F-1 Student Visas

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR AN F-1 VISA  

• You need to be enrolled in an academic or language training program. 
• Your educational institution must have USCIS approval. 
• You are required to be a full-time student at the institution.
• You must either be proficient in English or taking courses aimed at achieving English proficiency. 
• You must have enough financial resources to support yourself throughout the entire course of study.
• You must keep a residence abroad and have no plans to abandon it.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN F-1 VISA  

The initial step in studying in the US is gaining admission to a US academic institution. Only after being accepted by a SEVP-certified institution can you apply for a student visa. The school will provide you with a Form I-20 enrollment document. 

• Students are advised to apply for their visa early to allow sufficient time for processing. You may apply for a visa as soon as you receive admission from a SEVP-certified US institution. 
• It is important to note that Embassies and Consulates can issue a student visa no more than 120 days before the course registration date. If you apply for the visa more than 120 days before your start or registration date listed on Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your application until the visa can be issued, using the extra time for processing.
• New students may enter the US no more than 30 days prior to the start or report date listed on Form I-20. Be mindful of this date when planning your travel to the US.
• If a new student wants to enter the US more than 30 days before the course start date, they must qualify for and obtain a visitor visa. A prospective student note will appear on the visitor visa, and the student must clearly state their intention to study to the US immigration officer at the port of entry. Before beginning studies, the student must apply for a change to Student or Exchange Visitor status by submitting Form I-539, paying the necessary fee, and providing the required Form I-20 to the Department of Homeland Security. Studies cannot commence until the change of classification is approved.
• Continuing students can apply for a new visa at any time, provided they have maintained their student status and their SEVIS records are up to date. Continuing students may enter the US at any time before their classes begin. 

WHAT IS SEVIS/SEVP?  

What should you know about it?  

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State in overseeing school and exchange programs, as well as F, M, and J category visitors. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) manages the information of exchange visitors and students. 

All student applicants must have a SEVIS-generated Form I-20, issued by a DHS-approved educational institution, which is required when applying for a student visa. Your school is responsible for entering your details into SEVIS for the I-20 student visa form. The consular officer will verify your I-20 record electronically through SEVIS to process your student visa application. Unless exempt, all F-1 principal applicants must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to DHS for each program. Refer to the SEVP Fact Sheet for a list of applicable fees. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR STUDENT VISA APPLICATION  

Each student visa applicant must submit the following forms and documents as outlined below: 

• Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status: You must submit a SEVIS-generated Form I-20, provided by your school. Both you and the school official need to sign this form. 
• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160.
• A passport valid for travel to the United States, with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US.
• One (1) 2×2 photograph. 
• A MRV fee receipt to confirm payment of the visa application fee.
• The SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.

All applicants should also be ready to provide: 

• Transcripts and diplomas from previously attended institutions.
• Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution, such as TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
• Financial evidence showing that you or your sponsors (parents, for instance) have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for the duration of your study period.

SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF US STUDENT VISA HOLDERS  

Applicants with dependents must also provide: 

• Proof of relationship to their spouse and/or children, such as marriage and birth certificates.
• While it is recommended that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas together, if the spouse and children need to apply separately at a later date, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, in addition to all other required documents. 

F-1 VISA RELATED FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

Q1. What Items Do Returning Students Need?  

All applicants applying for visa renewals must provide:   

• All documents listed in the Required Documentation section, and
• A new I-20 or an I-20 that has been endorsed on the back by a school official within the last 12 months. 

Q2. Students Away from Classes More Than Five Months 

Students who have been away from classes for over five months, whether inside or outside the US, will likely need a new visa to re-enter the US. 

Q3. How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa?   

When entering the United States on a student visa, you are typically admitted for the duration of your student status. This means you can remain in the US as long as you are a full-time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in the country.   

For students who have completed the course of study listed on their I-20, as well as any authorized practical training, the following additional time is permitted before departure:   

• F-1 student – An additional 60 days to prepare for departure or transfer to another school.   

For example, if you have a five-year visa set to expire on January 1, 2009, and are admitted for the duration of your studies (often marked as “D/S” in your passport or on your I-94 card), you can stay in the US as long as you maintain full-time student status. Even if your visa expires after January 1, 2009, you will remain in legal student status. However, if you leave the US with an expired visa, you must apply for a new one at a US Embassy abroad before returning to resume your studies.