Student Visa (type F)

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United States
About
Requirements
Cost of Living
Expats
Talent Migration

About

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. You must have a student visa to study in the United States. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine whether you need an F or M visa. Generally to study in university, college, school and private institution for language program requires to apply for student visa type F.


Step by step guide:


The first step is to apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States. After the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

The SEVP-approved school will issue you a Form I-20. After you receive the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa. You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.

Work during studies:

International (F-1) students are eligible to work full-time (a minimum of 35 hours per week) or part-time (20 to 34 hours per week) during the summer semester, During the fall or spring semester students are only eligible to work part-time (20 hours per week).

The processing time for study visa may take from 6-12 weeks from the application day.

You can bring your spouse and kids with you.


Spouse & Kids:

If your spouse and/or children intend to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s from the SEVP-approved school, and apply for a visa (but they do not pay the SEVIS fee).

Students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program.

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Duration

24 Month(s)

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Citizenship

96 Month(s)

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Fees

160

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P. Residency

60 Month(s)

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COMPLEXITY

Low

What are eligibility requirements for the Student Visa (type F)?

3 Eligibility Requirements

  • You need a passport/travel document valid for at least 12 months
  • You must to be accepted/approved The first step is to apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States.
  • You need sufficient funds to cover your studies or a scholarship which confirms the payment of the tuition fees

Which documents do I need to apply for the Student Visa (type F)?

7 Document Required

  • You need to fill Online Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
  • Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) student status-for academic and language students.
  • Copies of valid passport (including the bio page, past visas, etc)
  • Character and health certificate (if applicable)
  • Proof of financial means/scholarship to cover the studies
  • Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo
  • Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.

Talent Migration data for United States

Talent gain & drain map of 2015-2019 data. Sourced from World Bank Digital Development Data.

Disclaimer: Visadb.io is a FREE visa database and Immigration Expert Marketplace. The information displayed in this page is not legal advice. Please speak to an Expert before applying.

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