Visa category
US student and exchange visas
Student visas and related work authorization for academic and vocational study in the U.S.
03
guides in this category
Each covers eligibility, the filing process, fees, documents, and typical timelines, with the date it was last reviewed.
Three routes cover almost everyone who comes to the United States to study. The F-1 is the academic visa — universities, colleges, high schools, and English-language programs. The M-1 is for vocational and other nonacademic training, such as flight, technical, or trade programs. F-1 OPT is not a separate visa at all but work authorization attached to F-1 status, which lets students work in a job related to their field of study for a limited period.
All three begin the same way: admission to a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The school issues the Form I-20 you need to pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 application, and attend a consular interview. At that interview you will need to show you can pay for tuition and living costs, and that the purpose of your stay is study rather than open-ended employment or settlement.
Where the routes differ most is work. F-1 students can generally work on campus within limits and can reach off-campus experience through CPT and OPT. M-1 students generally cannot work during their studies, and practical training afterwards is short and tightly restricted. The type of program decides which visa you hold — the school issues the I-20 that matches it — but the difference in work rights is worth understanding before you commit to a program.
- F-1 OPT
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT lets eligible F-1 students work in a job directly related to their major for a limited period — typically up to 12 months, with a possible 24-month STEM extension.
Reviewed 2026-07-14 - F-1
F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 visa is for international students enrolled full-time in an academic program at a SEVP-certified school. You must show funding, maintain status, and treat study — not open employment — as the purpose of your…
Reviewed 2026-07-14 - M-1
M-1 Vocational Student Visa
The M-1 visa is for full-time vocational or nonacademic training at a SEVP-certified school — such as technical, flight, or trade programs.
Reviewed 2026-07-14
Common questions
- 01What is the difference between an F-1 and an M-1 visa?
- The F-1 covers academic study and the M-1 covers vocational or other nonacademic training. F-1 students are usually admitted for duration of status, while M-1 students are admitted for a fixed period tied to their program. F-1 students have access to on-campus work, CPT, and OPT; M-1 students generally cannot work during their program and can only apply for limited practical training once it ends.
- 02Is OPT a visa?
- No. Optional Practical Training is temporary employment authorization for F-1 students. After a recommendation from your school's Designated School Official, you file Form I-765 with USCIS and receive an Employment Authorization Document. You remain in F-1 status throughout. Standard post-completion OPT is typically up to 12 months, and graduates in eligible STEM fields may qualify for a further 24-month extension.
- 03Can I work on an F-1 visa?
- Within limits. On-campus employment is permitted with restrictions on hours during term. Off-campus work generally requires a specific authorization such as Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training. Unauthorized employment can terminate your status, so confirm with your school before accepting any job.
- 04Do international students pay US taxes?
- Often, yes. Most F-1 students are nonresident aliens for tax purposes during their first five calendar years in the United States. As nonresidents, their on-campus, CPT, and OPT wages are generally exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax, but federal and state income tax can still apply, and most students must file an annual form with the IRS even if they had no income.
Already know your status?
The visa guides cover getting the status. For what comes next — opening a bank account, understanding your first payslip, building credit, and sending money home — start with the visa money guides or browse the free calculators.