Different types of student visas offered by the US

Studying abroad can be an enriching and life-changing experience. The United States is a popular destination for international students.

However, before embarking on this journey, it’s important to understand the different types of student visas available for studying in the US.

In this article, you will have a brief overview of the three non-immigrant student visas and their respective requirements and restrictions.

If you’re planning to study in the US, you’ll need to apply for a US student visa.

There are three types of non-immigrant student visas: F, M, and J.

The F visa is for international students pursuing an academic degree at a US college or university. It is also issued to students, who are pursuing English at a university or intensive English language institute.

F visas include F-1, F-2 and F-3. While F-1 is issued to full-time students, F-2 is meant for dependents. F-3 visa is issued to Mexican and Canadian students attending school part- or full-time in the US.

M visas are for non-academic or vocational study or training. M visas include both M-1 and M-2 visas. While M-1 visas are for vocational or non-academic studies, M-2 visas are issued to dependents.

There will be M-3 visas also. They are for Mexican and Canadian students attending vocational or non-academic studies. M-1 students may not work on- or off-campus while studying.

The J visa is for international exchange visitors participating in cultural exchange programs. J visas include J-1 for exchange students and J-2 for dependents. J-1 visa holders may be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.

Holders of F-2, M-2, and J-2 visas can also study in the US. J-2 visa holders can enrol as recreational or degree-seeking students and may petition for a change to F-1 status.

F-2 and M-2 visa holders are not allowed to work and must secure an appropriate work visa if seeking employment. However, J-2 visa holders may request work authorization from USCIS.

Image Credit: Iracha Tantiwongchaichan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Usa_j1_visa.jpg