The Immigration and Nationality Act offers two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The "F" visa is reserved for non-immigrants seeking to pursue academic studies and/or language training programs, and the "M" visa is reserved for non-immigrants wishing to pursue nonacademic or vocational studies.  In order for a person to qualify in either the “F” or “M” category, he/she must meet the following criteria:

• The student must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program;
• The school must be approved by the USCIS;
• The student must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution;
• The student must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency;
• The student must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study; and
• The student must maintain a residence abroad which he/she has no intention of giving up.

For more information, see our Article regarding F-1 Student Visas or Contact our Southwest Houston and Sugarland Immigration Attorneys for further assistance.