The United States remains one of the top destinations for international students, but the visa process involves more than filling out a form. Consular officers scrutinize student visa applications closely for financial ability and ties to the home country, and once a student arrives, maintaining status has its own set of rules around full course load, work authorization, and program changes that trip people up more often than they expect.
We help applicants prepare a strong initial visa application, and we help students and exchange visitors already in the U.S. navigate the situations that come up along the way: a school transfer, a change of degree level, an unpaid internship through CPT or OPT, or a status violation that needs to be corrected before it becomes a bigger problem.
Who This Helps
- Prospective students admitted to a SEVP-certified school seeking an F-1 or M-1 visa
- Exchange visitors sponsored by a designated program seeking a J-1 visa
- Current F-1 students applying for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- STEM graduates seeking a 24-month OPT extension
- Students transferring schools or changing their degree level who need to update their SEVIS record correctly
- Students who fell out of status and need to understand reinstatement options
How We Handle These Cases
Visa Application Review
We review your I-20 or DS-2019, financial documentation, and ties to your home country before your consular interview to help you present the strongest possible case.
Maintaining Status
We advise on the rules around full course load, authorized employment, and program extensions so a small misstep does not turn into a status violation.
Work Authorization Filings
We prepare CPT authorization paperwork with your school and file OPT and STEM OPT extension applications with USCIS on the correct timeline.
Status Correction
If you have already fallen out of status, we assess whether reinstatement, a change of status, or another path is realistic given your specific facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa?
An F-1 visa is for academic study at a college, university, or language program. An M-1 visa is for vocational or non-academic study. A J-1 visa is for exchange visitors, including students, scholars, and trainees, sponsored by a designated exchange program, and it sometimes carries a two-year home residency requirement depending on the funding source and field of study.
Can I work while on a student visa?
F-1 students can generally work on campus without additional authorization, and off campus only through CPT, OPT, or in cases of severe economic hardship, each of which requires separate approval. Working without proper authorization is one of the most common status violations we see, and it is worth checking before accepting any position.
What happens if I fall out of status?
It depends on how it happened and how quickly you address it. In some cases, reinstatement with USCIS is available if you act promptly and the violation was not willful. In other cases, leaving the U.S. and reapplying may be the more realistic path. This is worth a direct conversation as soon as you realize there is an issue.
Can a student visa lead to a green card later?
A student visa itself does not directly lead to permanent residency, but many students transition afterward through OPT into an employer-sponsored visa like an H-1B, or through marriage or another family petition, which can eventually open the door to a green card.
This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case depends on its specific facts. Contact Murph & Tchamda LLP to discuss your situation with a licensed attorney before taking any action.