F-1/J-1 visa Attributes
Student Visas at UTEP
There are two types of visas available to UTEP students: F-1 (Academic or Language Students) and J-1 (exchange or sponsored students).
- F-1 visas are ONLY available to full-time degree, Border Commuters from Mexico, and Language Training students.
- F-1 students are issued a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, which they would use to obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate/embassy when abroad; to change to F-1 status within the U.S.; or to continue studying at UTEP when already in the U.S. in F-1 status.
- J-1 visas may be issued to several types of exchange visitors that include students, such as international professors, researcher scholars, short-research scholars and student interns.
- J-1 students can be degree-seeking sponsored students, or non-degree seeking exchange students. J-1 students are issued a Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, and will use the DS-2019 from the program sponsor to either apply for a visa or change of status. If UTEP is the program sponsor, the J-1 student will receive his/her DS-2019 from OIP. Otherwise, the J-1 student will receive his/her DS-2019 from another program sponsor.
To find out more about student visas and whether you need one, visit Who Can Study?
Steps to apply for a student visa
TABLE: F-1 Students vs. J-1 Students Description
|
ITEM |
F-1 |
J-1 |
|
Purpose of Visa |
Coming to the U.S. to study in an academic or language program |
Over a dozen different Exchange Visitor categories, one of which is designated for College and Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Students to study |
|
Immigration Document |
Form I-20 issued through SEVIS by school |
Form DS-2019 issued through SEVIS by program sponsor |
|
Where You Can Study? |
Any SEVP-certified school |
Anywhere designated by a DOS-approved J-1 program sponsor. |
|
Length of Stay |
Length of academic program plus any applicable practical training, with a 60 day grace period at the end of the program/training |
Length of program plus any applicable practical training, with a 30 day grace period at the end of the program/training |
|
Source of Funding |
Generally financed by personal or family funds, scholarships, or Teaching/Research Assistantships |
Funding must primarily come from the U.S. government, the student’s home country government, an international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statue, or from any source other than personal or family funds. |
|
Foreign Residence Requirement |
N/A |
May be subject to the “212(e)” two-year home residence requirement. If subject, they may not return to the U.S. in an official capacity, at least two years after completion of the J-1 program. Waivers of the 212.(e) are available in certain cases. |
|
Health Insurance |
UTEP requires non-Mexican F-1 students and their F-2 dependents to purchase UTEP insurance and/or maintain UTEP qualifying medical coverage for the duration of the program. |
J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents are required to have comprehensive health insurance to fulfill U.S. government regulations. The UTEp insurance is not a requirement. |
|
Repeat Participation Bars |
N/A |
J-1 students and J-2 dependents may be barred from entering the United States as a J-1 Research Scholar or J-1 Professor for a period of 12-months or 24 months depending on the prior J-1 category or 212(e) requirement. |
|
Employment |
Eligible for on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). May be eligible for Economic Hardship employment authorization in rare cases |
Eligible for on-campus employment and Academic Training (AT). |
|
Dependents |
Spouse and unmarried children under age 21 are eligible for F-2. |
Spouse and unmarried children under age 21 are eligible for J-2. |
|
F-2 dependents are not permitted to work. |
J-2 dependents may apply for employment authorization through USCIS. |
|
|
F-2 spouse may study part-time at a college or university, or participate in avocational or recreational courses. To engage in full-time study, the F-2 spouse must apply for F-1 status. |
J-2 spouse may attend any U.S. school part time or full time. |
|
|
F-2 children may attend elementary and secondary school (K-12) full time. Children may study part time at a college or university, or avocational or recreational courses. To engage in full-time study, F-2 children must apply for F-1 status. |
J-2 children may attend any elementary any secondary school (K-12), college, or university part time or full time. |
|
|
Special Cases |
F-1 is the only visa option for ELI students and Border Commuters (students who study in the U.S. but reside in Mexico). |
N/A |