The opportunity to study in the United States is often the reward for years of effort and commitment for many students. All aspiring students must apply for a visa to study in the United States unless they are already citizens or holders of green cards.
The F-1 visa has a fairly broad application but also some very clear rules because there are so many programs and locations to study in the U.S. The first requirement is that you must be traveling to the U.S. to study temporarily. This is not an immigrant visa, to put it another way.
You must be registered in an academic program; you cannot be enrolled in a vocational program because that would require an M-1 visa. Your academic institution must be accredited and have Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approval through the Student Exchange and Visitor Program for foreign students to be admitted on F-1 visas (SEVP).
You will be able to work, but since this is a non-immigrant visa, there are limitations on where and what kind of work you can do. Finally, even though your partner and kids are welcome to travel with you, they won’t be able to work while your kids can start school. They will be bound by your visa status and be on F-2 visas.
In order to qualify for an F-1 visa, you must:
1-Apply and be accepted into a course of study at a SEVP-approved school in the United States. SEVP-approved schools are not just universities — they can also be high schools, seminaries, private elementary schools, conservatories, or a language programs.
2-You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
3-You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
4-Schedule your visa interview.
5-Attend your visa interview.
Once you are admitted to a U.S. university recognized by SEVP, the F-1 student visa application process begins. The U.S. government uses SEVP certification to show that your university is accredited and has the resources necessary to educate you.
Your university will provide your I-20 form once you have been accepted. This form outlines your intended course of study and offers pertinent details about your visit.
When your I-20 is issued, the following data is entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS):
Your university provides this information based on the materials you submit for your university application.
Immediately after receiving your I-20, double-check that all of your information is correct before signing at the bottom of the first page. If there is a mistake on your I-20, it may take a while to fix it, and you might not be allowed to enter the country. When you visit the U.S., keep your I-20 form. It is required for entry into the U.S., employment, and various other purposes.
Your F-1 student visa will cost you roughly $510, which covers the cost of the visa as well as SEVIS processing and maintenance fees.
Requirements: Your I-20
Cost: $350
Where to apply: Payment portal for your SEVIS fee
Keep the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt safe. For your visa interview, you will require it.
Your visa application is on form DS-160. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, prospective international students must finish a DS-160.
Requirements: Your I-20, passport, travel itinerary, photo for your visa
Cost: $160
Where to apply: Application portal for your DS-160
After submitting your DS-160 successfully, you will get a printed confirmation with a barcode. You’ll need this form for your visa interview, so save it.
Set up your visa interview at the closest embassy or consulate of the United States. Considering that wait times can last months and vary by country, make sure to schedule your appointments as soon as possible.
Ask your enrollment advisor for advice on how to set up a mock interview if you are enrolling at a U.S. university through Shorelight. You will feel more at ease with the procedure if you prepare for your visa interview.
The U.S. consulate or embassy verifies that you are coming to study as a real, committed student during the interview phase of the F-1 visa application process. You must demonstrate financial support for your time spent studying in the U.S. and confirm your intent to return home during the visa interview. There are very few instances where you are not required to appear in person for your visa interview (e.g., if you are younger than 14 or older than 80 years of age or meet certain visa renewal requirements).
Cost: Your DS-160 payment covers the cost
Where to apply: Scheduling portal for your visa interview
After completing your visa interview successfully, you will be issued an F-1 visa and be given F-1 status. Now you can enroll in academic programs in the USA!
Make sure the following documents are prepared for the consular officer’s review before you go to your visa interview:
The consular representative could ask for more documents during your interview. Consider bringing the following papers to be prepared:
4-Have proof of sufficient financial funds to support study in the United States.
5-Have ties to your home country that show an intent to return after you finish studying in the United States since the F-1 visa program is a temporary visa.
6-Live outside the United States when you apply.
The most time-consuming part of the process for many students is applying to and being accepted into a U.S. academic institution. After you accept an enrollment offer, a series of steps in the visa application process begins.
The following actions must be taken before you start your F-1 visa application:
1-Prior to submitting your visa application, get accepted into a school with a SEVP certification. Your I-20 form, which you’ll need to apply for your F-1 visa, will be given to you once your application is accepted.
2-Pay your SEVIS fee.
3-Complete your DS-160 visa application.
