J-1 vs F-1 vs H-1B: What’s the Difference?
If you’re an international student or recent graduate, these are the three visas you’ll hear about the most. This graphic breaks it down visually — here’s the simple explanation behind it:
🎓 F-1 (Student Visa)
This is your primary student visa.
It allows you to study full-time in the U.S. and work in limited ways through:
  • CPT (internships during school)
  • OPT (work after graduation, or sometimes during)
🧳 J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa)
This visa is used for short-term internships, traineeships, and exchange programs, usually sponsored by a third-party organization.
It’s common for:
  • Internships not tied to a U.S. degree
  • Structured training or cultural exchange programs
💼 H-1B (Work Visa)
This is an employer-sponsored work visa for full-time professional roles after graduation.
It’s typically used after OPT and is most common in fields like tech, consulting, engineering, healthcare, and finance.
⚠️ Important to know:
Each visa has specific rules, timelines, and limitations. What works for one student may not work for another — your major, role, and employer matter.
💬 Let’s talk:
Which visa are you currently on, or planning to use next?
What’s still confusing for you about visas?
Drop your questions below 👇 — chances are someone else is wondering the same thing.
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Shayla Goodman
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J-1 vs F-1 vs H-1B: What’s the Difference?
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