Student Visas (F-1)
Foreign nationals entering the United States to pursue a degree program at a United States university or college are issued an F-1 Visa. This visa allows them to remain in the United States throughout the course of their educational program. To obtain an F-1 Visa, the student must first be accepted at the school, obtain an I-20 from the Foreign Student Advisor at the school and then present these documents to a U.S. consulate to obtain the visa. The consulate will issue the F-1 visa if the student can show sufficient resources to finance their tuition and living expenses in the United States, and that the student has a foreign residence, which the student intends to return to upon completion of the educational program.

Dependents: Spouses and minor children of F-1 Visa holders may be issued F-2 visas if the student can show an ability to support family members while residing in the United States. F-2 Visas may be obtained at the same time as F-1 visas by showing the required family relationships and financial documentation. F-2 Visa holders are not permitted to work in the U.S. without, but may attend school.

Arrival in the U.S. Upon entry into the United States, the student will receive an I-94 Departure Record which indicates the date of entry and a notation of "D/S". This notation stands for "Duration of Status." The I-94 card will allow the student to remain in the United States as long as they are continuing their course of study on a full-time basis.

Employment During Course of Study: Students are eligible for several types of employment authorization while participating in their degree program.

On-Campus Employment: Students may be employed on campus for 20 hours or less per week. During vacations and other recesses this time period may be increased to 40 hours per week. Positions that would qualify for on-campus employment include positions in the library, dining hall, bookstore, etc. On-campus employment is only available during the course of the student’s study. An Employment Authorization Document from the USCIS is not required.

Curricular Practical Training: Students may also be eligible for curricular employment. This type of employment would include internships and other employment opportunities that are a part of the student's course of study, and for which the student will receive educational credits. It should be noted, however, that students who receive one year or more of full-time curricular practical training are NOT eligible for Optional Practical training upon the completion of their degree program. Curricular practical training is not available to students during the first nine months of their education. An Employment Authorization Document from the USCIS is not required.

Economic Necessity: Students who are facing economic difficulties may also obtain work authorization while they are pursuing a full course of study. This employment is limited to 20 hours per week and the student is required to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS. To obtain the required EAD card, the student must show strong evidence of economic necessity. This benefit is only available to students who have completed one full academic year and are in good academic standing.

Optional Practical Training: F-1 Students must apply for optional practical training (OPT) BEFORE graduation. F-1 students are now eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT after completing a program at a higher level. For example, if a student uses 12 months of OPT after his/her Bachelor’s degree, would be eligible for 12 more months of OPT after finishing a Master’s degree. Employment taken under this program must be related to the student's course of study and approved by the Foreign Student Advisor. Students must obtain an EAD prior to commencement of employment.

Pre-Graduation: Students may use their Optional Practical Training prior to graduation. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and may be increased during annual vacations and school recesses. Any periods spent in pre-graduation practical training will be subtracted from the overall ceiling of 12 months on all optional practical training. For this purpose part-time employment will be counted at half the full-time rate, i.e. one month of part-time pre-graduation practical training is equal to two weeks of optional practical training.

Post-Graduation: Upon on completion of a degree program, students are eligible for one year of Optional Practical Training. All optional practical training must be completed within 14 months of the student's graduation from the degree program. Students may not commence employment until they have obtained an EAD from the USCIS.

Obtaining an EAD: To obtain an EAD, a student must have their I -20 annotated by the Foreign Student Advisor overseeing their studies. The notation must indicate that the student is cleared for employment and indicate the dates the student is eligible to work. The student must then submit an application for a Employment Authorization Document (I-765) to the Immigration and Naturalization Service along with a check in the amount of $120, the original I-20, and two USCIS -style photographs.

The USCIS will then issue an Employment Authorization Documents to the student by mail. The document is similar to a driver's license and will contain the student's picture, signature and state the dates of the authorized employment. It normally takes the INS between 90 and 120 days to complete the processing for an EAD. For employment programs where an EAD is required (Economic Necessity & Optional Practical Training), students are not permitted to commence employment until they have received their EAD.