The F-1 visa is the most common U.S. student visa, issued to international students attending accredited U.S.
45 steps across 10 sections
1. Get Accepted and Receive Form I-20
- Apply and be accepted to a SEVP-certified school in the United States
- The school's Designated School Official (DSO) creates your SEVIS record
- School issues Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status)
- The I-20 contains your SEVIS ID number, program dates, and school information
- Review the I-20 carefully — all information must be accurate and match your passport
2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee ($350)
- Pay online at FMJfee.com
- Need your SEVIS ID number from the I-20
- Print the payment confirmation receipt — required for visa interview
- Pay at least 3 business days before your interview
3. Complete Form DS-160
- Submit the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application at ceac.state.gov/genniv
- Information must match your I-20 exactly (name spelling, birthdate, school, etc.)
- Upload a compliant passport photo
- Print the confirmation page with barcode
4. Schedule and Attend Visa Interview
- Book an interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
- Applicants aged 14-79 generally must appear in person
- 2026 update Interview waiver period reduced from 48 months to 12 months; expanded social media screenings
5. Visa Issuance
- If approved, passport returned with visa stamp via courier or pickup
- Processing time varies by embassy (days to weeks)
6. Documents to Bring to Interview
- Valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond program end date)
- Form I-20 (signed by you and the school official)
- DS-160 confirmation page
- SEVIS fee payment receipt
- Visa application fee payment receipt
- Passport-sized photo
- Financial documents Bank statements, scholarship letters, sponsor affidavits proving you can cover tuition and living expenses
- Academic records Transcripts, diplomas, standardized test scores
- Proof of ties to home country Evidence you intend to return after studies
7. On-Campus Employment
- Allowed without special authorization
- Limited to 20 hours/week during school; full-time during breaks
- Must be on the school campus or at an educationally affiliated location
8. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Work experience that is integral to your major curriculum
- Must be authorized by your DSO before starting
- Available after 1 full academic year of enrollment
- Can be part-time (20 hours/week) or full-time
- Warning 12+ months of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for OPT
9. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Temporary employment directly related to your major
- Up to 12 months of work authorization
- Available pre-completion (while studying) or post-completion (after graduation)
- Apply by filing Form I-765 with USCIS — takes 3-5 months to process
- Post-completion OPT Cannot be unemployed for more than 90 cumulative days
- Must report employer changes to DSO within 10 days
10. STEM OPT Extension
- Students with degrees in STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT
- Total: up to 36 months of OPT work authorization for STEM graduates
- Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
- Must have a formal training plan (Form I-983)
Common Mistakes
- Applying with insufficient financial documentation
- Inconsistencies between DS-160, I-20, and passport information
- Working without authorization (even 1 hour = violation)
- Dropping below full-time course load without DSO approval
- Not reporting address changes within 10 days