Does an F1 Visa Affect My School Department Choice in the U.S.?

I'm an international student looking into studying in the U.S., and I've heard about the F1 visa. Does this visa type limit which school departments I can choose, or is the visa process the same no matter what?

An F1 visa is one of the most common types of student visas for international students planning to pursue full-time education in the United States. It's important to note that the F1 visa itself doesn't limit your choice of school departments; it simply designates you as an international student who is authorized to study in the U.S.

The issuance of an F1 visa largely depends on the acceptance from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school and your course of study leading to a degree or certificate. The school will issue an I-20 form, which is needed to apply for an F1 visa, and the course of study will be mentioned on this form.

However, it's worth mentioning that there are certain restrictions on maintaining the status of an F1 visa. For example, you are typically required to enroll full-time and make substantial progress toward completing your degree. Moreover, there can be potential complications if you want to switch your major or course of study, especially if the change drastically affects the length of your study.

Remember, it's important to dialogue with the international student office at your prospective school to plan accordingly and maintain the status of your F1 visa throughout your course of study. But generally speaking, your choice of school departments is not inherently restricted by holding an F1 visa.