The F1 Visa Process from Start to Finish

While many types of student visas are awarded to students looking to study in the US, the "F" Visa is the most common type of student visa issued to international students who want to pursue their education in the United States. There are 3 subtypes of F visas namely:

• F-1 VISA: This is issued to international students who plan on entering the US for full-time studies.
• F-2 VISA: This visa is issued to the dependents of the F-1 visa recipients (wife, husband, children, etc.).
• F-3 VISA: This is issued to the students living in the regions bordering the US, who come to the United States to study (Mexico and Canada).

F-1 Visa Eligibility Criteria

The F-1 visa is required by most internationals to study in the United States. The F-1 allows students to enroll in a degree course in a SEVP-approved school. It is issued to students with the following criteria:

• The candidate must have an I-20 published by a university of good standing (approved university which is authorized to grant I-20)
• The applicant has documents highlighting enough bank balance to support the student's living and education-related expenses throughout his or her education period.
• Documents that put forth the necessities of the student to return to his or her home country on completion of his course.
• The candidate needs to be enrolled in a vocational, language training, or "academic" educational program.
• The candidate must be a full-time student at the institution.
• The candidate must be fluent in English or enrolled in classes that will increase their proficiency in the language.

All about the I-20 Form

• The I-20 form is issued by the U.S. University as a confirmation of an international student's admittance into a full-time course.
• This document is issued by SVEP (Student Visitor and Exchange Program) certified schools. It includes the SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information System) ID which is unique for each international student.
• The visa interview can be booked only with the SEVIS ID and the I-20 form.

Cost of F-1 Visa

Below is the breakdown of the cost for the F-1 visa:

Fee Parameter	Fee Amount
SEVIS fee	$350
SEVIS reapplication fee (within 12 months of first application)	$0
SEVIS reapplication fee (after 12 months of first application)	$350
F-1 visa application fee	$185
F-1 visa reapplication fee	$185
F-1 applicant dependents SEVIS fee	$0

In addition to this, there might be additional fees imposed on the candidate subject to their nationality, visa status, the school they are applying to, and individual circumstances.

The F-1 Visa Process

Get I-20 from an approved SEVP school

Once an international student is admitted into a Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP) school, they will receive an I-20 form from them. This form is proof that they have been approved to join a SEVP-approved program if they can secure an F-1 visa. The I-20 will have a SEVIS ID, which is unique for each candidate and will be used to further the application process.

Complete the I-901 form online and pay the SEVIS fee

The candidate will use the information in the I-20 form to complete the I-901 form and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The fee is $350 for each candidate. Most nationals can use a credit card to make the payment online but certain nationals are required to use money order or other forms of money transfer methods. If payment is made by a check, there is a $30 fee if the check is not honored by the bank.

Check for additional fee

The SEVIS fee of $350 is mandatory for all candidates applying for an F-1 visa unless their institution agrees to sponsor them. In addition, there might be additional fees imposed by the school, like the school SEVIS administration fee.

Print the payment receipt

Once the fee payment is made, the candidate should print the receipt and bring it with them at the time of the interview.

Apply for F-1 visa online

Through the official website, the candidate should complete the online visa application form, DS-160 using the above two documents. The candidate will also have to upload their photograph that confirms their requirements. The fee for successfully submitting the DS-160 form is $185. Submit, pay, and obtain the receipt for the visa application fee.

Schedule an appointment for the interview with the consulate

The candidate should fix a date as early as possible to allow ample time for the visa processing. Certain times of the year have better acceptance rates than others, so it is important to have ample time. Ensure proper preparation to deal with the commonly asked questions in the visa interview and master the tips to show off in the little time that is provided during the interview.

Have the required documents

Make sure that the necessary documents from the first step, which is SEVIS, to the last step, which is appointment confirmation are included in the folder that the candidate takes with them to the interview.

Documents Needed for the F-1 Visa

Following is the list of documents required for F-1 visa application:

• A passport that will remain valid for the full six months following the intended stay in the US.
• Form I-20 that serves as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. This form is provided by the school the applicant intends to attend, and it must be signed by the applicant and a school official.
• A completed and signed Form DS-160 online application for a nonimmigrant visa.
• A passport-style photo that meets the requirements of the US Department of State.
• Proof of payment of the SEVIS application and visa processing fees.
• Financial support documentation, such as bank statements, tax returns, and letters from sponsors or scholarships.
• Diplomas or official transcripts from school
• Evidence of ties to one's home nation, such as a real estate holding, a job offer, or family relationships.
• Evidence that the student intends to return home after completing their studies.
• Any additional documentation required by the US embassy or consulate, such as language proficiency certification (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT), etc.

Some Tips for the Interview Day

• On the day of the interview look sharp and arrive early at the U.S Embassy with all the required documents.
• Have all the documents to prevent delay or sloppiness in front of the Visa officer.
• Once it's the candidate's turn, they must greet the officer confidently and have a smiling, pleasant face throughout the interview.
• Stay calm and composed. Answer only if asked and directly to the point.
• Take care of the body language to avoid giving a wrong impression and maintain direct eye contact at all times.
• Once the interview is over be sure to thank the Officer and exit in style.

When individuals know what they are in for, they will be able to prepare themselves both physically and mentally.

Working while Staying in US on F-1 Visa

International students are not allowed to work in the US. They can only take up internships contingent on several restrictions. The only exception would be when the candidate has special permission from the DHS, for example, if the candidate can prove that they have financial hardship. But these situations are pretty rare.

Two internship options available to the international students are:

• Curricular Practical Training or CPT that relates to the candidate's field of study and is part of the curriculum OR
• Optional Practical Training or OPT that is a temporary employment relating to the candidate's field of study

In either case, the candidate cannot work for over 20 hours a week during the school weeks. During vacation time, when the candidate is off from school, they can work up to 40 hours a week. A good source of information would be the candidate's DSO.

Not following any of the employment conditions will result in the termination of the candidate's visa and they will be required to leave the country.

Renewing F-1 Visa

The candidate can stay only till 60 days after the program end date that is listed on the form I-20. If they wish to stay further, in case their course is not completed on time, or they want to pursue another course, they would have to apply for visa renewal. This can be done on the USCIS website. The process is the same as when they applied for F-1 the first time. The only difference is that the candidate might not have to go for an in-person interview. Under no condition can the candidate overstay their visa duration. Doing so is illegal and the candidate will be barred from entering the US in the future.