International Students (F-1)

Thousands of foreign-born academic students study at universities and training programs across the United States.

If you wish to pursue academic studies in the United States, you may be eligible for “F-1” status.

This page explains how you can obtain an F-1 visa, how you can qualify for a work permit under Optional Practical Training (OPT) and how to change your status from F-1 student to H-1B professional employee, and then to permanent residence in the U.S.

“I hired Carl and his team of attorneys to help me acquire permanent residency in the United States. Carl has extensive experience both as an INS Prosecutor, and in private practice, which gives him a thorough understanding of the entire immigration process. He is also well-versed in U.S. immigration policy, and keeps up with the latest trends in immigration law.” (More client reviews…)

This page is divided into the following subtopics:

• General Information
• Recent University Graduates
• Employment for University Students
• Guides to Studying in the U.S.
• SEVIS-Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Study in the States (DHS)
• Education USA: Your Guide to U.S. Higher Education (State Department)
• Students and Employment (USCIS)

RECENT UNIVERSITY GRADUATES

Graduation day is approaching and you’ve finally made it. You are about to receive your diploma and go out into the working world. You and your classmates are competing for the best jobs, but you feel at a disadvantage because you are not a U.S. citizen or even a green card holder. How are you supposed to navigate through the strange new world of immigration laws and procedures?

This is a practical guide for foreign-born students about to graduate from universities in the U.S.:

• Practical Training
• Temporary Working Visas: Who is Eligible?
• Procedure to Obtain H-1B Status
• Numerical Limitation
• Family Members
• Duration of H-1B Status
• Applying for Permanent Residence
• Employment-Based Immigration
• What is PERM?
• Alternatives to Labor Certification
• Getting Your Green Card

EMPLOYMENT FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS/GRADUATES

• Optional Practical Training (ICE)
• Extension of OPT Program for Qualified Students (USCIS)
• Optional Practical Training Update (ICE) – (4-23-10)
• Judge Rejects Student Visa Injunction Sought by H-1B Opponents (8-07-08)
• Opponents Challenge OPT Extension Rule in Court (5-31-08)

  Supplemental Questions & Answers: Extension of Optional Training Program for Qualified Students (5-23-08)

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Regulations (4-08-08)
• Updates to Post-Completion Optional Practical Training – 30 Pages (4-25-08)

  USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status (4-18-08)

  Questions and Answers: Extension of Optional Practical Training Program for Qualified Students (4-10-08)

• STEM Designated Degree Programs (ICE) – Effective date: April 8, 2008
• OPT Regulations FAQ (USCIS) – (4-04-08)
• USCIS Announces Increase from 12 to 29 Months for OPT for “Certain” Students (4-04-08)

  Classification of Instructional Programs: 2000 Edition – National Center for Educational Statistics – U.S. Department of Education (5-24-02)

  Social Security For Students

GUIDES TO STUDYING IN THE U.S.

• International Education Service
• Institute of International Education
• International Student Organization
• Kaplan
• Princeton Review
• Embark
• U.S. Journal of Academics

SEVIS – Student & Exchange Visitor Information System

• Student and Exchange Visitor Program (ICE)

  NAFSA’s SEVP/SEVIS Information Pages

• SEVP Approved Schools (5-4-09)
• INS’s Final SEVIS Regulations (12-11-02)

  Interim Student and Exchange Authentification System (ISEAS) – DOS Regulations (9-18-02)