F-1 International Students

3020.1 Statement

An F-1 student is a nonimmigrant who is pursuing a "full course of study" to achieve a specific educational or professional objective, at an academic institution in the United States that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to offer courses of study to such students, and has been enrolled in SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). The F-1 category is created by section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and regulated by DHS regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f), 214.3, and 214.4

  • INA § 101(a)(15)(F); INA § 214(m); IIRIRA § 641
  • 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f); 8 C.F.R. § 214.3; 8 C.F.R. § 214.4