Placements for all students with F1 and J1 visas are managed centrally and individual schools cannot promise or facilitate enrollment. Please direct all inquiries to:

InternationalStudents@mpls.k12.mn.us

Due to staffing changes, the F1 and J1 application process is under review.

2026-27 First Semester and full-year J1 application window: May 1 - June 15

2026-27 Second Semester J1 application window: November 1 - November 30

Applications cannot be accepted outside these windows.

• J-1 Visas are for high school age Foreign Exchange students enrolling through a registered International Exchange Organization. They may enroll in U.S. public schools for a maximum of 12 Months. J1 students are welcome to participate in graduation events but cannot receive a diploma.
• Exchange agency representatives should communicate only with the Placement and Enrollment office and not with staff at individual schools, who cannot approve applications or enroll students.
• Host families should work directly with exchange agency representatives up until a student's stay is approved and fully arranged.
• An approved exchange placement is for the specific school only, and does not guarantee a space elsewhere if a change of school is requested at a later date. Changes are at the discretion of the Enrollment Department.
• Exchange agencies are required to be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State's office and to follow CSIET recommendations and be on CSIETs Advisory List of approved organizations. This is for the protection and well-being of students and host families.
• MPS works only with agencies that are on the list of agencies approved by the Office of the MN Secretary of State. Find the list of approved agencies here: https://www.sos.mn.gov/study-abroad/international-exchange-organizations-in-minnesota/.
• Placement of students enrolling in MPS with a J1 visa are subject to the attendance area boundaries of the host family. For example, if the host family's address is in the Camden High attendance area, Camden would be the school of enrollment offered to the exchange student.

2026-27 First Semester and full-year F1 application window: March 15 - May 15, 2026

2026-27 Second Semester JF application window: November 1 - November 30

Who can apply for an F1 Visa:

• Foreign students entering in grades 9-12
• Students entering grades 9-12 who will be between age 15 to 20 at the time of enrollment

Who cannot apply: 

• Students younger than age 15 at the start of the school year
• Students entering in grades Pre-K-8 
• Students without a pre-arranged confirmed host family
• Students who already have a diploma in the country of origin
• U.S. citizens or legal residents and Immigrants or refugees residing in the U.S.

F1 Visa Information

• F-1 Visas are for International Students to enroll in U.S. public schools for a maximum stay of 12 Months
• MPS stay options: Maximum stay is one year and minimum is one quarter (1/2 of a semester).
• Students are required under federal law to pay tuition (more information below). 
• Students who meet credit requirements for graduation may receive an MPS High School Diploma.
• F-1 student and their families are responsible for maintaining the student’s legal status. Please visit Study in the States for more information.

Please note that in recent years students applying for U.S. visas experience delays. MPS has no control over this process, and we recommend applying as early as possible to allow ample time for your U.S. visa to be issued.

Tuition costs (subject to change between school years):

• One semester (1/2 school year): $9,800
• Full school year: $4,900
• Method of payment: We are only able to accept cashier's or certified checks drawn on a U.S. based bank for tuition payment.
• Checks are held until the student arrives and can be returned un-cashed in the event the student does is not able to come.

1) ALWAYS START HERE: Visit https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students for specific guidance and details from the official U.S. Government website for International Students.

2) The host parent/family meets with MPS DSO (U.S. Designated School Official) to turn in a completed I-20 information form, submit the tuition payment (required prior to creation of I-20) and receive an original, signed I-20 from from the District DSO.

3) Host parent mails the original I-20 form to the student in their home country. The student brings the I-20 to their local US consulate to obtain the F-1 Visa. Please note this stage of the process can be quite long. 

4) The student submits payment electronically of the I-901 SEVIS fee SEVIS (FMJFee.com) when applying in the home country.

5) Once the student receives their U.S. visa, the host parent must complete an Online Registration form to enroll the student in the Minneapolis Public Schools.

6) Once the host parent knows the student’s arrival date, they must make an appointment with the DSO. We can hold enrollments through the first 15 school days after the start of school.

7) Once the student arrives in Minneapolis, the student/host family must contact the Enrollment Office within three business days to schedule their required in-person visit to the Enrollment Center. The student must bring their passport and visa to be officially registered through SEVIS.  At this appointment the student will have an English language proficiency assessment.

8) If an F1 student will travel outside the U.S. during the school year, the host family and student must bring their 1-20 to the DSO to sign the travel section of the I-20 to approve reentry to the United States.

• Holders of B-1 and B-2 visas generally cannot enroll into any K-12 public school in the U.S.  All Non-Immigrant Visas are regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Minor children of adults who are in the U.S. on a B1 visa for work, study or medical care may be enrolled in a public school.
• Contact InternationalStudents@mpls.k12.mn.us for more information