F-1 and J-1 Student Visas — Study Abroad Crawler

Metadata
Title: F-1 and J-1 Student Visas
Category: international
UUID: 8ab5a660a339484c817676ecf86b6bfc
Source URL: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-stude...
Parent URL: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life
Crawl Time: 2026-03-23T04:16:33+00:00
# F-1 and J-1 Student Visas

**Source**: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas
**Parent**: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life

[Log into our immigration portal](https://bechtelconnect.stanford.edu/)

The F-1 and J-1 visas are the only student visas used at Stanford University.

Most students study with an F-1 visa. Not all students qualify for the J-1 visa. Stanford policy prohibits your using a J-1 visa if you are funded more than 50 percent by personal or family funds. You qualify for either an F-1 or J-1 visa when you receive a 50 percent research assistantship (RA), teaching assistantship (TA),  or fellowship from Stanford University.

To apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa stamp, you must first obtain an I-20 form (for F-1) or DS-2019 form (for J-1). These forms are issued by Bechtel International Center. You must include them in your application when you apply for your F-1 or J1 visa stamp at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Keep in mind these important points when you apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa:

- As an F-1 or  J-1 visa holder, you may enter the United States up to 30 days before your program start date indicated on your visa documents.
- If you bring your spouse or children with you to Stanford, they are considered dependents on your visa and each must obtain their own F-2 or J-2 visa.
- You should not enter the U.S. on a tourist (B-1/B-2 or WT visa waiver) visa if your intent is to enroll in school.

## Comparison Chart

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | | **F-1 Visa** | **J-1 Visa** |
| **Employment Opportunities** | On-Campus Employment Before  Graduation | - No authorization required - Allowed for 20 or fewer hours per week during academic year - Full-time work allowed during the summer and on breaks between quarters | - Must obtain approval from Responsible Officer (usually International Center) - Allowed for 20 or fewer hours per week during academic year - Full-time work allowed during the summer and on breaks between quarters |
| Off-Campus Employment Before  Graduation | - Optional Practical Training (12 months or less) - Curricular Practical Training (unlimited, with conditions) - Internships with International Organizations - For reasons of Economic Necessity - Allowed for up to 20 hours a week and full time during school breaks | - Academic Training (18 months or the length of your program, whichever is shorter) - Allowed for up to 20 hours a week and full time during school breaks |
| Off-Campus Employment After  Graduation | Post-Completion Practical Training - total of 12 months, (may be limited by time spent in Optional Practical Training prior to graduation) | Academic Training (restrictions are the same as those for participation prior to graduation) |
| **Funding** | Proof of Funding | - Must show proof of 9 months of funding for graduate study - Any personal funding must be verified with a bank statement or letter of support from a scholarship source | - Must show proof of funding for entire term of study - Any personal funding must be verified with a bank statement or letter of support from a scholarship source |
| Funding from personal or family  income (including loans) | Unlimited | Must be less than 50% of total funding per year |
| **Dependents** | School Attendance | F-2 spouse may only engage in part-time study, and the F-2 child may only engage in full-time study if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade) | J-2 dependents may attend school part time or full time |
| Employment of dependents | Not allowed under any circumstances | Allowed if dependents can prove their earnings are not needed to support the J-1 visa holder;  Employment authorization is required |

## Additional Resources

Following are additional resources to help you understand F-1 and J-1 visas and associated requirements.

### New Students

- [Information on Visas and Supporting Documents](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/applying-and-renewing-stanford "Applying for and Renewing a Stanford-Sponsored F or J Student Visa")
- [Visa Document Process for New Students](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/applying-visa-document-newly-admitted "Before Applying for a Visa Document for Newly Admitted Students")
- [Applying for a Visa](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/applying-and-renewing-stanford "Applying for and Renewing a Stanford-Sponsored F or J Student Visa")
- [International Student Orientation](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/arrive-campus/new-students-arriving-campus "New Students: Arriving on Campus")
- [Transferring F and J Sponsorship](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/transferring-f-and-j-sponsorship)
- [Changing Your Immigration Status](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/changing-your-immigration-status)

### Current Students

- [Maintaining Status for F and J Students](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/maintaining-status-f-1-and-j-1-students "Maintaining Status for F-1 and J-1 Students")
- [Address Update](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/address-updates "Address Updates")
- [Enrollment](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/maintaining-status-f-1-and-j-1-1 "Enrollment Requirements")
- [Leave of Absence](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/maintaining-status-f-1-and-j-1-0 "Requesting a Leave of Absence and Returning from a Leave of Absence (F-1 and J-1 Students)")
- [Extensions](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/f-1-and-j-1-program-extension "F-1 and J-1 Program Extension")
- [Change and Add Academic Program](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/changing-or-adding-academic-program "Changing or Adding an Academic Program")
- [Employment](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/employment)
- [Travel](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/travel)
- [Health Insurance](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/arrive-campus/new-students-arriving-campus/health-insurance-students "Health Insurance for Students")
- [Transferring F and J Sponsorship](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/transferring-f-and-j-sponsorship)

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