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United States Student Visa Guide

F-1 Student Visa

For full-time academic study at an SEVP-certified school. Requires the Form I-20 from your university, SEVIS fee, and a consular interview at a U.S. embassy.

Application fee
~$535
Processing
2–8 weeks (varies by post)
Validity
Duration of program (D/S)
Work rights
On-campus part-time during studies; OPT (12 mo) + STEM extension (24 mo) after.

Document checklist

  • ✓Form I-20 from university
  • ✓DS-160 confirmation page
  • ✓Visa fee receipt + SEVIS I-901 receipt
  • ✓Valid passport (≥ 6 months beyond stay)
  • ✓Two recent passport-style photos
  • ✓Acceptance letter from university
  • ✓Funding proof: bank statements / loan / scholarship
  • ✓Academic transcripts + degrees
  • ✓Standardized test scores (TOEFL / IELTS / GRE / GMAT)
  • ○Sponsor letter / affidavit of support (optional)If funded by family.
  • ○CV / resume (optional)

Step-by-step process

  1. 1

    Receive I-20

    Your university issues the I-20 once you accept admission and submit financial documents.

  2. 2

    Pay SEVIS I-901 fee

    Pay USD 350 at fmjfee.com — print the receipt.

  3. 3

    Complete DS-160

    Online non-immigrant visa application. Save the confirmation barcode.

  4. 4

    Pay MRV fee + book interview

    Pay the visa fee (USD 185) and schedule the interview at the nearest U.S. embassy.

  5. 5

    Attend interview

    Bring all originals + photocopies. Interview lasts 3–5 minutes.

  6. 6

    Track passport return

    After approval, your passport is couriered back with the F-1 visa stamp.

Interview tips

  • Be concise — answers under 30 seconds.
  • Lead with why this specific program at this specific university.
  • Show clear post-graduation plans tied to your home country (avoid "I want to stay in the US").
  • Have funding numbers memorised: tuition, living, total, source, account balance.
  • Speak in English even if your interviewer offers your native language.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Looking unfamiliar with your own program / curriculum.
  • Vague or rehearsed-sounding answers.
  • Not carrying funding documents in original.
  • Volunteering information not asked for.

📅 When do you need this visa by?

The checklist above is the same for everyone. Your timeline isn’t — a United States decision takes 2–8 weeks (varies by post), so the date you have to file by depends entirely on your intake. Tell us the intake and we’ll work backwards, and flag any step that has already passed.

Planning guidance only — not legal or immigration advice, and not a visa guarantee.

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Official source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html. General guidance only — verify current requirements before applying.