F1 Visa Rules and Regulations

F1 Visa Rules and Regulations are immigration policies that are applicable to international academic students in the US. F1 Visa Rules cover the requirements and eligibility for F-1 Visa, international student working rights, and travel restrictions. An F-1 Visa allows international students to reside in the United States while taking an academic course or program at an approved educational institution. 

The US Embassy modified the application procedure for F1 Visas and updated the F1 Visa Rules and Regulations in 2022. Two issues are addressed by the revised F1 Visa Rules for 2022. First, it was the large volume of Indian applicants for F-1 visas that caused the US Embassy’s computer system to crash. Second, many visa interview slots were purchased by fraudulent candidates. According to the new F1 Visa Regulations, students whose F1 Visa applications were turned down in the summer or spring of 2022 are no longer qualified for another interview in 2022. The US government updated its software to eliminate rejected candidates from the system.

What are the F1 Visa Rules?

F1 Visa Rules are immigration policies specific to international academic students. The F1 Visa Rules have been changed based on the recommendations of the US Embassy. The new F1 Visa Rules 2022 address 2 issues. First, the US Embassy’s computer system broke down due to the significant number of F-1 Visa applications from India. Second, illegitimate applicants bought a large number of visa interview slots. With the new F1 Visa rules, students with denied F1 Visa applications in the summer or spring of 2022 are no longer eligible for another interview in 2022. The US government has modified its software to remove rejected applicants from the system.

The new F1 Visa Rules 2022 advise students to check the interview dates at the US Embassy website. Students should make an appointment after receiving the required documentation from their preferred universities. 

These are the basic rules when securing an F1 Visa.

• Institution certification: The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Immigration & Customs Enforcement must have granted approval to the college or university where you intend to study.
• Enrollment Status: You must be registered as a full-time student at the institution.
• Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after the completion of your program.
• English language: You must either have the minimum level of English language proficiency required by the institution you are attending, or you must be enrolled in classes that will help you get there.
• Funding: You must demonstrate that you have the resources necessary to pay for your academic and living costs while you are studying in the US.
• Home country residency: You must have a home in your country of residence to return to after completing your degree.  

What is the US Visa Rule?

The US Visa Rule is made of the regulations and requirements for foreign citizens to travel, enter, and stay in the United States. The US Visa Rule requires foreign nationals visiting the United States to get a US Visa to enter the United States legally. Foreign nationals from a country that is a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) or exempt from visa requirements can enter the United States without a visa. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows nationals from certain countries such as Singapore, Australia, and Germany to temporarily enter the US without a visa for 90 days. 

What is an F1 Visa?

An F1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa that gives foreign students a chance to live in the United States while enrolled in a US university. An F-1 Visa allows international students to come to the United States to study for a limited time before returning home. The benefits of an F1 Student Visa include the freedom to study, live, and travel abroad without losing your US nonimmigrant status.

Who is eligible for an F1 Visa?

These are the eligible individuals for an F1 Visa.

• Enrolled in a language training program
• Accepted by a trade program
• Registered in an academic educational program at a college or university

The Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP) Immigration and Customs Enforcement must certify your school.

What are the Validity Rules for F1 Visa?

Your F1 Visa is valid as long as it is stated on your I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) and I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) documents, which you receive when you enter the United States. When your visa expires, you have 60 days to prepare to return to your home country.

Form I-20 demonstrates your rightful enrollment in a study program in the United States. Form I-94 states your legal status, the number of days you may stay, and the date you anticipate leaving the US.

What are the Rules of CPT for an F1 Visa?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus employment. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) gives you the opportunity to get on-the-job training as part of your academic program. 

These are the 7 rules of the F1 Visa Curricular Practical Training.

1. You must be in good standing and you must have attended school full-time for at least 1 year (excludes graduate students whose program requires CPT)
2. You must get a job offer prior to submitting a request for CPT authorization.
3. The employment offer must relate to your field of study or major.  
4. The school is an essential part of your degree program, or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) must approve the job offer.
5. The ISO must alert the United States Citizenship and Immigration Center (USCIS).  
6. The CPT must be a prerequisite for a course or an essential part of your degree, for which you get academic credit. 
7. The CPT should take place prior to the end date of your degree, as shown on Form I-20

The CPT is only valid for that particular company and the designated dates. You may take part in many CPT programs at once. Approved CPT programs are allowed to pay salaries and wages.

What are the Rules of OPT for an F1 Visa?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for an F1 Visa is a temporary job. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is closely related to an F-1 student’s major field of study. You may apply for an F1 Visa Optional Practical Training for up to 12 months before or after completing your degree. The whole amount of pre-completion OPT time will be subtracted from the post-completion OPT time that is left. 

These are the 5 rules for an OPT.  

1. You must use the time period between the commencement date and the expiration date of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card.
2. Your primary field of study must be a factor in every job you hold.
3. You must report any changes to your employment or address within 10 days of the change via the SEVP portal.  
4. You are only permitted to be unemployed for 90 days.
5. Your I-20’s page 2 travel signature is only valid for 6 months while you are on OPT.

You must be employed or actively pursuing employment while on OPT. 

What are the Rules of USCIS for an F1 Visa?

The rules of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an F1 Visa are listed below.

• You must be enrolled in an educational program that is “academic,” a program for language learning, or a program for vocational training.
• Your school must be authorized by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
• You must be a full-time student registered at the university.
• You must be a native English speaker or be enrolled in classes.
• You must have enough money set aside to maintain yourself for the duration of the desired course of study.
• You must have enough money set aside to maintain yourself for the duration of the desired course of study.
• You are required to keep a residence overseas that you don’t intend to give up.

The student applicant must strictly adhere to the USCIS rules on F1 Visa: How to Be a US Immigrant. 

What are the Rules for Working with an F1 Visa? 

The rules for working in the United States as an F-1 student are based on the type of employment you are engaged in. There are 2 different ways for international students from all around the world to lawfully work in the US on an F1 visa. These are on-campus employment and off-campus employment. In this section, we’ll discuss the F1 Visa Working Requirements for each type of employment you’re allowed to do as a foreign student in the USA.

On-Campus Employment

Students are only allowed to work 20 hours per week when regular classes are in session, but they are allowed to work up to 40 hours during extended breaks, holidays, and summer sessions.

According to the rules, a student on an F1 Visa is not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week during a regular session. Working for more than 20 hours a week might result in deportation status and non-reinstatement of the F1 Visa status.

 Despite the fact that the work must be done on campus, certain off-campus locations are permitted by USCIS guidelines. These off-campus locations include work done under an assistantship, scholarship, fellowship, or postdoctoral appointment. Off-campus work is permitted in 2 situations: first, work that is “educationally related” to the institution; and second, a workplace associated with the university. An example of this situation is when a student works with a professor on research projects supported by outside grants.

Off-campus Employment 

International students with F1 visas are not allowed to work off-campus without the Designated School Official’s (DSO) permission.

The Designated School Official (DSO) may allow off-campus employment in situations of extreme financial difficulties. Extreme difficulties refer to an increase in tuition. medical expenses, or a dramatic fall in the value of a student’s native currency. You must maintain good academic standing for at least 1 academic year to work off campus due to serious financial difficulty.

Employment at gas stations, motels, hotels, and liquor stores is prohibited. You should refrain from engaging in such risky and illegal activities.

What are the Rules for Traveling with an F1 Visa?

You must confirm that you have certain documents when making travel arrangements. These are the 6 F1 Visa Travel rules for international students in the USA.

1. Speak with your DSO. The DSO will make you aware of the applicable laws and regulations. Your Form I-20 will be verified by the DSO. To be authorized to travel, the DSO must sign Form I-20. Once you have the signature, you can travel without needing another one because it is good for 1 year.
2. Make sure that you have a valid I-20. The DSO will update your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records for the time you will be traveling. You must make sure that your Form I-20 is valid for the time you are traveling. You will not be able to enter the US with an expired I-20 form. Apply for a new one if your Form I-20 is close to expiring, and wait for processing until you travel.
3. Be aware that an F1 Visa allows for a maximum 5-month absence from the US. Your absence will be noted on your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record for those 5 months. Your DSO will switch it on once you arrive back. Your SEVIS will be in terminated status if you are gone from the US for more than 5 months. This implies that after your return, you will need to obtain a new Form I-20.
4. Ensure your passport is valid. The next step is to confirm that your passport is still valid. You will need a passport to go back and enter the US. You can renew your passport if it is about to expire before your trip by sending it to a US embassy. Another alternative is to renew it while you are abroad and then travel back to the US.
5. Check the validity of your F1 Visa. Examine the validity of your US F1 Visa. Your F1 Visa must be valid for the entire duration of your trip. Apply for a new visa before your trip if the current one is about to expire. You cannot enter the US if your visa has expired. You must enter the US with your previous passport and visa if you obtain a new passport. You won’t be able to pass through Customs and Border Protection (CPB) if your new passport doesn’t contain a current US visa.
6. Gather the necessary documentation. Ensure you have these documents before leaving the US for another country.

• Passport that will still be valid 6 months after you return to the US.
• Current F1 Visa.
• Valid I-20.
• Documents attesting to your financial situation, including the following.
  • bank records
  • letters of scholarship award
  • letters from sponsors
• Documents demonstrating your enrolment at a US university, such as the following. 
  • letters of acceptance
  • unauthorized transcripts
  • student ID
• Form I-901.
• receipt for SEVIS fees.
• Letter from the university confirming your registration and outlining your enrollment details, such as your major, or research interests. 

Plan your travel arrangements to another country with an F1 Visa. Follow the rules for traveling with an F1 Visa to make your trip productive.

What are the Rules of the IRS for F1 Visa?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies the majority of F-1 students as nonresident aliens. A nonresident alien for tax purposes is an individual who is not a US resident but receives certain forms of income in the United States. Nonresident aliens are taxed only on the income they received from within the U.S. and/or income associated with a U.S. trade or business and are exempted from other types of taxes. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules on F1 Visa Tax Exemption applies to F-1 students who have been present in the United States for less than 5 calendar years. These foreign students are not required to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on wages paid to them while working in the US according to the F1 Visa Tax Exemption rule. 

The IRS requires F1 students to submit form 1040-NR. The 1040NR form is the federal tax return form used by nonresident aliens, trusts, and estates to submit their tax returns in the United States. You will have to file Form 8843 with the IRS if you didn’t earn any money while in the US. The US government requires certain nonresident aliens to file Form 8843, which is an informational document. The rules on F1 Visa Tax Exemption 

Depending on the state, you might also be required to submit a state tax return. These are the 9 states that do not require income tax filing.

1. Alaska
2. Florida
3. Nevada
4. New Hampshire (taxes only investment income, not earned income)
5. South Dakota
6. Tennessee (taxes only investment income, not earned income)
7. Texas
8. Washington
9. Wyoming

What are the Credit Score Rules for an F1 Visa?

F1 students are not required to have a credit score in the US except if they decide to. These are the rules to follow for Earning Credit Scores with F1 Visa if you want to apply for credit.

Credit Cards. A credit card is one of the simplest ways for an F1 Visa student to establish credit in the US. You can get a good credit score by using a credit card properly. Use your credit card regularly for purchases. Pay off your balance each month or week to establish credit. Create an automatic payment for the minimum required each month to make sure you never miss a payment. Manually pay the remaining balance of what you have spent on the card.

Bank Account. There are a few ways to use a bank account to establish credit. Open a checking and a savings account, if you can. Transfer money to your savings account regularly. You can also set up direct debit to make sure that you always pay your bills and costs on time.  

Utility Bills. Set up monthly transfers from your bank toward your rent, utilities, and bills to ensure you pay on time. Another strategy to show lenders that you are responsible with your payments and will be a qualified applicant for a loan or credit option is to make timely payments on all of your utilities. You can ask for evidence of payment for each of your utility bills.

Store Credit Cards. Store credit refers to credit cards for a specific store. Store credit cards provide you with benefits like savings and advance notice of promotions. Make payments on time to get a credit limit as large as a standard credit card.

Supplementary Cards. Supplementary cards are simple. An authorized user can be added to the account of the principal cardholder. This user can be a friend, caretaker, or part of the family. The principal user is in charge of managing the account, even if each new card will have a different credit card number. Make sure the principal cardholder has a good credit score.

What are the Rules on Student Loans for F1 Visa?

Private student loan lenders have certain rules when it comes to accepting and approving F1 Visa loan applications from foreign students. International students in the USA sign up for F-1 Student Loans to help sustain their education and living expenses in the US. These are the main factors that private student loan lenders take into account before approving your F1 Visa Student Loan request.

• US credit history and score. Your chances of receiving a private student loan are increased by higher credit ratings. With good credit, you are eligible for lower interest rates if you have good credit in the US, however, if you don’t have good credit, you might decide to apply with a cosigner.
• Earnings and debt. Even if your income is modest, having a source of money enables you to apply for an F1 Student Loan. Lenders take into account your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which assesses the relationship between your monthly income and debt payments. Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) should be lower if you want to qualify for better loans.
• Enrollment in an accredited educational course of study. Before approving your loan, the lender gets in touch with your school to verify your enrolment. The lender verifies that you aren’t borrowing more money than is necessary to pay for your tuition and other educational expenses. Full-time enrollment is required in order to qualify for a private F1 Student Loan. Keep in mind that not all universities and degree programs will be accepted by the lender.

Can an F1 Visa Attorney Help with F1 Visa Rules and Regulations Compliance?

Yes, an F1 Visa Attorney is able to advise you regarding the F1 Visa Rules and Regulations that you need to follow in order to maintain a valid student status in the US. An F1 Visa Attorney is an immigration lawyer who is an expert on U.S. Immigration and Nationality law and specializes in the F-1 Visa rules, application, renewal, and extension. Consulting with an F1 Visa Attorney regarding matters that affect your student status in the USA ensures that you remain compliant with USCIS standards and requirements.

FAQs about F1 Visa Rules and Regulations