Students and Exchange Visitors
ALERT: On Aug. 27, 2024, USCIS updated its policy guidance regarding when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The update also clarifies guidance concerning online study, school transfers, the grace period, and study abroad.
If you wish to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies in the United States, you may be eligible for one of two nonimmigrant student categories. The “F” category is for academic students and the “M” is for vocational students. To learn more, please see the Students and Exchange Visitors Program page on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
If you wish to participate in an exchange program you may be eligible for the “J” category for exchange visitors. The J visa program is for educational and cultural exchange programs. For more information, please see the USCIS Policy Manual and the Exchange Visitor Visa page on the Department of State website.
| Students: Academic and Vocational (F and M visas) | |
|---|---|
| Exchange Visitors (J visas) | |
| F-1 | Academic students |
| F-2 | Spouses and children of F-1 |
| F-3 | Canadian or Mexican national academic commuter students |
| M-1 | Vocational students |
| M-2 | Spouses and children of M-1 |
| M-3 | Canadian or Mexican national vocational commuter students |
| J-1 | Exchange visitors |
| J-2 | Spouses and children of J-1 |
U.S. Federal Tax Information
Noncitizens temporarily present in the United States as students, trainees, scholars, teachers, researchers, exchange visitors and cultural exchange visitors are subject to special rules with respect to the taxation of their income.