An F-1 visa allows academic students to enter the United States to complete their education. The visa is open to full-time students attending an accredited college, university, conservatory, seminary, academic high school, elementary school or other academic institution. It’s also open to students in a language training program.
This guide will explain how the F-1 visa works, how to apply for it and who is eligible for it.
What Is the F-1 Student Visa?
An F-1 student visa is for students who want to attend school full time and complete an academic program in the United States. It’s an alternative to an M-1 visa, which is for vocational students who are completing nonacademic programs other than language training.
F-1 Visa Definition
An F-1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa. Students who plan to attend school full time in the U.S. and who wish to participate in an academic program need to obtain this visa to be allowed entry.
To obtain an F-1 visa, you must meet specific requirements, including being enrolled full time at a school approved under the Student and Exchange Visitors Program through Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Benefits of the F-1 Visa
There are some major benefits of obtaining an F-1 visa. These benefits include the following:
- You are admitted to the United States to attend an academic program.
- You are allowed to work on campus on an F-1 visa during your first year of schooling.
- While on an F-1 visa, you are allowed to work off campus after your first year in one of three types of jobs: curricular practical training, optional practical training, or science, technology, engineering and math practical training extensions.
- You may also be eligible for other off-campus employment on a case-by-case basis, such as when you can demonstrate severe economic hardship.
- You may bring certain eligible dependents to the United States including a spouse and unmarried children under 21.
F-1 Visa Eligibility Requirements
Here are the eligibility requirements for an F-1 visa.
You Must Be Enrolled Full Time in a Qualifying Academic Program
An F-1 visa is available only if you are enrolled full time in an academic educational program or language training program. The school you are attending must be approved under the Student and Exchange Visitors Program through Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
You Must Meet Language Requirements
You must be proficient in English to obtain an F-1 visa, or you must be enrolled in courses that are designed to lead to English language proficiency.
You Must Be Self-Supporting
You must provide proof that you have sufficient funds to be self-supporting during the entire period of your proposed course of study.
You Must Maintain a Residence Abroad
F-1 visa rules require you to show that you reside in another country besides the United States and that you do not intend to abandon your foreign residency.
F-1 Visa Application: Step-by-Step Process
Here are the steps to apply for an F-1 visa.
Apply to Your School
The first step is to apply to a school approved by the Student and Visitor Exchange Program.
Pay Your SEVIS fee
If you are a new student coming to the U.S. on an F-1 visa for the first time, you must pay a one-time SEVIS fee once you have been accepted to your school. The fee is $350 and must be paid at least three days prior to the time you attend your visa interview. You can pay the fee online at the USCIS website.
Obtain an I-20 From Your School
Next, a school official will send you a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. You need this form for yourself and additional forms for any eligible dependents you will be bringing to the United States.
Complete the DS-160
To begin your application process, you must complete the DS-160 form, which can be completed online on the Department of State website. You must provide a U.S. address or point of contact and an address where you will stay in the United States. An immigration lawyer can help you with this process if you need assistance.
Schedule and Attend Your Visa Interview
When possible, you should apply for the F-1 visa in your home country. You’ll need to make an appointment at your closest embassy or consulate and come prepared with:
- a completed I-20 form
- your SEVIS fee receipt
- a DS-160 confirmation page
- copies of your financial support documents showing you have the funds to cover the costs of your studies
- a valid passport
- passport-sized pictures
If you are approved to enter, you can come to the United States no earlier than 30 days before the start date listed on your I-20 form.
F-1 Visa: Costs Associated
You must pay a $350 SEVIS fee and a $185 fee to process your DS-160 application.
Maintaining Your F-1 Status After You Arrive in the U.S
You must meet certain requirements to maintain your F-1 status once you have arrived in the United States. Specifically, you must:
- complete a full course load for each required term of study
- limit your on-campus work to no more than 20 hours during an enrolled term and/or obtain authorization for any off-campus work
- ensure the school listed on your visa and I-20 form is the one you’re attending
- register with SEVIS no later than 30 days after the program starts during each academic term
- make normal progress toward earning your degree and attend all your classes
- follow the rules for the F-1 grace period by arriving no more than 30 days early and leaving no more than 60 days after you complete your course of study
- complete one full academic year before leaving the U.S. for an annual vacation
You may still have more questions about the F-1 visa. Here are some answers.
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