F1 Visa – All you need to know and more !!!

1. What is an F1 visa

2. Benefits of an F1 visa

3. Who can apply for an F1 visa?

4. F1 student visa requirements

5. Steps to apply for an F1 visa

6. What can you expect from your F1 visa interview questions?

7. F1 visa processing time

8. What is an F2 Visa?

9. Eligibility Criteria for F2 Visa?

10. F2 Visa Requirements

11. Important Points to Remember

12. FAQs

Before going into the topic, we already know that the USA is considered one of the greatest destinations for students to complete their higher education. All international students who are willing to study in the USA should hold a student visa via the F1.

What is an F1 visa?

The F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits international students to complete their education at institutions that have recognition by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program in the United States (SEVP). It is the most standard type of student visa for students who can stay temporarily in the USA to pursue education at a US university or college. Students can only apply for an F1 visa if their application is accepted by a recognized US institution. For more details, continue reading about the F1 visa.

Benefits of an F1 visa

1. There are no visa number restrictions on the F1 visa, so an unlimited amount of students can enter the USA at any given time.
2. Every student has the opportunity to enter the U.S. as a full-time student to get a world-class education.
3. Students have the flexibility to travel in and out of the USA throughout their studies. Students can also stay in the US for the entire time if they wish.
4. The student’s family, spouse, and dependents can come with them. If they file and are approved for F2 status.

Who can Apply for F1 Visa?

The person must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution. Students must meet the required English language proficiency score of the institution, they’re going to visit or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. Need to have proof of sufficient financial funds to support study in the USA.

F1 student visa requirements

Here are the following documents that are required to apply for a Study Visa:

1. Student valid passport(A valid passport for at least six months after your stay in the USA)
2. DS-160 application confirmation page with barcode.
3. Recent passport-size photographs.
4. Form I -20, approved and signed by the student and the University authority.
5. Interview appointment letter (original and copy)
6. SEVIS(Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Fee Receipt.
7. Proof of financial stability – Bank statement for at least one year showing that the student has enough assets to pay.
8. Original Educational Certificates.
9. Score sheet of exams like TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, SAT, GRE, etc in Original.

Steps to apply for an F1 visa

1. Apply to a US institution and get accepted: The first step is to apply to US universities and get admission to the institution of student choice as they need to complete some of the procedures before they can apply for the F1 visa.
2. Get your institution’s Form I-20: After being accepted to an institution, the student will receive Form I-20 Which is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for F1 and it is the most important document. If a student has this form, they can apply for the F1 student visa and attend your interview. As the student has Form I-20, Now they can start the normal application process. It includes submitting the DS-160 form online with your visa status information.
3. Make payment for an application fee: The student visa application fee is 160 USD. Students must pay this fee and obtain a receipt, which they will need for the interview documentation process later. This charge is the same regardless of where the candidate will apply or where they are from
4. Pay the SEVIS I-901 application fee: When a student enters a SEVP(Student and Exchange Visitor Program) institution, their school registers them in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System right away (SEVIS). There is a SEVIS I-901 application fee of $200 for the F1 Visa to complete registration.
5. Make an appointment for F1 Visa: After filing the form DS-160 and paying the fees, the student must schedule their interview. Contact your nearest US embassy and try to schedule it as early as possible to avoid delays by the US embassy. After completing the process student will receive an interview appointment letter which he will need in the application process.
6. Attend the visa interview: Before going to the interview, students need to their files with all necessary documents. An interview is a major part of the visa application process and it will determine whether or not students are granted a study visa in the US.

What can you expect from your F1 visa interview questions?

  When students attend the Visa Interview, the questions will be about the reasons for traveling to the US and the university they are going to. The F1 visa interview questions vary but frequently concern the student chosen program, academic achievements, finances, post-graduation plans, and university. The interviewer will try to understand whether the student intends to return to their country after finishing their education.

• F1 visa processing time: The student will get a response on this visa immediately following their interview. The interviewer may congratulate the student on obtaining the permit or provide a document informing them of the reason for the denial at the end of the visa interview. The processing of this type of visa occurs before the interview. The length of time it takes for a student visa to be processed varies by the embassy, so be patient if this occurs.

What is an F2 Visa?

The F2 visa is a non-immigrant dependent visa where the family members of the F1 student visa holders can come to the USA. The F2 Visa can be called a student-dependent Visa. Dependents include the Spouse and unmarried, minor children who are said to be the dependents of the F1 visa holder who is studying in the US.

Eligibility Criteria for F2 Visa?

To be eligible for the F2 visa, a person must have the following requirements:

1. The Applicant must be the spouse of an F1 student visa holder or the unmarried child(below the age of 21) of an F1 student visa holder.
2. Applicants must have the financial means to support their family while in the US.

F2 Visa Requirements

1. Original passport.
2. Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application Confirmation(DS-160).
3.  Photograph copies.
4. Proof of financial stability – Applicant’s bank statements, tax records, employment documents, etc as proof.
5.  Applicant’s original I-20 form and one copy.
6.  A copy of the F1 Visa Holders I-20 form.
7.  Marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for dependent children.

Important Points to Remember

1. The international student office at your chosen university will send an I-20 form to the student. A student must keep this form safe because they will need it at the time of their visa interview.
2. Students must also upload a photo of themselves that meets specific requirements and also need to provide any other documents requested.
3. If students have family or children who need to accompany them while studying in the United States, they must apply for a student-dependent Visa(F2 Visa) and get it.

Did you find this blog useful? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Please contact us for more details on the F1 Visa – by clicking here. We would be happy to answer your queries.

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 FAQs

1. What is the IELTS score required to study in the USA?

USA institutions expect a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 bands. The majority of them will accept the application for admission with at least 6.5 scores.

   2. Can students work on F1 Visa?

Yes, Students with an F1 visa are generally allowed to work on the campus of their university for up to 20 hours a week in certain programs.

   3. Can an international student bring their family with them on an F-1 visa?

Yes, international students who want to bring their spouse or children to the US can apply for an F-1 visa and then add an F-2 visa application for every family member.

How Vidhyavaaradhi Can Help You?

Vidhyavaraadhi will be your admissions companion and assist you throughout the process. Vidya Varaadhi consultants are experienced and well-versed in the intricacies of the US Education process. Our dedicated consultant will help you with the

1. Verifying and Collecting all student documents
2. Complete the visa documents
3. Updates and followups
4. Interview Preparation
5. Create your application package
6. Help to fill the all various forms and applications accurately

So you have most of your questions answered but we understand a few doubts are persisting. All you need to do is reach out to us and get expert advice and effective assistance for all your overseas education dreams.