Student Visa USA

Studying in the USA offers a wealth of opportunities and the United States provides a range of different options for non-USA nationals who wish to study in the USA. All USA study visas are non-immigrant US visas and require the applicant to return to their country of residence at the expiry of their permit.

You can begin your application for a study visa USA today by completing the Global Visas online assessment form.

Types of US Study Visa

The USA offers three types of study visa; the F1 visa for academic studies, the V1 visa for vocational programmes and the J1 visa which is part of a larger group of exchange visas for the USA.

F1 Student Visa

F1 study visas for the US are generally the most common route to studying in the USA and allow candidates to temporarily immigrate to the US in order to study at a recognised educational institution. Like US work visas and employment based Green Cards, US study visas of this kind require a sponsor to be in place, and candidates must be in possession of a bona fide offer from an accredited educational body in order to apply.

F1 Study Visa Requirements

Applicants must have a sufficient grasp of the English language to complete their course and must be able to finance themselves during their time in the USA . The duration of this type of American visa is usually the same as the duration of the course although students may remain in the country for up to 60 days beyond this period. Applicants must provide a range of documentation and must be able to demonstrate their intention to return home at the end of their studies. This requirement can usually be satisfied through evidence of family or employment ties to the country of residence.

M1 Student Visa

The USA M1 student visa is designed for students undertaking vocational programmes and requires applicants to be accepted on a full time course at a recognised institution. As with F1 visas, applicants must have sufficient grasp of the English language and must be able to fund their stay in the USA . M1 visas are granted for either one year, or the time taken to complete the course plus 30 days, whichever is less.

J1 Student Visa

The J1 visa forms part of the J visas group which also includes au pairs, specific working holiday agreements and cultural exchanges. For students, J1 visas are designed to allow candidates to undergo practical training which is directly relevant to their academic studies outside the USA but which is not available in their country of residence. In this category, visas are usually granted for the duration of the course, although it is important to note that candidates, if eligible and if in possession of a job offer may switch into other categories such as the H1-B visa.

Working in the USA

Although J1 visa applicants may ultimately be eligible to switch to a USA work visa, undertaking work in the UK whilst on a student visa status is generally restricted. F1 visas allow their holders to engage in limited employment so long as the work is conducted on campus. However, in the cases of M1 and J1 visas, work is only permitted if it forms an integral part of the training for which the applicant is present in the USA.

Spouse Immigration and Dependent Immigration

As outlined above, in the majority of cases, US study permits are not intended as permanent immigration services and will require their holders to return home when their leave to remain in the USA expires. However, since applicants may be studying in the USA for a prolonged period, the spouse and/or dependent children of a candidate may travel to the USA with the main applicant and remain for the same duration. In all cases, these relatives will be granted a derivative M2 visa, J2 visa or F2 visa depending on the status of the principle applicant and may be able to live and work in the USA during their time in America subject to applying for work authorisation.

Find out whether you qualify for a US student visa now by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area. Simply complete our quick and easy assessment form and one of our immigration consultants will contact you directly.