All full-time, degree-seeking international students are eligible to apply for an F-1 visa. Note, students pursuing a 100% remote or online degree are not eligible to receive an I-20 or DS-2019 form to pursue their online degree inside the U.S.
Most Georgia Tech (GT) international students hold F-1 visa status, however, some students may be eligible to pursue either an F-1 visa or a J-1 visa. In this case, we encourage you to review and consider the information below when making your decision. If you are still unsure, you are encouraged to speak with a qualified immigration attorney regarding the visa type that is best for you.
Who is eligible to choose between F-1 and J-1 visa?
To be eligible for a J-1 visa more than 50% of your total financial support must be from a source other than personal or family funds for the entirety of your degree program. This financial support may be a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship from an external funding source such as your home government, a corporate sponsor, or Georgia Tech. Students with only personal or family funding are not eligible for a J-1 visa.
Basic differences between F-1 and J-1 student visas
| F-1 Visa | J-1 Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Funding | Supported by personal/family funds, outside funds, or a combination of both. The source of the funding is not restricted for the F visa. | More than 50% of funding is from an outside source such as a scholarship, fellowship, or government sponsorship |
| Proof of Funding | Student must show GT and the U.S. consulate proof of sufficient funding for their first year of study | Student must show GT and the U.S. consulate proof of sufficient funding for the entire estimated duration of their academic program |
| Program of Study Flexibility | F-1 students can change their major and degree level without any visa restrictions and with the support of their academic program. They are required to report these changes to OIE as they occur in order to maintain their status. | J-1 students are not permitted to change their major after they have begun their program. They must keep the same objective/subject that they applied to. If the exchange visitor wants to change majors, they would need to end their current program, return home, and apply for a new J-1 visa in the desired major. |
| Off Campus Employment | Two authorization options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for working off campus during studies. For more information, please review our Curricular Practical Training Website Optional Practical Training (OPT) for working off campus, usually after the completion of studies. This is a 12 month work authorization. Student in STEM fields may be authorized for an additional 24 months. For more information, please review our Optional Practical Training Website Both CPT and OPT are only available to students who have completed one academic year of full-time enrollment in the U.S. For complete details please visit our website. | One authorization option: Academic Training (AT) for working off campus during studies or after the completion of studies. This authorization is granted by OIE. For more information, please review our Academic Training Website. |
| Dependents | Dependents in F-2 status may study in the U.S. but they are not eligible for full-time study. And F-2 dependents are not eligible for employment inside the U.S. | Dependents in J-2 status may study in the U.S. and can enroll full-time. J-2 dependents are also eligible to apply for an employment authorization document via USCIS to work in the U.S. |
Long-Term Implications of a J-1 Visa
Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
J-1 students may be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. This requirement applies to you if:
- You receive any funding (including nominal travel grants) from your home government or a U.S. government agency; or
- Your degree/program of study is on the Exchange Visitor's Skills List. This is a list of fields with specialized knowledge and skills that are deemed necessary for the development of your home country.
If the J-1 student is subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement so are his/ her J-2 dependents. More information about the two-year home country physical presence requirement and potential waiver is available on our website.
12-Month Bar After Previous J-1 Participation
J-1 students who have studied in the U.S. for more than 6 months may not return as a J-1 Research Scholar (another J-1 visa category, often used for post-doctoral research) until at least 12 months have passed. This 12-Month Bar is separate from the two-year home country physical presence requirement listed above. J-2 dependents are also subject to this bar.