F-1 non-immigrants, as defined in
the immigration laws, are foreign students pursuing a full course
of study in approved colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories,
academia high schools, private elementary schools, other academic
institutions, and in language training programs in the United
States.
An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant
visa issued by a United States Consulate abroad to an alien who
is coming to the United States to pursue full-time studies in
a US academic institution. Generally, the US consular officer
has the total discretion to grant the visa or not.
An F-1status is a nonimmigrant
status issued by the USCIS (formerly INS) to the alien student
who is pursuing studies in the US. To obtain the F-1 status, an
alien who is outside the US needs to apply for an F-1 visa first
at a local US Consulate abroad. On the day that s/he is admitted
into the US on an approved F-1 visa, s/he becomes an F-1 status
holder. For those who are already in the United States in an another
nonimmigrant status, such as B-1/B-2, H-1..., they may apply to
change to F-1 status in the US or outside the U.S. through Third
Country Visa processing. (For persons who are subject to the J-1
two-year foreign residency requirement, the only option for change
of status is via Third
Country Visa processing.)
For more information
on F-1, please click on the following links:
Description
SEVIS
Application for an F-1 Visa
Obtaining an F-1 Status at the port
of entry
Change into F-1 Status in the U.S.
Eligibility for change into
F-1 Status in the U.S.
Maintaining F-1 Status
Change Name and Address
Transfer of School
Time limitation of F-1 Status
Extension of F-1 Status
Grace Period
F-1 Status reinstatement
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Change from F-1 Status to H-1B
Change from F-1 Status to immigrant
status
Spouse and Children of F-1
Attorney and filing fees
Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers
The Impact of I-140 Filing on F-1
Students
Memo: Be Aware of Abandonment of COS and AOS Applications
