EN 
ES Student & Visitor Visas
Pursue Your Dreams or Discover New Places with the Right Visa
What Are Student & Visitor Visas?
Student and visitor visas allow foreign nationals to enter the United States temporarily for education or tourism. The F-1 visa is for full-time academic students attending a U.S. school, college, or university. The J-1 visa covers exchange programs, while the B-2 visa is intended for tourists visiting the U.S. for leisure or medical reasons. Each visa has specific requirements, and our team can help determine which one is right for your goals.
Student (F-1/J-1) & Visitor Visas (B-1/B-2)
F-1 Student Visa
We help international students apply for and maintain F-1 student visa status in the U.S.
The F‑1 visa is a nonimmigrant category for individuals pursuing full-time academic studies at SEVP‑certified U.S. institutions—colleges, universities, secondary schools, language programs, and conservatories. Applicants must receive a Form I‑20 from their school, demonstrate sufficient financial resources, and maintain nonimmigrant intent—i.e., plan to depart the U.S. upon program completion.
Students must remain enrolled full-time (unless approved for reduced load) and avoid unauthorized employment. Some F-1 students might be eligible for employment and employment options include:
- On-campus work
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for internships integral to the curriculum
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)—up to 12 months pre- or post-completion; STEM graduates may qualify for extensions
A 60-day grace period follows program completion for departure, transfer, or status change.
What are the F‑1 visa requirements?
Must be accepted to an SEVP school, have Form I‑20, prove sufficient funding, and intend to leave the U.S. at the end of studies.
What happens during the visa interview?
Officers confirm intent to study (not immigrate), ability to pay, program choice, and English literacy, asking questions about academic plans and ties to the home country.
Can F‑1 students work?
Depends. Some students, depending on the type of the program and type of study, can be authorized to work on campus, and through CPT or OPT if authorized. Unauthorized employment violates status and can lead to termination of the status.
How long can I stay on F‑1 status?
Duration of Status (“D/S”) is valid as long as you’re enrolled and maintaining status. A 60-day grace period applies after the program ends.
What if I want to travel during my program?
You need a valid visa, passport, and a travel signature on your I‑20 (issued within the past year). Automatic visa revalidation may allow shorter trips to Canada/Mexico without a valid visa. Please note that only students with a valid F-1 visa can travel abroad. F-1 students that changed their status while in the U.S. will lose their status if they travel abroad.
B-1/B-2 Visas
We defend individuals in deportation proceedings, fighting for relief and protection from removal.
The B‑1 visa permits temporary entry to the U.S. for specific business activities, such as consulting with associates, attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or short-term training.
The B‑2 visa allows entry for tourism, visiting family or friends, medical treatment, or participation in amateur events.
Often issued as a combined B‑1/B‑2 visa, it allows multiple entries over a validity period typically ranging from 1 to 10 years, but each stay is limited to up to six months (extensions may be granted).
Applicants must prove nonimmigrant intent (ties abroad), financial ability to support the trip, and intend to remain temporarily.
Holders cannot work, study for credit, or engage in unauthorized employment, though exceptions exist (e.g., medical elective clerkships, unpaid volunteer service for religious or charitable organizations).
How long can I stay in the U.S. on a B‑1/B‑2 visa?
Typically up to six months per visit, with possible extension up to one year by filing Form I‑539. The visa’s expiration date allows multiple reentries but does not dictate stay length.
Can I work while on a B‑1/B‑2 visa?
No. working for U.S. companies is prohibited. However, legitimate business activities (meetings, conferences) are allowed under B‑1. Unauthorized employment may result in visa cancellation
What counts as legitimate B‑2 travel?
Tourism, visiting friends/family, participating in amateur events, medical treatment, or short recreational courses not for credit. Study or paid performances are excluded.
How can I prove I’ll return home?
You must provide evidence of ties abroad like employment, assets, family, enrollment—and demonstrate you have sufficient funds for your stay.
What happens if I overstay?
Overstaying can lead to visa cancellation, risk of inadmissibility for future visits, and possible bans. It’s critical to depart the U.S., extend or change your status before the expiration of your I-94.
J-1 Visas
We represent exchange visitors in securing J-1 visas for cultural and educational programs.
The J‑1 visa is a nonimmigrant permit issued by the U.S. Department of State for participants in approved educational and cultural exchange programs including scholars, researchers, students, interns, au-pairs, camp counselors, and trainees. Applications begin with a DS-2019 form issued by a designated sponsor and require payment of the I‑901 SEVIS fee.
Participants may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date and are granted a 30-day grace period after completion for departure. They must maintain status compliance and may engage only in program-approved activities, with any work requiring sponsor approval.
Certain J‑1 categories (e.g., government-funded, those in shortage fields, or medical training) are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement (INA §212(e)), meaning they must return home for two cumulative years before applying for H, L, K visas, or a green card—unless a waiver is obtained.
Who sponsors J‑1 programs and what is DS-2019?
Designated sponsors (government, academic, and private institutions) issue Form DS-2019, the certificate of eligibility required to apply for a J‑1 visa at a U.S. consulate.
When can I enter the U.S. and how long may I stay?
You may enter up to 30 days before the program starts and have a 30-day grace period after completion. Stay duration varies by category—from weeks to years.
Can I work or study while on a J‑1 visa?
Work or academic activities must be authorized by your sponsor and listed on your DS-2019. Unauthorized employment violates status.
What is the two-year home residency requirement?
Some J‑1 holders must return abroad for two cumulative years before becoming eligible for certain U.S. visas or green cards, unless they obtain a waiver.
Can I extend my program or start a new one after completion?
Extensions are available within the maximum allowed duration for your category. To start a new J‑1 program, you must obtain a new DS-2019 and visa, and may face a two-year bar between participation in some categories.
J-1 Waiver
We represent exchange visitors in securing J-1 visas for cultural and educational programs.
Certain J‑1 exchange visitors are subject to a two-year home‑country physical presence requirement under INA § 212(e). A waiver allows eligible individuals to bypass this requirement and become eligible for H, L, and immigrant visas without returning abroad.
To request a waiver, applicants must:
- File Form DS‑3035 (online J‑1 Waiver Recommendation Application) and submit supporting documents to the Department of State’s Waiver Review Division, including a $120 fee and DS‑2019 records.
- Provide justification under one of the following grounds:
- No Objection Statement from their home country’s government.
- Exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or LPR spouse/child (file Form I‑612 with USCIS).
- Persecution upon return (also uses Form I‑612).
- Interested Government Agency request, including Conrad 30* for J‑1 physicians.
Upon a favorable recommendation, the DOS forwards the case to USCIS, which issues the final waiver approval.
*Conrad 30 waivers allow J‑1 physicians to work in underserved areas without home‑country residence.
Who must file for a J‑1 waiver?
Exchange visitors subject to INA § 212(e), such as those funded by the U.S./foreign government, in shortage-field programs, or medical training recipients must obtain a waiver before obtaining an H, L, or immigrant visa.
What are the available waiver grounds?
- No Objection Statement,
- Exceptional hardship to U.S. spouse/child (Form I‑612),
- Persecution risk (Form I‑612),
- Government agency interest, including Conrad 30 physician waivers.
What is the Conrad 30 waiver?
A Conrad 30 waiver is an Interested Government Agency route allowing J‑1 physicians to work in federally-designated shortage areas for at least three years in exchange for waiver approval.
Can my J‑2 dependents benefit?
Yes. If the principal J‑1 obtains a waiver, accompanying J‑2 family members are included—though separate petitions are sometimes required for individual circumstances.
Change of Status
We assist individuals already in the U.S. in changing from one nonimmigrant status to another.
Form I‑539 is used to extend or change nonimmigrant status for eligible individuals already in the United States. Common uses include changing status to student (F‑1/M‑1), dependent statuses (H‑4, L‑2, TD), or renewing certain visas.
Applications must be filed before the current I‑94 expires, and USCIS recommends filing at least 45 days in advance . If filed on time, applicants may remain in the U.S. during processing, even beyond I‑94 expiration, for up to 240 days. However, approval takes effect on the date of adjudication, and prior visas become invalid upon a change of status.
Some categories—like F‑1, M‑1, T, U, and certain dependents—may use Form I‑539; others (e.g., H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, E‑1/2/3, TN) require Form I‑129.
Who can file Form I‑539?
Nonimmigrants in eligible categories—F‑1/M‑1 students, H‑4/L‑2/TD dependents, T/U nonimmigrants, and some others—can file I‑539. Others (e.g., H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1) must file Form I‑129.
When should I file for a change or extension?
USCIS recommends filing at least 45 days before I‑94 expiration. Early filing allows continued stay even if I‑94 expires during adjudication—up to 240 days.
What happens to my visa if status changes?
Upon approval, your new status takes effect on the adjudication date. Your existing visa may no longer be valid—so you’ll need a new visa for future travel.
Can I stay in the U.S. after filing?
Yes, if timely filed, you remain in lawful status while I‑539 is pending for up to 240 days, but must follow conditions of your prior status until approval.
Can I travel while the change is pending?
No. Leaving the U.S. during processing generally abandons your application. Travel should only occur once the change is approved and, if required, a new visa is obtained .
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