F1 USA Visa for International Students Simplified

F1 USA Visa is one of the most important documents that you require if you’re looking forward to studying in your dream college in the USA. We know that it can be a really tedious process. However, you need not worry about anything as we will be discussing the A to Z’s about the F1 USA Visa and make everything as simple as possible so you can bag your dream University/College. 

What is an F1 USA Visa?

An F1 USA Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to visit the USA and study at an institution that is certified by the SEVP (Student Exchange Visitor Program). It is one of the most popular types of student visas for students who want to study at a university or college in the USA. The only caveat is that you need an approved application from a US-accredited University or College. As an international student coming to the US for the purpose of gaining knowledge and studying a specific course or program, your stay would be limited to the type and duration of the program. You will be required to fill out an I-20 Form that will be provided to you by the University that you wish to attend, on which the University will mention the expiration date of your program. You must earn your degree before the listed expiration date on your visa.

What happens at the end of an F1 USA Visa?

After your graduation is complete, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training or OPT, which will allow you to work for up to 12 months in the USA in a field of your choice that is related to your field of study. STEM graduates can request two additional years of work in the related field of their study. You will be required to return to your home country within 60 days after you have graduated in case you didn’t get an extension or any additional training.

F1 USA Visa Requirements

There are a plethora of F1 USA Visa rules that one must follow if they are planning to apply for an F1 Visa. In order to get an F1 Visa, you are mandated to fulfil the following requirements to be accepted:

1. Institution Certification: The college/university that you are planning to attend should be registered and approved by the Student Exchange Visitor Program Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

2. Full-time enrollment: You should be enrolled as a full-time student in a college while your academic term is in session

3. English Language Proficiency: You must be able to fulfil the required English language proficiency score of the institution/college that you are planning to attend, or you should be enrolled in courses that will help you improve your English language proficiency.

4. Sufficient Funding: You must be able to have sufficient funds to finance your studies and sustain your livelihood while you are studying in the USA.

5. Valid Passport: You should be able to furnish a valid passport that should not expire at least six months after your program has been completed. Make sure that you have checked with the local authorities regarding your passport and should submit an application to extend or renew your passport if you’re not able to fulfil this requirement.

6. Home Country Residency: You should be able to furnish enough proof that you own a residence in your home country that you can return to after completing your course or program that you would be studying in the USA.

How to Apply for an F1 US Visa?

You should take the following steps before applying for your F1 USA Visa to increase your chances of getting it approved:

1. You must get accepted into a Student Exchange Visitor Program-Certified college or institution before submitting your F1 Visa Application. Once you have been accepted, you will receive an I-20 Form, which is required to apply for a student visa in the USA.

2. You need to pay your SEVIS fee.

3. After that, you are required to complete your DS-160 Visa application.

4. Once you’re done with the above steps, you must schedule your visa interview

5. You are then required to attend the following visa interview.

Once you are done with all these steps, you will be perfectly ready to complete and apply for your F1 student visa application.

F1 USA Visa Application Process

1. Get Accepted by an accredited university and Get your I-20 form

The F1 USA Visa application process starts when you get accepted into a SEVP-certified university in the USA. SEVP certification is a way through which the government of the USA proves that the university that you have applied to is accredited and has the proper resources to provide you with a proper and meaningful education.

Once you’re accepted into an accredited university, you will be provided with an I-20 form, which represents your future study plans and provides other supporting documents for your stay in the USA. It also mentions the last day of your visa and the duration of your course with the government of the USA. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System stores your SEVIS id number along with the duration of your course, information about the course that you have opted for, your funds and resources, the total cost of your education in the University of your choice, and a few other important personal information.

Right when you receive the I-20 form from the University, go through the form and make sure that all the information is true and correct to the best of your knowledge and then proceed with signing your application, as it may take a long time to fix a discrepancy. You might not be allowed to get access to the USA if a discrepancy is noticed. You will also need this piece of documentation in order to work and for other activities like getting a driver's license or other certifications. 

2. SEVIS Fee

You will be required to pay the total cost of your F1 USA Visa, which will be somewhere around $510, which includes all the costs, including the Visa itself.

Requirements: I-20 Form

Cost: $350-$355

Where to apply: SEVIS Fee portal

You will also be required to save the I-906 SEVIS fee receipt, which is needed to be furnished by you to the interviewers during your visa interview process.

3. DS-160 Visa Application

The DS-160 is your actual visa application, and all international students hoping to study in the USA are required to complete a DS-160 application in order to receive an F1 US Visa.

Requirements: I-20 Form, Valid Passport, Travel Itinerary, Copy of your Visa

Cost: $160

Where to apply: DS-160 application portal

After successfully completing the process of the D-160 application, you will receive a printed confirmation for the same that would also include a barcode that is required for your visa interview.

4. Visa Interview

You will have to find the nearest US embassy or consulate in order to schedule your interview for your F1 US Visa. It can take months, depending on your home country, so try to schedule it as soon as you get your DS-160. You will also need to attend the said interview for your F1 US Visa. The consulate or embassy will then confirm that you’re legitimately coming to the USA to obtain relevant education. During the interview process, you are required to prove your financial funding in order to sustain a living in the USA while you’re studying at a University. You have to attend your visa interview in person.

After successfully completing the interview process, you will be granted your F1 USA Visa and acquire an F1 Status, pertaining to which you will be legally eligible to study in the USA.

F1 Visa Admission Requirements

Before attending your visa interview, ensure you carry the following documents ready for your evaluation by the consulate officer 

1. A valid passport

2. A Passport size photograph

3. Printed copies of your DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS Receipts

4. I-20 Form

5. Academic Transcripts and official test scores on your university application

6. Diploma(If Available)

7. Bank Statements to prove financial stability

The interviewer (Consular Officer) may ask you to furnish additional documents such as academic records (Transcripts, degrees, or certificates from schools you have attended, standardised test scores required by the US College or Institution, evidence of your intent to depart the United States of America upon the completion of your course/program, and statements that prove that you are able to pay for your education and sustainable living along with travel costs.)

F1 USA Visa Interview

As an international student, you might be feeling a bit uncertain about your upcoming interview. In contrast, this feeling of anxiousness is normal. Your interview is important in itself, and you don’t need to fret about anything. Just prepare yourself for the interview and stay confident and true to yourself while giving your interview.

Your interviewer might ask you questions to determine whether you are a legitimate student with the resources to pay for your studies and whether or not you plan to return home after completing your degree.

Here are some examples of the questions that might be asked by the interviewer during your interview process:

1. Why did you choose this university?

2. How are you financing your education?

3. What other universities did you apply to and why?

4. Do you have extended family or relatives living in the USA?

5. Do you wish to continue working in the USA after your graduation?

6. What are your plans post-graduation?

F1 US Visa Denials

There is always a possibility that the F1 US Visa that you have applied for may get denied; if this is something that happens, you’ll be provided with a detailed review in writing as to what led to the rejection of your application, including the section of the law that led to the rejection. To avoid this from happening, it is of grave importance that one must read and follow all instructions carefully and double-check your document before submitting them for review. You should organise your documents in the correct format and order while submitting your F1 US Visa application. Make sure that you’re able to provide the authorities with all the relevant documents that are needed to process your visa application.

Maintaining F-1 Visa Status

You must maintain your F1 US Visa status active as an international student throughout the course of your studies in your respective colleges and universities to be able to continue studying in the United States. In order to do this, you must actively maintain and comply with the University regulations and code of conduct as well as with the requirements and conditions set out in your F1 US visa requirements. Also, you have to make sure that you enter the US not more than 30 days before the commencement of your program, and you also need to inform the authority in charge at the college about your arrival and the date listed on your I-20 Form. You must also attend all your classes and maintain a good academic record. You are required to inform the concerned authorities in case you need extra time to complete your program and speak to the DSO about your options for extension. Make sure to attend at least a full year of academic curriculum at your college/university before taking a break or vacation for the holidays.

Can International Students Work with a Student Visa In the USA?

You will be able to work in the US even on an F1 US Visa. However, you have certain limitations and restrictions. You can only work part-time on campus while your academic term is in session, and you can work a maximum of 20 hours per week. You may be allowed to work outside the campus with the approval of your university and the concerned authorities. You can work full-time jobs during academic breaks if your university allows you to do it.

Now that you have all the knowledge and information you need to regarding the F1 USA Visa and how non-immigrant US visas work for international students, create a checklist using the above points and get started on your Visa applications. The sooner you get the visa, the sooner you will be able to study at your dream university in the United States of America and live the American dream.