Foreign students who come to study the U.S. help build our academic institutions and research infrastructure, and play a major role in the innovation that occurs in this country. They also contribute tens of billions of dollars to the national economy and hundreds of millions of dollars to the state of Washington.
Applicants for F-1 student visas must show full-time academic study at an approved institution, and sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs. They are allowed a reasonable time to complete their studies, as well as a period of time to continue training after they complete their studies, during which they can remain in the U.S.
Generally, such visa-holders cannot work, but they may be allowed to work in some circumstances. Many student visa recipients have issues after their schooling concludes, and we look at ways to change the visa if there are viable alternatives.
