Can I hold O-1 and an F-1 student visa scholarship at the same time?

It is not possible to hold O-1 and F-1 status simultaneously. They serve opposite purposes and carry incompatible conditions, so you cannot be in both at once. One clarification worth noting: a scholarship is a form of academic funding, not a visa. Students who study on a scholarship are typically in the country under F-1 status.

The fundamental differences explain the incompatibility:

• The F-1 is for students at accredited institutions, requires full-time enrollment, and comes with work restrictions.
• The O-1 requires a specific employment or project offer and evidence of extraordinary ability, with no obligation to maintain an academic enrollment.

There is also the question of intent. The O-1 allows for dual intent, meaning the possibility of pursuing permanent immigration in the future. The F-1, by contrast, presupposes the intention to return to the home country upon completion of studies. These are premises that cannot coexist within the same status.

What does exist in practice is the transition from one status to the other, always planned and carried out in accordance with current rules. Before making any change, evaluate your situation with a specialist to do everything in the right order and protect your legal standing.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.