Types of US Student Visa and Opportunities Attached _ Anyone who will study abroad, especially in the United States must possess any of the three visas that will be listed in this post. Any type of visa that you choose to apply for or that you get will determine the level of participation you will be eligible for in that very country.
So, you need to read to read-through and ask questions if you have any using the comment section at the bottom of this article.
What exactly is a Visa?
Simply described, a visa is a government-issued travel document. The visa, which is normally stamped or attached to the bearer’s passport, permits him to enter a foreign nation lawfully.
There are several sorts of visas. To begin, there is a Tourist Visa for those who want to visit a nation for tourism, a Student Visa for students who want to travel to a foreign country to study, and so on.
Types of US Student Visa and Opportunities Attached
1. F1 Visa
- Academic Studies
The “F” visa is only valid for academic research. An F1 visa is granted to students enrolled in an academic program or an English language program. F1 visas are the most popular type of foreign student visa in the United States.
F1 students must maintain a minimum course load in order to be considered full-time students. A part-time on-campus job is permitted with F1 status (fewer than 20 hours per week). Students can also work on optional practical training (OPT) for up to a year after finishing their academic degrees.
Students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on the I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).
Read Also: General Student Visas for Study Abroad Requirements, Fees and Processes
2. J1 Visa
- Practical Training
A J1 visa is granted to students who require practical training that is not accessible in their native country in order to finish their academic degrees. J-1 student status permits the same employment as the F1 visa, with identical restrictions, as long as the exchange visitor program sponsor grants authorization.
3. M1 Visa
- Non-Academic /
- Vocational Studies
An M1 visa is granted to a student attending a non-academic or vocational school. M-1 visa holders enrolled in technical or vocational programs are not authorized to work throughout their education. M-1 student visa applicants must provide proof that adequate funds are immediately available to cover all tuition and living expenses for the duration of their proposed stay.
Criteria for Entering F-1 or M-1 visa categories
If you satisfy the following requirements you will be able to enter the F-1 or M-1 Visa Category:
- You must be enrolled in an “academic,” “language-training,” or “vocational” educational program.
- The Student and Exchange Visitors Program, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, must approve your institution.
- You must be a full-time student at the institution.
- You must be fluent in English or engaged in courses leading to fluency in English.
- You must have adequate money to support yourself for the duration of the intended course of study. You must have a domicile abroad that you have no intention of abandoning.
Read Also: General Student Visas for Study Abroad Requirements, Fees and Processes
Employment Opportunities for F-1
F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year, although they are permitted to take on-campus employment under specific circumstances and limits. F-1 students may work off-campus in three ways after their first school year:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
- F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.
Employment Opportunities for Both F-1 & M-1 Relation
Any off-campus training job for both F-1 and M-1 students must be connected to their area of study and must be permitted by the Designated School Official prior to beginning any work.
Read Also: General Student Visas for Study Abroad Requirements, Fees and Processes
When is the best time to apply for a Student Visa?
To say the least, studying abroad necessitates thorough planning. Students should always plan their admission/application procedure with university deadlines in mind and work backwards.
According to university regulations, students must take English eligibility exams and have all essential documentation on hand in order for their application to be processed smoothly.
As a result, students are always urged to apply three to four months in advance to prevent a last-minute rush. Candidates seeking financial help, scholarships, or school loans should add a couple of months to the process because these applications take longer to complete.
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What type of visa do I need?
Student Visas are often classified based on two broad distinction points:
- Student Visa Classification Based on Program’s Duration
- Student Visa Classification Based on Type of Programme/ Student
1. Student Visa Classification Based on Program’s Duration
Countries frequently split student visas into Short Term Student Visas and Long Term Student Visas based on the length of duration of the program the applicant intends to pursue.
Students who want to attend a short course of a language or a diploma certificate course are frequently granted short-term visas, with the total period commonly restricted to 90 days (3 months).
Long-term visas, on the other hand, are granted to students who intend to pursue degree programs that last longer than three months. Internships and 6-month certificate programs, for example, might fall within this category. This broad categorisation is used among European Union countries.
Read Also: General Student Visas for Study Abroad Requirements, Fees and Processes
2. Student Visa Classification Based on Type of Programme/ Student
Some nations categorize student visas based on the type of student, regardless of course duration. This might be the level of degree sought (undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate), an exchange student, or a student pursuing a vocational/diploma program.
In general, because these visas are dependent on the type of visa the student is requesting, they are partly tied to tenure. However, in these groups, the initial point of differentiation is not the duration of the program.
If you are an exchange student, for example, you may be there for three months or three years; the category would still be dependent on the type of student, not the length of stay.
Process of Applying for a Student Visa
The application procedure for a student visa begins when your university sends you a letter of admission. Students who have received their admission letter must proceed with the Visa Application Process. Candidates can apply for a visa in two ways:
- Online Visa Application Process: The more convenient option, candidates may apply for their student visa online by simply creating a student profile. The forms are entirely online and must be completed accurately by the student.
- Offline Visa Application Procedure: For the offline visa application process, candidates must download the application form, fill it out, and submit it to the appropriate authorities.
The next step is to pay the Visa Application Fee. For the application procedure, each candidate would be needed to pay a student visa fee. The final step would be for the student to submit his application procedure, as well as any supporting documentation.
Read Also: General Student Visas for Study Abroad Requirements, Fees and Processes
Requirements for Visa Extension
A visa is valid for a set period of time. If your study permit expires before the conclusion of your studies (program), you must apply for a study permit renewal. Ideally, you should apply at least 30 days before the expiration of your present permit. Candidates can apply either by mail or online.
