A student visa is the main route for foreign nationals who want an academic education in the United States. It allows you to study at American universities, colleges, language schools and other institutions that hold the right accreditation and the right to take foreign students.
Getting an F-1 is not simply a matter of applying for a visa. First you have to choose an institution, be admitted to it, obtain the necessary documents from the school, prove that you can afford the study and the living costs, and only then go through the visa process. So it is best to start preparing early.
What the F-1 visa is
The F-1 is a US non-immigrant student visa. It is meant for foreign students who come to the country to study on an academic programme. With an F-1 you can study at universities and colleges, take academic programmes, work towards a degree and, in certain cases, attend language programmes. The F-1 is not, however, meant for ordinary permanent employment in the United States. Students do have some chances to work, but they are limited by the rules of the immigration status and by the terms of the particular programme.
Who can get an F-1
The main condition is admission to a US institution that has the right to take foreign students. Once a student is enrolled, the institution issues them a Form I-20. This document confirms that they are on the programme and is one of the key documents for the rest of the F-1 status process.
Besides being admitted, the student has to show that they understand the terms of the course and are able to fund the costs involved.
How to choose an institution
Preparing for an F-1 is best begun by choosing a suitable programme. The United States has an enormous number of universities, colleges and other educational institutions, so it is important to weigh more than the prestige of the place. Look at the subject, the cost of tuition, the length of the programme, the entry requirements, the location of the campus and the housing available.
For foreign students it is also important to check whether the institution chosen has the right to take students on the F-1 programme. Not every educational institution is suitable for this status.
Admission to an institution
The admission procedure depends on the particular university or college. Educational certificates, language test results, references, a personal statement, examination results and other materials may be required. For some programmes the requirements are considerably simpler; for others they can be very demanding.
So there is no single list of documents that applies to every student. It has to be established directly with the institution you have chosen.
What Form I-20 is
Once a student has been accepted onto a programme, the institution issues a Form I-20. It sets out information about the student, the programme of study, the expected costs and the period of study. The I-20 is needed to obtain student status and to go through the later stages of the visa process.
Once the document arrives, it is important to check every detail carefully. Mistakes in the name, the date of birth, the programme or other particulars are better corrected before you go any further.
Proving your finances
One of the important questions in an F-1 application is being able to pay for the study and the living costs. The institution has to be satisfied that the student has enough money for the expected period of study. Depending on the situation, this may be personal funds, help from parents, a scholarship or other acceptable sources of funding. How much is needed depends on the cost of the particular programme and institution.
SEVIS and the I-901 fee
Before applying for the visa, F-1 students have to be registered in the SEVIS system and, as a rule, pay the I-901 fee. SEVIS is used to keep track of foreign students and to exchange information between the student, the institution and US government bodies.
Once the fee is paid, keep the confirmation. It may be needed at later stages of the process.
Filling in the DS-160
The next important step is filling in the electronic form DS-160. The form asks about the applicant, their education, their travel, their planned stay in the United States and other circumstances. It has to be filled in carefully. The information must be truthful and must match the documents the student provides during the visa process.
After the DS-160 has been submitted, keep the confirmation page with its number on it.
The F-1 interview
Once the necessary steps are complete, the student books a visa interview in line with the current procedure. At the interview the consular officer may ask about the institution chosen, the subject, previous education, plans after finishing the course and sources of funding.
It is worth understanding that an interview does not necessarily mean a long conversation. In some cases the questions can be very brief. It is best to answer calmly, clearly and in your own words. Do not try to learn a long text by heart or give answers that do not match your real situation.
Which documents to take to the interview
The exact list depends on the particular situation and on the current requirements of the consular post. A student should normally have with them a passport, the DS-160 confirmation, the documents relating to the interview appointment, the I-20 and confirmation of the required payments.
Educational certificates, test results, proof of finances and other materials that help explain the circumstances of the course may also be needed. It is important to check in advance the current requirements of the particular consular post where the application is being made.
Do you need to know English
The English requirements depend on the programme. If a student is applying for a programme taught entirely in English, the institution may ask for proof of language ability, for example the result of a particular language test.
For some language programmes the requirements may differ. The main thing is to meet the requirements of the particular institution and the programme chosen.
Can you work on an F-1
F-1 student status allows certain kinds of work, but they are limited. In some cases a student can work on campus if the set requirements are met. For work off campus there are separate arrangements and limits, for example CPT and OPT.
You should not start work on your own initiative without understanding the rules of your status. Breaching the terms of an F-1 can affect your further stay in the United States and your immigration record.
What OPT is
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students who meet the requirements to obtain permission for temporary practical work related to their field of study. OPT can be used after the programme of study is complete. For some subjects in the STEM field there are additional possibilities for extension.
The conditions and the time limits depend on the particular situation, so before applying for OPT you need current information from your institution's international office and from the relevant government bodies.
What CPT is
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is permitted practical activity that is tied to the programme of study and meets the set requirements. CPT can include an internship or other placement if it forms part of the relevant programme. The CPT rules differ from the OPT rules, so students should be careful not to confuse the two.
Can you bring your family
In some cases the spouse or children of an F-1 student can accompany them to the United States in the corresponding dependent status, F-2. Family members must have their own documents and observe the terms of their own status.
When planning to move as a whole family, you need to allow in advance for housing, medical insurance, transport and other everyday needs.
Can you travel during your studies
An F-1 student can leave the United States and return, provided the necessary requirements are met. Before travelling abroad it is important to check your documents and make sure the Form I-20 carries the endorsements needed for travel. You also have to allow for the validity of your passport and visa. If the documents are not in order, coming back into the United States can become harder.
What happens after the course ends
Once the programme is finished, a student has to keep to the rules of their status. Depending on the circumstances they can carry on studying, move to another permitted programme or make use of the practical work options provided for.
If a student wants to stay in the United States after finishing the course, it is important to look into the possible further statuses in advance. The F-1 is not in itself a route to permanent residence. Which option applies depends on the education, the subject, the employer, family circumstances and other factors.
Common mistakes students make
One common mistake is starting the process too late. Admission, obtaining the I-20, preparing documents, paying the fees and booking an interview all take time.
Another mistake is filling in the DS-160 carelessly. Any significant discrepancy between the form, the documents and the answers at the interview can prompt further questions. Nor should you break the F-1 rules after arriving in the United States. It is particularly important to sort out work, further study and document expiry dates in advance.
How long the process takes
There is no single timescale that applies to every student. How long it takes depends on the institution, the admission deadlines, preparing the documents, the availability of visa interviews and other circumstances.
So it is better to start preparing well before the expected start of the course. It is especially important to note the dates set by the institution itself. If a student cannot obtain the documents in time or cannot arrive for the start of the programme, they should contact the international office promptly.
The main points
The F-1 student visa suits foreign nationals who plan to take an academic education in the United States. To obtain it you first have to be admitted to a suitable institution and receive a Form I-20, then meet the SEVIS requirements, fill in the DS-160 and go through the visa procedure provided for.
After entering the country it is important to keep to the terms of F-1 status, keep an eye on your documents and plan your next steps in advance. Requirements and procedures can change, so before applying you need to check the current information on official US resources and with the institution you have chosen.
End of the article.
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