Foreign students who want to study in the United States usually apply for the F-1 visa. The foreign student's spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are allowed to join him/her in the U.S., under F-2 status. A prospective student's Form I-20A-B may be used to request an F-2 visa.

If the prospective student's spouse and/or dependant children are joining you later, they will need to submit Form I-20A-B, endorsed from the school the student is planning to attend. F-2 visa holders can not work while in the U.S.

The J-1 visa is designed to provide educational and cultural exchange programs, and to promote the sharing of individuals, knowledge and skills in education, arts and sciences. This visa enables people to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. Participants in this visa include students, trainees involved in on-the-job training, teachers engaged in research and teaching and international visitors interested in traveling, researching, consulting and demonstrating specific knowledge. Your spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 may apply for entry under J-2 status.

The M-1 visa is offered to students who wish to pursue full-time study at an USCIS approved vocational or non-academic school in the United States.