Skip Navigation
You Are In: Visas > Nonimmigrant Visas > Types of Visas > nivfjm
Skip Left Section Navigation

Nonimmigrant Visas

Types of Visas

F Visas: Academic Students

Who should apply?

This visa is for a person who wants to go to the U.S. to go through a full course of study at an educational institution approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

What types are available?

  • F-1 is for an academic student
  • F-2 is for a spouse/child of an academic student

What must you establish as an F Visa applicant?

  • You have a residence abroad that you do not intend to abandon
  • You have been accepted to pursue a full course of study at a DHS approved institution, as demonstrated by presentation of Form I-20 A-B ("I-20") and an electronic version of that document (through SEVIS)
  • You have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, as demonstrated by presentation of the SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • You have sufficient knowledge of English to pursue the intended study (or evidence that the school is aware of the deficiency and will remedy it)
  • You have sufficient money to cover the first year of study, and access to sufficient money to cover subsequent years
  • You will depart at the end of your authorized stay in the U.S.

Spouse & Children

The spouse or children of a student are also entitled to accompany or join the holder of an F-1 Visa. They can apply for an F-2 Visa. A spouse or child with an F-2 Visa cannot seek employment in the U.S.

If you want your spouse/child to travel to the U.S. with you, apply for your visas at the same time. Book your visa interview appointments for the same day and attend your visa interview together.

Further Instructions & Information

  • A minimum of 12 semester hours is normally a full course of study
  • Students should familiarize themselves with the complete visa application process.  Please consult EducationUSA for a general introduction and this website for local information

Return to Main Menu > click here

Apply for an F Visa > click here

back to top ^

J Visas: Exchange Visitors

Who should apply?

This visa is for a person who wants to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program administered by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

What types are available?

  • J-1 is for a exchange visitor
  • J-2 is for a spouse/child of a exchange visitor

What must you establish as a J Visa applicant?

  • You have been accepted to participate in a designated exchange visitor program, as demonstrated by presentation of Form DS-2019
  • You have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, as demonstrated by presentation of the SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • You possess the qualifications for the program offered
  • You have a residence abroad you do not intend to abandon
  • You have sufficient money, or adequate arrangements, to cover expenses
  • You have sufficient knowledge of English to undertake the proposed program
  • You will comply with the requirements of Section 212(e) of the Immigration & Nationality Act (INA); the two-year foreign residency requirement
  • You comply with requirements of Section 212(j) (INA), if you are going to participate in a graduate medical education or training program
  • You will depart at the end of your authorized stay in the U.S.

Spouse & Children

The spouse or children of a student are also entitled to accompany or join the holder of a J-1 visa. They can apply for a J-2 visa. A spouse or child with a J-2 visa cannot seek employment in the U.S., but can attend school.

If you want your spouse/child to travel to the U.S. with you, apply for your visas at the same time. Book your visa interview appointments for the same day and attend your visa interview together.

Further Instructions & Information

  • Students should familiarize themselves with the complete visa application process.  Please consult EducationUSA for a general introduction and this website for local information

Return to Main Menu > click here

Apply for an J Visa > click here

back to top ^

M Visas: Non-Academic Students

Who should apply?

This visa is for a person who wants to engage in non-academic or vocational study or training at an institution in the U.S.

What types are available?

  • M-1 is for a non-academic student
  • M-2 is for a spouse/child of a non-academic student

What must you establish as an M Visa applicant?

  • You have been accepted to participate in a full course of non-academic, as demonstrated by presentation of Form I-20 M-N ("I-20") distributed to accredited schools by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • You have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee, as demonstrated by presentation of the SEVIS fee payment receipt
  • You have a residence abroad you do not intend to abandon
  • You have sufficient money immediately available to pay all tuition and living expenses for the entire period of proposed study
  • You have adequately prepared to pursue the intended course of study, or you have been accepted based on knowledge of your educational background
  • You have sufficient knowledge of English to undertake the proposed course of study
  • You will depart at the end of your authorized stay in the U.S.

Spouse & Children

The spouse or children of a student are also entitled to accompany or join the holder of an M-1 visa. They can apply for an M-2 visa. A spouse or child with an M-2 visa cannot seek employment in the U.S.

If you want your spouse/child to travel to the U.S. with you, apply for your visas at the same time. Book your visa interview appointments for the same day and attend your visa interview together.

Further Instructions & Information

  • Students should familiarize themselves with the complete visa application process.  Please consult EducationUSA for a general introduction and this website for local information

Return to Main Menu > click here

Apply for an M Visa > click here

- More -

   Namastestudyusa.com logo