For all those who wish to study in the United States without having the ultimate goal of settling permanently, there are two visa categories: the “F” visa, which is for academic studies, and the “M” visa, which is for non‑academic or vocational studies. In this article, we will talk about F‑1 visas.
F‑1 Visas
This type of visa is for students who wish to attend a university or another academic institution in the United States. This includes elementary and secondary schools, as well as English‑language training programs.
This visa is not intended for students of U.S. public elementary schools (from preschool through 8th grade) or for students in state‑funded adult education programs, as this is prohibited under U.S. immigration law.
Students applying for an F‑1 visa to study in U.S. public high schools (from 9th through 12th grade), between the ages of 14 and 18, are limited to a maximum stay of 12 months and must demonstrate that they have paid the full cost of their education before their visa can be processed.
Students attending private elementary and secondary schools are not affected by this regulation.
Likewise, foreign students may not use the immigration status of their relatives in the United States for the purpose of attending public high schools. These provisions do not apply to students attending private high schools, nor do they affect dependents of other visa categories, such as those covered by E, H, L, or J visas.