International students who attend Ball State typically enter the United States as a nonimmigrant with an
F-1 student visa (using the
form I-20) or a J-1 exchange
visitor visa (using the form DS-2019).
According to the
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), a nonimmigrant is a foreign citizen who visits the United States for a temporary purpose—tourism, work, or study—and, when finished, leaves the United States. Before being permitted to visit the United States as a nonimmigrant, foreign citizens must prove their
nonimmigrant intent.
This chart gives an overview of the types of nonimmigrant students. Nonimmigrants who wish to study in the United States should not enter the country as B-2 tourist, but as an F, M, or J student.
|
|
Type of School |
Apply To |
|
J-1 |
Secondary School (High School)
Limited to one semester or one academic year |
Exchange Visitor Program (DOS-designated sponsor)
|
|
J-1 |
College/University
Time limits vary with program |
Exchange Visitor Program (DOS-designated sponsor)
|
|
F-1 |
Public High School
Limited to 12 months |
SEVP-certified school |
|
F-1 |
K–12 Private School |
SEVP-certified school |
|
F-1 |
Academic (post secondary)
To include colleges, universities, community colleges, seminaries, fine arts conservatories, etc. |
SEVP-certified school |
|
F-1 |
English Language School |
SEVP-certified school |
|
M-1 |
Vocational or Technical School |
SEVP-certified school |