F1 Student Visa

04

Schedule Visa Interview

After completing and submitting your DS-160 visa application you will need to schedule your visa interview. (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you). The waiting time and availability will vary depending on your country, so make sure to schedule your appointment as early as possible.

To schedule a visa interview you will need to reach out to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Select your location and follow the steps for scheduling a non-immigrant visa interview. To finish scheduling your interview you will need to pay the Visa Application fee.

Quick Links for Students from:

India

China

Visa Appointment Wait Times

The visa appointment wait time is based on workload and staffing and varies from week to week. You can check the estimated wait times at your embassy or consulate on the US Visa Appointment Wait Times website.

Expediting Visa Appointment

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

*Visa Integrity Fee for Nonimmigrant Visas Starting FY2026

As part of the recently signed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (H.R.1), the U.S. government will impose a new "Visa Integrity Fee" on all nonimmigrant visa issuances—including F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-1B, H-4, and others.

What You Need to Know:

Amount: The greater of $250 or an amount set by DHS (adjusted annually for inflation starting FY2026).
When It Starts: Although the law was signed July 4, 2025, the fee is expected to be implemented in fiscal year 2026.
Who Pays It: All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including F-1 international students.
- Note: Visa Waiver Program travelers and most Canadian citizens are exempt since they do not require a visa.
How It's Collected: The U.S. government has not yet announced the official payment process. Updates will be provided once DHS or the State Department confirms procedures.
No Waivers or Reductions: This fee cannot be waived for any applicant.

Reimbursement Possibility

The fee may be reimbursed later only if:

The visa holder fully complies with all visa conditions (e.g., no unauthorized work), and
Leaves the U.S. on time or legally extends/adjusts their status.

Why This Matters:

This new fee significantly increases the overall cost of obtaining a U.S. visa. It also places more importance on maintaining visa compliance and lawful status to qualify for a potential reimbursement.

We recommend that all students and agents stay informed and monitor official government updates as collection mechanisms and timelines are finalized.

05

Attend Visa Interview

Gather and prepare the following documents to bring with you to your visa interview:

A valid passport - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States
Photo - You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
Application fee payment receipt for I-901 SEVIS
I-20 form
Visa Application Fee Receipt
Interview Appointment Confirmation

Additional Documents May Be Required

Your academic preparation, such as:
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and
- Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
How you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs.

In your visa interview, a consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must demonstrate that you:

Intend to go and study and complete your program.
That you have a plan to pay for your studies.
You intend to return home after you finish your studies.

Before you attend the interview, make sure to do your research and practice potential questions in advance. Here are some F-1 visa interview questions you may be asked at your interview.

Why do you want to study in the US?
What school are you planning to study at?
What will be your major?
Which other US universities did you apply to?
How will you pay for your education?
Did you get offered a scholarship at your school?
How much does your school cost?
Do you have relatives in the US?
Do you plan to work while in the US?
What are your plans after graduation?

Entering the United States

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States.

You will need to present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 at the port of entry. A CBP official will decide to permit or deny entrance into the US. Once you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.

You may arrive up to 30 days before the start date listed on your Form I-20.

Maintaining Student Visa Status

International students studying in the US must meet their University Program Requirements to maintain their F-1 visa status.

Following the completion of your program F-1 visa holders are required to depart the United States within 60 days after the end date of the program which is listed on Form I-20.

06

Expedite Visa Interview

Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment.

In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.

01

Get Accepted to a SEVP-Approved School

The first step is to apply to and be accepted to a SEVP-certified school. After the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrollment you will be registered for SEVIS and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. You can find out if the institution you applied to is a SEVP-certified school by visiting Study in the States.

02

Get your I-20 and pay SEVIS I-901

When you are accepted into a SEVP-certified school, the DSO(Designated School Official) will issue you the Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students".

Sample I-20

Learn more about Form I-20

Once you receive a copy of your Form I-20 you are required to pay the SEVIS fee via the payment portal. You will need information from your I-20 to pay the fee. You must pay this fee before you apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The fee for the I-901 is $350.

You will need to provide the following information when paying your I-901.

Name, address, date of birth, and email address.
Country of birth and country of citizenship.
School Code as listed on the Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
SEVIS Identification Number as listed on the I-20.

Once you pay your I-901 SEVIS fee, print the receipt as proof of payment and take it with you to your visa appointment.

Sample I-901

Learn more about Form I-901

03

Complete DS-160

The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States. The information entered on the DS-160 is used to process the visa application and determine an applicant's eligibility. You can complete the DS-160 and pay the $160 form fee on the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

You should have the following documents available to complete your DS-160.

Passport
Travel Itinerary
Dates of your last five visits or trips to the United States
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
SEVIS ID on your I-20
Photo

Print the application form confirmation page(barcode page) to bring to your interview.

New Social Media Screening Requirement for F, M & J Visa Applicants

The U.S. Department of State has introduced enhanced vetting procedures for applicants of F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas. As of June 18, 2025, the following new requirements are in effect:

Social media profiles must be made public. Applicants are required to adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, region-specific platforms such as VK or Douban) to public, starting before the visa interview and maintained until the visa is issued.
Disclosure of social media handles on the DS-160. The application now requires listing all social media platforms used in the last five years—even accounts no longer active—and providing associated usernames or handles.
Consular officers will conduct comprehensive online presence reviews. These reviews include documenting findings—such as indications of hostility toward the U.S., support for extremist or terrorist organizations, political activism, and inconsistencies with application materials—as part of the visa adjudication process.
Potential delays and administrative processing. Even if otherwise eligible, applicants may be refused under Section 221(g) and undergo additional administrative screening, often taking between one to two weeks.

F-1 STUDENT VISA