F1 Visa Guide: US Student Visa Requirements, Process, Fees for International Students

Being accepted to your dream college is only the beginning of your study abroad journey. The USA student visa application is the most important step of the process and can be a prolonged endeavor. Despite the extra effort, it is absolutely worth it because the USA is one of the most popular locations for students from all over the world, which makes the F1 visa application process more competitive compared to other countries.

The USA remains the most preferred destination for students wishing to pursue their studies in a foreign country. After getting admission in a US university of your choice, the next step to fulfilling your dream is to apply for F1 visa. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the various types of visas available and a detailed process of applying for the F1 Student Visa for those seeking to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in the US. 

Students  who want to pursue their studies in the United States must be informed about the steps to apply for the F-1 student visa. Presently, more than a million foreign students are studying in the US and with the right preparation and direction, you can be one of them. To assist you, we have prepared this step-by-step guide to US visas to help you comprehend what an F-1 visa is, the regulations pertaining to it and the requirements to obtain it.

Types of USA Study Visa

The US offers three different kinds of student visas:

F-1 Student Visa: 

This particular US student visa is quite popular, fitting for almost any academic program that needs more than 18 hours of attendance each week. It applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Family members who come along with a person who already has an F1 visa will need an F2 visa. It should be mentioned that companions of the F-1 visa holder are not allowed to be employed but can still travel to the U.S. with them and/or apply for their own visa in order to study or work.

J-1 Exchange Student Visa: 

The J-1 visa is suitable for those seeking a short-term program to study or work in the United States, such as students, scholars, and working professionals. This visa is also valid for those individuals visiting the US to participate in exchange programs.

The J1 visa is generally requested by someone who is employed and visits the United States for an exchange program, thus being called the Exchange Visitor Visa. This could comprise of a period of 10-month vocational training or even a study fellowship, etc. Whatever the situation may be, the applicants will be alerted to it by their respective organizations.

A J-2 Visa will be required for any family members who are accompanying a person who holds a J-1 Visa. It is important to remember that by obtaining permission beforehand, the spouse is able to gain the ability to work.

M-1 Vocational/ Non-Academic Visa: 

The M1 visa is a form of student visa specifically designed for those attending vocational and technical schools. Although the application process between the F1 visa and M1 visa is quite alike, the main distinction lies in the fact that when entering the country, M1 visas are allocated with a predetermined expiry date, and those who hold them cannot stay past the designated time.

The US Government offers three different student visa types:

F1 Visa Rules and Regulations  
  

If you intend to apply for an F-1 student visa, there are several F1 visa rules to keep in mind. For your application to be approved, you must fulfil the following requirements:

Institution status: In order to enroll in a college or university, SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement must give its approval.

Full-time enrollment - In order to be eligible, you must be registered as a full-time student at the university while classes are being held.

English language proficiency - In order to be accepted into the institution, one must have achieved the necessary level of English language proficiency, or be taking classes to help them build up their English proficiency.

Sufficient funding - It is essential for you to demonstrate that you possess the financial resources to cover the cost of your education and daily living costs while in America.

Valid passport - The expiration date of your passport must be no less than six months after the end of your program in the United States.

Home country residency - After finishing your degree, you must possess a home that is located in your nation of origin.

Working hours for USA Student F1 Visas

During their first year of study, students are barred from taking up any off-campus jobs. They are only allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week. However, during holiday and vacation times, they can work for a maximum of 40 hours a week. It is possible for them to work for a commercial business that has a connection to their college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria.

F1 Visa Cost

Now that we understand the specifications needed to apply for a United States student visa, let us take a look at the associated cost. The expenses associated with acquiring a USA student visa can be separated into two sections, the SEVIS fee and the visa application payment.

There are two costs related to an F1 visa fees for the United States.

1. SEVIS fee 
2. Visa Application Fee 

The following list outlines the expenses associated with each variety of student visa in the United States:

Documents Required for F1 Student Visa Application

When applying for a student visa, it is essential that you have all necessary documents, as well as financial and academic records, to present. Therefore, ensure to go through this list of paperwork before visiting the consulate for the visa interview. Check out the F1 visa requirements:

• A passport that is still valid for a period of time that exceeds the duration of your stay by at least six months is required.
• A printed copy of the online application form DS-160
• SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Interview appointment letter
• Form I-20 sent by the college
• Visa fees payment confirmation receipt
• A bank statement for the past three years demonstrating that you have sufficient assets to cover the first year's expenses.
• Pay/salary slips
• Original mark sheets/provisional certificates
• Score card of exams TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, etc.

Supporting Financial Documents required for F1 Visa

In order for USA students to gain admission, they must demonstrate evidence of sufficient funds to cover the total costs of their first year of study, including tuition, living expenses and miscellaneous items such as textbooks. Additionally, they must also provide proof that they have the financial resources to sustain them throughout the entirety of their educational program.

Evidence of Financial Resources for F1 Visa

• Tax returns for the past 3 years
• Bank statements for the past 3 years
• Salary slips and letters of employment
• Statement from certified CA
• Scholarship letter
• Bank or authority approval letter for a loan

How to Apply for US Student F1 Visa?

For a USA Study Visa, there are several steps to follow:

1. The process of obtaining your visa begins when you acquire the Form I-20 from your college. Even though you possess the option of paying the SEVIS fee at any point during the application process, it is highly recommended that you settle the SEVIS I-901 fee before you begin the application for the US visa.
2. Once you have paid the SEVIS fee and obtained the necessary proof, you can submit your DS-160 visa form. This document must be completed on an online platform.
3. Make sure to print out the confirmation page of the application form to bring to your interview.
4. Make the payment for the visa fee either via NEFT or at an official AXIS bank/Citi bank branch.
5. Make an arrangement for a Biometric and Interview session. 
6. During the Biometric appointment, you must be physically present to have your photo taken for the visa and have your fingerprints scanned.
7. During the one-on-one interview, the interviewer will inquire about your college selection, financial status, and plans to return home. If they are pleased with your answers, they will keep your passport to grant you the visa. 

Step-by-Step Process for F-1 Student Visa Application  
 

Those who are interested in studying abroad usually go for the F-1 Student Visa. The process of applying for this visa consists of three main steps, which are:

How to Apply for USA Study Visa?

You need to apply for the student visa on the US Embassy and Consulates India website electronically. Make sure you submit the application no later than four months prior to the commencement of your program. You need to pay the visa fee and SEVIS fee to secure a date for your appointment and finish all the paperwork for the visa.

F1 Visa Processing Time

Generally, the amount of time it takes to process a USA student visa is approximately 3-5 weeks. Depending on the type of visa applied for, the processing time could be even longer, lasting up to two or three months. For F1 visa processing time will typically be shorter than other visa types.

The typical wait time for applicants to receive their visa hard copy after receiving a favourable response from the US visa consulate is two to three days. Additionally, F-1 visas are granted before 120 days have passed since the start of your US academic programs.

US Student Visa Interview Process

An interview with a US visa officer is the final stage of the visa application process for Indian learners. A successful conversation with the visa official can lead to the immediate granting of a student visa once the discussion is over!

The interview for a US student visa from India is not the longest part of the whole process, and typically only lasts for 4-5 minutes. When you arrive for your interview, it is essential to bring all the required documents, which should be sorted and organized in one folder.

During the interview for a US visa, the questions are typically related to your motivation to come back home and your knowledge of the course, college, and finances. When the questioning is finished, the visa officer will take your passport to issue the visa.

 F1 visa validity

A F1 student visa allows people to remain in the United States for up to five years, but the length of their residency status is recorded on the I-20 form and is effective until the completion of their studies.

Renewing of F1 visa 

It is only possible to renew an F-1 visa by visiting a U.S. embassy or consular office located outside of the U.S. The individual should contact the U.S. embassy/consulate in their home country to arrange a meeting. The amount of time it will take to receive the appointment and the visa issuance may differ.

Steps to Renew F-1 Visa  
 

To get your F-1 visa renewed, you will have to go through the same process as when you initially applied for it. 

• The first step is to fill in the visa application form, DS-160, and print the confirmation page. 
• After that, you need to book an appointment with the consulate or embassy. In certain cases, you might be eligible to waive the interview requirement. 
• Then you must gather all the documents that were mandatory during the first visa application and if it is needed, get apostille stamps and translate them. 
• Before the interview, you have to pay the visa application fee and keep the fee receipt with you.
• Finally, attend the meeting for the renewal of your F-1 visa. Meet the standards you had to fulfill at the time you initially applied for your F-1 student visa, you should be able to receive your visa renewal.

After you have made a request for an extension of your F-1 visa, you must remain in the country from which you sent the application until the procedure is completed and you are not allowed to travel to the US. In the event that your application for an extension is denied, you will have to go back to your own country.

It is suggested that you should apply for a renewal of your F-1 visa from your own country of residence as this will make the application process simpler for both you and the embassy/consulate.

Maintaining F1 Visa Status

To maintain your valid non-immigrant F1 visa status, you must have:

• An valid passport
• A valid Form I-20 with a current signature
• A full-time course load in each required term of study
• After finishing your degree, you must possess a home that is located in your nation of origin.
• OPT or CPT authorization for any work off-campus
• Proper transfer, extension, or change of program

Conclusion

For Indian students, the application procedure for a US visa can be relatively straightforward and smooth as long as all of the necessary documents and data are accurate. Doing well in the interview can open up a lot of opportunities for you! If you are still unsure about how to apply for an US student visa, you can get in contact with our Edmissions specialists at edmissions.com for assistance!

For a quick overview related to study abroad, click here