Visa Requirements for Registered Students
Policy Statement
In order to register as students, Stanford University requires that all those who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents obtain and maintain an appropriate visa status for their stay in the United States. The types of student visas sponsored by Stanford include the following:
Student Visa (F-1): The F-1 visa is obtained with an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility issued by Stanford University. The graduate student on an F-1 visa must enroll in a full course of study. The accompanying spouse or child enters on an F-2 visa. F-2 visa holders may not hold employment or engage in business under any circumstances. The F-2 spouse of an F-1 student may not engage in full-time study, and the F-2 child may only engage if the study is in an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade). The F-2 spouse and child may, however, engage in study that is avocational or recreational in nature.
Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1): The J-1 visa is obtained with a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility issued by Stanford University or a sponsoring agency. This visa is often required for graduate students sponsored by certain agencies, foundations, and governments. In some cases, exchange visitors must leave the United States at the conclusion of their programs, and may not change to non-student visa status, and/or may not apply for permanent residency in the United States until they have returned to their home countries for at least two years. The accompanying spouse or child of an exchange visitor may obtain a J-2 visa and may, in some cases, obtain authorization to work by applying for an Employment Authorization Document from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in order to be employed in the U.S. There is no regulatory restriction on study for J-2 dependents.
The Certificates of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) are issued to admitted students after receipt of certifications of adequate financial support. An F-1 student transferring from another U.S. school must obtain a new I-20 from Stanford and complete a transfer process at the Bechtel International Center no later than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer. A J-1 student or scholar transferring from another U.S. school must obtain a new DS-2019 from Stanford and complete a transfer process at the Bechtel International Center no later than 15 days after the effective date of the transfer.