What is the difference between F- 1, M- 1 and J- 1 visas for American students?

F- 1 visa, M- 1 visa and J- 1 visa are all for American students, but there are some differences between them. The validity period and visa use right are different. So what's the difference between the three? Let's get to know each other.

F- 1 What is the visa?

The American F 1 visa is issued to students studying full-time in the United States. There is no quota. You can work on campus with an F 1 visa, and you need special approval if you want to work off campus. F2 visas are issued to spouses and children of international students (F 1 visa holders. If you have received the admission notice from an American school, you can apply for a non-immigrant visa of F 1 from the American embassy or consulate abroad or the Immigration Bureau. However, these schools must be recognized by USCIS and be qualified to recruit foreign students.

F 1 visa validity period

The validity period of F 1 visa is generally 1-5 years. As long as students re-enter the United States within 5 months after leaving the United States, and your visa has not expired, and you are still studying in the school shown on the I-20 form, you can travel freely to and from the United States at any time without re-visa.

M- 1 visa

If you want to study or train in a non-academic or vocational education institution in the United States, you should apply for an M- 1 visa.

Visa M 1 can stay in the United States for no more than 18 months at a time. Ordinary people get 1 year, but they must apply for an extension after 1 year. The extension period depends on the courses studied, but the maximum time limit is one year.

J- 1 visa

Tourist visa to the United States -J- 1 visa. Conditions for international students to obtain an F- 1 visa:

Short-term visits, internships, study tours and training opportunities from American-recognized educational institutions, language training centers, primary schools, junior high schools, community colleges and universities, including those with state school degrees;

Have certain English communication skills;

Prove that you have the ability to study and live in America.

Students with J- 1 visa are not allowed to work on or off campus, excluding internships related to courses.

Students with J- 1 visa must return to their own countries after their own projects are completed, and they cannot stay to study for their degrees (except for state-owned students who work or stay;

If you want to apply for residence, you need to get an exemption from China and the United States for two years, or return to the United States after two years. When J- 1 status is exempted, J-2 status is also exempted, including children and spouses.

If you want to apply for exemption, you need to meet the following conditions before the United States will accept it:

With a personal passport, the applicant's purpose is to study abroad, and the applicant has settled with the former domestic unit in terms of economy and housing.

Have a registration record in the Education Office of the China Embassy in the United States;

Doctoral students, master students and undergraduates (including transfer students and doctoral students jointly trained by China and the United States) funded by the National Scholarship Fund Committee shall settle their relations with the National Scholarship Fund Committee after receiving their doctoral degrees in China;

There is an exemption number page issued by the State Council, USA.

What's the difference between F, M and J visas?

The "F" visa is issued to international students who are engaged in academic research in the United States, while the "M" visa is issued to international students who are engaged in non-academic or vocational research. In addition, the common visa is the exchange visiting scholar visa (J visa. F- 1 and M- 1 Spouses and children of student visa holders can apply for their derivative visas (F-2 or M-2. Parents and other family members cannot apply for F-2/M-2 visas.