F-1 Student Visa: Complete Guide for International Students

F-1 Visa Overview: Purpose, Eligibility & Duration

What is F-1 visa?

The F-1 visa is the most popular non-immigrant visa issued by the United States for international students. It allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. to pursue full-time academic studies or language training programs at SEVP-approved institutions.

Who is it for?

This visa is designed for students who plan to:

• Attend college or university (undergraduate or graduate programs).

• Enroll in high school or private elementary school.

• Participate in a language training program.

• Study at a conservatory, seminary, or other academic institution.

Purpose

• To study full-time in an academic program in the U.S.

• To gain exposure to global education and career opportunities.

• To allow limited on-campus work and optional post-study work (OPT).

Duration

• F-1 visa is valid throughout your academic program duration plus a grace period of 60 days after completion.

• Typically ranges from 2 to 5 years, depending on your course.

• You can extend your stay by progressing to a higher degree or through OPT/STEM OPT extensions.

F-1 Visa Requirements: What You Need to Qualify

To successfully apply for an F-1 visa, you must meet several academic, financial, and documentation requirements. Here is a breakdown of the essential eligibility criteria and documents:

Academic Requirements:

• You must be accepted by an SEVP-approved U.S. institution

• You should plan to pursue a full-time academic course

• Proficiency in English (through TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent) is required, unless enrolled in an English language program.

Financial Requirements:

You need to show that you have sufficient funds to cover your education and living expenses in the U.S.

The required documents are:

• Bank statements

• Scholarship or sponsorship letters

• Education loans (sanctioned)

Step-by-Step Application Process^[1]

STEP 1: Get Admission from an SEVP-approved School

To be eligible for a F-1 visa, you should secure an admission only from SEVP-Approved institutions. After acceptance from the university, you will receive Form I-20 which is essential for the rest of the visa process.

STEP 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee (Form I-901)

The SEVIS fee amount needs to be paid, and the confirmation receipt must be kept safely as it is required for the next process.

STEP 3: Fill out the DS-160 form

Next you need to fill out the DS-160 form. It is a non-immigrant visa process form. Upload your profile and submit. A confirmation page will be displayed. Save it for future use.

STEP 4: Pay the Visa Application Fee

Then pay the visa application fee. This is optional, as some country residents are required to pay while some country residents are not. To check if you need to pay, click here.

STEP 5: Book Visa Appointments

You need to schedule two appointments:

• VAC (OFC) Appointment : This is for biometrics & photo verification.

• Visa Interview : An interview with a visa officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate needs to be scheduled.

STEP 6: Attend VAC Appointment

Take all necessary documents like your passport, DS-160 confirmation, and appointment confirmation. Here we will take a photo and give a fingerprint!

STEP 7: Attend Visa Interview

In a visa interview, you will be asked questions like the university you are going to study at, your goals, and such. Answer clearly and confidently. Do not give fake answers or give pre-prepared answers like reciting word for word.

To know more about visa interview preparations, visit here.

STEP 8: Visa Approval/Denial:

On successful completion of the visa interview, the consul may give the result on the same day, or it may take 7-10 business days. If you are selected, then you will receive your passport along with your visa.

If your visa is not approved, then do not worry; there is always a second chance. Prepare and reapply, and know the reason for your previous visa denial so the same will not be repeated.

To know about the reasons why a visa gets denied, click here

Important documents checklist^[2]

Before attending your interview, make sure to check off this checklist.

1. Valid Passport: The passport must be valid 6 months post your stay.

2. Form I-20: This form must be signed by both you and the institution you are applying to.

3. DS-160 Confirmation Page: A copy of the confirmation page along with the barcode is needed.

4. SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt: A copy of the fee receipt

5. Visa Appointment Confirmation Page: A copy of the confirmation page is also required after scheduling the visa interview appointment.

6. Passport-size Photos: As per the U.S. visa regulations, you need passport-size photos of 2*2 inches.

7. Academic Transcripts & Certificates: Academic transcripts like 10th, 12th,and degree certificates; GRE/GMAT scores;and TOEFL/IELTS scores.

8. Proof of Funds: This is required to check if you are financially stable to study in the U.S.

• Recent bank statements (last 3-6 months)

• Loan approval letter (if applicable)

• Affidavit of support (if sponsored by family)

• Scholarship/Assistantship letters

F-1 Visa Validity, Grace Period, and Renewals:

F-1 Visa Validity

The F-1 visa just gives you permission to enter the U.S. Your stay duration is controlled by Form I-20, the document issued by your institution.

On the visa and I-20, you will see Duration of Status or D/S, which means you can stay in the U.S. as long as:

• You are enrolled in a full-time academic program.

• You are maintaining valid F-1 status.

• You are following all visa rules (like not working illegally).

Grace Period

Upon completion of the course, you will have a 60-day grace period to return or reapply for other options. You can use this period to:

• Apply for OPT. To know more about OPT, visit here.

• Transfer to another school.

• Apply for a change of status (e.g., H1B, another visa).

Confused about what to do after your visa expires? Check this out.

F-1 Visa Extension

The visa cannot be extended, but the I-20 can be extended if you haven’t completed the course and haven’t violated any visa rules.

This process needs to be done by the DSO (Designated School Official) before the expiry of the I-20 date.

Types of F Visas^[3]

F-1 Visa - The Star Student

This visa is for full-time students who want to study in the U.S. at universities, colleges, high schools, seminaries, conservatories, and language training programs.

Work Details

If you need to work, then

• On-campus: Maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks.

• Post-graduation: OPT and CPT available. Visit here to know more.

F-2 Visa - Plus One

The F-2 visa is issued to the spouse and unmarried children (under 21 years) of F-1 visa holders. They can accompany or join an F-1 visa holder.

Study rights

• The children with F-2 visas are eligible to be enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools.

• The spouse may only engage in recreational or avocational study.

Work Rights

No employment authorization is granted under F-2 status.

F-3 Visa- Border Commuter Students

The F-3 visa is designated for Canadian and Mexican nationals who live in their home country but commute to the U.S. to attend school, thereby allowing border-country residents to pursue part-time or full-time studies in the U.S. while continuing to live in Canada or Mexico.

Features

• No need for U.S. residency.

• Applicable only to students attending SEVP-approved schools near the U.S. border.

Limitations while on an F-1 visa^[4]

While the F-1 visa offers international students a valuable opportunity to pursue higher education in the United States, it also comes with a number of strict rules and restrictions. Failing to follow these limitations can result in termination of your visa status and possibly even deportation.

Here is what you CANNOT do as an F-1 visa holder:

Unauthorized Employment:

You are eligible only to work on-campus jobs but limited to 20 hours per week and strictly not allowed to work off-campus jobs.

For off-campus opportunities like CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training), prior approval from your DSO (Designated School Official) and/or USCIS is mandatory.

Overstaying Visa Validity

Unless you extend your stay legally, you ought to move back within 60 days of course completion. Overstaying can lead to visa bans.

Changing Schools or Majors Without Permission

F-1 students cannot switch schools or change majors without notifying SEVIS and getting approval from their DSO. Doing so without following procedures can invalidate your visa.

Part-time Enrollment

You must maintain a full-time course load throughout your program. The minimum credit score for a full- time study must be maintained throughout.

No Freelancing or Gig Work

You cannot engage in freelancing, contract jobs, or remote work for international clients while on an F-1 visa—even from your dorm!

This includes platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or even getting paid from your Instagram page.

No Dual Intent

While on an F-1 visa, you are not eligible to apply for a green card visa. Doing so may raise red flags.

No Public Assistance or Benefits

F-1 visa holders are not eligible for public welfare programs, government healthcare, or federal financial aid.

Accepting such benefits can affect your immigration status.