Office of Global Engagement
International Student and Scholar Services

Comparing F-1 and J-1 Student Visas

Most international students will attend Brown as F-1 students, while some will be eligible for J-1 student status. Read further to understand the differences.

Breadcrumb

Student Visa Types: F-1 versus J-1

Most international students admitted to Brown will need to obtain documents before applying for a student visa. The two most common student visas are the F-1 student visa and the J-1 exchange visitor visa. 

  • The vast majority of students will go through the F-1 student visa process, while the J-1 visa is usually reserved for exchange students or students with government or institutional funding.
  • Both visas are non-immigrant visas that require students to maintain ties to their home country that they will not abandon after coming to the U.S.
  • Both visas require students to study on a full-time basis; part-time study is permitted only in specific situations and only with the authorization of ISSS or your J-1 sponsor.
 F-1 Student Visa (Most Common)J-1 Student Visa (Less Common)
Visa Certificate
  • Form I-20, issued by ISSS for Brown
  • Form D-2019, issued by ISSS or J-1 sponsor (e.g., Fulbright)
Funding / Program Requirement
  • Any funding source permitted
  • Primary source of funding must be U.S. government, home government, or institutional funding; or the student must be participating in a formal exchange program
Entry Period
  • Permits entry up to 30 days prior to start of program
  • Permits entry up to 30 days prior to start of program
Employment
  • On-campus permitted immediately up to 20 hours per week during school year; full-time allowed during vacations
  • On-campus permitted up to 20 hours per week during school year; full-time allowed during vacations; must be authorized in writing by ISSS or your J-1 sponsor
Health Insurance
  • Required per Brown University policy
Training Benefits
  • Benefits include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM Extension OPT for certain majors
  • Benefits may vary by program and degree type
  • Up to 18 months of Academic Training allowing training related to field of study, with exact time varied according to program length
  • PhD students granted an addition 18 months up to 36 months total
Grace Period for Departure
  • Allowed 60 days to depart U.S. following completion of program, or to transfer to another school, or change to another status
  • Allowed 30 days to depart U.S. following completion of program
Home Residence Requirement
  • Not applicable (N/A)
Bars on Future Return
  • Not applicable (N/A)
Dependents
  • F-2 legal spouse and/or unmarried children under 21
  • F-2 dependents may study in K-12 education; part-time study only permitted at the college / university level
  • No U.S. work authorization available
  • J-2 legal spouse and/or unmarried children under 21
  • J-2 dependents may study full- or part-time depending on personal decision
  • J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for U.S. work permits after arrival in J-2 status

Already in the U.S. with a Different Type of Visa? If you are already in the U.S. with a different type of visa (e.g., H-4, J-2, E-3, etc.), we recommend that you contact your school's designated ISSS advisor for more information. Brown does not require you to have F-1 or J-1 status to attend, but you are responsible for making sure that any status you hold permits you to study. Also, keep in mind the following restrictions:

  • In most cases, children on dependent visas (e.g., J-2, H-4) lose visa eligibility when they turn 21
  • B-1 / B-2 visitors are not permitted to engage in academic study
  • Many dependent visas (e.g., F-2) do not allow employment, while others may in specific situations
  • F-2 dependents of F-1 students are not permitted to study at the college / university level on a full-time basis; only part-time study is permitted