Studying in the United States: from choosing a school to maintaining status

This guide is for people planning full-time study in the United States under the most common nonimmigrant routes for academic or vocational programs: F-1 (academic students) and M-1 (vocational students), governed by the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) together with ICE and the SEVIS system. We also note the Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor Program when your program is sponsored by a designated sponsor — an entirely separate track with its own forms and rules.

Each step below points to official U.S. federal government sources (DHS Study in the States, ICE/SEVP, Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, USCIS, CBP, and EducationUSA where relevant). Fee amounts, processing times, and consular instructions change; rely on the posting in effect when you pay, apply, or travel.

Detailed eligibility framing for F and M appears on USCIS — Students and Employment and ICE — Students (SEVIS). For J-1, start with j1visa.state.gov and your designated sponsor.

Only SEVP-certified institutions may issue a valid Form I-20 and enroll you in F-1 or M-1 status. The official School Search on Study in the States lists certification scope by school and visa category.

For neutral overview resources about the U.S. education system, EducationUSA, supported by the Department of State, offers free guidance; it does not replace institutional admissions decisions or SEVP rules. See our report Education & Skills in the USA for broader context.

After admission, your school's Designated School Official (DSO) maintains your record in SEVIS and issues the Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. It reflects your program, start and end dates, reported funding, and SEVIS ID. Present only the I-20 for the school you will actually attend, as emphasized in official Study in the States guidance.

Your DSO is your first contact for program extensions, school transfers, practical employment (CPT/OPT), travel signatures, and address updates. For specialized SEVP inquiries, official channels are described on Study in the States — FAQ.

Federal law requires most F and M students to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee that funds SEVIS operations. Pay and retrieve your official receipt through the dedicated FMJFee portal: fmjfee.com. Keep the receipt — the SEVIS ID must match your Form I-20.

After paying the SEVIS fee (when required), you prepare your visa application through the U.S. Department of State. Complete the online DS-160 through CEAC: ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Answer accurately; inconsistencies with your I-20 or interview may trigger additional review.

Department of State guidance for student visas is summarized here: travel.state.gov — Student Visa. MRV fee payment procedures and wait times vary by consular post — follow the instructions published by the embassy or consulate handling your case. See also our USA Visa guide.

The interview assesses whether you meet nonimmigrant standards: credible study plan, finances consistent with your I-20, and ties to your home country. Decisions belong solely to the Department of State; France-USA-Net cannot predict outcomes.

Bring a valid passport, signed I-20, I-901 receipt, financial evidence, academic records if requested, and anything your specific post lists online. Photo specifications come from travel.state.gov — Photos.

A visa does not guarantee entry: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspect you at the port of entry. Carry your signed I-20, I-901 proof, and consistent funding evidence. After admission, verify your I-94 details through i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

Study in the States notes that F and M students may generally arrive up to 30 days before the program start date on the Form I-20 and must report to school as required — confirm wording on Study in the States — FAQ and with your DSO.

F-1 and M-1 status requires a full course of study, normal academic progress, and working with your DSO on changes (program updates, transfer, documented medical reduced course load, etc.). Read Maintain Your Status for official obligations and unauthorized employment risks.

F-1 students typically have 60 days after program completion (and authorized OPT if applicable) to depart; M-1 students generally have 30 days, per ICE's student overview. Treat regulatory text and DSO guidance as authoritative. For the general visa/status framework, see Immigration.

USCIS — Students and Employment states that, with limited exceptions, F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year; on-campus employment remains subject to school policy and federal rules.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) follow strict rules (major alignment, DSO authorization, USCIS filings such as Form I-765 when an EAD is required: uscis.gov/i-765). For OPT and STEM extensions, cross-check OPT — USCIS and STEM OPT extension — USCIS, plus Training Opportunities in the United States.

Transferring your SEVIS record, changing education level, or extending a program end date requires your DSO to update SEVIS properly. If you explore a change of nonimmigrant status, review USCIS requirements, including Form I-539 where applicable: uscis.gov/i-539.

To return to the United States after travel abroad, you generally need a valid passport, a valid nonimmigrant visa where required, a Form I-20 properly endorsed for travel by your DSO, and consistency with student status. Review Maintain Your Status and confirm travel signatures before each international trip.

Most universities require compliant health insurance for enrollment. While insurance details are largely institutional, failing to comply can block registration. Keep encrypted copies of your passport, I-20, I-94, and housing agreements. Follow DSO instructions for SEVIS address updates and USCIS correspondence rules for any pending petitions or applications.

To open a local bank account, see Open a U.S. Bank Account; to build credit history, see Credit Score in the USA.

Appointment scheduling, document lists, and guidance for applicants applying from France are published by the responsible U.S. diplomatic mission. Monitor the U.S. Embassy in France and the Department of State's travel.state.gov — U.S. Visas hub. Use official State Department wait-time tools before booking nonrefundable travel.