What is an International Student?
If you are unsure about what type of student you are, this part of the handbook will assist you with your specific classification and any additional questions you may have about your eligibility.
Am I an International Student?
If you intend to enroll for credit at an accredited higher education institution in the United States (US) on a temporary visa, and you are not an immigrant (e.g., a permanent resident with an I-51 or Green Card), or an undocumented immigrant (e.g., DACA), or a refugee, then you are considered to be an international student.
The primary visa for degree-seeking study in the US is the F-1 Visa. Students who do not hold an F-1 visa status may study at Florida Poly only if their current visa status permits study in a degree-seeking program.
Individuals in other nonimmigrant visas (NIV) categories are also considered international students, but do not have the same benefits as an F-1 student, and may have specific study restrictions depending on immigration regulations for their visa type.
For information about the different nonimmigrant visas (NIV) go to the US Department of State website.
IMPORTANT: Individuals holding B1/B2 (visitor) status are PROHIBITED from studying in a degree-seeking program and must change their visa status (to F-1) to be eligible to study.
Regardless of immigration status, all prospective applicants should apply, but you must make sure to verify your intended or current visa classification when applying with International Admissions.
The F-1 visa
The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US university or college, and you can only apply for the F-1 visa after an accredited US institution accepts your application.
F-1 students seeking to apply to study at Florida Poly must complete the International Admissions application and verify their intent to study under the F-1 visa. Once you are accepted, you will be contacted by a Designated School Official (DSO) who is responsible for administering and monitoring the F-1 students at the university.
The DSO issues Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status” (I-20), which is required to apply for the F-1 visa. This form documents your study plans, provides supporting information about your stay, and will only be issued after you have been accepted, paid the required enrollment deposit to the university, and have submitted all required documentation.
F-1 Dependents
F-2 visa holders are the legal dependents of the F-1 visa holder; spouses and children (under 21). F-2 dependents may study less than full time at any certified program at a SEVP-certified school, as long as the study does not amount to what immigration regulations define as full-time study.
F-2 dependents may also study full-time for vocational or recreational study, such as hobbies. F-2 minor children must comply with compulsory education requirements in attending kindergarten through 12th grade.
However, an F-2 dependent who wants to enroll full-time in a course of post-secondary academic or vocational study must apply for and obtain approval to change nonimmigrant status to F-1, J-1, or M-1 before beginning their full-time study.
Dependents should apply for a visa at the same time as the principle visa holder, but may also do so after the principle holder arrives in the US.
F-1 students who wish to bring their legal dependents with them to the US must first complete a Dependent Request and submit to ISS to request an F-2 Dependent I-20 for them, so they may apply for their visas to enter the US.
The J-1 Visa
The J-1 visa is an “exchange visitor” visa which is managed under the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) of the US Department of State, for the purpose of increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. Exchange visitors accomplish this by teaching, lecturing, consulting, and/or conducting research for educational institutions such as Florida Poly.
Please view EVP Category Chart for a quick reference of J-1 categories and requirements.
Students who meet the criteria for the J-1 visa will be issued a DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor” by their sponsoring organization (IIE, AMIDEAST), and the spouse or children of a J-1 student enter the US on a J-2 visa.
If you are applying as a J-1 student, then you will be required to secure a J-1 Visa sponsor (such as IIE or AMIDEAST). Your sponsoring organization is responsible for administering and monitoring you under the EVP and is who you will report to while studying at Florida Poly.
J-1 students are responsible for understanding and complying with the terms of their immigration status during their stay in the US, and must report to the program advisor at their sponsoring organization for the issue of the DS-2019, which is needed to apply for the F-1 visa, immigration advisement and program-related concerns and issues.
J-1 Dependents
J-2 visa holders are the legal dependents of J-1 visa holders; spouses and children (under 21). J-2 dependents are eligible to engage in full-time or part-time study and are eligible for work authorization.
J-2 dependents should apply for a visa at the same time as the principle visa holder, but may also do so after the principle holder arrives in the US. To begin the process, J-1 exchange visitors must request a dependent DS-2019 form from their program advisor at their sponsoring organization; dependents will then apply for their J-2 visa at their nearest US Embassy or Consulate.
For more information regarding the J-1 EVP please visit:
Other Visa Types (non F/J visa students)
The US government uses the term nonimmigrant to refer to foreign nationals admitted into the country temporarily for a specific purpose. Once this purpose is fulfilled, they must either change their status or depart the country.
If you do not hold or are not applying for the F-1 or J-1 visa you are still considered an international student, but you do not have the same study guidelines as F-1 or J-1 visa students.
Other visa type students who are attending school incidental to their primary purpose for being in the US may attend part-time or full-time (in accordance with immigration guidelines for their visa type). However, some have specific study restrictions and others are required to change their status to be eligible to study (e.g., the B-2 visa is not eligible to study in the US without changing their visa status).
If you hold another visa type, you are responsible for being aware of your visa study restrictions, must abide by the rules of your current status, and cannot exceed your stay in the US for the purposes of completing a program or a degree.
Can Dependents of non-F/J visa Holders Study?
If dependents are eligible to study, they may not remain in the US beyond the period approved for the principal in order to continue schooling. In most cases, children lose their derivative status at the age of 21 and must apply for a change to F-1 if they wish to remain in the US to continue their course of study. Spouses and children (under 21) who derive their status from that of the principal visa holder may have specific study restrictions and should refer to the resources listed below.
For more information regarding study for other NIV students please visit:
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