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Nonimmigrant Visas

General Information

Opening Hours

Arrival-Departure Record (I-94)

Our Service Commitment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Voluntary Departure/ Bond Returns

How to Read Your Visa

Application Process

Renewal of Lost, Expired, or Mutilated Visas

What to Expect

Additional processing

Visa Refusals

Visa Types

Business/Tourist

Student/Exchange

Work

Diplomatic/Official(A/C3/G)

Petition-based (H/L/O/P/Q)

Specialty Position E-3

FAQ

Immigrant Visas

American Citizen Services

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: STUDENT Visas (F1/M1/J-1)

What are the differences between F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas?
Can I apply for my F-1 or M-1 visa without the I-20 form?
Can I apply for my J-1 visa without the DS-2019 form?
What is the I-901 SEVIS fee?
Do I still have to pay the MRV processing fee if I have paid the SEVIS fee?
How can I pay the SEVIS fee?
The consular officer took my I-20 or DS-2019 when my visa was approved. Will I get it back?
Can I work in the United States on an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa?
Can my spouse work or study on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa?
Can my children go to public school on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa?
My child is traveling to the United States on a short exchange program. Does he/she need a student visa?
When can I apply for my student visa?
How long does it take to get a visa?
I am not an Israeli citizen. Can I apply for a visa in Israel?
I received a visa based on the I-20 from one school but decided to change schools. Do I need a new visa?
How do I get my passport back?
When can I enter the United States with my student visa?
How long can I stay in the United States?
My visa application was denied. Can I reapply?
Can I get the money back from the $100 processing fee if my application is denied?
My passport has expired, but I have a valid F, M, or J visa in it. Do I need a new visa?
I travel to the United States at least once a year on a research project. Is there any way to avoid coming back for a new visa every year?
During my visa interview, I was told that my application required additional processing that would last several weeks. What does that mean, and how long will I have to wait?

What are the differences between F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas?

Applicants for an F-1 visa have been accepted by an approved college, university, seminary, conservatory, high school, middle school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or in a language training program in the United States. The applicant's acceptance is evidenced by a completed certificate of eligibility (form I-20 A-B) signed by the applicant and the designated school official.

Applicants for an M-1 visa plan to attend established vocational or other recognized non-academic institutions. For example, students attending culinary schools use this category. The approved institution indicates its acceptance of the applicant through a completed certificate of eligibility (form I-20 M-N). The certificate must be signed by the applicant and the designated school official.

J-1 visa holders, or “exchange visitors” are usually participating in programs approved by the U.S. Department of State to teach, study, or research, receive training, or to participate in a program to receive graduate medical education. J-1 visas are also appropriate for applicants planning to perform on-the-job practical training in specialized fields for periods not exceeding 18 months, do an internship, or work as an au pair or camp counselor in the United States. In order to apply for a J-1 visa, applicants must have been accepted into an approved program. Evidence of your acceptance is the form DS-2019, sent directly to you by the US sponsor, and registration in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Can I apply for my F-1 or M-1 visa without the I-20 form?

You can set up your visa interview appointment and fill out and print the necessary application forms through the Internet at http://visainfo.us-visaservices.com/ before you receive your I-20 form. However, you must bring the original, signed I-20 form to your visa interview in order to receive the visa. If you come to the visa interview without the original I-20, your application will be delayed.

Can I apply for my J-1 visa without the DS-2019 form?

You can set up your visa interview appointment and fill out and print the necessary application forms through the Internet at http://visainfo.us-visaservices.com/ before you receive your DS-2019 form. However, you must bring the original, signed DS-2019 form to your visa interview in order to receive the visa. If you come to the visa interview without the original DS-2019, your application will be delayed.

What is the I-901 SEVIS fee?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. Select SEVIS to go to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Internet site and learn more.

Applicants for F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas (not including participants in U.S. Government programs and Fulbright scholars) for programs that began after September 1, 2004 must pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. Applicants must bring proof of payment to their visa interviews.

Do I still have to pay the processing (MRV) fee if I have paid the SEVIS fee?

Yes. Almost all visa applicants for any type of visa must pay the processing or MRV fee. In addition to the processing fee, most students and exchange visitors must pay the $100 SEVIS fee. To determine if you need to pay the SEVIS fee, see Visa Fees or check with your school or program manager.

How can I pay the SEVIS fee?

You must pay the SEVIS fee before your visa interview and bring the receipt to the interview. Applicants can pay the SEVIS fee in one of the following ways:

Through the Internet at www.fmjfee.com by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901 (Fee for Remittance for Certain F, M, and J Nonimmigrants); or
Through the mail by submitting a completed Form I-901 and a check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank and payable in U.S. currency and sent to the DHS address listed on the Form I-901; or
Through the Western Union Quick Pay service; or
By a third party such as a school or sponsor; or
By selected sponsors of an exchange program by submitting a bulk or group payment.

The consular officer took my I-20 or DS-2019 when my visa was approved. Will I get it back?

Yes. The I-20 or DS-2019 will be returned to you in an envelope with your passport and visa. Please do not open this envelope. Your I-20 must remain in this sealed envelope until you reach the U.S. At the airport, the immigration inspector will open the envelope as part of the process of admitting you to the United States to begin your studies. Should you open the envelope prior to arriving, the immigration inspector may not allow you to enter the U.S., or you may be admitted only after a lengthy delay.

Can I work in the United States on an F-1 or M-1 visa?

Holders of M-1 visas may only engage in employment if it is a required part of their practical training and if the employment has been approved in advance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It is possible in certain limited circumstances for the holder of an F-1 visa to obtain permission to work in the United States. You may not work off campus at all during the first year of study on an F-1 visa. However, if the university gives its permission, you may accept work on campus. After the first year in student status you may apply for a employment off campus as long as you have obtained authorization from USCIS. Please contact your student advisor for further information.

Can my spouse work or study on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa?

Spouses of F-1/M-1 students on F-2/M-2 visas may study while in the United States but are not permitted to work.

The spouse of an exchange visitor may not work in the United States on a J-2 visa unless permission has been obtained in advance from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. An application for permission to work can only be made after the J-2 visa holder's arrival in the United States and will be considered in light of policies then in effect. Spouses may study on a J-2 visa; they are not required to obtain an F-1 visa to study unless they wish to.

Can my children go to public school on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa?

Children of F-1, M-2, or J-1 visa holders with derivative F-2, M-2, or J-2 visas may study at public schools while the principal applicant is in status in the United States. They do not need to obtain F-1 visas.

My child is traveling to the United States on a short exchange program. Does he/she need a student visa?

If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may be able to do so on a visitor visa. This usually includes elementary or high school students traveling on short exchange programs to visit schools in the United States. If your course of study is more than 18 hours a week, you will need a student visa.

When can I apply for my student visa?

Applicants for F-1 and M-1 visas and their families can apply for their visas up to 120 days before classes begin. Continuing students may apply for new F or M visas at any time, as long as they have maintained their student status and their SEVIS records are current. J-1 visa applicants and their families may apply at any time.

Please keep in mind that summer is a very busy time to apply for a visa, both for tourist visas and especially for student visas. We recommend that you plan ahead and schedule your visa interview early enough to leave time before you leave for the United States. See How to Apply for more information.

How long does it take to get a visa?

The exact length of time varies from case to case, but the vast majority of applicants should receive their visa a few weeks from the date the application is submitted, including the wait time prior to the appointment. For most applicants, passports with visas will be returned to applicants in two or three days following the interview.

For Typical Appointment Wait and Processing Times click here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php
All applicants should be aware that the times given are current averages, and are subject to sharp seasonal fluctuations. Processing wait time DOES NOT include the time required for additional administrative processing or special requirements. In such cases, processing wait time will vary based on the individual circumstances of each application.

I am not an Israeli citizen. Can I apply for a visa in Israel?

While applicant of any nationality can apply for a visa in Israel, it will be more difficult for a consular officer to determine your eligibility if you are not a resident of Israel. We suggest you apply in the country where you currently reside. However, if you do live in Israel, you can apply for a visa in Israel if you bring documents showing your ties to Israel, such as a job, school, or family. You should also expect questions about your ties to your home country as well.

I received a visa based on the I-20 from one school but decided to change schools. Do I need a new visa?

If you have changed schools or universities before your first entry into the United States, you must apply for a new student visa with the new I-20 from the new school. If you have already started studying and you change schools, you may re-enter the United States with the still valid student visa and the new I-20 reflecting the new school. You will need to re-register in SEVIS and bring proof of your SEVIS payment

How do I get my passport back?

If your visa application is approved, you must leave your passport at the Embassy after your interview. Your passport will be returned to you within 3-5 business days via a local courier service. Please let the consular officer know during your interview if you have immediate travel plans that prevent you from leaving your passport.

When can I enter the United States on my student visa?

F-1/F-2, M-1/M-2, and J-1/J-2 visa holders may enter the United States up to 30 days before the designated registration date on the I-20 or DS-2019 forms. The 30-day limitation does not apply to students returning to resume studies; they may enter the U.S. at any time.

How long can I stay in the United States?

When you enter the United States on an F or M student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F visa in your passport expires while you are in America. The holder of an F visa may remain in the United States for up to 60 days following the completion of the course or practical training.
The holder of an M visa may remain in the United States for the period of time it will take to complete the course of study as indicated on the I-20 plus 30 days, or for one year, whichever is less.

J visa holders may stay in the United States up to 30 days after the completion date on the DS-2019.

If you wish to remain longer that this time, you will be required to apply for an adjustment of status or extension of stay from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services having jurisdiction over your place of residence in the United States.

My student visa application was denied. Can I reapply?

Yes. There is no restriction on the number of times a person may apply for a visa. However, without additional evidence of binding social, familial, or economic ties that demonstrate a compelling need to return to Israel after visiting the United States, there may be little reason to apply a second time. It may be prudent to wait, usually 6 months to a year, until there is new evidence of such ties before reapplying.

Can I get the money back from the $100 processing fee if my application is denied?

No. The processing fee is nonrefundable. You will need to pay a processing fee each time you apply for a visa and this fee is not returned if you are denied again.

My passport has expired, but I have a valid F, M, or J visa in it. Do I need a new visa?

If you are still studying on the same program, you will not need a new visa. You can simply enter the United States with both the new passport and the old passport with the valid visa.
However, if you have started a new program, or if you plan to travel to the United States for another purpose such as tourism or work, you will need to obtain a new visa.

I travel to the United States at least once a year on a research project. Is there any way to avoid coming back for a new visa every year?

It is very common for researchers to travel to the United States on a J-1 visa on a recurring basis. However, the consular officer cannot issue a J-1 visa with validity past the end date of the program named on the DS-2019. Thus, the applicants will need to obtain new J-1 visas each time they travel to the United States for this program. Applicants who travel often to the United States to the same institution on the same research program should consult with the program officials to discuss alternatives.

During my visa interview, I was told that my application required additional processing that would last several weeks. What does that mean, and how long will I have to wait?

The time required for administrative processing varies with each case. Be assured that we work hard to process all visa applications to conclusion as quickly as possible. In general the process takes 4-6 weeks, though sometimes the processing can last longer or be completed in much less time.

Some applicants with technical or scientific backgrounds will be asked to send more information to the Embassy after the interview. In this case, the sooner you can return the requested information to us, the sooner we can move ahead with the visa process. Please be aware that in most cases, these applicants will receive a visa valid for one year, not the usual ten-year visa.

Applicants who need to undergo fingerprinting after the visa interview may be asked to bring in copies of police records before a visa can be issued.