F1 Visa: Eligibility, Visa Process, Fees, and More 

The USA attracts more than 1 million international students annually as their preferred study destination. Sadly, about 35% of F1 visa applications are rejected because of mistakes students could avoid.

The F1 visa process might seem daunting at first. Each step demands attention to detail and perfect timing, especially when you collect documents and prepare for your interview.

This piece will guide you through F1 visa requirements and application steps. You'll learn everything about USA study visa fees and F1 visa processing times. Our simple breakdown will clear your doubts.

Your dream of studying in the USA can become a reality.

Let's explore the F1 visa process through simple, practical steps.

What is an F1 Student Visa? 

The F-1 student visa is offered by the U.S. Immigration Department for International students who possess an acceptance letter from US-based Colleges or universities.  

• Candidates are required to produce an I-20 form containing the University's confirmation of the program end date when applying for an F-1 visa.  
• International students arriving in the U.S. through an F-1 visa are not considered Immigrants.  
• F-1 US student visa allows International students to live and study in the country for up to five years.  
• Any applications for an extension of the F-1 Visa can be applied to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). (STEM) students can also opt for optional practical training programs. 

Validity for US F-1 Visa  

The F-1 student Visa is valid for five years. However, it only applies until the student's study program is completed. To receive the F1 student visa, the US-based study program or course should be offered as a degree or a certificate. 

The U.S. government requires SEVIP certification for U.S. study programs. The United States employs the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIP) to track the schools and universities that allow international students to access education.

SEVP certification for U.S. universities lets the students know that U.S. universities are qualified to provide education to international students. The F-1 student visa also allows its students to work off-campus in cases of severe hardships or require financial help. 

Eligibility for F1 Visa criteria: 

The students applying for the F1 student visa are required to satisfy the following criteria:  

• University confirmation letter (i-20)-The college or the University needs to be SEVIP approved as dictated by the  Immigration & Customs Enforcement.  
• Type of enrollment—The student needs to be enrolled full-time and in continuous programs extending over2-3 years

Intakes	Study Program	Admission deadlines
Summer	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	May - September
Spring	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	January - May
Fall	Undergraduate and Postgraduate	September - December

For admission assistance into the US-based programs. Contact Y-axis  

• language proficiency—You must meet the institution's required English language proficiency score or be enrolled in courses that will help you improve your English proficiency. 
• Expenses & funding—You must prove you have sufficient funds to finance your studies and living expenses in the U.S. 
• Passport—With sufficient pages, your passport should be valid for U.S. travel for at least six months after your program completion date. 
• Home country residency—You are required to have a residence in your home country to return to following the completion of your degree 

Benefits of the F1 Visa:  

Students studying in the U.S. with the F1 visa can enjoy benefits like world-class education, experience an exciting student lifestyle in the U.S., and explore beautiful destinations and landscapes in and around the U.S. while traveling to and from the U.S.  

Here are some of the major benefits for students studying in the U.S. with F-1 visa:  

• The U.S. is considered the world's most sought-after educational destination for students from all over the world. New York is considered the world's most important city, with commercial, cultural, and financial centers 
• There are immense job opportunities for students graduating from every field. The industrial sector is well developed in the U.S., providing opportunities to newly graduating students- local and International. 
• International students plan to study in the US. because of the highly advanced educational system, innovative courses, and campuses with cutting-edge technology and research opportunities offered in the country's long-standing institutions.  
• U.S. students can explore many natural scenic destinations, such as the Rocky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, Yosemite Natural Park, Canyon Lands, Glacier National Park, and Yellow Stone National Park. They can also take time away from their classes to plan weekend getaways.  
• Spouses and families of students can plan to fly to the U.S. on an F-2 visa, also known as a dependent visa. The visa is usually allotted for short durations.  

News Updates for U.S. f-1 VISA:  

• Here are the benefits of the new visa updates for International students as of 2024. The benefits apply to students both planning to study in the U.S. and those already residing in the U.S.  
• F1 visas are being allotted well in advance, up to one year before the start of the study program. 
• The new update offers flexibility for students regarding planning the accommodation and in-campus jobs before their arrival. 

Update: Students can extend the duration of their F-1 visa after the expiry of their college term. This can be done through the option of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is for 12 months

U.S. F1 Visa Application procedures: 

Students can apply for the US F-1 visa through the following steps. Applying well in advance, i.e., 3-4 months, can prove beneficial. The I-20 form needs to be submitted at the time of application. The I-20 form is given by the SEVIP-approved US-based college/university, confirming the expiry or end date of the program. This is necessary for the F-1 Visa approval procedure.   

Requirements or required documents by the candidate while applying for the U.S. F1 Visa:   

• Candidate's SEVIS ID number (contact college) 
• The program start and end dates as given in I-20 
• Detailed information on the program of study 
• Expenses and sources of financial funds 
• Proof of tuition fee 
• Relevant personal information 

Useful tip (1): The University provides the above information based on the documents you must submit for the application. Students can contact the University for more details. 

Useful tip (2): After receiving the I-20 form from the University, ensure all the information is printed accurately, and then sign the document before submitting it. 

Useful tip (3): Retaining your I-20 form when traveling to the U.S. is a good idea. The document must be presented to the customs as educational proof while migrating to the U.S. and for other official formalities.  

Where To Apply for F-1 Student Visa 

Applicants for student F-1 visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate over their place of permanent residence. This will normally be the home country in which you live. The students can book an appointment with the U.S. consulate nearest to them. The candidates can make their application at the official U.S. website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

Steps after Submitting the I-20 form for Visa Application:  

The candidate, after applying to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the US F-1 student visa along with the I-20 form, needs to complete the following steps:    

1: Make the payment toward the Visa application  

• The total time for visa processing takes 3-4 months. The cost for the US F-1 student visa is $510$ (R.S.- 41,527). This includes the fee for SEVIS and Visa maintenance.

Cost & Requirements: $350 and I-20 form

  The student will receive an I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, which they must show at the time of the interview. The students can make the application on the Visa Application Portal.

2. Finish Your DS-160 Visa Application form:  

Completing your DS-160 form is an essential step to receive your F-1 visa

After submitting the application to DS-160, the student will receive a printed confirmation with a barcode printed on it. The candidate is required to save the receipt and carry it with them for the visa interview  

Cost & Requirements: Pay $160 along with I-20, passport, travel itinerary, photo for your visa

Kudos! You have successfully completed the application process. The only step left is to attend the interview.  

How to Prepare for a Successful F-1Visa Interview  

The candidates can book a Visa interview online at the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the US F-1 student visa. The candidates can book the slot at the nearest U.S. Visa Embassy.  

Requirements

The candidates must carry the following additional documents when attending the interview. Below is a list of documents:  

• Past Academic records such as transcripts or certificates of degrees and diplomas from schools you attended 
• Standardized test scores of English language proficiency required by your U.S. institution 
• Proof of your intent to depart the United States upon completion of your course of study 
• Financial Statements as proof of your ability to pay for all educational, living, and travel costs 

Consult with experts at Y-Axis for any F-1 Visa document-related quarries. 

Tips for the successful U.S. F1 Visa Interview: 

The interviewer at the U.S. embassy asks questions about the candidate's study abroad plan, commonly involving the post-graduation and university choice, academic capability, financial status, and further plans.

Mastering the Visa Interview

Preparing for your F1 visa interview can feel scary, but we'll help you nail this vital step. Your documents matter, but being confident and prepared makes the biggest difference when you walk into that interview room.

Interview Preparation Strategies

Let's focus on these areas to help you succeed:

Mental Preparation:

• Talk in English with native speakers
• Learn about your chosen university
• Go through your academic and financial documents
• Have clear answers ready about your study plans

Professional Presentation:

Aspect	Guidelines
Attire	Formal, conservative clothing
Colors	Light or solid colors
Accessories	Minimal and professional
Grooming	Clean, well-groomed appearance

Common Questions and Best Responses

Here are the questions visa officers ask most often and how you should answer them:

Academic Questions: "Why did you choose this university?"

• Talk about specific programs, faculty expertise, and the university's reputation
• Point out unique features that match your career goals

"How will this program benefit your career?"

• Link the program to job opportunities back home
• Talk about skills and knowledge you'll get

Financial Questions: "How will you fund your education?"

• Explain your funding sources simply
• Point to your bank statements and financial documents
• For sponsored students, explain who your sponsor is and how they can support you

Post-Graduation Plans: "What are your plans after graduation?"

• Show you plan to return home
• Talk about job opportunities or family businesses waiting for you
• Mention your connections back home

Common Interview Questions for F1 Visa: 

Here are some of the common questions the candidates can prepare themselves before attending the US F-1 Visa interview

• Why are you going to the United States?  
• What do you do for a living? 
• How many colleges did you apply to? 
• How many schools did you get admitted to?  
• How many schools rejected you? 
• Why are you planning to continue your education?  
• Can you not continue your education in your home country?  
• Why choose the United States of America?  
• Why not choose Canada or Australia?  
• How many colleges did you apply to? 
• How many schools did you get admitted to?  
• How many schools rejected you? 
• Where did you go to school now? 
• What are you specializing in/What will your major be

Verbal Conversation: 

After clearing their English language proficiency tests, the students can also be confident about clearing the F1-Visa Interview. Here are a few tips before facing the interviewer: 

• Be confident and listen carefully to the interviewer  
• Be honest when answering questions like duration of stay, the reason for migrating, and funds you are carrying 
• Keep your answers brief and to the point unless the interviewer wants you to elaborate on a specific topic 

When entering the U.S.: 

After clearing the visa interview, the candidates who have received approval for an F-1 student visa can enter the U.S. Here are a few points that International students need to remember before entering the U.S. on an F-1 visa: 

• The students must enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before your program begins. 
• Once you have arrived in the country, the students can contact the designated school official (DSO). 
• After arriving at your University, contact your DSO again before the start date on your I-20 form. 
• While studying in the U.S.: 
• Attending all your classes can keep you in good academic standing.  
• Support for your study or teaching assistance is available when required.  
• International students need not hesitate when asking for help from the faculty/campus. 
• Most importantly, the students need to ensure that the course load is at total capacity for each term to maintain the validity of the F-1 visa.  
• In case of extensions required for the program dates, i.e., if the program tends to extend beyond the  
• The DSO is the first point of contact in case of dropping a class or changing a major.  

Maintaining F1 status: 

Students can maintain an F1 status until they finish their college studies. They can also apply to extend their F-1 visa status at the University given the extended term duration, extension in a research project, or delay in finishing the project.  

Ways To Maintain Your F1 Visa Status  

The following are the requirements to maintain an F1 Visa status as a nonimmigrant student in the US:

• Carry an unexpired passport

- The passport should have enough pages for stamping, a minimum of 3 pages, and be well within the expiration date.  

• An I-20 form with a current travel signature 

When traveling to or from the U.S., the I-20 form needs to have the most recent travel signature from customs.  

• Proof of significant course load in each term as specified by the University 

    Submitting the I-20 form also covers the proof for course load each term.  

Work Opportunities for F1 visa holders

The F-1 visa holders can apply for job opportunities in the following ways. However, some specific rules and restrictions are to be followed. An international student must actively maintain their F-1 status to continue studying in the U.S. 

• Students can work part-time on campus during their academic term. These work opportunities include library monitor, tutor, teaching assistant 
• The maximum word limit is 20 hours per week 
• In exceptional cases, the students can work off-campus with the approval of the University officials. 
• Students who are willing to work off-campus must abide by the university's codes of conduct. Here are a few ways F-1 student Visa holders can apply for jobs off–campus.  
• The students can apply for jobs and businesses in the U.S. while studying or before finishing their graduation in the U.S.  
• The students must contact the college university's (DSO) before applying for jobs outside the campus.  
• The students can apply for a social security number while studying at the University.  
• The (DSO) can help students through the steps of applying for a job outside campus. 
• The approval for international students to work outside campus is given in exceptional conditions where the students are going through severe financial hardships or special conditions are involved. 
• The income from part-time jobs can help pay for the daily expenses.  

The students must apply for a work visa to continue working in the U.S.

Tips to Ace US Visa Interview for Indian Students 

Here are a few tips by which Indian students can ace the F-1 Visa interview: 

• The Indian students can train for the interview by listening to mock interviews online  
• Indian formals, such as suits and sarees, are accepted as formals for the U.S. visa interview, making them a comfortable option for Indian female students. 
• Indian students having a clear set of academic records, proof of financial funds, and a place of permanent residence in India can add to the chances of F-1 Visa approval 
• S. Student Visa Rejection Reasons  
• According to reports, the US F-1 Visa denial rates for Asian and African students are higher. As of 2023, the visa denial rate for Indian students is 35%. 

Why is my F-1 Visa rejected?

Here are a few reasons listed for the F1 Visa rejections/denials: 

Nonimmigrant Intent 

 Not being able to prove the nonimmigrant intent(intent to travel back to India) is one of the primary reasons students get rejected. The candidates are required to show sufficient evidence of  residency, property ownership, and financial ties in the home country)  

Errors in Application for F-1 Visa: 

    Clerical errors in the application form or proofs with proofs of insufficient financial funds add to the visa denial rates. 

Academic records: 

• Poor past academic performance or failure to meet the U.S.  academic standards can be a valid reason for U.S. visa rejection, although after being accepted into a US-based study program 
• An acceptance letter from non-SEVIP-approved institutions in the U.S. can result in the rejection of the US F-1 visa. 
• Students showcasing a lack of adequate English language proficiency skills at the interview can result in rejecting a US F-1 visa.  

Subpar performance in the visa interview

• On the day of the Visa interview, the student's performance greatly matters. The Visa interviewer's perception of the candidate is important for visa approval. The student's answers, tone, and body language matter.  
• Any past criminal histories or non-linear educational graphs with too many unexplained gaps can factor in rejecting the F-1 US visa.  

Past violations of Visa terms:  

This may not apply to most students, but to some undergraduate students who have received their UG degree in the US and have violated the terms of the F-1 Visa by overstaying in the country or other such rules. The students may not receive the US F-1 student Visa Again. 

 Note: The students can stay in the US for up to 60 days after completing the course.

Increase your chances of F-1 Visa Approval:

Any reason addressed during the Visa denial must be rectified before re-applying for the U.S. Visa. They need to be clearly addressed during the interview as the application may be under review and keenly observed for faults.  The candidate can apply for a visa interview again in the following visa season, which may take between 3 and 6 months to process.  

TIP: A thorough F-1 Visa application with an I-20 form must be submitted without errors. Along with the above, a fully completed DS-160 form and an above-par Visa interview by the candidate is necessary for Visa Approval. 

Interview Guide for F1 Student Visa for USA   

The interviewer at the U.S. embassy asks questions about the candidate's study abroad plans. They commonly involve post-graduation and university choice, academic capability, financial status, and further plans. Being well-dressed, groomed, presentable, and confident can increase your chances of clearing the F-1 Visa interview.

Any gaps or inadequacies in the application must be clearly explained to the interviewer with a valid explanation. The time for re-application is anywhere between 3-6 months. 

Life as an F1 Visa Holder:  

-Share insights into the experiences of international students studying in the USA on an F1 visa. ○ Tips for adjusting to life in the USA and making the most of the experience. 

• Life as an F1 visa holder for students studying in the U.S. can be exciting and challenging. Adjusting to changes in time zones, new cultures, locations, and food habits is a prerequisite. The students also get to explore the rich cultural heritage of the United States, natural scenic locations, and many interesting weekend activities. 
• Students studying in the U.S. have limitations on the number of hours spent on education and part-time jobs. Hence, they have ample time to explore the country's locations. 

Tips for studying in the U.S.: 

• Most students who are F-1 holders and are already studying in the U.S. advise the new students to be prepared in advance while applying for 'survival jobs' or part-time jobs.  
• Check with the DSO for additional documents required while applying for extensions or other formalities.  
• The students are also advised to look for accommodation within the campus before entering the U.S. They can plan for accommodation in a decent locality outside the campus by networking with other students already residing there.  

Conclusion:

International students can continue their education in the U.S. and receive their U.S. degree as F1 visa holders. The F1 visa is a powerful Visa for students planning to reside in the U.S. while studying. The students who are F-1 visa holders are not considered immigrants or rather nonimmigrants who would reside in the country temporarily until the completion of their study program \

• The F1 visa is given to students showing ample interest and grit to study in US-based colleges for their undergraduate and postgraduate studies.  
• The F-1 Visa application process includes submitting the I-20 form, DS-160 receipt, English language proficiency test certificates, financial proofs, and clearing the Visa interview. 
• Candidates applying for the F-1 visa need to keep track of the deadlines for application submission, book interview slots, and prepare for the interview. 

Explore helpful resources for US F-1 visa application with Y-Axis.