1. What Is the F-1 Student Visa? The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for international students to pursue academic studies in the United States at accredited colleges, universities, language schools, or other academic institutions. It allows you to enter the U.S. as a full-time student. Key Point: The visa (sticker in your passport) is your entry permit. Your I-20 form (from your school) governs your stay and status while in the U.S. Aspiring student stands confidently outsi

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization that allows F-1 international students to gain practical work experience in their field of study. 1. What Is OPT? The main goal is to give students a chance to get real work experience that is connected to what they are studying. This work experience is supposed to be related to the F-1 students major area of study. The idea is to help F-1 students learn things that they can actually use in their careers.