student phd visa

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• Visas and immigration
• Work in the UK

Graduate visa

A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.

You must be in the UK when you apply.

Eligibility

You can apply for a Graduate visa if all of the following are true:

• you’re in the UK
• your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• you studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
• your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course

You can ask your education provider if you’re not sure whether they’ve told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course.

Check if your course is eligible and how long you need to have studied in the UK .

If you’re not eligible for a Graduate visa, you may be eligible for another type of visa to stay in the UK .

How long you can stay

A Graduate visa lasts for 2 years. If you have a PHD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.

Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa .

Check you can apply for another type of visa to stay in the UK .

How to apply

You must apply online .

Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

When to apply

You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.

You can apply after your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office that you’ve successfully completed the course you took with your Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa. You do not have to wait until you’ve graduated or have been given a certificate.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

Your application may take longer if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.

You can stay in the UK while you wait for a decision.

How much it costs

When you apply for a Graduate visa, you’ll need to:

• pay the £822 application fee
• pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £1,035 for each year you’ll be in the UK

Check how much it will cost .

If you work in public sector healthcare

If you’re a doctor or nurse, or you work in health or adult social care, check if you’re eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead. It’s cheaper to apply for and you do not need to pay the annual immigration health surcharge.

If you get a job in public sector healthcare after you have paid the healthcare surcharge, you may be able to get a refund .

What you can and cannot do

With a Graduate visa you can:

• work in most jobs
• look for work
• be self-employed
• continue living in the UK with your partner and children , if they’re eligible
• do voluntary work
• travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits ( public funds ), or the State Pension
• work as a professional sportsperson

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Graduate visa.

Studying with a Graduate visa

You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa . If your course is eligible for a Student visa, you can extend your Student visa instead.

You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics.

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Office of Global Services

PhD Students

Georgetown’s classrooms and academic life benefit from an exceptionally talented community of international doctoral students. In addition to the many University resources available to our international Hoyas in F-1 and J-1 status, the PhD website and Frequently Asked Questions provide targeted information to help students maintain legal status and maximize immigration benefits as they pursue their unique academic and professional objectives.

Considerations for F-1/J-1 PhD Students

    f-1 status.

• The majority of Georgetown doctoral students study in F-1 status.
• Students who apply for F-1 work authorization after completion of the dissertation remain in F-1 status while waiting for their authorization to be approved and throughout the 12-month OPT (and when applicable the 24-month STEM OPT) period.
• Doctoral students in F-1 status receive a Form I-20 for 7 years. The document is always shortened when a student defends earlier than expected.
• It is the student’s obligation to contact OGS if the source of funding changes during the period. OGS does not search out the student to present new documentation at the end of the five-year funding period.
• Extending beyond the 7-year period is rare, however, if there are extraordinary circumstances beyond a student’s control, the justification must be presented by the dissertation advisor in writing and the student must submit sufficient funds to cover the length of the extension.
• OGS only keeps F-1 records and related documents for 3 years following completion of studies or any post-completion work authorization period. It is essential that students safeguard their immigration documents with their other government documents.
• F-1 students must enroll in the normative credit requirement on record with the GSAS for their program of study. As part of that normative courseload requirement, only one course can be taken online. Students in the dissertation phase of their studies must enroll in a section of thesis research that makes them full time.

    J-1 Status

• Very few Georgetown students study in J-1 status. It is essential that students review the  F-1/J-1 Comparison Chart (PDF)  prior to selecting J-1 status.
• J-1 status is part of the Department of State’s  Exchange Visitor Program .
• Students in J-1 status are expected to take advantage of the many opportunities available to interact with Americans and learn about the United States.
• J-1 students must submit an evaluation at the end of every internship opportunity.
• Eligibility requirements and restrictions are available on the  Admitted F-1 and J-1 Students page.
• J-1 students cannot research or study abroad outside the United States and leave their SEVIS record active. This means that to return to the United States after each research or study experience would require a new immigration document and a new SEVIS 1-901 Fee. It may also impact the number of months available for Post-Completion Academic Training (AT).
• J-1 students must be authorized for each and every on-campus work position as well as all off-campus work positions. J-1 dependents are allowed to apply to the government for work authorization.
• Some J-1 students have a two-year home residence requirement before they can change their immigration status to a more permanent immigration status.
• J-1 students must enroll in the normative credit requirement on record with the GSAS for their program of study. No online courses may be counted toward the full-time courseload.
• Health insurance is required for all Exchange Visitors and their dependents. The insurance must meet the U.S. State Department’s  health insurance requirements .

    Renewing the F-1/J-1 Visa

• Students are not obligated to renew an expired visa if they do not intend to travel outside the United States. While pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward degree, students may remain in the United States with an expired visa stamp.
• All visas must be renewed at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the United States. If you would like to renew the visa prior to its expiration, the Embassy or Consulate will generally accept an application to renew a visa that is expiring within 6 months.
• OGS recommends renewing the visa in the student’s home country to avoid any distress if there is a delay in processing. At the time of the consular interview to renew the visa, the consular officer will ask to see updated funding documents from either Georgetown University or the student’s personal or family funds. Bank statements from family members must be accompanied by a support letter from the person listed on the bank account.
• Students must be prepared to reiterate their nonimmigrant intent at each visa interview.
• OGS recommends bringing a letter from the department confirming the student is making normal progress toward degree completion if renewing a visa after year 5.
• OGS recommends bringing an unofficial transcript to show full-time enrollment each semester.
• Some students wish to renew their expired visas in Canada. Students must check the Canadian website to see if a visa is required to enter Canada as a tourist for the interview at the US embassy. They must also check the U.S. Embassy in Canada website to see if visa applications are considered by citizens of the student’s country.

    Work Authorization

• All off-campus paid and unpaid positions require work authorization prior to the start of the internship/training.
• All GU-funded students with service obligations need a Social Security Number (SSN).
• All first-year students who do not have an SSN but have been awarded a Georgetown non-service stipend will need an ITIN for taxes. To apply for an ITIN, you should wait to file your federal tax return via Sprintax (promo codes available from OGS mid-February to mid-April). Sprintax will assist with preparing your ITIN application in tandem with your federal tax return. Please review our Tax Website for more information .
• Students with a non-service stipend are not permitted to work on-campus, in paid or unpaid positions.
• Students with a service stipend are restricted to a  combined total  of 20 hours per week, for all on- and off-campus positions.
• F-1 PhD students may work on campus without any special authorization and are limited to 20 hours per week during required academic terms. During summer vacation, there is no limit to the number of hours a student can work on campus.
• J-1 PhD students must get OGS authorization to work in each and every on-campus position. Students are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year and may work full-time during summer vacations.
• Work for any organization other than Georgetown requires authorization prior to beginning the internship/training. Working without proper authorization jeopardizes a student’s legal status.
• Work with an International Organization (IO) is a specific type of off-campus authorization available to students who wish to work with one of the approved international organizations. While an excellent alternative to CPT, the timing is always complicated because these applications are adjudicated by USCIS and take 3-4 months for approval. Students cannot work until they have the application is approved and they have received the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) (3-4 month processing with USCIS)
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (3-5 days in OGS)
• Work with an International Organization (IO) (3-4 month processing with USCIS)
• CPT is highly scrutinized by the U.S. government. Students may enroll in internship courses up to 3 times if new skills are being learned each time.
• Many doctoral students use CPT during the program of study if the work is required for completion of the dissertation. In these cases, there is no course enrollment and no limit to the number of times a student can apply for CPT. However, a justification letter is required from the dissertation advisor for each authorization period.
• Students are encouraged to keep detailed and accurate records of the work performed with each authorization to prove that it is integral to the student’s curriculum.

    Dissertation Research Abroad

• Students who wish to keep their F-1 record active and will be engaged in dissertation research abroad must report the foreign address and research dates to their IS Advisor within the first 5 days of each semester. The IS Advisor will report the research abroad in SEVIS. Students are responsible for making sure their I-20 Form has a valid travel signature at every entry to the United States. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months during the program of study. If a student needs a new travel signature while outside the United States, they must register and pay for a FedEx shipment to have the Form I-20 shipped.
• J-1 students must end their J-1 SEVIS record upon departure for any research or study abroad experience longer than 30 days.

    Living Out of the DC/MD/VA Area

• To keep their F-1 or J-1 record active, students who want to conduct dissertation research outside of this area should update their local off-campus address in MyAccess within 10 days of the change or the first 5 days of the semester.

    Dependents

• Students must submit sufficient financial documentation for each of their dependents.
• OGS requires 3-5 days to issue a dependent document when a dependent joins the F-1 or J-1 student during the course of study.
• Children born in the United States to F-1 or J-1 students have American citizenship and do not need a dependent Form I-20 or DS-2019.
• F-2 dependents can study part-time, can volunteer with a charitable or humanitarian organization but cannot be employed in any paid or unpaid capacity.
• J-2 dependents can study full time and apply for work authorization through USCIS. Once they receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), J-2s may begin employment.
• Dependents are generally welcome at all University events. If you are unsure, ask!
• The Premier Plan allows for dependent coverage. The coverage is excellent but expensive.
• If your dependent makes a final departure from the United States, contact OGS to end the SEVIS record to avoid any future problems entering the United States.
• J-2 dependents cannot remain in the United States if the J-1 will be out of the country for more than 30 days. 

    Completion of Studies/Graduation

• Many students complete their doctoral degrees before the end of the 7-year Form I-20 period.
• Graduation and completion are two separate events. Graduation is the administrative conferral of the degree. Completion is either the date of the defense or the date of submission of the dissertation to the Graduate School.
• Students must contact the IS Advisor when setting a defense date.
• Students who complete before the Form I-20 end date must report their early completion to OGS and OGS is required to shorten the immigration document accordingly.
• Students who complete their program early but have a teaching or research obligation as part of their funding in the semester they complete the dissertation, will be shortened to the end of that semester.
• Students who do not have a teaching or research obligation must be shortened to either the defense date or the dissertation submission date.
• Students must declare a completion of studies date to OGS before they will be permitted to apply for post-completion work authorization.
• Students in certain fields may be eligible for the  24-Month STEM OPT Extension . Review the list of applicable programs to determine eligibility.
• View the  PhD OP T Advising Timeline .

    How to Obtain More Information

• PhD specific sessions each semester
• Appointments with IS Advisor
• OGS Employment  page
• OGS Tax  page
• Study in the States  website
• Graduate Career Modules
• J-1 Exchange Visitor  page

Questions about other special PhD considerations? What happens after year 5?  What are my responsibilities if I must depart the United States for more than 30 days for research or study abroad?

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US Graduate Student Visas Explained

Thomas Nugent - BusinessBecause

Thomas Nugent is the Deputy Editor for BusinessBecause.

Are you an international candidate considering business schools in the United States? You must have a valid student visa before you start business school and, as an international candidate, you should get familiar with US graduate student visas—the different types of visas and how to apply—before enrolling in MBA or business master’s programs in the US.

Here’s everything you need to know:

US graduate student visas: F-1 vs J-1

To apply for a student visa, you’ll first need a valid, up-to-date passport for the duration of your degree. You’ll also need to have secured a place on a program of study in the US.

There are two types of US graduate student visa that are valid for international candidates: The F-1 visa and the J-1 visa.

The F-1 visa is the nonimmigrant graduate student visa you’ll need if you’re planning to study full-time at a US business school.

For new students, F visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for your course; you’ll not be allowed to enter the US on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date of your course.

If you’re on an F-1 visa, you can also undertake an internship after completing at least one full academic year of study. This will likely be completed as Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Employment for 20 hours or more a week counts as a full-time internship . You should be aware that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) . OPT is often used by students to remain in the US for 12 months to work after graduation.

If you’re travelling to the US with immediate family, they will need to apply for an F-2 nonimmigrant visa, which will allow them to remain in the US for the duration of your F-1 visa.

The J-1 visa is the visa you’ll need if you’re travelling to study full-time in the US on an exchange program from another business school, typically for one or two semesters. The J-2 visa is the F-2 equivalent your dependents will need to apply for if they are travelling to the US with you.

Your visa application

Applying for an F-1 visa is a nuanced process that can vary based on the program you’re applying to, your individual circumstances, and your home country. While business schools support you, they are not directly involved in the visa application process.

The admissions team at NYU Stern recommend beginning your visa application as early as possible. At Stern, once accepted, international students receive a Form I-20 from NYU’s Office of Global Services (OGS), which proves you’re legally enrolled in a US education program, before getting to work on the visa application.

Danielle Richie, who leads admissions for the full-time MBA program at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School , encourages candidates to go directly to source—US embassies or consulates—if they have questions about the required documentation.

“We recommend that students start the process to apply for a visa as soon as they can, which means requesting the documentation from the school needed for visa application as early as possible,” she adds. “For best possible planning, check visa wait times for the US Embassy or Consulate closest to you to find out how long it will take to get a visa appointment and how long visa processing will take.”

Your 6-step visa application

🌎 Step 1. You can start to apply for your graduate student visa as soon as you’ve been granted a place at an SEVP-approved business school. You’ll be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS ) . You’ll need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee , which is US$350 for F visas, and US$220 for J visas.

🌎 Step 2. If you’re an F-1 visa applicant, you’ll be given a Form I-20 by your school. After completing this, you can then apply for your visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. If you have dependents travelling with you on F-2 visas, they need to also complete this process. However, they don’t need to pay the SEVIS fee. J visa applicants skip the Form I-20 stage.

🌎 Step 3. Complete your online visa application, Form DS-160 .

🌎 Step 4. Schedule a visa interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate .

🌎 Step 5. Prepare for your interview. As an F-1 visa applicant, you may be required to pay your non-refundable visa application fee before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee. This varies depending on your nationality.

🌎 Step 6. Attend your interview. Your consular officer may inform you that your application requires further administrative processing after your interview. Once your visa is approved and you’ve paid your issuance fee (if required), you must make arrangements for the return of your passport and visa.

Important documents

You’ll need the following when applying for your US graduate student visa:

• Passport—this must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US
• Nonimmigrant visa application—Form DS-160
• Application fee payment receipt, if required to pay before your interview
• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) student status, Form I-20

You may also need:

• Academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
• Standardized test scores required by your US school
• Your intent to depart the US upon completion of your course of study
• How you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs

Remember to keep up with the news, as the visa application process is something that can change depending on government action. “Policies can and do change, so prospective students are wise to monitor these areas during their application process,” warns Danielle of UNC Kenan-Flagler.

But don’t let the visa application process put you off. Thousands of international MBA and master’s students secure student visas each year.

The best way to ease yourself through the visa application process is to keep in regular touch with both the admissions team at your business school and your local US Embassy or Consulate.

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Thomas Nugent  is the Deputy Editor for  BusinessBecause , with responsibilities supporting the Editor with content and SEO strategy, alongside editorial team development.

Thomas is an experienced writer who has written articles covering business education, management, careers, and the future of work.

He launched and edits the BusinessBecause Insights series, which explores the latest research and trends from the business school classroom, drawing on the expertise of world-leading professors to inspire and inform current and future leaders. The Insights series has covered things like the sharing economy, working from home during COVID-19, the future of the office, NFTs, and ESG investing.

Thomas earned an MA in English from the University of Aberdeen before completing an MSc in Journalism at Robert Gordon University. He joined BusinessBecause in October 2017.

Getting a U.S. Student Visa: What International Students Should Know

Start the visa process early, experts say.

How to Get a U.S. Student Visa

Getty Images

Most schools will be in touch with admitted international students in early summer to begin gathering information for their visa.

Making the decision to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies in the United States is the first of many steps toward becoming an international student. Once students have secured admission to a U.S. university, they will need to obtain a student visa.

Such a visa allows a student to enter and remain in the country for a set period of time for their studies. The types of student visas include:

• F-1 visa: For students pursuing studies at an accredited college or university.
• J-1 visa: For students taking part in an exchange program such as at a high school or university.
• M-1 visa: For students studying or training for non-academic reasons.

Ideally, students seeking an F-1 visa should start gathering the relevant information well before applying to colleges, says Adam Nguyen, founder of Ivy Link, an education and admissions advisory firm.

“That means students should research the specific colleges to which they will be applying and take note of each school's policies for international students. They aren't all the same,” says Nguyen. “We recommend that students start at least a year before applications are due.”

Before applying, make sure your chosen colleges are certified by the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which is a requirement for getting a visa.

Getting a head start can help make the visa process go smoothly. Here is what international students need to know:

When the Visa Process Begins

“If you are an international student who has been accepted into a U.S. university, the visa process will start just after you graduate high school and your enrollment into your chosen college has been finalized,” says Leelila Strogov, CEO of AtomicMind, an education and admissions consulting company.

“Be sure that you are responsive to their emails and get them the requested information in a timely manner, or your visa documents could be delayed,” says Strogov.

How to Apply for a U.S. Student Visa

1. register with sevis and pay the fee.

After you've confirmed your acceptance to an SEVP-certified U.S. university, the university will begin the visa process by registering you into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which is a web-based system that the Department of Homeland Security uses to keep track of F-1 visa students who come to the U.S. for higher education.

Students must pay a fee of $350 to be registered into the SEVIS system. This is in addition to other visa application and insurance fees.

"The total cost for an F-1 visa can vary widely depending on the institution a student has been accepted to, and the country they are currently living in. That said, most students should be prepared to spend several hundred dollars, and most likely more," says Nguyen.

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2. Receive Your I-20 and Complete Your Visa Application

Students will then get an I-20 form from their designated school official, or DSO, at the institution they plan on attending. This form must be presented to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview, Strogov says.

Students must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160), including uploading a photo, and print out the confirmation page to bring to their interview.

“Read the instructions provided by your new school and the consulate, and always use your full legal name, as presented on your passport,” says Karen Edwards, dean of international student affairs at Grinnell College in Iowa, where 19% of the student body is made up of international students.

Edwards says students who have additional questions should contact their DSO, a regional EducationUSA advisor or reach out directly to their consulate.

3. Schedule Your Interview

Students should schedule an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy or nearest consulate office in the country where they live. Wait times for interview appointments can vary, so students are encouraged to apply for their visa as early as possible.

"Procrastination is not conducive to the pursuit of a student visa," says Edwards.

For students who are   unable to secure a visa appointment prior to the start of their school year, Edwards recommends still scheduling the earliest possible appointment, after which, depending on the consulate, students can try to pursue an earlier emergency appointment.

“Most U.S. institutions will not allow a late arrival, so working in collaboration with your designated school official is very important,” says Edwards.

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4. Prepare For and Attend Your Interview

Students should prepare for their visa interview by gathering the required support documents. These include a passport that will be valid for a minimum of six months into the future, all three pages of your I-20, the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, your DS-160 confirmation page and evidence that you can finance your education, says Edwards.

“As a reminder, F-1 status requires non-immigrant intent, so you should also consider how you might respond to questions from the visa officer,” says Edwards. She says the interview is students' opportunity to confirm their intention to study in the U.S. and return home after graduation.

“The more you know about your intended school and why you want to study here, the better you will do,” says Edwards.

Strogov says new student F-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the course of study start date, but students will not be allowed to enter the U.S. on their visa more than 30 days before school starts.

“U.S. universities usually begin classes the first week of September, so you should be able to arrive on campus in early August using your new visa,” says Strogov.

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Graduate visa

If you have successfully completed your programme and wish to live and work in the UK for a while, a Graduate visa might be an option for you. This visa type is available for two years after the award of a degree or for three years after a PhD or other doctorate qualification.

How to apply

Costs of a graduate visa, how overseas travel impacts your eligibility for the graduate route, work you can accept before, during and after your visa application, applications for your dependants, find out more about the graduate route .

UKCISA guidance on the Graduate route  

UKVI overview for the Graduate visa  

An official website of the United States government

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Get a student visa to study in the U.S.

To study in the U.S. as an international student, you must get a student visa. Learn about the types of student visas, how to apply, and if you can work while you study.

Types of student visas

F-1 and m-1 visas for full-time students.

The most common student visas are F-1 and M-1.

• F-1 visas are for full-time international students pursuing academic studies.
• M-1 visas are for full-time international students pursuing vocational studies.

J-1 visa for exchange students

The J-1 exchange visitor visa is for foreign nationals who have been approved to take part in work-and-study-based exchange programs. Examples include visiting scholars, camp counselors, au pairs, and research assistants. Learn about the educational programs that J-1 visa holders can participate in .

How to apply for, extend, or renew a student visa

Visit the Department of State’s website to learn more details about F-1 or M-1 visas and J-1 visas . Get information about:

• Eligibility rules
• How to apply
• Appointment wait times
• Application fees
• Extending your stay in the U.S.
• Student visa renewals

Can you work in the U.S. with a student visa?

If you have an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa, you may be eligible to work in the U.S. But you may only qualify for work on-campus or at a job related to your studies.

• Learn more about employment for students with F-1 and M-1 visas.
• J-1 visa holders must contact their responsible officer to find out if they qualify for work outside their program of study.

LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2023

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Student Visa

Exchange Visitor Visa

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. You must have a student visa to study in the United States. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine whether you need an F visa or an M visa.

Students cannot travel on the Visa Waiver Program or with Visitor Visas A student visa (F or M) is required to study in the United States. Foreign nationals may not study after entering on a visitor (B) visa or through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), except to undertake recreational study (non-credit) as part of a tourist visit. For more information on the VWP, see  Visa Waiver Program .

For short periods of recreational study, a Visitor (B) visa may be appropriate A visitor (B) visa permits enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. Learn more about  Visitor Visas .

Study leading to a U.S. conferred degree or certificate is never permitted on a visitor (B) visa, even if it is for a short duration. For example, a student in a distance learning program that  requires a period of time on the institution’s U.S. campus must obtain a student (F or M) visa prior to entering the United States.

Student Acceptance at a SEVP Approved School The first step is to apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States.  After the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.  The SEVP-approved school will issue you a Form I-20.  After you receive the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa.  You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.

If your spouse and/or children intend to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s from the SEVP-approved school, and apply for a visa (but they do not pay the SEVIS fee).

Visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)  website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee.

Visit the Department of State  EducationUSA  website to learn about educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study, and an overview of the application process.  You can also visit the DHS  Study in the States  school search page to search for SEVP-certified schools.

How To Apply

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the  embassy or consulate website . 

Complete the Online Visa Application

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application,  Form DS-160  –  Learn more  about completing the  DS-160 . You must: 1) complete the online visa application, and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo  –You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the  Photograph Requirements .

Schedule an Interview

Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. 

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply:

Appointment Wait Time

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

New Students  – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the start date for a course of study.  However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.

Continuing Students  - Student (F and M) visas for continuing students may be issued at any time, as long as the student is currently enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution and in SEVIS.  Continuing students may enter the United States at any time before classes start.

Prepare for Your Interview

• Fees - Pay the non-refundable visa application fee , if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. Fee information is provided below: 

Application Fee

Select your nationality to see issurance fee.

• Review the instructions available on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.

Gather Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements . 
• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students, Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students, Form I-20  – Your school will send you a Form I-20 once they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign the Form I-20.  All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Your spouse and/or minor children, if they intend live in the United States with you, will each receive an individual Form I-20.

Additional Documentation May Be Required

A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of:

• Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and
• Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
• Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
• How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs. 

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply.

Attend Your Visa Interview

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.

Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further  administrative processing .  The consular officer will inform you if this is required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.  Review the  visa processing times  to learn more.

Entering the United States

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.  A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.  

After you present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 at the port-of-entry, a CBP official will make this decision.  Once you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.  

Learn about procedures for students (with F or M visas) entering the United States on the CBP website under  Arrival Procedures for Students or Exchange Visitors .  Learn about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the  CBP website .

Extending Your Stay

Foreign students in the United States with F visas must depart the United States within 60 days after the program end date listed on Form I-20, including any authorized practical training.

Foreign students may request an extension through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website (see the USCIS Extend Your Stay page). Additional information to maintain student status is on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVP website under  Maintaining Your Immigration Status While a Student or Exchange Visitor .

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being  out of status . Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ).  Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States. 

Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future. Review  Visa Denials  and  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws  to learn more.

Change of Status

If your plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or receive an offer of employment), you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See  Change My Nonimmigrant Status  on the USCIS website to learn more.

While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa.  However, once you depart the United States you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.

Additional Information

• There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
• For information about working in the United States during your study, review Students and Employment and Form I-765 Work Authorization Instructions on the USCIS website.
• If you have a temporary break in your study, view the information on the SEVP website under  Do Students Returning from Temporary Absences Need New Visas?  If your student visa is still valid, but you are outside the United States, you should consult with your Designated School Officials. 
• Your spouse and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with you during your study may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas. Although SEVIS fee payment is not required, your school must issue them an individual Form I-20, which is required to apply for their visas. You must provide a copy of your F-1 or M-1 visa and provide proof of relationship.
• Your minor children are permitted to attend school in the United States while accompanying you.
• U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate visa applications that are based on a same-sex marriage in the same way that we adjudicate applications for opposite gender spouses.
• A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.

Can I enter the United States more than 30 days in advance?

Students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program.  If you wish to enter earlier than 30 days before your start date, you must separately apply and qualify for a visitor (B) visa.  

After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a  change of status  to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.  You may not begin your course of study until the change of status is approved, and you may encounter lengthy processing times.  You may also depart the United States and re-enter on your student (F or M) visa.

Optional Practical Training

Students who are authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have a Form I-20 endorsed for OPT, and apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student's area of study. To learn more about OPT, please visit the  USCIS Website  and the  ICE International Students  webpage.

Attending Public Secondary School

There are restrictions for student (F) visa holders to attend public school in the United States. See  Foreign Students in Public Schools to learn more.

Visa Renewal

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review How to Apply , above).

Visa Denial and Ineligibility

Review  Visa Denials  for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, denials, and waivers.

I was refused a visa under section 214(b). May I reapply?

You may reapply if you believe you have additional evidence of your qualifications for a student (F or M) visa, or you believe your circumstances have changed. Review  Visa Denials  to learn more. 

Misrepresentation or Fraud

Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.

Review  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States as students, although they must present a valid Form I-20 at the time of admission. For more information see  information for Citizens of Canada and Bermuda .

Additional resources for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the  U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada .

Further Questions

• Case-Specific Questions  - Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your visa application for status information. Select  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  for contact information.
• General Questions  - review  Contact Us .

More Information

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Visas for students, doctoral candidates and scientists

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Students and Employment

ALERT: Please remember that photos submitted to USCIS must be unmounted and unretouched. Unretouched means the photos must not be edited or digitally enhanced. The submission of any mounted or retouched images will delay the processing of your application and may prompt USCIS to require that you appear at an Applicant Support Center to verify your identity.

If you would like to study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. These visas are commonly known as the F and M visas.

You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:

• You must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program
• Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
• You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution
• You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency
• You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study
• You must maintain a residence abroad which you have no intention of giving up.

F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.

M-1 Student Visa

The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training.

F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.

For both F-1 and M-1 students any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized prior to starting any work by the Designated School Official (the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) and USCIS.

For more information on the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, see the Student & Exchange Visitor Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement  and the Study in the States Training Opportunities in the United States  pages.

In general, only noncitizens who have permission from DHS to work can apply for a Social Security number.  Find additional information about   International Students and Social Security Numbers (PDF)  on the Social Security Administration  website. 

Special Instructions

If you are interested in changing to F or M Student Status, see the Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status page.

5 Best US Visa Options For PhD Holders

by Gertrude Nonterah PhD | Nov 6, 2021

What’s the best US visa for PhD holders who are non-US citizens but want to work in the US?

For most international PhD students, there might not be family to depend on if you don’t land a job right after graduation. Thus finding work is crucial. But to find work , you need the right work visa – something that can literally be the reason why despite your qualifications, an organization may not offer you a role.

Needless to say, this can cause a lot of anxiety for an international PhD.

How do I know? Because, once upon a time, this was my story!

So if you’re drawing close to the end of your studies and are feeling some anxiety over this, trust me, you’re not alone.

I’ve talked about how I successfully adjusted my status from being an F1 international student to becoming a permanent resident. I did this through the Employment Based National Interest Waiver program for advanced degree holders.

There are however, other visa options you can explore as an international PhD student.

We’ll cover five of the best work visa options for international PhDs in this post. I’ll also touch on which work visa may be best depending on your long-term goals.

Want to watch this as a video? Click on the play button below.

Looking for the best US visa for PhD holders? Consider these five below.

Optional Practical Training for F1 international students

As an international student, you get twelve months of optional practical training (OPT) for each level of education you complete after graduation. If you are a student in STEM, you can apply to extend your OPT by 24 months after the original twelve. This provides you with a total of three years within which you can work legally.

I think this is a such a great opportunity especially if you want to gain some work experience in the US after school.

O-1 Visa for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

According to the USCIS website, the O-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, business, education, athletics or in the film industry. These achievements should have been recognized nationally or internationally.

The USCIS approves the O-1 visa for three years and then you can renew it each year after that for as long as you need to. The drawback however is that because the O-1 is a non-immigrant visa, you are not considered a permanent resident of the US. Thus, you may not necessarily be on the path to citizenship. If this is not your long-term goal, this could be an excellent visa type for you. However, if it is your plan to later on become a citizen of the US, I recommend another visa type like the EB1 or EB2/NIW visa which I’ll touch on later.

The H1-B visa is another non-immigrant visa category that applies to individuals working in specialty occupations in the United States. Each year, the H1-B program has a cap of 65,000 visas. Of course, more people than that apply to the program. Thus there is a “lottery” system where the government randomly picks the recipients of these visas. An additional 20,000 H1-B visas are reserved for individuals with a master’s degree or higher from a US institution. This is exempt from the cap.

If you work at an accredited higher education institution or non-profit research or government organization, you can apply for an H1-B as well and be exempt from the H1-B cap.

The drawback to this visa type is that you need an US employer to get it and maintain it.

If you lose your job while on an H1-B, usually, this also means you lose your visa status or else you would need to find an employer willing to “transfer” your visa.

This happened to a colleague of mine once, and it was a very stressful time for him and his family.

Employment-Based (EB) Visa Categories

The “EB” visa categories are in my estimation, the best if you intend on becoming a permanent resident in the US.

The other great thing about this category is that you don’t necessarily need an employer to file one on your behalf. You can self-petition for this visa category within or from outside the United States as long as you satisfy the requirements.

As an international PhD, you can either file under the EB1-Extraordinary Ability category or under the EB2-National Interest Waiver category.

Both of these have immigrant intent. Once you file it successfully and the government approves your case, you become a permanent resident of the US.

The EB1 visa is similar to the O-1 visa in that you have to prove to the government that you have extraordinary ability in your field that has merited national or international acclaim.

The EB2 visa category will require that you prove that your work – usually your research – is of national importance.

In my opinion, this is the most suitable US visa for PhD holders who plan on saying in the US long-term.

So far, most of the visa types I’ve mentioned fit very well if you received a PhD in the United States.

If you received your PhD from a country outside the US and you plan on doing academic research, a visa option you may consider is the J-1 visa.

The USCIS considers this visa type, an “exchange visitor” program for the purpose of international scholars and experts to exchange knowledge with colleagues in the United States.

If you need to adjust your status to another visa type while on the J-1 visa, it is likely that you might have to return your home country to do so.

The best US visa for PhD holders: it’s different for everyone

Choosing the best US visa as a PhD holder depends on your goals and your situation.

I’ve known international students who have immediately left the US after graduation.

Some have stayed and worked for a while and then either relocated home or to another country.

For some, the goal might be to work and live in the US permanently.

There is a visa path for each one of these options. So I encourage you to ask yourself some deep questions on what your long-term goals are as you select a visa path.

For more information on each of the visa types, visit the links below.

• Optional Practical Training for F1 Students
• Employment-Based Categories ( EB1 and EB2 )

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Visa Options in the US After Graduation

If you think that you want to stay and work in the United States after completing your undergraduate degree, make sure that you know your visa requirements and restrictions. Navigating the American immigration process is often stressful and confusing because there are as many visas as there are letters in the alphabet. The eligibility requirements and legal rulings are constantly changing, which does not make the process any easier.

Here are a few of the most common options applicable to graduates looking for a post study work visa. For a full list of all non-immigrant and immigrant visas, visit VisasToUSA.com where you can view other types of visas that may be applicable to you. You will also be able to have your immigration questions answered for free via email by an immigration attorney.

Practical Training on an F1 Visa

• Non-Immigrant H3 Visa (Trainee)
• Non-Immigrant H-1B Visa Specialty Occupation
• Non-Immigrant R-1 Visa Religious Worker
• Non-Immigrant E1/E2 Visa
• Non-Immigrant L-1 Visa
• Non-Immigrant Obtaining a Green Card
• Employment Based Immigration

An F1 student is generally entitled up to one year of post-completion practical training. Authorization for this type of practical training may be granted for a maximum of 12 months and starts once you have graduated or completed your course of study.

Speak to the international students department of your university to get the necessary forms and to find out how to apply for a post study work permit. They will inform you of the different practical training options available to you. Find out about your practical training options when you start to study so you can adequately prepare for the future.In order to stay in the USA after OPT you may be able to apply for an OPT extension if you are eligible due to your field of study, i.e. STEM.

Non-Immigrant H-3 Visa (Trainee)

An H-3 trainee visa is suited to those individuals who do not have appropriate education or work experience. It is for those who would like to come to the U.S. to train in a particular field with the intention of transporting the knowledge and training back to their home country upon completion of their visa. The H-3 visa is valid for 2 years and cannot be extended or transferred to H-1B/L-1 status. To qualify for an H-3 visa, the applicant needs to secure training from a U.S. employer who has an established training program.

Non-Immigrant H-1B Visa (Specialty Occupation)

The minimum requirements for obtaining this classification are: (1) a U.S. employer to sponsor the applicant, (2) a U.S. Bachelors Degree or its equivalent, and (3) a correlation between the job duties and the applicant’s education and work experience. In addition to the above requirements, it is also necessary to obtain an approval of a labor condition attestation from the Department of Labor prior to filing the H-1B petition with the Immigration & Naturalization Service. A LCA is required to ensure that foreign workers are not exploited by U.S. employers and are paid the same salaries and obtain the same benefits as their American counterparts.

The H-1B is granted for an initial period of 3 years and can be extended for an additional 3 years, but cannot be extended beyond 6 years. Spouses and minor children automatically obtain H-4 visas, which entitle them to accompany the applicant to the U.S. and to attend school, but not work, in the U.S.

Non-Immigrant R-1 Visa (Religious Worker)

The R-1 religious worker category is designed for ministers, persons working in a professional capacity in a religious occupation, or persons working for a religious organization in a religious occupation. The applicant must demonstrate that he/she had been a member of the religious denomination for at least 2 years preceding the application. Initial admission is for 3 years with an extension of up to 2 years. The U.S. employer is required to demonstrate that it has tax exemption status.

Non-Immigrant E-1/E-2 Visa (Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor)

Certain countries have entered into treaties with the United States, which allows their nationals to obtain treaty trader/treaty Investor visas. A fundamental requirement for an E-1 visa is that at least 51% of the company’s trade must be between the U.S. and the treaty country. An E-2 visa requires a "substantial investment" to be made into a new or existing enterprise. Managers, executives and other essential employees are eligible for these visas. The visa is usually granted for a 5-year period with 2-year increments upon each entry. It is possible to extend these visas as long as there is a need for the individual to direct and control the U.S. enterprise and the concern remains viable.

Non-Immigrant L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transfer)

The L-1 intracompany transferee visa is used for companies abroad who have offices in the U.S. and would like to transfer certain employees here on temporary employment assignments. This visa is designed for managers and executives (maximum admission: 7 years) or people possessing specialized knowledge (maximum admission: 5 years).

If the U.S. subsidiary is a newly established office, the applicant will only be admitted for an initial period of 1 year. It is possible to apply for extensions, which must be accompanied by documentation showing major business activity or future business activity and an increase in personnel. It is possible to apply for permanent residency through this category as a multinational executive/manager.

Non-Immigrant Obtaining a "Green Card"

A person granted permanent residency ("green card status") is permitted to reside and work in the U.S. Depending on their classification, an immigrant may be eligible to file for U.S. citizenship either three years or five years from date of acquiring permanent residency (providing they are not otherwise deemed ineligible).

There are four main categories under which it is possible to acquire permanent residency status in the U.S. The easiest and quickest way is through a family relationship where the petitioner is either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The other categories involve employment sponsorship, diversity immigrants and refugees and asylees.

You might also take your chances with the Green Card Lottery .

The most common asked question from graduates is: “How do we get a green card through employment?”

Employment-Based Immigration

To obtain an employment-based immigrant visa, there is usually a requirement that an applicant applies and obtains labor certification. This process, designed to ensure that no qualified U.S. workers exist for the position, is often difficult and can take several years to complete (depending on jurisdiction). It is therefore desirable to apply under an alternative category, which lacks this labor certification requirement. Most graduates will fall under:

First Preference: Priority Workers

This category includes the following: (a) persons of extraordinary ability in sciences, art, education, business or athletics; (b) outstanding professors and researchers, and (c) multinational executives and managers.

Under the extraordinary ability subcategory above, the applicant does not require a job offer and the application can be processed fairly expeditiously. Only those applicants who have reached the top of their field can apply under this category and must intend to continue to work in the particular area of extraordinary ability. In addition, the applicant must show that his or her entry will benefit the U.S.

Under the category of outstanding professors and researchers, the standards are more lenient. However, the applicant must have three years of teaching or research experience, as well as a job offer for a permanent position from an appropriate U.S. institution. No Labor Certification application is required for this category.

Multinational Executives and Managers

In order to qualify for permanent residence under this category, managers or executives of companies must have been employed for one of the three years preceding their transfer to the United States. Additionally, their employment at the overseas company must have been in an executive or managerial capacity. The U.S. sponsoring employer must also have been in existence for at least one year and the overseas company must be operating.

Note: If an applicant obtains an L-1B Intracompany visa (based on their specialized knowledge) labor certification will be necessary.

Second Preference: Advanced Degree Professions / Exceptional Ability

Members of the professions holding advanced degrees (e.g. masters degrees or bachelors degrees, plus five years of work experience) or aliens of Exceptional Ability. Although Labor Certification is usually required, it is possible to obtain a waiver, if it can be shown that the applicant’s employment will be in the "national interest".

Third Preference: Labor Certification

This category usually requires a Labor Certification except in certain cases. Three separate subcategories exist:

• Professionals (with a Bachelors Degree);
• Individuals performing a job requiring two years of education, experience or training;
• Other workers.

Fourth Preference: Special Immigrants

This category is designed for "special immigrants" and is limited to 10,000 visas per year. Certain religious workers qualify under this category, which does not require Labor Certification.

Fifth Preference: Employment Creation - Investors

This category allows for two-year conditional residency for people who invest either $1 million (or $500,000 in underdeveloped areas or areas of high unemployment) in a new commercial enterprise that employs 10 U.S. citizens or permanent residents on a full-time basis and manages the business on a day-to-day basis.

The applicant can either create an original business or the purchase of an existing business, which results in a new commercial enterprise, or the expansion of an existing business so that its net worth or employees increase by 40%.

The investment can be a combination of cash, equipment, inventory, but an unsecured promissory note is unacceptable. Multiple investors are acceptable, but each investor must independently meet the capital and employee requirements.

If you are a current student interested in working in the US, check out our Working in the US page.

Learn about Working After Graduation in Australia .

You might be interested in How to Apply for an F1 Student Visa .

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No evidence foreign students are abusing UK graduate visas, review finds

Migration Advisory Committee says the risks are low, despite Tory claims the route is being exploited

There is no evidence of widespread abuse of the UK’s graduate visa route, the government’s immigration advisers have concluded, despite repeated claims from senior Conservatives that it is being exploited to enter the jobs market.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said the graduate visa entitlement – allowing international students to work for two or three years after graduating – should remain in place. Members said the risks of abuse were relatively low and were “not undermining” the integrity and quality of the higher education system.

The report’s release has stoked an internal Conservative party row over net migration, with senior rightwing MPs describing it as a “whitewash”.

Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister, wrote that the committee’s inquiries were tightly controlled by the commission from James Cleverly , the home secretary.

“The MAC’s conclusions have clearly been constrained by the narrow terms of reference deliberately set by the government. If you order white paint, you get a whitewash,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Neil O’Brien, a Tory MP who is an ally of Jenrick, described the report as a “whitewash” on Substack: “We are pursuing an arbitrary target, and the expansion of universities for their own sake.”

Another Conservative MP said backbenchers were “piling pressure” on Rishi Sunak to ignore the committee’s conclusions.

The government has so far declined to say whether it will accept the MAC recommendations. A source close to the home secretary said he would read the review thoroughly and listen to Prof Brian Bell, the committee’s chair, carefully before he makes any decision. They were due to meet on Tuesday afternoon.

The committee’s decision was greeted with relief by university vice-chancellors, who have warned that abolishing the graduate visa would spell financial turmoil for the sector. But higher education leaders said they still feared No 10 could cherrypick elements of the report to justify a further crackdown.

University leaders had been told to expect the government’s response in the middle of next week, alongside the publication of the ONS’s net migration figures. But the MAC report in favour of retaining graduate visas may have scuppered plans by ministers to use it as the centrepiece of a fresh crackdown.

Cleverly commissioned the review amid a growing clamour in Tory circles that graduate visas were being abused to gain access to employment.

Last week, Jenrick published a report with the Centre for Policy Studies thinktank that called for the graduate visa to be abolished, claiming it “allowed people to come and work in the gig economy and on very low wages”.

In a forthright response, Bell said: “Our review recommends the graduate route should remain as it is, and is not undermining the quality and integrity of the UK’s higher education system.

“The graduate route is a key part of the offer that we make to international students to come and study in the UK. The fees that these students pay helps universities to cover the losses they make in teaching British students and doing research. Without those students, many universities would need to shrink and less research would be done.”

The committee said:

There is no evidence of widespread abuse specifically for the graduate route. The risks of abuse are relatively low due to the limited number of conditions the route imposes.

There is concern about potential exploitation of both student and graduate visa holders due to poor practices by certain agents who recruit students on to courses and may be mis-selling UK higher education, but this is a separate issue from abuse of the rules of the graduate route.

114,000 graduate route visas were granted for main applicants in 2023 with a further 30,000 granted for dependants.

The use of the graduate route is concentrated among four nationalities: the top four – India, Nigeria, China and Pakistan – account for 70% of all graduate visas with India accounting for more than 40%.

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Most of those on the graduate route completed postgraduate taught courses.

Graduate visa holders are initially “overrepresented in lower-paid work” but their outcomes improve over time, the report said.

The MAC review was unable to assess the risk of overstaying due to a lack of Home Office data.

Alex Proudfoot, the chief executive of the representative body Independent Higher Education , said: “We urge the government to swiftly confirm they will follow their experts’ recommendation that the graduate visa be retained in its current form, and commit afresh to working with the education sector to maximise the benefits that international students bring.”

Tim Bradshaw, the chief executive of the Russell Group of leading research universities, said: “The overall message from the MAC is that the graduate route is achieving its objectives as set out by the government. We would therefore urge ministers to end the uncertainty and confirm as soon as possible that the route will continue in its entirety.”

In February, Universities UK (UUK) said it would review international student admissions processes after the allegations of “bad practice” by agents recruiting overseas students.

The MAC has recommended the government should establish a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents, and universities should be required to publish data on their use of agents to “help protect the integrity” of the UK higher education system.

The review was launched in March after Cleverly instructed the committee, which gives independent advice to the government, to investigate “any evidence of abuse” of the graduate route, “including the route not being fit for purpose”, and to look at which universities were producing graduates who used the route.

Vivienne Stern, the chief executive of UUK, said: “The MAC’s recommendation that the graduate route should remain on its current terms is extremely important and welcome.

“The uncertainty caused by the decision to review the visa has been toxic,” she said. “We hope and expect that government now listens to the advice they have been given and provides categorical reassurance that the graduate visa is here to stay.”

A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to attracting the best and brightest to study at our world-class universities, whilst preventing abuse of our immigration system, which is why the home secretary commissioned an independent review of the graduate route.

“We have already taken decisive action to address unsustainable levels of migration and our plans are working, with a 24% drop in visa applications across key routes in the first three months of this year, compared with the same period last year.

“We are considering the review’s findings very closely and we will respond fully in due course.”

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Rishi Sunak plans to tweak UK Graduate Route visa to curb international students

Uk prime minister rishi sunak is planning a crackdown on recruitment agents who provide misleading information to international students to restrict their numbers. he might also modify the graduate route visa, which is popular among indians..

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• Rishi Sunak is set to announce a crackdown on education recruitment agents
• He is seeking ways to reduce the number of international students coming to the UK
• Migration has become a big issue ahead of UK's general election in January 2025

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce a crackdown on recruitment agents providing misleading information to prospective international students in certain markets. He is also considering modifying the Graduate Route visa scheme, popular among Indians, to restrict visas to only the “best and the brightest".

Sunak's move, which targets agents marketing graduate visa schemes overseas, including in India, aims to show a tougher stance on immigration, which is a key issue in the UK's January 2025 general election .

With this crackdown on educational recruiters, Sunak is seeking ways to reduce the number of international students coming to study in the UK.

The new measures, which could be revealed as early as next week, coincide with quarterly migration data releases from the Home Office and the Office for National Statistics, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The plan to modify the Graduate Route visa scheme has not yet been formally discussed by ministers, according to the report.

A report issued by the British government reveals that a post-study visa programme, popularly known as the Graduate Route visa and is dominated by Indian graduates, is helping UK universities recover from financial losses and expand research opportunities.

UK GOVERNMENT CONCERNS OVER RECRUITMENT AGENTS

The Graduate route: rapid review report from the British government states that the government found no evidence of any abuse of the Graduate route.

"We found no evidence of any significant abuse of the Graduate route. By abuse we mean deliberate non-compliance with immigration rules. However, we do have concerns over the use of recruitment agents by universities in certain markets in providing misleading information to prospective international students," the report stated.

The UK government was reviewing the Graduate Route visa and that caused consternation among the international student community. In fact, applications to UK universities were dropped because of the visa programme uncertainty.

According to the report, the top five nationalities account for nearly 75% of all Graduate Route visas with India accounting for over 40% of them. Indian nationals made up a higher proportion of Graduate Route visas (42%) compared to their proportion of student visas (26%).

In 2023, 114,000 Graduate visas were granted for main applicants with a further 30,000 being granted for dependants. The take-up of these visas is largely concentrated among 4 nationalities. The top 4 nationalities -- India, Nigeria, China and Pakistan -- accounted for 70% of all Graduate visas, with India accounting for over 40%.

In the student visa category, Indian nationals represent the largest group of students granted leave to remain on this route, making up 43% of grants last year.

UK GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSED CRACKDOWN MEASURES

Sunak’s proposed crackdown includes a mandatory agent registration scheme and fines for malpractice.

Additionally, he is considering modifying the graduate visa scheme to restrict visas to only the “best and the brightest".

However, this approach has not yet been formally discussed by ministers, reported the Financial Times.

This move comes as universities face dire financial positions due to declining international student numbers.

The prime minister is under pressure from his party to reduce legal migration, with the ruling Conservative party trailing the opposition Labour Party in the polls.

The potential changes have been met with resistance from key cabinet members, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.

They worry that further declines in migrant students will worsen the financial situation in the UK.

Keegan, who supports measures to eliminate system abuse by agents, opposes limiting access to the scheme based on student quality or the degrees they pursue.

“This can’t all be about PPEs from Oxford,” she told colleagues.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) found evidence that agents mis-selling courses. They recommended tighter regulations, including requiring universities to publish data on spending for international recruitment agents and setting up a mandatory registration system.

An ally of Sunak expressed interest in a scheme like the "High Potential Individual" programme, which allows graduates from the top 50 universities worldwide to stay in the UK for two years without employer sponsorship.

Iain Mansfield from Policy Exchange suggested giving graduate visas only to students from "high tariff" universities, which require the highest grades.

Universities and businesses are urging Sunak to rethink his approach, arguing that focusing only on the “best and the brightest” is misguided.

UK universities at risk as international student numbers plunge, report says

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