourist visa for each of them.
Who Qualifies for a Student Visa?
To qualify for a student visa, you must prove that you:
- Have been accepted to a SEVP-certified school
- Intend to study full-time (unless you’re coming on a B visa)
- Have sufficient financial resources available to cover your tuition and living expenses while in the United States
- Are proficient in English or are enrolled in an English Language Training program
- Have a foreign residence that you have no intention of abandoning
- Are in good health and have no criminal history
- Have completed a course of study at a secondary school (high school) or above, or will have completed such a course before beginning your program in the United States
How Do You Apply for a Student Visa?
For many people, the first step in applying for a student visa is to contact an immigration attorney who can help them complete the appropriate paperwork. The paperwork you need to fill out and file depends on which type of visa you want to apply for. Generally, you need the following supporting documentation:
- A valid passport
- A nonimmigrant visa application (Form I-20 for F or M visas, or Form I-20M-N for vocational students)
- Proof of financial resources to cover your tuition and living expenses while in the United States
- Academic transcripts and diplomas from your previous schools
- Proof of English proficiency
- A completed visa application (Form DS-160)
- A passport photograph
Do You Need to Attend an Immigration Interview to Get a U.S. Student Visa?
Most people need to attend immigration interviews for student visas. These interviews are usually required unless the applicant is under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 – so unless either of those apply to you, you should plan on participating in an interview.
The interview process for student visas is similar to interviews for other types of U.S. visas. You will need to provide the consular officer with all the documentation that supports your petition. The officer will ask you questions about your studies in the United States, your financial resources and your ties to your home country.
Related: What does it mean to sponsor someone for a green card?
What Happens When You Enter the U.S. on a Student Visa?
When you enter the United States on a student visa, your documents will be inspected by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. The CBP officer will review your paperwork and ask you some questions about your studies in the United States. If everything is in order and the officer believes you’re telling the truth about the reason you’re entering the U.S., they’ll stamp your passport and allow you to enter the United States.
Can You Extend Your Student Visa if You Want to Stay Longer?
If you want to extend your stay in the United States beyond the expiration date on your authorization documents, you must file a request with USCIS before your current status expires. You cannot extend your stay if you’re on a B visa – if you want to stay longer than the initial period of admission, you must reapply for a new B visa.
What if Your Plans Change?
If your plans change after you enter the United States – for example, you decide to change schools or programs of study – you must notify USCIS within 10 days of the change. You can do this by filing a new Form I-20 with your new school’s designated school official (DSO).
Related: How to remove conditions from your green card
Can You Work in the U.S. After Graduation?
You may be eligible to work in the U.S. after your graduation if you have an F visa. Generally, you need a business entity to sponsor you for a green card – but there may be a chance that you can use an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to remain in the U.S. after you graduate from school. Many people are eligible for up to 12 months of practical training; those who graduated in a STEM field (sciences, technology, engineering or mathematics) may be eligible for up to 24 months of practical training.
You don’t need a job offer to apply for OPT, though you may want to speak to an immigration attorney about your options. Because it can take USCIS a significant amount of time to approve an OPT petition, you may need to apply early.
Can You Get Lawful Permanent Residency Through a Student Visa?
In some cases, it is possible to get lawful permanent residency (a green card) when you have a student visa. However, there aren’t a lot of pathways to do so. You generally need to:
- Get an employer to sponsor you for a green card
- Enter the green card lottery and get a spot
- Get married to a U.S. citizen or be sponsored by a relative
- Petition the government for asylum
These are very limited circumstances, and not everyone is eligible for a green card through these means. It’s important to talk to your immigration attorney if you want to pursue a green card after your student visa expires.
Do You Need to Talk to an Immigration Attorney About Getting a Student Visa?
If you need to talk to an immigration attorney, we may be able to help you. Call our office at 914-481-8822 to schedule a consultation with an experienced, knowledgeable immigration attorney who can answer your questions and give you the legal advice you need.