F1 Student Visa

Reviewed overview of F1 student visa requirements and status maintenance.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-012 Official sources

F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 is the most common nonimmigrant student visa for academic study in the United States. It allows foreign nationals to enroll full-time at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, or language training program.

Who qualifies

To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must:

  1. Be accepted by a SEVP-approved U.S. school and receive a valid Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).
  2. Intend to pursue a full course of study at the listed institution.
  3. Have sufficient funds to cover tuition, living expenses, and travel for the entire program (consulates require documented proof).
  4. Maintain a foreign residence you do not intend to abandon (F-1 is a nonimmigrant intent visa; unlike H-1B, it does not have dual intent).

How to apply

  1. Receive Form I-20 from your accepting school.
  2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350 for F-1 students) at fmjfee.com.
  3. Complete Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application).
  4. Schedule and attend a consular interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.
  5. If approved, receive your F-1 visa stamp and travel to the United States no earlier than 30 days before your program start date.

Maintaining F-1 status

Maintaining valid F-1 status is your ongoing responsibility:

  • Enroll full-time every semester (unless granted a reduced course load by your Designated School Official, or DSO).
  • Keep your I-20 valid. If your program end date approaches, request an extension from your DSO before it expires.
  • Do not work off-campus without prior authorization (see Employment below).
  • Report address changes to your DSO within 10 days.

Employment options

On-campus employment: Up to 20 hours per week during the academic year; full-time during school breaks. No authorization required.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Work authorization for internships or co-ops that are an integral part of your curriculum. Authorized by your DSO; must earn academic credit or be required for your degree. Begins during your studies.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months of work authorization directly related to your field of study. Can be used pre-completion (up to 12 months total, counted against post-completion OPT) or post-completion. Apply with USCIS Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD); apply 90 days before you want to start.

STEM OPT Extension: If you hold a STEM degree (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) and work for an E-Verify employer, you may extend OPT by an additional 24 months, for up to 36 months total post-completion.

Grace periods

After your program end date (or OPT end date), you have a 60-day grace period to either transfer to another school, change your visa status, or depart the United States.

Dependents

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may enter on F-2 dependent visas. F-2 dependents may not work in the United States; children may attend K–12 school.

Official sources

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Student visa regulations change and DSO guidance is institution-specific. Consult your international students office and a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.

This content is for informational purposes only.