This document provides information about obtaining a student visa (F-1 or M-1) to study in the United States. It outlines the types of visas available, requirements for a student visa including proof of acceptance, sufficient funds, intention to depart after completion of study, and English proficiency. The required documents for a student visa application are a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, photo, I-20 form, and SEVIS fee receipt. F-1 visa holders may be allowed limited on-campus employment and practical training related to their field of study after completing their studies.

1. HOW TO GET A VISA
IPOS DE VS

2. TYPES OF VISAS
 Tourism and Business
 Study in the United States (F & M)
 Exchange Programs - Au Pairs, Summer Work, bilingual teachers, etc.
(J)
 Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P)
 Religious Worker (R)
 Domestic Employees (B1, A-3, G-5)
 crew members (C1,D)
 investors (E1, E2)
 Press and Media (I)
 diplomats and officials (A, G, C-3)
 Trafficking in Persons and Victims of Crimes (S,T, &U)

3. My visa is requested Study in the United
States (F & M)
 Should I have a student visa to study in the United States, and my
course of study and the type of school that i am going to attend to
determine if you need a visa F-1 or M-1 visa.
 An applicant who wants to study in a vocational or nonacademic program,
such as a culinary institute or flight training, must apply for an M visa.

4. REQUISITOS
 Once you have applied for and have been accepted into a
certified school in the U.S, then you may apply for a
student visa, following the instructions on the How to
Apply for a Visa page. Please apply as early as possible to
provide ample time for visa processing. The Immigration
and Nationality Act is very specific about the
requirements which must be met to qualify for a student
visa.

5. Applicant must demonstrate the
following:A LA VISA
 Acceptance at a school
 Possession of sufficient funds to pursue the
proposed course of study
 Preparation for the course of study
 Intention to leave the United States upon
completion of the course of study
 Unless coming to participate exclusively in an
English language program, sufficient knowledge of
the English language to undertake the course of
study

6. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The required documents for this type of application are
the following:
 A valid passport
 The confirmation page from the DS-160 Application
form
 A photograph (for requirements see TIPS for the DS-
160 )
 Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Student Status
 SEVIS Fee Receipt

7. Employment as a student
Students on F visas may be able to work during their studies
under certain conditions with permission from the Department
of Homeland Security. Students on either F or M visas may
work after their studies under three different practical
training programs (curricular, option, or STEM – Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). When authorized,
practical training is temporary employment directly related to
the student’s area of study. To learn more, please refer to
the ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Tourism
If you are planning to travel to the United States primarily for
tourism but want to take a short course of study that is
recreational, and the course is less than 18 hours per week,
you may be able to do so on a B-1/B-2 visa. However, if your
primary purpose of travel is to study, you will need a student
visa.