1. Temporary Visas for Studying
F-1 Visa
Issued to individuals to attend colleges/universities/language institutes
The F-1 visa is the most common type of student visa in the United
States.
The "F" visa is reserved for nonimmigrants wishing to pursue
academic studies and/or language training programs.
F1 visa is given only through "academic" institutions.
The student must show that he/she has:
A full course of study (at least 18 hours)
Proficiency in English
Financial Ability

2. Temporary Visas for Studying
F-1 students must not work in US without prior authorization from Citizenship & Immigration Services. Only when students are in financial crisis may CIS approve F-1 students to work.
An individual on F-1 visa is exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes on their wages, but likewise may not receive benefits from those social programs.
F-2 (dependent) visas are given to families of an F-1 student.
F-2 visa-holders are prohibited from any form of compensated employment. However, minor children may attend public schools.

3. Temporary Visas For Studying
The student must Maintain his or her status at all times
Maintaining Status
Extensions- Must be done prior to the date on his or her Form I-20 (Certificate of Student Eligibility)
Reinstatement- Students tries to regain his or her status after falling out of status. This must be done not more than 5 months after being out of status.
60-Day Grace Period- After completion of his or her studies, the student has 60-days after their F-1 status expires to leave the U.S.
If the student withdraws from school, he has 15 days to leave the U.S. or change his status.

4. Temporary Visas for Studying
Employment with the F-1 Visa
SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System)
--The SEVIS requires authorized educational institutions, such as universities, laboratories, non-profit organizations and secondary schools, to monitor international students and scholars and maintain their records.
-- The SEVIS can only be accessed by the Designated School Officials (DSOs), who are authorized by DHS to use the system.
--The SEVIS tracking must be done within 3 days of the beginning of the semester.
--SEVIS was created as a result of 9/11.

5. Temporary Visas for Studying
OPT (Optional Practical Training)
A time frame during which undergraduateand graduate students who have completed (or have been pursuing their degrees for more than 9 months) are permitted by the USCIS to work for at most one year on a student visa without needing to acquire a work (H-1B)visa towards getting a practical training to complement their field of studies.
EAD (Employment Authorization Document)
Known popularly as a “work permit.” (Complete form I-765)
Allows the holder the legal right to work in the U.S.
If an alien possess a valid EAD, he or she is authorized to
freely work in the United States without having their employer to file a
non-immigrant worker petition
EAD card contains basic info. about the alien: name, DOB, sex,
immigrant category, country of birth and photo, alien registration number (A number), card number, restrictive terms and conditions and dates of validity.

6. Temporary Visas for Studying
F-1 Visa: Required Forms
Certificate of Eligibility (Student Status)
Form I-20 A-B or I-20 ID
Form I 20 M-N
Form DS 156 with Form DS 158
Form DS 157- If applicable
Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)
Form I-20, current employment letter and last three years of income tax returns
F-1 Visa: Required Documents
Valid Passport
Form I-94
1 recent passport style photo
MRV fee receipt; visa issuance fee (if applicable); SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
Degrees/Certificates
Resume
Transcripts and diplomas
Standardized test scores
Proof of relationship to spouse/children (birth certificate/marriage certificate)

7. Temporary Visa for Studying
The J-1 Visa
A J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued for exchange visitors.
The purpose of this visa is to expose foreign students to the unique culture and heritage of the U.S.
Exchange visitors are expected to leave the United States at the completion of their program and return to their home country.
The J-2 Visa
A J-2 visa is issued to spouses and dependents of J-1 exchange visitors.
A person admitted on a J-2 visa is not permitted work in the U.S. unless they are granted a work permit.
Visitors to the U.S. on the J-2 visa are permitted to study without having to apply for an F-1 (Student) visa.
The J-2 visa expires and becomes invalid at the same time as the corresponding J-1 visa

8. Temporary Visas for Studying
J Visa: Exchange Aliens Forms
Required:
Form DS 2019
Form DS 156
Form DS 157
Form DS 158
Form I-134
Form I-20
J Visa: Exchange Aliens
Documents Required:
A recent passport style photo
Educational Degrees/Certificates
Resume
Valid Passport
Form I-94

9. Temporary Visas for Studying
M Visa
Used for an approved course of study leading to a specific educational or vocational objective.
The documents and forms required are the same as for the F-1 Visa
The M-1 visa holders can:
travel in and out of the U.S. (on short trips and return) or remain in the country continuously until the completion of their study program;
transfer from one college to another;
work lawfully on-campus on a part-time basis;
work lawfully off-campus on a project study that's related to their area of study; and
apply for an “M2 visa’, for family members (spouse and kids under 21) accompanying them to the U.S.

10. Temporary Visas for Studying
M Visa Documentation
Original valid passport and any previous passports still in alien’s possession;
Completed Form DS-156 (application for a nonimmigrant visa) and Form DS-158.
DS-157 for male students between years old
A police certificate;
Original Form I-20M-N issued by the intended school;
Permission letter from the school/college where the alien plans to study
Evidence of financial support.
M Visa Fact: The 9-11 terrorist who attended flight school
in Florida had an M Visa