Your Immigration Link to the World

Under U.S. Immigration law, there are three visas that allow a foreign national to receive education at an approved institution.  They are the F-1. J-1. and M-1 visas.  The F-1 visa is an academic visa that requires the foreign student to attend a four-year university or collage.  The J-1 visa is for an exchange student.  The M-1 visa is for a student seeking non-academic education such as attending a vocational school (i.e., mechanic, nursing, etc.) and is expected to return to his/her home country upon completion of the program.

An accompany spouse or child of an F-1 visa holder will have an  F-2 status, J-2 for the exchange visitor, and M-2 for the vocational student.  Additionally there are Border commuter visas for the Academic or vocational students (F-3 or M-3).  If a student qualifies, there is a J-1 Waiver that allows J-1 visa holders to waive certain requirements. 

• Academic / Language Training Student (F-1)
  

• Exchange Visitor (J-1)
  

• Vocational or Non-academic Student (M-1)
  

• J-1 Waiver (J-1W)