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F-1 Student Visa

Are you a student and want to study in the United States? The lawyers at Shoreline Immigration can help you apply for an F-1 Visa. Schedule a time to speak with a lawyer today!

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What is AN F-1 Student Visa?

If you are interested in studying in the United States, it is important to understand the process of obtaining a student visa. The F-1 visa, also known as the Academic Student visa, allows individuals to attend an accredited college, university, seminary conservatory, private elementary school, high school, or other academic institution or language learning program in the United States. The program or course of study that the student enrolls in must conclude in a degree, certificate, or diploma. To apply for the F-1 visa category, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be enrolled in an academic educational program or a language-training program
  • The school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP), Immigration & Customs Enforcement 
  • Must be enrolled in the institution as a full-time student
  • Must be proficient in English or enrolled in English proficiency courses
  • Must be financially self-sufficient during the entire course of study
  • Must maintain strong ties to home country with the intention of returning once you finish your studies in the United States.

Who is eligible for An F-1 Student visa?

It is important to note that there are restrictions on public primary and secondary schools for F-1 visa holders. F-1 students may not attend any public primary/elementary schools (grades K-8).  They may attend a public secondary/high school (grades 9-12) but only for a maximum of 12 months. The student must also pay the secondary school system the full, unsubsidized, per capita cost of the education they receive. F-1 visa holders may, however, attend private primary and secondary SEVP-certified schools without these restrictions. F-1 visas are also not to be used to attend any publicly funded adult education programs, even if tuition is charged.

How To Apply For an F-1 Student Visa

Once you have applied for and are accepted into a SEVP approved school, you will be added to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and will have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This system tracks and monitors schools and exchange visitor programs and student visa holders while they are studying in the United States. The school you will be attending will then issue you a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.  This form confirms your acceptance at the institution and your visa eligibility. You may then apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

F-1 Visa Application Forms

To apply for a visa, you should complete the Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and print out the confirmation page to bring with you to your interview. You may then schedule your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Interviews are generally required, except in children 13 years old and younger, and those who are 80 and older. Wait times for interview appointments vary depending on the location, season, and visa category. It is advised to check the U.S. State Department’s website to find out the current wait time. New student visas can be issued up to 120 days prior to the start date for the course of study, but continuing students can be issued student visas at any time if they are currently enrolled at a SEVP-approved institution. New students may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before their start date, but continuing students may enter at any time prior to their courses starting.

Required F-1 Visa Documents

Before the interview, you must pay the application fee. An issuance fee may also be required, depending on your nationality, but this will not be due until after the interview. Check the Department of State’s website to see the current fee amounts. The following documents should be brought to the interview appointment:

  • A valid passport
  • Form DS-160 confirmation page
  • Application fee payment receipt
  • Photo
  • Completed and signed Form I-20
  • Additional documentation may be requested by the consular officer, so it is advised to also have the following applicable documentation with you:
    • Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, certificates from any schools you have attended
    • Standardized test scores as required by the U.S. school or institution
    • Evidence of ties to your home country
    • Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for all educational, living, and travel expenses

The F-1 Visa Interview

During your interview, a consular officer will decide whether you are qualified to be issued a student visa. In some cases, the officer may determine that your case requires further administrative processing. Fingerprints may also be taken at this time, although this may vary depending on the location of your interview. If you are approved for a visa, you will then be able to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry to request permission to enter the United States. Officials at the port-of-entry will have the final say as to whether you may enter the U.S. 

F-1 Visa FAQs

Your spouse and unmarried minor children may apply for F-2 visas and join you in the United States. The school will need to issue each family member a Form I-20, and you must provide a copy of your student visa and proof of your relationship.

F-1 Students may not work off-campus for the first year. You may work on campus, but this is subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may accept employment in the following three categories:

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension

F-1students may only seek off-campus employment in their field of study. This must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.

F-1 students have 60 days after their program end date listed on the I-20 to leave the United States. Failure to depart within these time limits will result in being out of status. If you need to extend your stay, it is important to discuss your options with your DSO.

If you are already in the United States under a different visa category, you may change your status to F-1 if your nonimmigrant status is lawful and you have not violated any conditions of your status. You must first apply to a SEVP-certified school and go through the steps of obtaining Form I-20 and paying the I-901 SEVIS fee. You must also go through the additional step of filing a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status to USCIS. If your current nonimmigrant status does not allow you to enroll in classes, you must wait to enroll in classes until USCIS has approved your status change. It is important to speak with the DOS at the school you will be attending in case you need to change or delay your start date. If you are not eligible to change your status from within the United States, you should consider going through consular processing by leaving the United States and applying for an F-1 visa. It is advised to speak with an immigration attorney who can advise you according to your unique situation.

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