F-1 visa

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant, full-time, student visa that allows foreigners to pursue education in the United States. The "F" visa is reserved for non-immigrants wishing to pursue academic studies and/or language training programs. F-1 visas are given only through "academic" institutions. Vocational education is not included in F1 visa; for vocational education, an M visa should be obtained.

Except for on-campus employment of 20 hours a week or lesser, F-1 students are generally not permitted to work in the US without prior authorization from Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). However, the USCIS may grant work authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students are permitted to work for a total of 40 months towards practical training (eg. internship), which can be distributed between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). An interim order was passed recently, allowing students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to undergo OPT for 29 months.

F-2 (dependent) visas are given to families of an F-1 student. F-2 visa-holders are prohibited from any form of compensated employment. However, minor children may attend public schools.

Taxation for International Students F1 Visas:

F1 Visa holders are under exempt tax status, for up to 5 years.So for the 5 years, they are considered Non Resident Aliens for Tax Purposes. They are exempt from FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes), and they need to file Tax Forms 1040NR And Form 8843.

They can claim Tax Treaty benefits depending on their Resident Country. Improperly withheld taxes in OPT,CPT can be refunded by filing Form 843.

For questions related to F1 Taxes, and Taxation under OPT,CPT please bookmark the [http://forum.VisaTaxes.com F1 Taxation Forum]

* [https://www.visataxes.com/software/forms/Form1040NR-EZ.php Non Resident Tax Software F1 Students - File Form 1040NR-EZ and Form 8843 ]

External links

* [https://www.visataxes.com/software/forms/Form1040NR-EZ.php Non Resident Tax Software F1 Students - File Form 1040NR-EZ and Form 8843 ]
* [http://qna.educouncil.org/Visa_and_Immigration/nZxyNXyYnNy.html Sample F1 Visa Questions]
* [http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=27bc6138f898d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=48819c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD USCIS Website]
* [http://forum.visataxes.com Taxation for F1 Students]
* [http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html U.S. government website]