Open Menu Close Menu Open Search Close Search

Home / Coming to Tufts / Obtain Your Visa Certificate / F-1 versus J-1 Student Status

F-1 versus J-1 Student Status

Tufts University offers visa sponsorship to international students under the F-1 and J-1 student visas.

  • In most cases, students will qualify for the F-1 visa only
  • However, some students may qualify for a J-1 visa, and exchange students will always be sponsored under the J-1 visa

To understand the differences between these two, please refer to the table below. If you are uncertain which status would be best for your situation, please contact the International Center at internationalcenter@tufts.edu. Important differences between the F-1 and J-1 programs are bolded.

Issue F-1 Student Status J-1 Student Status
Type of Visa Certificate Issued
  • Form I-20
  • I-20 issued for expected length of program
  • Form DS-2019
  • DS-2019 issued for length of program or length of confirmed funding, whichever expires earlier
Funding Sources
  • Any type of funding source permitted (e.g., personal or family funds, university scholarships, government scholarships, financial aid, etc.)
  • Majority of financial resources must come from a non-personal or non-family source (e.g., US or home government scholarships, university scholarships, private foundation scholarships, etc.)
Full-time Study Requirement
  • Full-time study required
  • Vacations permitted during summer and other official school breaks
  • Reduced course load may be authorized due to medical or other reasons
  • Full-time study required, although certain non-degree / exchange programs may include a combination of courses and other activities, depending on the program curriculum
  • Vacations permitted during summer and other official school breaks
  • Reduced course load may be authorized due to medical or other reasons
On-Campus Employment
  • On-campus employment (up to 20 hrs / week during school year)
  • On-campus employment (up to 20 hrs / week during school year), requires approval from the International Center
Off-Campus / Post-Completion Employment
  • Various benefits, including curricular practical training authorization (CPT) for internships and practicums, and optional practical training (OPT) for off-campus / post-completion work related to major
  • STEM OPT benefit for certain students with STEM degrees
  • Various benefits, including severe economic hardship employment and Academic Training (AT) for training related to major
Dependents
  • F-2 status available for legal spouse and unmarried dependent children under 21
  • F-2 dependents are not permitted to study full-time at the college level and have no employment benefits
  • J-2 status available for legal spouse and unmarried dependent children under 21
  • J-2 dependents may study full- or part-time and can apply for US-based work authorization
Grace Period After Completion of Program
  • 60 days after completion of program (including any post-completion Optional Practical Training
  • 30 days after completion of program (including any post-completion Academic Training)
Home Residency Requirement
  • Not applicable (N/A)
  • Some J-1 students and J-2 dependents may be expected to return to home country (country of legal residence) after completion of program for up to 2 years before they can qualify for H-1B status, K status, or US permanent residence
Impact on Future J-1 Scholar Eligibility
  • Not applicable (N/A)
  • J-1 students and their J-2 dependents must wait one year following program completion in order to be eligible to return to US in J-1 research scholar / professor status