Visa basics for international students

Here is a simple overview of the various visa types that an international student will typically care about.

F1 Visa - The usual student visa. Allows you to work part-time up to 20 hours a week, so your RA/TA/PA/Grader positions shouldn't exceed this number. If you want to do an internship, you will need to apply for an OPT, Optional Practical Training, from the USCIS. The student is expected to have finished at least 2 semesters worth of coursework before an OPT is granted. So if you start in the Fall of 2009, you can only go for an internship in the Summer of 2010.

F2 Visa - Dependent student visa. This is a rare visa category. If you are a married student, then your spouse can enter the US on this visa type. Be forewarned though that F2 holders cannot work, study or drive.

H1B Visa - Temporary work permit. Usually is granted in 3 year stretches. You can renew it once without pre-conditions, so that gives you about 6 years of work permission. However if you have applied for your Green Card and applied for the second step, then you can keep renewing your H1B visa every year. The visa is tied to employment. If you switch jobs, the employer has to apply for an H1B visa again, but you won't have to compete in the brand new H1B applicant pool. Historically in the last 2 years this has turned into a lottery, because demand far outstrips supply. Many employees of BPO companies use this visa to work in the US.

H4 Visa - Dependent visa for H1B workers. For spouses. Allows spouses to study and drive but not work in the US. A step up from the F2 visa but not as good at L2 visas dependent on L1 visa holders, where spouses are even allowed to work.

EAD/AP - H1B visa holders who have completed the third stage of their Green Card applications get these documents. The EAD card allows you to work for any employer in the selected field and change jobs without losing your number in the Green Card line. Advance Parole (AP) is used for entering or leaving the United States for travel.