What is an F-1 visa?

What does an F-1 visa entail? This kind of visa is something I hear a lot about, but even after searching for it online, I still don’t know what it entails. Are students, summer employees, or both eligible for this kind of visa?

A: I believe that in 2025, everyone is hearing and learning about the many kinds of visas. Visas in the US are categorized based on the reason for travel. The US offers more than 30 different kinds of visas. Athletes, farmers, academics, journalists, and even people coming to the US for medical treatment are among the groups of people who can obtain a visa.

I spoke with Faraz Qaisrani, an immigration specialist and lawyer at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, to gain a deeper understanding of the F-1 visa type. Qaisrani provides immigration-related advice to clients all around the United States.

The F-1 visa, according to Qaisrani, is a particular kind of visa intended for students who decide to study in the United States. For those who go to the United States to attend recognized universities approved by the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the F-1 visa is a type of student visa. The F-1 visa is only allowed for educational purposes, even though many other visas are for work-related reasons.

There are just a few methods for F-1 students to work lawfully and keep their visa status, according to Qaisrani. Qaisrani gave an overview.

1. F-1 students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the academic year, such as in the university bookshop, dining hall, or library. Other than being in active F-1 status, no additional authorization is required.

2. During the summer or other formal school breaks:If it is required for their academic program, students can work full-time on campus or pursue off-campus employment through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is usually linked to a course or degree requirement, such an internship for credit, and needs to be approved by the institution.

3. F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a sort of work license that permits them to work in their field of study for a maximum of 12 months after graduating (and up to 36 months in certain STEM professions with an extension). This job must be directly related to the student’s major, but it can be with any U.S. firm.

Since 1952, the F-1 visa has been in use. The Association of foreign Educators, formerly known as NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisors), released a report on November 18, 2024, stating that during the 2023–2024 school year, foreign students made $43.8 billion in economic contributions to the United States. NAFSA also discovered that one US employment is produced or supported for every three overseas students. The top five states with the biggest economic boosts were California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and Illinois.

For additional information regarding various visa kinds and other immigration-related topics, you can also visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), www.uscis.gov, or the American Immigration Lawyers Association, www.aila.org.