United States F-1 student visa

People accepted for academic or language study at an SEVP-approved US school.

• Acceptance by an approved school

  You must be accepted for enrolment by an SEVP-approved school before applying for the student visa.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Eligible course of study

  The F category covers a university or college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, or another academic institution, including a language training programme. A vocational or other recognised non-academic institution, other than a language training programme, uses the M category.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• SEVIS registration and Form I-20

  Your school must enter your information in SEVIS and issue Form I-20; you and a school official must sign it, and you must present it at the visa interview.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Pay the SEVIS fee

  An accepted student must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Valid passport

  Your passport must be valid for travel to the United States and for at least six months beyond your period of stay, unless a country-specific agreement exempts you.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Visa application and photo

  Complete Form DS-160, print its confirmation page and upload a photo meeting the photograph requirements; bring a printed photo if the upload fails.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Establish visa eligibility

  A consular officer determines whether you meet the requirements under US law to receive a student visa. Interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Evidence of academic preparationSometimes needed

  A consular officer may request transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates from schools attended, and any standardised test scores required by your US school; the guidance gives no universal qualification or test-score threshold.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Intention to leave after studySometimes needed

  A consular officer may request evidence of your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Funds for study and living costsSometimes needed

  A consular officer may request evidence of how you will pay all educational, living and travel costs; the guidance states no fixed amount.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Public-school restrictionsSometimes needed

  An F-1 visa cannot be issued for attendance at a public primary or elementary school or a publicly funded adult education programme. Attendance at a public secondary school may not exceed 12 months, and the student must pay the school system the full, unsubsidised per-student cost.

  travel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource

• Non-refundable F-1 visa application feetravel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource$185 per person
• I-901 SEVIS fee for an F studentstudyinthestates.dhs.gov · checked 5 days agoSource$350 per person
• F-2 visa application fee, if a spouse or child appliestravel.state.gov · checked 5 days agoSource$185 per family member

1. Get ready

   • Apply to an approved school

     Apply to an SEVP-approved US school for an academic or language course.

   • Get and sign your Form I-20

     After accepting you and registering you in SEVIS, your school issues Form I-20, which you and a school official must sign.

     You’ll need: Form I-20

2. Apply

   • Pay the SEVIS fee

     Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee for your student record.

     You’ll need: Form I-20

   • Complete the visa application

     Complete Form DS-160, upload a compliant photo and print the confirmation page for your interview.

     You’ll need: Form I-20, DS-160 confirmation page, Photo

   • Arrange your visa interview

     Follow the relevant embassy or consulate’s instructions to schedule an interview and pay the visa application fee; a new student’s visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course starts.

     You’ll need: DS-160 confirmation page, Application fee payment receipt, if payment is required before the interview

3. Visa

   • Prepare your interview documents

     Gather the required passport, DS-160 confirmation, signed Form I-20 and any applicable fee receipt, and be ready to provide further evidence if requested.

     You’ll need: Passport, DS-160 confirmation page, Signed Form I-20, Application fee payment receipt, if required, Printed photo, if upload failed, Academic records or school-required test scores, if requested, Evidence of departure intent and how costs will be paid, if requested

   • Attend your interview

     Present your Form I-20 and supporting documents to the consular officer, who determines visa eligibility; digital fingerprints are usually taken at the interview.

     You’ll need: Passport, Signed Form I-20, DS-160 confirmation page, Supporting documents

   • Wait for the visa decision

     If approved, pay any visa issuance fee applicable to your nationality and arrange the return of your passport and visa; some applications require further administrative processing.

     You’ll need: Passport

4. Travel

   • Travel and request entry

     A new student may enter no more than 30 days before the programme start date and must present their passport, visa and Form I-20 to a border officer, who decides whether to admit them.

     You’ll need: Passport, F-1 visa, Form I-20

Eligible F-1 students may apply for authorisation for Optional Practical Training, temporary work directly related to their area of study; this is not automatic.

• travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resource…Official
• studyinthestates.dhs.gov/assets/pdf/SEVP_FeeRulesInfographic_250502_v…Official
• Fees for Visa Servicestravel.state.govOfficial
• Student Visatravel.state.govOfficial
• Foreign Students in Public Schoolstravel.state.govOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.