This chart gives an overview of visa requirements. Read more detailed information on the following:
| F-1 | Student |
|
Income from U.S. Sources |
Employment permitted on and off-campus under certain circumstances; curricular practical training and twelve months of optional practical training (OPT) permitted |
|
Probable Tax Status |
Nonresident for five years |
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Admission to academic course of study; evidence of financial support; indication of English proficiency or admission to English training program |
|
Maximum Stay in U.S. |
As long as full-time academic progress continues; must seek program extension if completion of program is delayed |
|
Advantages |
Easy to obtain; easy to change status when applicable; not subject to two-year home residence requirement (as opposed to J-1) |
|
Disadvantages |
Limited to students who meet normal admission requirements for recognized degree program; off-campus work limited; spouse cannot work |
|
Supporting Documents |
Proof of academic admission shown on I-20; evidence of financial support |
|
Forms |
1. I-20 AB |
| J-1 | |
|
The J visa or Exchange Visitor category was developed in 1961 to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”It is a visa issued to students studying at Northeastern who are here with an exchange program, receiving government sponsorship for their program of study, or have been sponsored by an organization such as Fulbright. Regulations governing the J visa are somewhat different than for those students in F-1, but many of the requirements are consistent: immigration clearance upon arrival, maintaining a full course of study (12 credits for undergraduates, 8 for graduates), change of address and authorization in advance from the ISSI or sponsoring agency for any co-op or employment -based training (known as Academic Training see below), and annual renewal of the travel signature on the DS-2019 (unless traveling to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean islands in which case it is every six months). Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students must apply for prior authorization and have reporting responsibilities for an on-campus employment, which-- like F-1 students-- may not exceed 20 hours per week. | |
| B-1 | Visitor for Business |
|
Income from U.S. Sources |
Reimbursement for expenses only; no salary; honorarium permitted under certain circumstances |
|
Probable Tax Status |
Nonresident |
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Proof of scholarly or business purpose of U.S. visit |
|
Maximum Stay in U.S. |
Six months at entry; renewable to twelve months; if honorarium paid, visitor limited to 6 visits to six months, 9 days/institution |
|
Advantages |
Quick and relatively easy to obtain |
|
Disadvantages |
Strict limitation payments from U.S. sources |
|
Supporting Documents |
Invitation letter with dates and purpose of visit; proof of adequate funds; evidence of return ticket |
|
Forms |
None |
| B-2 | Visitor for Pleasure |
|
Income from U.S. Sources |
No U.S. salary; limited honorarium |
|
Probable Tax Status |
Nonresident |
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Evidence of financial support and tourist plans |
|
Maximum Stay in U.S. |
Six months at entry; renewable up to twelve months with difficulty; same as above re: honoraria |
|
Advantages |
Quick and relatively easy to obtain |
|
Disadvantages |
Limited stay in U.S.; no salary from U.S. sources permitted |
|
Supporting Documents |
Proof of adequate funds for visit; evidence of return ticket |
|
Forms |
None |