F1 Visa - The Complete Guide
UNDERSTANDING US VISA
UNDERSTANDING F1 VISA
F1 VISA, APPLICATION, INTERVIEW AND COST
ENTERING THE UNITES STATES WITH F1 VISA
CITIZENS OF CANADA & BERMUDA
UNDERSTANDING US VISA
A visa is an official document issued by a country's government that allows a foreign national to enter, stay, or transit through that country for a specific purpose and duration.
A foreign national planning to migrate to USA must obtain a US Visa. This Visa will be affixed to their passport. Some international travelers may qualify to enter the United States without a visa if they meet the criteria for visa-free travel.
A US visa permits you to travel to a port of entry, airport, or land border crossing and request entry to the US from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Possessing a visa doesn’t guarantee entry into the United States. It signifies that a consular officer at a US Embassy or Consulate has determined you are eligible to request entry for a specific purpose.
DHS/CBP inspectors are responsible for the admission of travelers to the Unites States. DHS also has the responsibility for immigration matters while the travelers are present in the United States.
Types of US Visa
The type of Visa you have to obtain is defined by the US Immigration law and it is related to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of US Visas; Immigrant Visas and Nonimmigrant Visas.
Immigrant Visa: This Visa is for the travelers who want to live permanently in the United States. There are four Immigrant Visa categories;
Immediate relative visas
Family preference visas
Diversity visas
Employment-based visas
Nonimmigrant Visa: This visa is for the travelers who want to stay in the US on a temporary basis. There are 22 nonimmigrant visa categories;
A visa, B visa, C visa, D visa, E visa, F visa, G visa, H visa, I visa, J visa, K visa, L visa, M visa, N visa, O visa, P visa, Q visa, R visa, S visa, T visa, U visa, and V visa.
UNDERSTANDING F1 VISA
F visa, M visa or J visa
F Visa is for pupils and students (Universities, Conservatories, high schools) or participants of language courses and M visa is for the trainees or students in non-academic training programs (vocational training).
F visa – University college, High School, Private Elementary school, Seminary, Conservatory, Other academic institutions, including language training programs.
M visa – Vocational or other recognized non-academic institutions, excluding language training programs.
J visas are exchange visitor visas for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. Exchange visitor categories include Government visitor, Intern, Specialist, Student (College/University), Student (Secondary), Professor and Research scholar, Teacher, Trainee etc.
What is F1 visa?
F visa can be classified into; F1 visa and F2 visa.
The F1 Visa (Academic Student) permits entry into the United States as a full-time student at an accredited institution such as a college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or language training program. You must be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school must be authorized by the US government to enroll international students.
The F-2 visa is for the dependents of F-1 visa holders. The spouse and minor children who intend to stay with the F1 visa holders should apply for F2 visa. F2 visa holders doesn’t need to pay SEVIS fee. But the institution in which the F1 visa holder has been enrolled should issue an individual form I- 20 for the F2 visa holders. The F1 visa holder must provide the copy of their visa and proof of relationship. It is also noted that the minor children of the F1 visa holders can attend the school in the United States.
In order to be eligible for the F1 visa category, you have to meet the following criteria:
You must be enrolled in an academic program or a language training course.
Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
You must be registered as a full-time student at the institution.
You must be proficient in English or enrolled in courses designed to improve your English proficiency.
You must have adequate funds to support yourself throughout the entire proposed course of study.
You must maintain a residence in your home country that you do not intend to abandon.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative that manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVP ensures government agencies have critical information about nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors to maintain national security. It oversees and approves schools authorized to enroll F and M nonimmigrant students, offering guidance to both schools and students on maintaining their status requirements.
I 901 SEVIS Fee
After being accepted to an SEVP-certified school, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. All prospective F and M students must pay SEVIS fee before the Department of State issues them the visa.
Form I- 20
All F and M students planning to study in the United States must obtain a Form I-20, ‘Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.’ Upon acceptance to an SEVP-certified school, the designated school official (DSO) will issue this form to respective students.
If you plan to bring eligible dependents, they will also need individual Forms I-20. The type of Form I-20 issued (Academic and Language vs. Vocational Students) determines the appropriate student visa category you can apply for through the US Department of State and the status you must maintain while in the US. Both you and your DSO must sign the Form I-20. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign it on your behalf.
DS- 160 form
The DS-160 is an online nonimmigrant visa application form submitted electronically through the Department of State's website. Consular officers use the information provided on this form, along with a personal interview, to assess eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
Administrative Processing US visa
There are two possible outcomes for U.S. visa applications: the consular officer will either approve or deny the visa. If the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements, the officer must deny the application. However, the officer may decide that additional information from other sources could help determine the applicant’s eligibility. Once this administrative processing is complete, the officer may find the applicant eligible for the visa.
If administrative processing is needed, the officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The processing time varies for each case. Applicants are advised to apply early to allow enough time for their visa processing before their planned travel.
I 94 Form
I 94 form is the proof of legal entry into the Unites States. When you enter the Unites States as a nonimmigrant, the Custom Border Protection (CBP) officer examines your passport and visa and issues an electronic arrival/departure document called I 94 Form. The I 94 form proves that the nonimmigrant has arrived in the United States legally and confirms the current immigration status.
If a nonimmigrant receives a passport admission stamp, an electronic I-94 record will also be created. You can access this record by visiting the Customs and Border Protection website. It is important to print the electronic I-94 immediately after arrival.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders will receive a stamp marked "D/S" (Duration of Status) upon entry, allowing them to stay in the US as long as their visa status remains valid. It is essential to retain the I-94 card throughout your stay.
Each I-94 record contains an 11-digit admission number, which is required for employment and interactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). While you need not memorize this number, keep in mind that a new I-94 number is issued each time you re-enter the United States.
Nonimmigrants entering the US via land border will receive a paper I-94 card instead of the electronic record. They must keep the paper I-94 until their next exit.
Out of Status
Failure to maintain your F-1 status resulting in the termination of your SEVIS immigration record will classify you as out-of-status by the Department of Homeland Security. This status change disqualifies you from on-campus employment, practical training, travel endorsements for US re-entry, and other F-1 status benefits.
Form I- 765
Form I-765 is the Application for Employment Authorization. Foreign nationals in the US can use this form to request employment authorization and obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Individuals whose immigration status permits them to work in the US can apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using Form I-765 to receive an EAD.
Social Security Number
Social Security Administration in the US assigns a nine-digit Social Security Number to the US citizens, permanent residents and eligible nonimmigrant workers in the United States. Social Security Administration uses this Social Security number to report wages to the government and to track other social security benefits.
Every F and M visa student granted employment authorization should need a Social Security Number (SSN).
F1 VISA- APPLICATION, INTERVIEW AND COST
F1 Visa Requirements
Admission to a SEVP-Approved U.S. Institution: The first step to studying in the United States is applying to an SEVP-approved school. If accepted, you will be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The Form I-20 will be issued to you by an SEVP-approved school. Once you receive the Form I-20 and are registered in SEVIS, you can apply for a student F visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. You will need to present the Form I-20 to the consular officer during your visa interview.
If your spouse and/or children will accompany you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s from the SEVP-approved school, and apply for a visa (though they are not required to pay the SEVIS fee).
Financial Proof for Study and Living Expenses: You must provide financial evidence demonstrating that a sponsor has enough funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for the duration of your intended study in the United States. Acceptable evidence includes:
Family bank statements
Documentation from a sponsor
Financial aid letters
Scholarship letters
A letter from an employer outlining annual salary
English proficiency requirements: Applicants can demonstrate their English proficiency by fulfilling one of the following criteria;
TOEFL: Minimum scores of 450 PBT, 133 CBT, 45 IBT, or 450 ITP on the International TOEFL.
iTEP: Minimum score of 3.
IELTS: Minimum band score of 5.
Duolingo English Test: Score of 75 or higher.
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Score of 39 or higher.
STEP Eiken: Grade 2 with at least 75%.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Minimum score of C or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Minimum score of C or higher.
Cambridge/IGCSE SPM Curriculum: A minimum English grade of C or higher.
Language Cert Academic: Minimum score of 54 or higher.
Intention to leave the United States upon completing your course of study: One of the key eligibility requirements for obtaining an F1 visa is demonstrating a clear intention to return to your home country upon completing your studies in the United States. This condition underscores the temporary nature of the F1 visa, which is intended solely for educational purposes. During the visa application process, both the US Department of State and consular officers assess this intent to ensure that applicants will not seek to remain in the US beyond the allowed duration.
How to apply for F1 visa?
The first step is applying to an SEVP-approved school. Once accepted, you will be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The school will then issue you a Form I-20. After receiving this form and completing SEVIS registration, you can apply for a student (F or M) visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. You should present your Form I-20 during your visa interview.
If your spouse or children will accompany you to the United States during your studies, they must be enrolled in SEVIS, obtain separate Forms I-20 from the SEVP-approved school, and apply for their own visas. However, they are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.
There are several steps to apply for the F1 visa. The order of these steps varies with the US Embassy or Consulate.
The first step is to complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form, that is DS- 160 form. After completing the online visa application, you have to print the confirmation page of the application and present it on the visa interview. You also need to upload a photo while completing the DS- 160 form.
F1 visa cost
Form I- 20 fee - $185
I- 901 SEVIS fee - $350.
Biometrics fee - $85.
In addition to this, you may also need to pay visa issuance fee.
Visa issuance fee
You have to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. This fee follows the principle of reciprocity, meaning that if a foreign government charges US citizen a fee for a specific visa type, the United States will impose a corresponding fee on citizens of that country for a similar visa category.
You have to also make the arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you. You can check the website of the US embassy or consulate to get more details regarding the fee payment.
F1 visa interview
Consular officers require the interview of any visa applicant, with certain limited exceptions.
You should arrange a visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. If you schedule the interview at any other embassy or consulate outside of the country you live, it will be difficult for you to qualify.
A consular officer will conduct an interview to assess your eligibility for a student visa. You must demonstrate that you meet the legal requirements set by US law to qualify for the visa. Digital fingerprint scans, taken without ink, are part of the application process. These are typically collected during your interview. This varies based on the location.
After the interview, consular officer determines whether your application requires further administrative processing. If administrative processing is necessary, the consular officer will notify you.
The interview appointment time varies with the embassy or consulate. The details regarding the wait times are available from the official website of the US Department of State.
F1 visa processing time
If your F1 visa is approved, the processing time typically takes around 10 business days from the date your application is received. F1 visas for the new students can be issued up to 365 days before the start date of a course of study. But the students are not allowed to enter the US with the student visa more than 30 days before the start date. For the continuing students, enrolled at a SEVP- approved school the visa can be issued at any time. They can enter the United States at any time before the classes start.
Visa Renewal
Whether you are applying for an F1 visa for the first time or renewing it after its expiration, the application process generally follows the same steps.
A valid US visa in an expired passport remains valid unless it has been canceled or revoked. You should not remove the visa from the expired passport. To travel and gain entry to the United States, you can present both the expired passport containing the valid visa and your new valid passport.
Visa Denials
While most applications are approved, US law outlines several reasons for denial, including:
Incomplete Information: The consular officer lacks sufficient details to assess eligibility.
Ineligibility for the Applied Visa Category: The applicant does not meet the criteria for the specific visa type.
Legal Grounds for Inadmissibility: Prior or current actions, such as involvement in criminal or drug-related activities, may disqualify an applicant.
Notification and Waiver Options
If a visa is denied, the applicant is typically informed of the relevant legal section explaining the decision. In some cases, consular officers advise whether the applicant can apply for a waiver to address their ineligibility.
If you are found ineligible for a visa, the fee you paid won’t get refunded. You can apply for a new visa application and pay the visa fee again.
Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
Visa denial under the section 214(b) means that you were unable to prove that your intended activities in the United States align with the requirements of the nonimmigrant visa category you applied for.
Although each nonimmigrant visa category has specific requirements, a common requirement across many categories is for the applicant to prove they have a residence in a foreign country that they do not intend to abandon. This is typically demonstrated by showing strong ties to their home country, indicating their intention to return after a temporary visit to the United States. These ties may include professional, employment, educational, familial, or social connections to their home country. But mostly the applicants won’t be able to demonstrate that they have the ties that will compel them to return to their home country after their purpose of travel to the United States.
Therefore, in order to avoid visa denial under section 214(b), you must be able to demonstrate your strong ties with the home country.
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES WITH F1 VISA
Holding a visa does not ensure entry into the United States. It simply permits a foreign citizen to travel to a US port of entry (usually an airport) and request permission to enter. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have the authority to approve or deny entry.
At the port of entry, after presenting your passport, visa, and Form I-20, a CBP officer will determine your admission. Once admitted, the officer will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
Extending the stay with F1 visa
International students holding F visas must leave the United States within 60 days of the program end date indicated on their Form I-20, including any approved practical training. Failing to leave the US on time will result in being out of status. Under the US law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided. Failure to depart the US on time will result in ineligibility for visas in future.
At the same time, International students can request an extension of their stay in the United States through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Visa Change of Status
If you plan to change the visa status while in the Unites States, for example; you marry a US citizen or received an offer of employment, you can request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through US Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
If you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from US citizenship and Immigration services doesn’t require you to apply for a new visa. But if you depart the US, then you must apply for the new visa at the US embassy or consulate in the appropriate category.
Can I work in US with F1 visa?
F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment under certain conditions and restrictions. After the first year, F-1 students are eligible for three types of off-campus employment:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM students (STEM OPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) refers to employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, encompassing alternate work/study programs, internships, cooperative education, or other required practical experiences offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
CPT is available only before completing your degree program, and you must have a job offer when applying. CPT employment cannot delay the completion of your academic program. Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter semesters while participating in CPT. The full-time enrollment requirement means that most students must limit their CPT during the academic year to local jobs or remote work for their employer, typically on a part-time basis.
There are two types of Curricular Practical Training: Required and Optional.
Required CPT applies when practical work experience is a mandatory component of the academic program for all students to graduate and Optional CPT refers to work experience related to your field of study that is not a graduation requirement.
Full time vs Part time CPT
Full-time CPT: Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered as Full-time CPT. 12 months or more full-time CPT will eliminate the eligibility of the student’s Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Part time CPT: Employment for 20 hours or less per week is considered as Part-time CPT.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment opportunity directly related to an F-1 student’s major field of study.
Like CPT, there are two types of OPT: Pre-completion OPT and Post-completion OPT
Eligible students may apply for up to 12 months of OPT authorization, either before (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) finishing their academic program. However, any time used for pre-completion OPT will reduce the duration available for post-completion OPT.
You are eligible to apply for Pre-completion OPT after completing a full academic year of lawful full-time enrollment at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students.
You are not required to have held F-1 status for the entire academic year; the “one full academic year” requirement can be met even if you held a different nonimmigrant status during that period.
You are eligible to apply for Post-completion OPT once you have completed your studies. If approved, you must work either part-time (minimum of 20 hours per week) or full-time.
Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM students (STEM OPT)
F1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees can apply for a 24-month extension of their Post-completion optional practical training.
To qualify for the STEM OPT, you must have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution accredited by the US Department of Education and certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Additionally, you must be in a valid period of post-completion OPT.
F1 students are also eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of any special situations like severe economic hardship or special student relief. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's field of study and must be authorized before starting work by the Designated School Official (DSO), who is responsible for maintaining the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and by USCIS.
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda
Citizens of Canada do not need a nonimmigrant visa to travel to the United States, except for specific purposes. However, Canadian permanent residents (landed immigrants) must obtain a nonimmigrant visa to visit the US.
Similarly, citizens of Bermuda do not require a nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States for up to 180 days, unless their travel is for specific purposes. Additionally, Bermudian citizens must obtain a nonimmigrant visa if they have been found ineligible for a visa under US immigration law or have previously violated the terms of their US immigration status.
TN Visa
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established special economic and trade relationships between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With TN Visa, qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens can seek temporary entry into the U.S. to engage in professional business activities.
Eligible TN professionals include accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers. You may qualify for TN status if:
You are a citizen of Canada or Mexico.
Your profession is recognized under NAFTA regulations.
The U.S. position requires a NAFTA professional.
You have a prearranged full-time or part-time job with a U.S. employer (self-employment is not permitted).
You meet the qualifications to practice in your profession.
Obtaining a US visa can be a complex process, but it is certainly achievable. To succeed, you must meet all eligibility requirements and provide supporting evidence during your embassy or consulate interview.
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