The USA remains the top choice for applicants planning to study abroad. If the applicants are amongst the few who wish to study in the USA and have already received acceptance from their aspired university, applying for Student Visa is the next important step to realizing their study abroad in the USA dream. This Students Visa Guide explores briefly the various types of visa in the USA. Apart from this, applicants should also know the reasons behind their US Student Visa rejection letter.
The USA government provides an opportunity to all international students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, they will have to get a student visa first. The visa they require will depend on their age and the type of study they wish to pursue in the US.
The USA offers three different types of student visa:
Excited to start your study abroad journey? If yes, then what are you waiting for. Book a free counselling session at — https://eazygrad.com/, NOW!
F-1 Student Visa
The applicant will generally need the following for their US Student Visa application:
- A valid passport with a validity date at least six months beyond their period of stay
- Recent photograph
- Confirmation receipt of DS-160
- Form I-20
- Payment receipt of application fees for SEVIS
- Application as a non-immigrant
- Their University will make them aware of additional requirements if any before their application.
After they Graduate:
- F-1 visa holders are eligible for up to 1 year of OPT (optional practical training) on completion of graduation. That means they can work for a year after they finish their studies,
- It is temporary employment permission permitting students the opportunity to get practical experience in their field of study.
- After that, they will be required to apply for a work visa if they have to continue working in the US. They can remain in the US up to 60 days after the completion of their course even if they don’t have a J1ob offer or haven’t applied for OPT.
F-2 Visa — Student Dependent Visa
The student dependent visa is known as the F2 Visa. The F2 visa is a non-immigrant dependent visa with which the immediate family members of the F1 student visa holders can enter the USA. Dependents include the spouse and all unmarried children under the age of 21. The benefits of an F2 visa are as follows:
- Extended visa stays: If the primary F1 visa holder extends his / her stay, then the F2 visa dependents are also automatically eligible to apply for the extension. Filing Form I-539 is enough to renew their F2 visa along with proof of their financial status.
- Change of visa status: The applicants can come to the U.S. on an F2 visa and thereafter petition for a change of visa status. By enrolling in a US higher education program, they can change their visa status to F1. If they find an appropriate J1ob, they can request a change of visa status.
- Getting a Green Card: While The applicants get a Green Card automatically when their primary F1 visa holder receives one, they are also eligible to apply for one on their own. The applicants can change their visa status to a different one which allows for dual purpose (e.g. L1 visa) and then apply for a Green Card. If they find employment, they become eligible for a Green Card.
- Access to healthcare: F2 visa holders get access to medical assistance and hospitals in the US. However, if they plan on a long stay or expect a medical situation, it makes sense to buy a health insurance plan to cover the high costs of healthcare.
However, F-2 Visa holders are not allowed to do the following:
- No permission to work
- Not eligible for Social Security Number
- Not allowed to pursue higher education
- Cannot enter the U.S. before the F1 visa holder
- As they are not eligible to work, they can’t get a Social Security Number (SSN)
The applicants cannot do a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program on the F2 visa. Yet they are eligible for recreational and vocational training courses. Dependent children with an F2 visa can finish primary, middle and high school education. If they are looking to pursue higher studies, they must first apply for a visa status change.
The applicants must either be accompanied by the primary F-1 visa holder or fly later after the F-1 holder for first-time travel to the U.S. on an F-2 visa. They can’t enter the United States before the F-1 visa holder. This only applies when they are first entering the U.S. and not for subsequent travel.
J1–1 Student Visa
The J1–1 Intern category visa of the J1–1 Exchange Visitor Program allows international students and recent graduates to develop their skills while augmenting knowledge of US business practice and culture.
On returning to their home countries, interns are expected to share the cross-cultural and professional experience they have earned in the U.S. Plenty of internships are paid.
- Applicants should be mindful that the J1–1 Interns’ Visa System is designed solely as a way of taking part in an internship. U.S. state department expressly forbids the use of the J1–1 Visa System for interns to meet the role of a regular employee.
- As an intern, it is strictly forbidden for the applicant to accept any J1ob outside of their internship in the US. If an applicant is found to be engaged in unauthorized work, he will be subJ1ected to the immediate termination of the J1–1 Visa Program and can be deported. He must face penalties through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
J-2 visa — Student Dependent Visa
The J-2 visa is a US citizenship and immigration service (USCIS) afforded visa. It is a unique visa issued to spouses and unmarried dependents of J1 visa holders. These applicants may accompany or eventually join a J1–1 visa holder in the US.
The validity of this visa differs as J-2 visa holders are granted the same limit of stay as the J1–1 visa holder.
A J-2 visa holder, the applicant can work in most cases. For this, they will have to file form i-765, an application for employment authorization. If this is approved, they can work for up to one year, after which they can renew the permission.
M-1 Student Visa
M-1 visa is a kind of non-immigrant visa issued by the USCIS to international students wanting to study in the United States, but not every student receives an M-1 visa. This is primarily intended for those who want to pursue vocational training in the U.S.
Students can enter the US with an M-1 visa and complete their full-time vocational studies.
Using the M-1 visa, as a student, the applicant can obtain a driver’s license, a bank account based in the U.S., access to health care services, and apply for work under certain restrictions. If their M-1 visa status is valid they can bring in their relatives as dependents to live with them in the United States.
However, the M1 visa holder cannot do the following
- Apply for full-time employment outside the campus
- Study the full-time course as a part-time operation (which means strict monitoring of attendance)
- Switch from one institution to another after six months of program commencement (the applicant can do so before six months)
- After completing their vocational course, continue with a bachelor’s degree or other types of degree
Requirements for visa application
- They have applied for non-academic or vocational training courses in the US
- They meet the minimum education qualification required for admission into the vocational course
- They were admitted by a U.S.-based educational school and got the Form I-20
- They have the appropriate level of proficiency in English
- They have to show proof of funds to cover their expenses while they are in the US
- They have permanent residence in their country of origin
- They have no intention of remaining in the US and will leave after their education is complete
- The institution is convinced that the education they are receiving will benefit their country of origin
Documents required
- Passport valid for at least six months
- DS-160 confirmation
- Visa appointment letter
- Recent photographs
- Fee receipts
- Educational certificates
- Proof of financial stability
M-2 VISA — Student Dependent Visa
The M-2 non-immigrant visa enables the dependent spouse and children under the age of 21 of a valid M-1 student visa holder to come to the US.
To qualify for the visa, the applicant must prove their purpose to temporarily stay in the US. Once the applicant receives an M-2 visa they can — Study in an elementary or secondary school, vocational or recreational school or travel in and out of the U.S as long as their visa is valid. However, they cannot, try for admission at a USA university or seek employment in the US.
The applicant may stay on an M-2 visa in the U.S. till the applicant for the principal M-1 is in the state. This may be for one year or for the period required by the principal M-1 applicant to complete the study course up to a maximum of 3 years plus 30 days to depart afterwards, whichever is less.
Looking forward to applying to USA-based universities for your higher education? If yes, then what are you waiting for? BOOK A FREE COUNSELLING SESSION WITH US NOW! Visit our website for further information.
