Study in America – The F-3 Visa

The F-3 Visa

There is a very special visa type that was created by the “Border Commuter Student Act of 2002” that was signed into law on Nov. 2, 2002, prompted by the September 11 attacks in 2001, known as “F-3 Student Visa”.

F-3 visas are for “border commuter students” who live in their home country on the other side of the border but commute across the border to attend schools here in the US. By default and geography, F-3 only applies to nationals of Mexico or Canada. If you are not from Mexico or Canada, this visa is not for you. But if you are from Mexico or Canada, this is a very interesting option for you.

Another distinctive difference between F-3 and F-1 is while the law requires that F-1 visa holders must maintain “full time student” status, F-3 students can study on either part time or full time basis! This is a nice advantage. However, F-3 visa holders are not allowed to work on campus as is allowed for F-1 students, but they are still eligible to apply for Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT), same as F-1 students.

So if you are from Mexico or Canada you should definitely consider the F-3 Visa option.

As we continue with this series of blog posts many more visa types will be discussed. Stay with us and learn about your best options to Study in America. If you have questions or comments please send us your thoughts below.

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Stan Bradshaw lives in Richardson, Texas where he is President and CEO of US Freedom Capital, a Dallas based firm focused on EB-5 qualified immigration investments. A business owner since 1990 and four time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Stan has been involved in technology, beginning his career at IBM in 1981. When not overseeing the investment firm Stan is a director on several non-profit Boards, serves as Vice-Chair on the board of the Richardson Texas Chamber of Commerce and enjoys playing guitar in a variety of localbands.

Stan@usfreedomcap.com | www.usfreedomcap.com | 888.519.8331

Abraham C. Yu, an immigrant from China himself, lives in Plano, Texas where he is the General Manager & Director of Immigration Division of Yu, South & Associates, a Dallas based boutique US immigration and international law firm. A business owner since 1991 and a listed EB-5 advisor since 2007, Abraham has been exclusively involved in international business, beginning his career with the Bureau of Foreign Economic Relations & Trade of Anhui Province in 1981. When not overseeing the firm’s operations, Abraham serves as cultural ambassador and was recently awarded “Citizen Diplomat” for outstanding service with the North Texas Council for International Visitors.

ayu@yuimmigration.com | www.yuimmigration.com | 888.289.9988