F1 Visa: US Student Visa Requirements –The process of applying for a student visa to the United States can be time-consuming. You need to be aware of the deadlines, make plans months in advance, and check all of the requirements for the kind of visa you have. The difficulties that come with studying abroad include all of these.
For foreigners, there are three types of student visas available. The M visa is for vocational training, the J visa is for cultural exchange, and the F visa is for academic training. 94% of universities sponsor their international students under the F visa program, making it the most common type (Student Exchange and Visitor Program, 2014, cited in Demirci, 2019). We will concentrate on how to apply for an F-1 visa in this article. Students studying English at an English language institute or full-time students at an accredited U.S. college or university are eligible for an F-1 visa.
F1 Visa: US Student Visa Requirements
New visa policies were implemented in the United States following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Since it was discovered that the attackers entered the United States through legal means of travel, these policies were intended to prevent a similar attack from occurring again. According to Urias and Yeakey (2009), although the changes were intended to protect the nation, they also became significant hindrances for legitimate international students and scholars.
The F1 Visa: US Student Visa Requirements USA PATRIOT Act, also known as PL107-56, was enacted by Congress on October 26, 2001. There are a number of important provisions in this law that deal with immigration. According to Urias & Yeakey (2009), the Act set a January 30, 2003, deadline for colleges and universities to comply with SEVIS, or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The purpose of SEVIS is to track and monitor exchange visitors and non-immigrant students. Authorities are also able to identify visa status violators thanks to this.
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Over one million international students were expected to study in the United States in 2019, despite stricter requirements for student visas and background checks (Duffin, 2020). According to Duffin (2019), China accounted for the majority of international students, followed by India and South Korea. In addition, over the course of the past decade, the number of international students enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at U.S. colleges and universities nearly doubled, with about a third of these students majoring in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) (Demirci, 2019).
F1 Visa: US Student Visa Requirements Details
| Scheme Name | F1 Visa: US Student Visa |
| Category | Trending |
| Registration starting date | 2023 |
| Official Website | fmjfee.com |
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Student Visa Requirements in the U.S.
Students from Bermuda and Canada do not require a visa to enter the United States. A student visa is required for all other foreign nationals who plan to study for a degree or certificate conferred by the United States.
1. Valid Passport
Make sure you have a valid passport with several visa-free pages before beginning your F-1 visa application. Adult passports are valid for ten years in some nations and five years in others. According to the US Embassy in the UK, n.d., regarding the blank pages, “U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommend that at least one additional blank page is available for your passport to be stamp if you are admit to the Unite States.”
In addition, ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intend stay in the United States. Your student visa application may require you to provide information about your passport, such as when applying for university admission or completing visa application forms. The six-month rule is not enforced in all nations. You can check the most recent list of countries to see if you only need a passport for the time you plan to stay.
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2. Form I-20
Your acceptance letter from a SEVP-approve school is Form I-20, also known as the “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status–For Academic and Language Students.” The SEVIS is administer by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
To ensure that your degree is internationally recognize by other universities, professional organizations, and employers, it is essential to apply to a school that has been approve by SEVP. They will register you with the SEVIS system once you are accept by your prospective school, which will then generate the Form I-20. Keep in mind that not all establishments that issue Form I-20 are approve by SEVP.
Form I-20 plays a crucial role not only during the F-1 application process but also during your time as an international student in the country. When entering the Unite States, for instance, you will be require to present your Form I-20. Do not store it in your check luggage. It is also require when applying for a social security number or driver’s license, as well as when leaving the United States after your studies.
3. SEVIS I-901 Fee
The SEVIS I-901 fee is use to run the program’s office and the automate services that keep track of and update students’ and visitors’ information. Before paying the I-901 fee, you must have a Form I-20 because you will need to include information from your Form I-20 on the form. Before paying the I-901 fee, you can set up an appointment for a visa interview. In order for the system to properly process and verify your payment, settle your I-901 fee at least three days prior to the date of your interview.
On June 24, 2019, the new and increase I-901 fees went into effect. The average cost for students is $350. The SEVIS page provides information on several different payment options. Debit card, credit card, international money order, and check payments are all examples of these.
By going to www.fmjfee.com and selecting Check I-901 Status/ Print Payment Confirmation, you can print a copy of your receipt after you have paid. Even though the system allows people who need to verify your payment to do so online, SEVP advises that you keep a print copy of your receipt because it makes it easier to show that you paid. On the day of your visa interview, you will also need to show it.
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4. Form DS-160
The F1 Visa: US Student Visa Requirements Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form (Form DS-160) is used to apply for a student visa for short-term travel to the Unite States. Consular officers use the information on the DS-160 and the applicant’s personal interview to determine whether the applicant is eligible. It is best to prepare a photo of yourself that meets the application’s photo requirements before accessing the online DS-160 form. During the process of filling out the form, you will be prompt to upload a picture.
You must select the nation for which you will be applying for a visa before you can begin filling out the DS-160 form. Before the site takes you to the form’s pages, you must also answer a security question. You will be require to provide personal information, such as your birth date, passport information, and information about previous trips to the Unite States.
You will be aske to sign the form electronically when you are finish. Print the DS-160 barcode page’s specifics. Finally, to schedule an appointment for your visa interview, go to the website of the US Consulate or Embassy. You will also be able to review the payment instructions for the visa application processing fee on the country-specific website.
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5. Additional Documents
All of the aforementioned documents must be present on the day of your visa interview. Additionally, you should prepare additional documents and bring them with you in case the consular officer requests them during your interview.
Additional paperwork that needs to be prepare:
- academic records (Ex. transcripts, diplomas, or certificates from schools you attend)
- results of your standardized test (Ex. SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, etc.)
- English proficiency test results (Ex. TOELF or IELTS)
- recommendation letters
- bank statements
- documents for financial support covering the duration of your study
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Arrival at a US port-of-entry
F visas can be issue 120 days before the start of your course; However, you can only enter the Unite States 30 days before your course begins. Having an F-1 visa does not guarantee entry into the Unite States. This decision will be made by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official when you present your passport, visa, and Form I-20. You might be aske to present the same documents you use to apply for a visa, like proof of your financial resources, a letter from your university confirming your acceptance, a paper receipt for the SEVIS I-901 fee, and so forth. The CBP official will issue you with either an admission stamp or the paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, once you have been granted entry.
According to SEVIS data from 2018, the West region of the Unite States had the greatest number of F-1 visa holders. California had 19.5% of international students, follow by New York with 11.2%, Texas with 6.6%, Massachusetts with 6.5 percent, and Florida with 5.4% (ICE, 2018).
What Can You Do with Your F-1 Visa
With an F1 Visa: US Student Visa Requirements you can travel abroad and get a new one. However, there are specific steps you should take before you leave the Unite States to ensure a smooth reentry. Discuss your situation with your designate school official (DSO). A DSO will be present at colleges and universities that accept international students.
During your first academic year, you cannot work off-campus with an F-1 visa; However, there are some restrictions on when you can accept on-campus work during your first year of school. If you get married to a U.S. citizen or are offered employment that requires a different visa, for example, you may also change the status of your F-1 visa to a different category.
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Departure from the US
The new and comprehensive entry and exit system that is part of the US-VISIT program run by the US Department of Homeland Security is one of many changes to immigration policies that were made in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001. All international students and scholars, with the exception of some Canadians, are affect by US-VISIT (Urias & Yeakey, 2009). The system can tell if a visitor stays longer than their allot time by collecting biometric information and using data that is always up to date about when they arrive and leave.
After the program’s end date on their Form I-20, holders of an F-1 visa must leave the Unite States within 60 days. If you don’t, you’ll be out-of-status, which means your visa won’t work. Additionally, this could render you ineligible for future U.S. visas.
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What to Do in Case of Visa Denial
Even though data show that the Unite States of America is still the most popular destination for international students, those numbers may be decreasing. According to the Institute of International Education’s annual “hot topics” survey, 83% of institutions in 2018 reported that visa delays and denials were a factor in the decline in the number of international students; Only 34% of respondents did so in 2016 (Usher, 2019).
Reapply
In the event that your visa application is reject, you should ask the interviewer what went wrong. In the event that you are unable to obtain this data, the following are typical explanations for rejection:
- insufficient evidence of financial capability to support your studies and remain in the United States; insufficient or missing
- documentation; fail background checks; interview behavior (ex. You were in a state of panic and were unable to respond to questions in a convincing manner. You were also unable to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding why you chose your university and what you plan to do with your degree in the future.
- You were also unable to provide evidence that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies. You lack sufficient English language skills.
Once you know why your visa was denied, work to fix it and, if possible, get help from an immigration professional to review your application and then reapply. You are free to apply multiple times; However, if you receive multiple rejections, consider the alternatives list below.
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Study in Another Country
You can look to other nations with equally world-class programs if you are unable to reapply for a U.S. student visa for any reason. The majority of international universities have their highest rankings in Asia, Europe, and Australia.
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Take Courses or Work While Waiting to Reapply
While considering whether to reapply for a student visa, you can also pursue other interests. Your professional experience might improve your profile if you decide to work. On the other hand, you can enroll in courses that are relate to the field of study you want to pursue in the future. Check out these online colleges, both public and private, that are the cheapest to see if any of them offer the courses you’re interest in.
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Study in Your Home Country
Sometimes, you don’t have to travel far to get a good education. Studying in your home country is always a good option if your situation changes and you no longer want to study abroad. Naturally, it will be easier for you to prepare documents, and the entire application process will also cost less.
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Planning Is Everything
Taking the time to research the visa application process and preparing all of the requirements for a student visa well in advance can definitely have a significant impact on how your application is accept. The good news is that applying for a student visa in the United States is a simple and straightforward process. It often comes down to taking your time to learn what you need to do and making sure you have enough time to gather all of your documents.
Work backwards from the start date of your intend program to determine when you should begin your student visa application because the U.S. school year begins in August or September. Additionally, you must account for the time require for processing at the U.S. Consulate in your country.
Take it from the most well-known quote by Benjamin Franklin: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” In order to make your student experience abroad as rewarding and worthwhile as possible, careful short- and long-term planning is require. Keep expanding your knowledge of college life. Check out our article on barriers to tertiary education and reasons not to go to college.
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