Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical wait time for a visa appointment?
Find out typical U.S. visa appointment wait times, what affects them, when to apply, and how to check current wait times for your embassy or consulate.
What documents will I receive after being accepted by an SEVP-certified school?
Learn which documents you'll receive after acceptance to an SEVP-certified school, including your Form I-20, and what you need before it's issued.
How do I pay the I-901 SEVIS fee?
Learn the most common reasons U.S. visa applications are denied, including INA 214(b), 221(g), financial proof, documents, and home-country ties.
Can I visit Canada or Mexico without a valid visa stamp?
Learn when Automatic Visa Revalidation lets F-1 and J-1 students re-enter the U.S. from Canada or Mexico without a valid visa stamp.
How early can I enter the U.S. before my program begins?
Find out how early F-1 and J-1 students can enter the U.S., who the 30-day rule applies to, and what to do if you need to arrive earlier.
Can I extend my J-1 program?
Learn how to extend your J-1 program, eligibility requirements, funding and documentation needed, deadlines, and how to avoid falling out of status.
How do I transfer to a new school or change my academic level?
Transfer schools or change your academic level without risking your F-1 or J-1 status by following the correct SEVIS transfer process.
What is the J-1 Specialist category?
Find out who qualifies for the J-1 Specialist category, eligible activities, program limits, and how the one-year maximum stay works.
Can my J-2 spouse work in the U.S.?
See how a J-2 spouse can apply for work authorization, when employment can begin, and the rules for working legally in the U.S.
How do I report scams?
Report scams quickly by contacting your school, bank, law enforcement, and federal agencies to protect your identity, finances, and immigration status.
Can I travel to Canada or Mexico during my grace period and return to complete my departure?
Know how travel to Canada or Mexico affects your F-1 or J-1 grace period and why leaving the U.S. ends your ability to return in that status.
What is “specialized knowledge” for an L-1 visa?
Understand what qualifies as specialized knowledge for an L-1B visa, who meets the standard, and how USCIS evaluates eligible positions.
Is there an annual limit on H-1B visas?
Find out how the H-1B annual cap works, who qualifies for the master's cap, and which employers are exempt from the H-1B lottery.
How much do I need to invest for an E-2 visa?
Understand how much you need to invest for an E-2 visa, what "substantial investment" means, and the requirements for a qualifying business.
What are the EB-1A extraordinary ability criteria?
Review the 10 EB-1A extraordinary ability criteria, the three-criteria requirement, and how USCIS makes its final eligibility decision.
Can I apply for my marriage green card at the same time my spouse petitions for me?
Find out when you can file Form I-130 and Form I-485 together, who qualifies for concurrent filing, and how a spouse's status affects timing.
What is the National Interest Waiver (NIW)?
Understand how the National Interest Waiver (NIW) lets eligible EB-2 applicants self-petition without employer sponsorship or labor certification.
Which jobs qualify for a TN visa?
See which professions qualify for a TN visa, the education requirements, and how your job offer and qualifications must match USMCA rules.
What does “extraordinary ability” mean for an O-1 visa?
Understand what extraordinary ability means for an O-1 visa, the evidence USCIS requires, and how applicants qualify under the eligibility criteria.
Who qualifies as a J-2 dependent?
Find out who qualifies as a J-2 dependent, which family members are eligible, and when children no longer qualify for J-2 status.