Embassy of the United States Tokyo, Japan

• How can I find a school in the US?
• What does the “Full Course of Study” for undergraduate study mean?
• Should I wait for my I-20 to arrive before scheduling my interview appointment?
• I have not received my I-20 yet, what should I do?
• How long before my program starts can I travel to the US?
• How long can I stay in the US with an F/M visa?
• I am currently a student in the US, do I need a visa to re-enter the US?
• I have changed schools, do I need to get a new visa?
• If I am in the US studying and my visa has expired do I need to leave?
• Can I work while I am in the US?
• Can my family members work in the US?
• Can I study at a public school in the US?
• Can parents get a visa to live in the U.S. and care for a "young student"?

How can I find a school in the US?

The Japan-United States Educational Commission (JUSEC) is a good source of information on finding schools in the U.S.

What does the “Full Course of Study” for undergraduate study mean?

"Full Course of Study” for undergraduate study means: Study at a college or university, certified by a school official to consist of at least 12 semester or quarter hours of instruction per academic term in those institutions using standard semester, trimester, or quarter hour systems, where all undergraduate students who are enrolled for a minimum of twelve semester or quarter hours are charged full-time tuition or are considered full-time for other administrative purposes, or its equivalent (as determined by the district director in the school approval process), except when the student needs a lesser course load to complete the course of study during the current term.

Should I wait for my I-20 to arrive before scheduling my interview appointment?

You should have your I-20 with you at your appointment. It is important, however, that you schedule your appointment well in advance. Please select a date on which you expect to have your I-20. See here for more information.

I have not received my I-20 yet, what should I do?

Contact your school directly. If the school does not have the forms, it should contact the local office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

How long before my program starts can I travel to the US?

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, student visa holders may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start date listed on their I-20. This 30-day limit does not apply to returning students with a valid I-20; they may travel to the U.S. at any time.

How long can I stay in the US with an F/M visa?

F visa holders may remain in the US for up to 60 days after the end date listed on their I-20. M visa holders may remain in the U.S. either for one year or the time indicated on the I-20 plus 30 dyas, whichever is less.

I am currently a student in the US, do I need a visa to re-enter the US?

If you are making a short trip outside of the U.S., your visa has not expired and your status is "active" in SEVIS, there is no need to obtain another visa.  It is recommended that you contact your school's international student advisor before the trip.

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) , students may leave the U.S. and be readmitted after absences of five months or less. If you have spent more than 5 months outside the U.S. we strongly recommend that you apply for a new student visa.

I have changed schools, do I need to get a new visa?

If you change schools before you make your first trip to the US as a student, you will need to get a new visa. However, if you are changing schools after you have started your studies in the US, you do not need to get a new visa, unless you have been outside of the US for more than five months. Before traveling to the US to start a new school, please contact your student advisor to ensure that your SEVIS status is in "initial" or "active" status at the new school.

If I am in the US studying and my visa has expired do I need to leave?

You may remain in the U.S. as long as you are in full-time student status. On your next trip outside the U.S., you will need to obtain a valid student visa in order to reenter the U.S.

Can I work while I am in the US?

In certain circumstances, F-1 visa holders may obtain permission to work. M-1 visa holders may only engage in employment which is a required part of their practical training and the employment has been approved in advance by the office of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Can my family members work in the US?

No. Family members may not work on derivative F-2 and M-2 visas; they may, however, they may, however, participate in certain fields of programs such as avocational or recreational only as a part-time student.

Can I study at a public school in the US?

According to section 214(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), students cannot attend public elementary school (grades K through 8, approximately ages 5 to 14) or publicly funded adult education programs such as foreign language classes on an F-1 visa. It is possible to attend public high school (grades 9 through 12, approximately ages 14 to 18) for a maximum of 12 months on an F-1 visa, but proof must be shown that payment has been made for the full, unsubsidized cost of the education before a visa can be processed.

Students attending private elementary and secondary schools are not affected by this ruling.

Can parents get a visa to live in the U.S. and care for a "young student"?

No, there is no visa which will allow a parent to do this.