There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United
States. These visas are commonly known as the F and M visas.
F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time
student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high
school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training
program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in
a degree, diploma, or certificate and your school must be authorized by the U.S.
government to accept international students.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept
on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. There are various
programs available for F-1 students to seek off-campus employment, after the first
academic year. After they have been studying for one academic year, F-1 students
may engage in three types of off-campus employment.
M-1 Student Visa
The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other
nonacademic programs, not including language training, which falls under the F-1
visa.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept
on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions after the first
academic year. After they have been studying for one academic year, F-1 students
may engage in three types of off-campus employment; there are various programs available
for F-1 students to seek off-campus employment.