F1 and J1 student visas

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By

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

Reviewed

February 2024

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If you are a non-citizen and came to the United States to study at a college or university, you most likely have either an F1 or J1 visa. Both of these visas allow you to attend school full-time and work at an on-campus job while you are studying. But there are some important differences between the two visas, and all international students should know which visa they have and what it allows them to do.

If you are unsure of what type of visa you have, or want to know what options are available to you, contact the office for international students at your school or an experienced immigration lawyer.

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My non-citizen spouse and/or child came to the United States with me. Are they allowed to study and work?

F2 Visas

People with F2 visas, meaning they are the dependent spouse or child of someone with an F1 visa, are able to study but are not able to work in the United States. See the USCIS website for details.

J2 Visas

People with J2 visas, meaning they are the dependent spouse or child of someone with a J1 visa, are allowed to study and work. People with J-2 visas cannot use their employment income to support the person with the J-1 visa. See the USCIS website for details.

I have a student visa and I’m about to graduate. What are my options for staying in the United States?

F1 Visas

If you are here on an F1 visa and are graduating, you have 60 days after you graduate to change your status or leave the country. You may have options for staying up to 1 year. If your field of study was related to science, technology, engineering, and math you may be able to extend this to 17 months. After this time period, you may be able to stay on an employment-based visa, if you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you.

J1 Visas

If you are here on a J1 visa and are graduating, you have 30 days after you graduate to change your status or leave the country. You may have the option for staying up to 18 months after graduation if you already have a job offer or offer for post-doctoral research. You cannot use this time to find a job; you must already have received an offer. Also, you may be required to return to your home country and live there for at least 2 years if you received funding from the government of your home country. You can seek a waiver of this requirement in some circumstances, if you are.

What if I want to travel outside the United States, but plan on returning using my J1 or F1 visa?

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan on reentering the U.S.

Also, before you leave the U.S. you should consult your school’s office for international students or an immigration lawyer to find out what paperwork you need to have when you return. Don’t wait until you want to return to the U.S. to make a plan. There may be important documents you need to reenter. Without these documents, you may not be allowed to return, even if you only left for a short time.

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My non-citizen spouse and/or child came to the United States with me. Are they allowed to study and work?

F2 Visas

People with F2 visas, meaning they are the dependent spouse or child of someone with an F1 visa, are able to study but are not able to work in the United States. See the USCIS website for details.

J2 Visas

People with J2 visas, meaning they are the dependent spouse or child of someone with a J1 visa, are allowed to study and work. People with J-2 visas cannot use their employment income to support the person with the J-1 visa. See the USCIS website for details.

I have a student visa and I’m about to graduate. What are my options for staying in the United States?

F1 Visas

If you are here on an F1 visa and are graduating, you have 60 days after you graduate to change your status or leave the country. You may have options for staying up to 1 year. If your field of study was related to science, technology, engineering, and math you may be able to extend this to 17 months. After this time period, you may be able to stay on an employment-based visa, if you have an employer who is willing to sponsor you.

J1 Visas

If you are here on a J1 visa and are graduating, you have 30 days after you graduate to change your status or leave the country. You may have the option for staying up to 18 months after graduation if you already have a job offer or offer for post-doctoral research. You cannot use this time to find a job; you must already have received an offer. Also, you may be required to return to your home country and live there for at least 2 years if you received funding from the government of your home country. You can seek a waiver of this requirement in some circumstances, if you are.

What if I want to travel outside the United States, but plan on returning using my J1 or F1 visa?

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan on reentering the U.S.

Also, before you leave the U.S. you should consult your school’s office for international students or an immigration lawyer to find out what paperwork you need to have when you return. Don’t wait until you want to return to the U.S. to make a plan. There may be important documents you need to reenter. Without these documents, you may not be allowed to return, even if you only left for a short time.

What are the differences between F1 and J1?

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