Understanding F-1 and J-1 Visas

There are many types of immigration statuses for foreign nationals coming to the U.S. Each has its own purpose, restrictions, and benefits. F-1 and J-1 statuses are designated as full time student statuses.

When you apply for immigration sponsorship from UChicago, you will be asked to choose between F-1 and J-1 status. Both statuses will allow you to study, and both allow for on-campus and some off-campus work authorization.

Eligibility for F-1 and J-1 Status

The eligibility requirements for F-1 and J-1 student status are as follows:

F-1 Visa: To be eligible for an I-20 and F-1 visa, you must be admitted to a full-time program of study, meet the English requirement, and be able to show proof of funding for at least the first year of study.
J-1 Visa: If you have funding from an outside source (e.g. scholarship, grant, government, or other), or are coming for short-term exchange programs, you may qualify for the DS-2019 form and J-1 student visa.
- NOTE: funding from an outside source should be equal to at least 50% of tuition expenses.

Comparing F-1 and J-1

If you're eligible for either F-1 or J-1, you may choose which is most appropriate based on your personal situation. For more, see the comparisons below:

F-1	J-1
Enter 30 days before program start date	Enter 30 days before program start date
60-day grace period at end of program	30-day grace period at end of program
Immediately eligible for up to 20 hours/week of on-campus work authorization; unlimited on-campus work authorization on breaks while remaining in F-1 status	Immediately eligible for up to 20 hours/week of on-campus work authorization; unlimited on-campus work authorization on breaks while remaining in J-1 status but must be reported via this form.
Spouses in F-1 status may study for recreational purposes (i.e. cooking classes, language classes, etc.) or part-time in a degree program, but may not work	Spouses in J-2 status can study, are also eligible for work authorization with an approved application to USCIS and EAD
No home residency requirement	May be subject to 2-year home residency requirement
Main types of off-campus work authorization: 1) Optional Practical Training (OPT): Eligible after completion of one year of study for up to 12 months per educational level of full-time work authorization related to program of study. Can be used either during or after program of study. Requires application to USCIS; processing takes 3-4 months and requires a fee. Exchange students not eligible. Does not require a job offer, so you can use it after graduation to look for a job. 24 Month STEM Extension: Those who will complete a degree in USCIS-approved STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field, may be eligible for the 24 month STEM extension, after completing 12 months of regular OPT. 2) Curricular Practical Training (CPT): used by Booth and College Metcalf Fellows most commonly; also available in other units. Used in the summer or part time during the school year after completion of one year of study and while you remain a student.	Main types of off-campus work authorization: Academic Training (AT): Eligible for off-campus work authorization related to program of study up to 18 months for bachelors and masters students or length of academic program whichever is shorter, up to 36 months for doctoral students. All time used (full-time or part-time) is deducted at a full-time rate. Authorized by OIA. Requires a job offer, so you must have a job lined up before graduation.

If you have another status in the U.S., such as H4, L2, or adjustment applicant, it could be possible to study in those statuses without obtaining either an F-1 or J-1 visa. Visit our page on studying in a status outside of F-1/J-1 for more information.

If you have any questions about choosing a status for study, please do not hesitate to contact our office at international-affairs@uchicago.edu.