United States · Student
United States F-1 / M-1 Student visa
First stay: 4 yrs
F-1 Academic Student / M-1 Vocational Student
Checked against official sources on Rule changed 15 Sept 2026Change log
Key facts
F-1 / M-1 Student visa is a student route for United States. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- $185 · $350
- First stay
- 4 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government fees$185 · $350
- $185Non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application fee for student visas; an issuance fee may apply by nationality.
- $350I-901 SEVIS fee for F or M visa applicants.
RenewalRenewable
To stay past the date on the Form I-94, an F-1 student must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay with a new Form I-20, the fee and biometrics, and show lawful status, a full course of study and either time left on the programme or a compelling academic or documented medical reason. Post-completion OPT and STEM OPT add further time.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Naturalisation requires years of lawful permanent resident status (5 years, or 3 if married to a U.S. citizen), so time in this temporary status does not count toward it.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Needs a place at a school or university in United States
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply4
- The student enrols full time.
- The student shows English proficiency or enrolment in courses leading to it.
- The student keeps a residence abroad that they do not intend to give up.
- Students may not study on visitor visas or the Visa Waiver Program for degree study.
What you must show1
- Sufficient funds for the entire course of study are required.
Documents3
- Acceptance by a SEVP-approved school is required.
- Registration in SEVIS with payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee (USD 350 for F or M applicants) is required.
- A Form I-20 signed by the student and the school is required.
Steps2
- The visa can be issued up to 365 days before the programme start.
- Entry is permitted no more than 30 days before the start date.
After you arrive1
- To stay beyond the admission date, the student must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay before it ends; the school's programme end date alone no longer extends the stay.
When you become tax resident
How United States decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 4 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 31 days in the current calendar yearMinimum days of presence in the current year.
- At least 183 days in the current year plus two preceding years (weighted 1, 1/3, 1/6)Weighted days of presence over the three-year period.
- Foreign-source income
U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.
All tax rules for United States Tax records checked
Full official text
Student visas for full-time study at a SEVP-certified school; F-1 for academic and language programmes, M-1 for vocational programmes. 1 2 3 4 5 6
What you must show and pay
- A fee of $185 · Non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application fee for student visas; an issuance fee may apply by nationality. 2
- A fee of $350 · I-901 SEVIS fee for F or M visa applicants. 5
- Savings · Sufficient funds for self-support during the whole proposed course of study;. 1
Requirements
- The student enrols full time. 1
- The student shows English proficiency or enrolment in courses leading to it. 1
- The student keeps a residence abroad that they do not intend to give up. 1
- Students may not study on visitor visas or the Visa Waiver Program for degree study. 2
- Sufficient funds for the entire course of study are required. 1
- Acceptance by a SEVP-approved school is required. 2
- Registration in SEVIS with payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee (USD 350 for F or M applicants) is required. 2 5
- A Form I-20 signed by the student and the school is required. 2
- The visa can be issued up to 365 days before the programme start. 2
- Entry is permitted no more than 30 days before the start date. 2
- To stay beyond the admission date, the student must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay before it ends; the school's programme end date alone no longer extends the stay. 4
Stay
- Since 15 September 2026 F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period, no longer for duration of status: the time needed to complete the programme on the Form I-20, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave. Language-training programmes are limited to 24 months and public high school to 12 months. A longer stay needs an extension of stay approved by USCIS.
- First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
No nationality restriction.
Work
F-1: on-campus work under conditions; no off-campus work in the first academic year, then CPT, OPT and STEM OPT or economic-hardship authorisation. M-1: practical training only after completing studies.
Family
Spouse and children may enter as F-2/M-2 with their own Form I-20; F-2/M-2 holders cannot take employment.
Official sources
- Students and Employment · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2025-11-20
- Student Visa · U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (Internet Archive copy) · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-07-03
- 8 CFR 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status (F-1 period of stay, practical training) · Code of Federal Regulations (Cornell Legal Information Institute copy) · checked 2026-10-10
- Final rule: fixed time period of admission and extension of stay for F, J and I nonimmigrants (91 FR 44976, 17 July 2026; effective 15 September 2026) · Department of Homeland Security, in the Federal Register (govinfo.gov) · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-07-17
- I-901 SEVIS Fee · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program: notice of the final rule published 17 July 2026 · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
F-1 / M-1 Student visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 / M-1 Student visa | – | 4 yr, renewable | Limited |
| J-1 Exchange visitor | – | 4 yr | Limited |
| Student residence Mexico | Needs income of MXN 26k+ a month ≈ $1,410 | – | – |
| Student visa V Colombia | – | 2 yr | Yes |
| Student stay Costa Rica | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the F-1 / M-1 Student visa?
A fee of $185. Non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application fee for student visas; an issuance fee may apply by nationality. A fee of $350. I-901 SEVIS fee for F or M visa applicants.
How long can I stay on the F-1 / M-1 Student visa?
Since 15 September 2026 F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period, no longer for duration of status: the time needed to complete the programme on the Form I-20, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave.
Can I work on the F-1 / M-1 Student visa?
Limited. F-1: on-campus work under conditions; no off-campus work in the first academic year, then CPT, OPT and STEM OPT or economic-hardship authorisation.
Can I bring my family on the F-1 / M-1 Student visa?
Spouse and children may enter as F-2/M-2 with their own Form I-20; F-2/M-2 holders cannot take employment.
How are F-1 / M-1 Student visa holders taxed in United States?
No special regime in our records is tied to the F-1 / M-1 Student visa. The standard rules apply: U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.
More in United States
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about this route AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Students and Employment · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10
- Student Visa · U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (Internet Archive copy) · checked 2026-10-12
- 8 CFR 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status (F-1 period of stay, practical training) · Code of Federal Regulations (Cornell Legal Information Institute copy) · checked 2026-10-10
- Final rule: fixed time period of admission and extension of stay for F, J and I nonimmigrants (91 FR 44976, 17 July 2026; effective 15 September 2026) · Department of Homeland Security, in the Federal Register (govinfo.gov) · checked 2026-10-12
- I-901 SEVIS Fee · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program: notice of the final rule published 17 July 2026 · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.