How Do I Know If I Am An International Student? 7 Key Signs

Have you ever stared at a college application, completely stumped by the question about your student status?

Maybe you live in the U.S. but don’t have your green card yet. Or perhaps your family is here on a temporary visa, like an H-4 or L-2.

It gets confusing fast with all the terms flying around: nonimmigrant visa, student visas, permanent residents, and the SEVIS Fee.

Here’s one key fact to clear things up: if you’re in the U.S. on a dependent visa like the H-4, you are still considered an international student by most colleges for admissions and financial aid purposes. This can affect your eligibility for federal help like Pell Grants or Stafford Loans.

This guide will walk you through seven signs that show if schools see you as an international student. If any of this sounds familiar, your answers are right here!

What Does It Mean to Be an International Student?

An international student is someone who comes to the United States for the primary purpose of studying. According to the Institute of International Education’s 2024 Open Doors report, over one million international students were studying in the U.S., showing just how popular this path is.

Legally, this status is defined by federal immigration law. If you hold a foreign passport and need a student visa like an F-1 or J-1 to attend school, you fit the definition. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tracks your information through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) from the moment your school issues your acceptance documents.

Who qualifies as a non-U.S. citizen or permanent resident?

For school and immigration purposes, you are a non-U.S. citizen if you do not have U.S. citizenship or a green card. This category includes students with temporary non-immigrant visas, like the F-1, M-1, or J-1 student visa categories.

The term “nonimmigrant” is key. It means you have officially stated your intention to return home after your studies are complete. If you only have a passport from another country, border protection officials will see you as a “nonimmigrant.”

However, some non-citizens are not considered international students. For example, individuals granted asylum or refugee status are eligible for federal student aid and are treated as domestic students. A green card holder is a legal permanent resident, and if this is you, different rules apply.

If you need a US international student bank account designed for foreign students, SoFi is a great option.

You can call yourself an international student if you’re here temporarily to earn a degree. Just be ready to manage your visa documents and pay the required fees, like the I-901 SEVIS Fee, which is currently $350 for F-1 and M-1 applicants.

What are temporary non-immigrant student visas (F-1, M-1, J-1)?

The F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas are the three main pathways for studying in the U.S. Each one is designed for a different educational purpose.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you see the differences:

Dependents, like a spouse or children, can join you on a corresponding F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa. For free guidance on choosing the right visa, the U.S. Department of State’s network of **EducationUSA** advising centers is an incredible resource available in many countries.

When Are You Considered an International Student?

If you hold an F-1 or J-1 student visa, U.S. Customs and Immigration will always classify you as an international student. Your university is required by law to track your status through the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP).

Your primary contact at the university for all things immigration-related is your Designated School Official (DSO). This person is a vital resource for helping you maintain your status, especially if you’re studying in high-demand fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

How do you apply to U.S. colleges as an international student?

Applying as an international student involves a few extra steps compared to domestic applicants. Planning ahead is everything.

1. Research Colleges: Look for schools with strong programs in your field of interest. Pay close attention to their resources for international students.
2. Check Requirements: Note the application deadlines and specific requirements for international applicants. This often includes proof of English proficiency.
3. Take Standardized Tests: Prepare for tests like the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Some schools may also require the SAT or ACT.
4. Get Transcripts Evaluated: Many universities require you to have your academic records evaluated by a service like World Education Services (WES) to convert them to a U.S. equivalent GPA.
5. Write Your Personal Essay: This is your chance to share your unique story, goals, and what you would bring to the campus community.
6. Request Recommendation Letters: Ask teachers who know you well to write letters that highlight your academic strengths and character.
7. Complete the Application: Use platforms like the Common App or Coalition Application. Be prepared for extra forms related to your visa or financial resources. The EB-5 visa route is another path for some, but it has distinct financial requirements.
8. Plan for Financial Aid: Since you can’t use the FAFSA, you may need to complete the CSS Profile to be considered for institutional aid from private universities.
9. Prove Financial Support: Under SEVP rules, you must prove you have sufficient funds to cover your first year of study before the school can issue your Form I-20, which is needed for your F-1 student visa application.

What does studying in the U.S. on a student visa involve?

Once you’re accepted and get your student visa, life in the U.S. comes with a clear set of rules you need to follow.

• Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee: You must pay this fee, currently $350 for F-1 students, *before* your visa interview. You can pay it online at fmjfee.com.
• Arrive on Time: You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program’s start date, which is listed on your Form I-20. You must check in with your school’s international office upon arrival.
• Maintain Full-Time Enrollment: This is a critical rule. For most undergraduate programs, this means taking at least 12 credit hours per semester. Dropping below this without approval from your DSO can put your visa status at risk.
• Make Academic Progress: You need to keep your grades up and continue making progress toward your degree to stay in status.
• Work Only with Authorization: On-campus work is usually permitted up to 20 hours per week during the semester. For any off-campus work, including internships, you need specific authorization like CPT or OPT.
• Know Your Grace Period: After completing your studies, F-1 students have a 60-day grace period to leave the U.S. or transfer to another program. M-1 students have 30 days.

It can feel like a lot to manage at first, but your school’s international student office is there to help. If you’re balancing studies with other life commitments, you might find some helpful tips by looking into adult student challenges.

What does temporary residency mean for international student status?

Holding temporary residency means you are in the U.S. for a specific purpose, like education, and for a limited time. Students with F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas fit this description and are expected to leave after their program unless they legally change their visa status.

You are an international student as long as you do not hold a permanent residency card, also known as a green card. Universities report students like you in their official international enrollment counts each year.

Think of your visa as a visitor’s pass for learning. It gives you access to an amazing education, but it comes with clear boundaries set by law that you have to respect.

When Are You Not Considered an International Student?

Not every student from another country is labeled “international.” Your status can change based on citizenship, a green card, or other specific residency situations. Let’s look at the times when this label doesn’t apply.

Are U.S. citizens living abroad international students?

This is a common point of confusion. If you are a U.S. citizen living abroad, college admissions offices might review your application with the international pool because of your high school’s location. However, for tuition and financial aid, you are a domestic student.

Because of your U.S. citizenship, you are eligible to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and qualify for federal loans and grants. Most schools will also not require you to prove your finances, a step that is mandatory for non-citizen applicants.

It’s always a good idea to contact the admissions office directly to ask how they classify U.S. citizens educated abroad. Your global experience is a huge asset on an application!

Does having a green card affect your student status?

Yes, having a green card completely changes your student status. With Lawful Permanent Resident status, you are considered a domestic student, not an international one.

You don’t need a visa to enroll in college. This status opens up a world of opportunities, including eligibility for federal financial aid programs like Pell Grants and Federal Work-Study. After living in a state for a certain period (usually one year), you can also qualify for much lower in-state tuition rates at public universities.

A friend once told me her green card felt like a golden ticket. She could study and work without the complex restrictions that F-1 students face.

What Special Cases Affect International Student Status?

Sometimes, the lines get blurry due to government paperwork and different school policies. Your specific situation can place you in a unique category.

How does dual citizenship impact your classification?

If one of your citizenships is with the United States, the answer is simple. The U.S. Department of State requires that all U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the country.

If you enter the U.S. with your American passport, you are a U.S. citizen for all educational purposes. You will be treated as a domestic student for admissions, tuition, and financial aid.

If you hold two non-U.S. citizenships, the university will likely classify you based on the passport you use to obtain your student visa.

What if you have a non-student visa or different school policies?

Dependents on non-student visas, like the H-4, often find themselves in a gray area. Most schools will treat you as an international student for admissions and financial aid, since you aren’t a citizen or permanent resident.

However, some states have created policies that benefit these students. For example, in states like Texas and California, students who have attended a local high school for a certain number of years may qualify for in-state tuition, regardless of their H-4 visa status.

Another special group is DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients. They are not considered international students, but they are also ineligible for federal aid. Some states, like California with its Dream Act, offer state-based financial aid to these students.

Why do classifications vary between institutions?

While federal law sets the baseline for who is a “nonimmigrant,” colleges have some flexibility in how they handle things internally. The main variation happens in two areas: admissions and financial aid.

For admissions, some schools might have a U.S. citizen living abroad reviewed by the international team, while others send the application to the domestic team. For financial aid, policies can differ dramatically.

A few elite universities, like Harvard, Yale, and MIT, are “need-blind” for all applicants, meaning they don’t consider your ability to pay when deciding on admission. Most other schools are “need-aware” for international students, which means your request for financial aid can be a factor in their decision. Always check each school’s policy directly on their website.

How Will International Student Status Change in 2025?

The landscape for international students is always shifting. While some policies are tightening, others are simply becoming more official.

One rule that often surprises new applicants is the requirement to provide your social media handles on your visa application. This has been a standard part of the process since 2019, as the government uses it for additional security screening.

For those planning to work in the U.S. after graduation on an H-1B visa, the competition is getting steeper. In early 2024, USCIS increased the H-1B electronic registration fee from $10 to $215. While far from the rumored $100,000 fee, this and other proposed increases show that the costs associated with staying in the U.S. post-graduation are rising.

These changes reflect a more competitive environment for international talent. Staying informed and planning ahead is more important than ever. I know how stressful this can be, but you have the strength and determination to make your dream of studying in the U.S. a reality.

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