F1 Student Visa: All you need to know

F1 Student Visa - There are different types of student visas for foreign students to study in the USA. F1 visa is required for international students who wish to study in universities, schools or any other academic institutions, etc. Students enrolled in colleges that are certified by the “Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)” are only eligible for the F1 student visa for studying in the USA. Students can use the official website of the Department of Homeland Security for SEVP-approved institutions. Candidates with F-1 visa can bring their dependents like spouses and children under F-2 visa category to the USA. Read the article on F1 visa, to know more details like eligibility, application process, visa requirements, fee, etc.

Is F1 Student Visa right for me?

Most of the international students travel to the USA for temporary study purposes. As long it is any academic course or a language program provided by the universities, colleges, high school or primary schools, institutions, etc all categorized under F1 visa. Most of the Indians who would like to pursue higher education in top universities in USA apply for the F-1 student visa to study in the USA.

F1 Student Visa Eligibility Criteria

Candidates can apply for the F 1 student visa by meeting the following US F 1 visa requirements.

• Must be enrolled in a full-time academic educational program or a language training program.

• The applied US university or institution must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

• The candidate must be proficient in the English language or currently enrolled in an English language program.

• Candidates must demonstrate he/she has sufficient funds required to support their studies during the course period.

• As this is a temporary visa, candidates should be willing to travel back to their home country after the course completion.

How to apply for an F1 Student Visa?

Once the candidate receives the admission letter from the US university, they can proceed with the F1 visa process. The visa process can be started 1 year before the course start date in the USA. Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for the F1 student visa application.

• Once the candidate secures admission at the SEVP-approved college in the USA, they can fill in the SEVP form “I-20” received from the US University and pay the SEVIS fee.

• Then apply for the F1 Student visa application by filling out the “DS-160 form” which is the visa application available online at the US consulate website at ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.

• Upload the necessary documents and make the payment for student visa fees.

• A date for the student visa interview will be scheduled.

• The candidate can fix the OFC appointment before the visa interview at his/her possible time.

• Attend the OFC appointment and visa interview.

• Once the visa is approved pay the F1 visa issuance fee(if applicable).

Documents required for F1 Student Visa

The F1 visa application has a long list of documentation required. The candidates have to make sure they are submitting all the necessary F1 visa requirements. The essential list for F1 Student Visa is below.

Personal Documents

• Digital Photo

• Passport

• Form DS-160 visa application form

• Form I-20 - SEVIS form

• Proof of Intent to depart from USA after course completion

F1 visa requirements - educational documents

• Academic Transcripts

• Standardized Test Score Reports

Financial documents

• Proof of funds for US study and living costs

  • Education loan Letter( if required)

  • Bank Account Statements - From the last 3 years

  • Property Documents (if any)

Price details of F1 student visa

The SEVIS fee for the F1 Visa is $350. The application fee is the same for almost all types of US visas. The F1 visa price for the application is non-refundable and costs around $185.

F1 Student Visa Interview

The interview is a part of the US student visa application process. Candidates can carry the essential documents while attending it. The F 1 visa interview round consists of a few questions based on the personal and academic details of the candidate. The main purpose of the visa interview is to know more about the candidate beyond the applicant's documents. So, deliver the answers truthfully in the interview.

F1 Student Visa Processing Time & Validity Period

There is no fixed standard F1 visa processing time mentioned by the US visa authority. However, the candidates can expect an average estimated time of 3 weeks minimum and the maximum time can differ depending on the visa application.

The visa validity is the length of the period between the visa issuance date and the visa expiry date. In general, the validity of the F1 visa depends on the length of the course duration.

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Working opportunities Under an F1 Student visa

International students are allowed to work both on-campus and off-campus in the USA. However, the candidate is not allowed to work for off-campus jobs during their first year of study in the USA. Candidates with F 1 visa can do part-time jobs in USA for up to 20 hours per week during study sessions and 40 hours per week on holidays on campus.

From the second year, they can engage in off-campus work under two options:

• Optional Practical Training (OPT)- Students with an F1 visa can work for off-campus jobs that are related to their course of study. The allowable working period under the OPT option is 12 months with 20 working hours per week during school sessions and 40 hours during holidays.

• Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) - Candidates with F1 Student visas, can avail of this opportunity, only when the job experience is an integral part of the program. Through this CPT option, the candidate with an F1 visa can work for either full-time or part-time jobs in the USA.