As an international student at IU, you’ll most likely have one of two types of nonimmigrant status: F-1 or J-1. All full-time students qualify for an F-1 visa. However, depending on your situation, you may also qualify for a J-1 visa.
The Office of International Services is a resource for you throughout your stay. Ask us any questions you have, and we will do our best to help you.
As a nonimmigrant student, you will face certain restrictions:
The F-1 or J-1 visa is a stamp placed in your passport by the U.S. embassy or consulate. You show this visa stamp at the U.S. border to request entry for F-1 or J-1 status. The only purpose of the visa is to present at the border to request permission to enter the country.
The expiration date of your visa does not determine how long you can stay in the United States for study. You can stay in the United States to study even if your visa stamp expires, as long as you’re meeting your F-1 or J-1 status requirements.
If you travel outside the United States after your visa expires, you will need a new visa stamp to return to the United States.
Your F-1 or J-1 visa status (also known as your immigration status) is what allows you to remain legally in the United States, even if your visa expires. This means you can stay in the United States as long as you continue to maintain a valid I-20 or DS-2019 and you continue to maintain your status requirements.
Your stay in the United States ends after you have completed your degree program as listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you apply for OPT or academic training, this can extend your status stay in the United States for that work experience.
Technically, while you are outside the borders of the United States, you have no U.S. status.
No matter which kind of immigration status you have, it is very important to follow all the rules and regulations necessary—including maintaining your status paperwork—to maintain your status. If you do not, you could be sent home before finishing your program.
| Question | F-1 | J-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Who is it for? | F-1 is the most common status for full-time international students in the United States. | J-1 is primarily for exchange students attending IU for a set time (typically a semester or academic year). |
| What type of funding must I have? | You can apply for F-1 status no matter how you are funding your education. | You may be eligible for J-1 status if you get at least one-third of your funding from a scholarship, fellowship, or an assistantship from a non-family or personal source, such as Indiana University, the Fulbright Program, your home government, or a corporate sponsor. |
| Which form will I receive? | I-20 | DS-2019 |
| May I work while completing my degree program? |
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| What about my dependents? | Your spouse and/or unmarried, under-21 child may not study full time (at the postsecondary level) or work. | Your spouse and/or unmarried, under-21 child may study full time or apply for a work authorization. |
| Is there a home-country physical presence requirement? | There is no home-country physical presence requirement. | You may be subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. |
| Where can I learn more? |
Maybe. If your circumstances change, you can sometimes switch to a different nonimmigrant status.
