Non-Immigrant Visas
Frequently Asked Questions
Student and Exchange Visas: F, J, M and Q
Pre-visa Issuance
Post-visa Issuance
You must convince the consular officer that you are a
bona fide student/exchange visitor, have a residence
abroad that you have no intention of abandoning, and
that you will depart the United States at the end of
your studies or program. Information to support your
application can include evidence of your immediate
family's social and economic situation (proof of
employment, property ownership, savings, and previous
U.S. visa(s)).
F and M visas will NOT be issued more than 120
days prior to the start date indicated on the form
I-20. J visas can be issued at any time prior to
the start date listed on the DS-2019. The Embassy cannot issue student
or exchange visas after the reporting date on your I-20/DS-2019
has passed or if it appears you will not be able to
enter the United States before the reporting date.
Yes, you may initiate the visa application process.
Present your letter of admission to the educational
institution you plan to attend. For the visa to be
issued and placed in your passport, you must submit the
original forms to us.
We can accept your application though the SEVIS fee
has not yet been paid. However, you must submit proof of
payment before the visa can be issued.
U.S. law does not permit foreign students to attend
public elementary school (kindergarten to 8th grade) or
a publicly funded adult education program. Hence, F-1
visas cannot be issued for study at such schools.
However, a F-1 visa can be issued for attendance at a
public secondary school (grades 9 to 12), but the
student is limited to a maximum of 12 months at the
school and parents required to reimburse the public
school for the full, unsubsidized per capita cost of
education for the intended period of study.
Note: This law does not pertain to holders of
J, F-2, H-4, L-2, or any other non-immigrant visa status
permitting elementary or secondary school attendance.
DHS regulations state that holders of F, M, or J
visas will not be admitted to the United States until a
date that is 30 days or less prior to the beginning of
your program start date (listed on your I-20 or
DS-2019). You may be denied entry into the United States
if you use the visa earlier than this thirty-day period.
Please consider that date carefully when making your
travel plans to the United States.
To return, you must present a valid passport, valid
F, M or J visa, and a properly endorsed, valid
I-20/DS-2019 form at the U.S. port of entry. The valid
F, M or J visa can be in an old or expired travel
document as long as you can present a new, valid
passport.
If you are a student/exchange visitor whose visa has
expired, you may remain in the United States as long as
you are in full-time student/exchange visitor status. On
your next trip outside the United States, you will need
to apply for and receive a valid F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa
to re-enter the United States.
F visa: 60 days after the conclusion of your studies.
J or M visa: 30 days after the official end of your
program.
You should apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at the same time
you apply for your J or M visa. If you decide to apply
for both visa types, you will need to pay two separate
application fees. To remain longer than the 30 days
permitted after the end of your program, you must
contact the Border Control and Immigration Services
(BCIS) office in the state you reside in and request a
change in status from your J or M visa to your B-1/B-2
visa. You should request this change in status about 2
months prior to the official end of your program.
Alternatively, you could leave the United States within
the 30 days after the end of your program and re-enter
on your B-1/B-2 visa.
There is no provision in U.S. visa regulations for
the transfer of a visa. However, it is not necessary to
replace a valid F, M or J visa in your expired or
expiring passport. When applying to re-enter the United
States after a short trip abroad (and obtaining the new
passport, of the same nationality), you should carry
your new and old passports together, along with your
valid I-20/DS-2019. If you find it inconvenient to
travel with two passports, you may choose to apply to
have a new visa placed in your new passport. Please note
that the application fee and other necessary fees will
be charged and there is no guarantee that a visa will be
granted. When applying for a new visa, you should
present a valid I-20/DS-2019 and proof that you are a
continuing, full-time student/exchange visitor in the
United States.
It depends on your situation....
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Non-Immigrant
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