F-1 visa

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant, full-time, student visa that allows foreigners to pursue education in the United States.

Description

The F visa is reserved for non-immigrants wishing to pursue academic studies and/or language training programs. F-1 visas are given only through academic institutions. Vocational education is not included in F-1 visa; for vocational education, an M visa should be obtained. F-2 (dependent) visas are given to families of an F-1 student. F-2 visa-holders are prohibited from any form of compensated employment. However, minor children may attend public schools.

Employment

Except for on-campus employment of 20 hours a week or less, F-1 students are generally not permitted to work in the US without prior authorization from Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, the USCIS may grant work authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students are permitted to work for a total of 40 months towards practical training (eg. internship), which can be distributed between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). An interim order was passed on April 8, 2008 allowing students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to legally work under OPT for 29 months. During the period of OPT, a F-1 student is not permitted to accrue more than 90 days of unemployment.

Taxation

F-1 visa holders are exempt from paying FICA Taxes, Social Security and Medicare, for a limited time. However, they are subjected to federal taxes, and state/local taxes, if applicable. Students on F-1 filing their (federal) income taxes who have been in the USA for 5 years or less need t