An F-1 visa allows international students to study full time at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved university in the United States. Students usually need to budget for two main visa-related fees: the visa application fee and the I-901 SEVIS fee.
The F-1 visa application fee is $185 and the I-901 SEVIS fee for F-1 students is $350, so students should budget around $535 in total. Fees can change, so always check the official US government guidance before applying and keep payment receipts for your records and visa interview.
You can apply for an F-1 visa up to a year before your course start date, but be aware that you can't enter the US more than 30 days before your classes begin. Leave plenty of time to apply.
F-1 rules are changing from 15 September 2026
From 15 September 2026, new fixed-admission rules apply to F-1 students. The date on your Form I-94 will control how long you are authorized to remain in the United States.
This does not mean every F-1 student will automatically be allowed to stay in the US for four years. Check the latest Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance and speak to your university's Designated School Official (DSO) if you're unsure how the rules apply to you.
Part-time work is very restricted on an F-1 visa. You may be able to work for up to 20 hours on campus, but off-campus work is generally not allowed unless it is part of a special program such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).
These programs allow you to work in a job related to your field of study, either during your course (CPT) or after graduation (OPT). CPT must be authorized by your DSO before you begin working. OPT requires a DSO recommendation and approval from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You cannot begin OPT until you have a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and the authorized start date has arrived.
USA student visa process step by step
- Be accepted onto an educational program: Your chosen institution’s international student office will send you an I-20 form. This form needs to be kept safe, as you’ll need it for your visa interview.
- Register for SEVIS and pay the I-901 SEVIS fee: You’ll need information from your I-20 to pay this fee. Keep the payment receipt safe, as you may need it for your visa interview and when entering the US.
- Complete and pay for an online non-immigrant visa application (DS-160): Complete the DS-160 carefully and honestly. Your personal details should match your passport, I-20, and appointment information. You’ll also need to upload a photo that meets US government requirements and print the DS-160 confirmation barcode page.
- Schedule an appointment for a visa interview: This needs to be done at the U.S Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. At this interview, you may be asked about your chosen university, degree program, academic background, finances, reasons for studying in the US, and plans after graduation.
- Attend your interview and await the outcome: You may not receive a final decision at the interview. Some applications require additional documents, administrative processing, or further screening before a decision can be made.
Do not make non-refundable travel plans until your visa has been issued.
US visas for dependents (F-2)
If you have any family or children that will need to accompany you during your study time in the US, they will have to apply and be approved for an F-2 visa.
Contact your chosen university before they issue your I-20, and inform them of any children under 21 or a spouse that will be joining you in the US. You will then be sent their I-20 forms along with your own I-20.
Your university may need proof that you can support yourself as well as any dependents before sending you the paperwork.
F-2 dependents cannot work in the United States. Their immigration status is linked to the principal F-1 student, so if you need to extend your stay, you should also discuss any accompanying dependents with your DSO.
US student visa requirements
Before you apply you’ll need to gather the necessary documents. Some of these are specific immigration forms, and others may be copies of financial documents such as bank statements.
Keep your documents organized and make sure the details are consistent across your passport, I-20, DS-160, SEVIS receipt, financial evidence, and university admission documents. If information is inconsistent or incomplete, it may create questions during the visa process.
Here’s a list of all the documents you may need for your F-1 application:
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, Form I-20
- Receipt from your SEVIS fee
- DS-160 confirmation barcode page
- Passport with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States
- Any old passports you may have
- Financial documents, such as bank statements, scholarship letters, sponsor evidence, or other proof that you can pay for tuition, living costs, and travel
- A photo that meets US immigration's image requirements. Upload your photo when completing Form DS-160. If the upload fails, or your embassy or consulate instructs you to, bring a compliant printed photo to your interview
- Transcripts, test scores, qualifications, or certificates from schools you have attended
- University admission letter
- Contact details for your university or Designated School Official, if available
When you travel to the US, keep important documents in your hand luggage, not your checked baggage. This may include your passport, F-1 visa, printed I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, proof of funds, admission letter, and university contact details.
The documents will also need to be taken to your visa interview.
What to expect at your F-1 visa interview
The F-1 visa interview is usually held in English with a consular officer at a US embassy or consulate. Interviews are often short, so it is important to answer clearly and confidently.
The questions you are asked can vary, but they often focus on:
- Why you want to study in the US
- Why you chose your university and degree
- Your academic background
- How you will pay for your studies
- Your plans after graduation
- Your ties to your home country
Before your interview, research your university and degree program carefully. Be ready to explain what you will study, why the program is right for you, and how it connects to your future plans. You should also understand how your studies will be funded and be able to explain your financial documents clearly.
F-1 visas are nonimmigrant visas. This means you must show that you plan to leave the US when your authorized stay ends. A consular officer may look at your study plans, finances, personal situation, and ties to your home country when making a decision.
How to prepare for your visa interview
A useful way to prepare is to build a short “elevator pitch” for your study plans. This is not a memorized script, but a clear way to explain:
- Who you are
- What you plan to study
- Where you will study
- Why you chose this university and program
- How the degree connects to your future plans
Practice answering questions out loud, but avoid memorizing full answers. Your responses should sound natural, honest, and specific to your situation.
Before the interview, you should:
- Review your I-20, DS-160, admission letter, and financial documents
- Check that your information is consistent across all documents
- Research your university and degree program
- Prepare to explain how you will pay for your studies
- Prepare to explain your plans after graduation
- Bring the required documents to the interview
Online presence and visa screening
The US Department of State says F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visa applicants are subject to online presence review. Applicants are instructed to set their social media profiles to public or open during the vetting process.
Before applying, review your online presence carefully. Make sure your social media activity is consistent with your application and does not raise concerns about safety, security, harassment, violence, or activity that could be inconsistent with the purpose of your visa.
US student visa processing time
The time it takes to get your F-1 visa varies depending on the embassy or consulate processing your application and your individual circumstances.
Some applications may require additional documents, administrative processing, or further screening after the interview, so you should not assume you will receive a decision or your passport within a fixed number of days.
Check current visa appointment wait times and the guidance from the US embassy or consulate where you are applying before making your plans.
Apply as early as possible and do not book non-refundable travel until your visa has been issued.
What to do if you are declined for an F-1 visa
If you are declined for an F-1 visa, the consular officer should explain the reason for the refusal. One common reason for refusal is section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This means the officer was not satisfied that you qualified for the visa category, or that you overcame the presumption of immigrant intent.
A 214(b) refusal is not permanent for all future applications, but there is no appeal process for that decision. If you decide to reapply, you’ll usually need to complete a new visa application, pay the application fee again, and schedule another interview.
Before reapplying, take time to understand why your application was refused. You may need to provide stronger evidence or clearer answers about your study plans, finances, academic background, or reasons for returning home after your studies.
Common reasons an F-1 visa may be refused include:
- Not showing clear intent to return home after studying
- Insufficient financial evidence
- Missing, incomplete, or inconsistent documents
- Unclear study plans
- Weak academic background for the chosen program
- Inconsistent interview answers
- Previous visa violations or overstays
- Security or inadmissibility concerns
Entering the US with an F-1 visa
An F-1 visa allows you to travel to a US port of entry and request permission to enter the country. It does not guarantee entry. A US Customs and Border Protection officer will make the final admission decision when you arrive.
Keep your key documents in your hand luggage, not your checked baggage. You may need to show:
- Your passport
- Your F-1 visa
- Your printed I-20
- Your SEVIS fee receipt
- Proof of funds, such as bank statements or scholarship letters
- Your university admission letter
- Your university or DSO contact details
At the port of entry, you may be asked why you are entering the US, where you will study, what you will study, how long you will stay, where you will live, and whether you are carrying anything you need to declare.
Check your Form I-94 after you arrive
After each arrival in the US, retrieve your electronic Form I-94 and check that the information is correct.
Check your:
- Name
- Class of admission
- Admit-until date
Make sure these details are consistent with your immigration documents. If anything looks incorrect, or you do not understand the date you have been given, contact your DSO promptly.
From 15 September 2026, the admit-until date on your Form I-94 becomes especially important because it controls how long you are authorized to remain in the US under the new fixed-admission rules.
Maintaining your F-1 status in the US
Getting an F-1 visa and maintaining F-1 status in the US are related, but they are not the same thing.
Your F-1 visa allows you to travel to the US and request entry. Your Form I-20 contains information about your study program. Your Form I-94 records your admission to the US and, under the rules effective from 15 September 2026, shows how long you are authorized to stay.
How long can you stay?
From 15 September 2026, F-1 students will generally be admitted for the length of the program shown on their Form I-20, up to a maximum admission period of four years.
Your Form I-94 will show a specific admit-until date rather than "D/S".
Four years is the maximum length of an admission period. It does not mean every F-1 student will automatically be allowed to stay in the US for four years.
Always check the admit-until date on your Form I-94 to understand how long you are currently authorized to remain in the US. You should also check your I-94 after every entry or re-entry.
If you need more time
If you need longer than the date shown on your Form I-94 to complete your studies or authorized practical training, contact your DSO as early as possible.
Under the rules effective from 15 September 2026, a university extending your program or issuing an updated Form I-20 does not, by itself, extend your authorized stay.
You will generally need a recommendation from your DSO and may need to apply to USCIS for an extension of stay, normally using Form I-539. Depending on your circumstances, you may instead need to depart the US and seek readmission.
Follow the latest USCIS instructions before your I-94 deadline and do not assume that an extension will be approved automatically.
Changing your school, program or academic level
From 15 September 2026, changing your school, major, program, or academic level may be restricted and could also affect your authorized period of stay.
The exact rules depend on your circumstances, so speak to your DSO before making a change.
English-language training
From 15 September 2026, F-1 participation in English-language training is generally limited to a maximum of 24 months in total. This includes breaks and annual vacations.
If you have previously completed English-language study or plan to combine different programs, ask your DSO how your time will be counted.
CPT and OPT
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) allow eligible F-1 students to gain practical experience related to their studies, but they have different authorization processes.
CPT must be authorized by your DSO on your Form I-20 before you begin working.
For OPT, your DSO must make a recommendation and you must receive approval from USCIS. You cannot begin OPT until you have a valid Employment Authorization Document and the authorized start date has arrived.
Under the rules effective from 15 September 2026, you should also check whether the period shown on your Form I-94 covers your planned practical training. Speak to your DSO early if you may need more time.
What happens after your program or practical training ends?
Under the rules effective from 15 September 2026, many F-1 students will have a 30-day period after their program or authorized practical training ends to leave the US, transfer, change status, or take another permitted action.
Transition rules may be different for some students who were already in the US when the new rules took effect.
Do not assume the 30-day period applies to your individual situation. Confirm your deadline with your DSO.
Get official F-1 visa and immigration guidance
US student visa and immigration rules can change, and the rules that apply to you can depend on your individual circumstances.
For the latest information, check guidance from:
- The US Department of State for F-1 visa applications and interviews
- The Department of Homeland Security for F-1 status requirements
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services for applications such as extensions of stay and OPT
- US Customs and Border Protection for Form I-94 and entry information
- Your university's Designated School Official for guidance relating to your individual student record
The fixed-admission rules covered in this guide are scheduled to take effect on 15 September 2026. Check the latest official guidance before making decisions about your immigration status.
Last reviewed: 19th August 2026