The United States offers several visa routes for international students and exchange visitors. The right route depends on the type of programme and school. This guide explains the main application steps and the information applicants should check with their school and the U.S. embassy or consulate where they apply.
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1. Apply to a university and get your acceptance letter
If you're still not sure where you want to study in the US, you will have to decide before you can apply for the student visa.
After accepting you, a SEVP-approved school will register you in SEVIS and issue you a Form I-20. The Form I-20 is not an acceptance letter. You will need it to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa and to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
Some American universities may also offer you assistance and advice with the visa application process so don't hesitate to come to them with your questions.
Consider some top universities in the US:
- Northeastern University
- University of San Francisco
- University of California, Riverside
- Wichita State University
- American University Washington DC
- Bay Path University
Make sure to check out more top universities from the US from prestigious university rankings.
2. Find out what type of student visa you need
The main visa categories for study are:
- F-1: For academic study, including university or college programmes and language training programmes at eligible schools.
- M-1: For vocational or other non-academic study at an eligible school.
- J-1: For people participating in an approved exchange visitor programme, including student exchange programmes.
The appropriate category depends on the programme and the school’s certification. Not every non-U.S. citizen needs an F-1 visa: for example, Canadian and Bermudian citizens generally do not need a student visa, although they must meet the requirements for admission in student status. Check the U.S. government guidance for your circumstances.
Read more about student exchange visa J1- Visa.
3. Learn what conditions you need to meet for the US student visa
A consular officer assesses whether you qualify for the visa category, based on your circumstances and evidence.
- For an F-1 visa, applicants generally need to show that they intend to leave the United States after their authorized study and any authorized practical training. The officer may consider an applicant’s circumstances, travel plans, financial resources and ties outside the United States. A job offer after graduation is not a required document.
- Students must attend the school and programme shown on their Form I-20 and comply with their student-status requirements. They must show how they will pay educational, living and travel costs.
- There is no single government-set monthly minimum that applies to every student; the school’s Form I-20 and the applicant’s circumstances are central to the financial evidence.
- There is no universal federal English-test requirement for an F-1 visa. The school sets admission requirements, and applicants must be able to pursue the programme or study English as permitted by the category.
- Follow the local embassy or consulate’s instructions about the interview and any supporting documents.
4. Gather your visa documents and start your application
First, you will have to find the embassy or consulate affiliated to your country or region where to submit your visa application. You can find yours in this list of websites of US Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions.
Although the process may vary or require additional steps, depending on your country and embassy or consulate, you will need the following when applying for your student visa:
- Form I-20: Obtain it from your SEVP-approved school after it registers you in SEVIS.
- I-901 SEVIS fee: The fee for F-1 and M-1 students is currently $350. Pay it after you receive your Form I-20 and before your visa interview.
- Visa application processing fee: The current Department of State fee for F and M visa applications is $185. Check the embassy or consulate’s instructions for how and when to pay, and check whether a separate visa issuance fee applies to your nationality.
- Submit Online Form DS-160 for a non-immigrant visa, and bring it to your interview.
- Passport with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.
- Previous passports or other supporting evidence, if relevant to your circumstances or required by the local embassy or consulate.
- Evidence of how you will pay your educational, living and travel costs, if requested.
- A photo that meets U.S. requirements. Upload it with the DS-160; bring a printed photo if the upload fails.
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees or test scores, if requested by the consular officer.
The current Department of State fee for F and M visa applications is $185. A separate Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250 was enacted for nonimmigrant visa issuance, but DHS said implementation details would be announced in a future publication. Before publishing a total cost, check whether DHS has issued implementation instructions and set the current amount.
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5. Take the F1-Visa interview
Your F-1 Visa interview will determine whether you are qualified to receive a USA F1 student visa. Digital fingerprint scans will be taken for records. Your passport will be taken so that you can get your visa and you will be informed when you can get it back.
Bring all of the required documents and receipts. A letter from a university professor supporting your study plan can be helpful. You will be required to answer personal questions about your decision to study in the US. If you cannot answer the questions in English, you can ask for an interpreter. Interview length varies. Be prepared to answer questions about your programme, school, finances and plans, but do not expect a fixed script or duration.
Interview questions will focus on the following topics:
- Why you chose to study in the US
- Academic qualifications (test scores) and questions about the university you enrolled in
- Ties and obligations that ensure your return to your home country after graduation
- Proof that you have the means to finance your education
Based on your answers, the consular officer will approve or deny your student visa application. You need to establish that you qualify for the visa under U.S. law. For an F-1 visa, the officer may consider whether you intend to leave the United States after your authorized stay.
Tips for passing the student visa interview
- Dress formally for your interview. First impressions can be crucial.
- Practice your English before the interview. While this is not a requirement for approval, it can create a good impression and stress your commitment to studying in America.
- Know the programme you are applying for and how it fits your career plans.
- Be to the point, as there are many student visa applicants and visa officers are under a lot of time pressure.
- Make it easy for the visa officer to browse your documents.
- If your application is refused, read the refusal notice to understand why. There is generally no appeal from a 214(b) refusal. You may reapply with a new application and fee, particularly if your circumstances have changed or you have relevant additional evidence.
- If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves in your absence.
F-1, M-1 and dependent F-2 and M-2 visa applicants are subject to online-presence review. Current Department of State instructions tell applicants in these categories to set their social-media profiles to public or open. Check the latest instructions before applying.
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6. Wait for your visa confirmation
New F-1 and M-1 visas may be issued up to 365 days before the programme start date. New students cannot enter the United States more than 30 days before that date. Interview wait times vary by location and change frequently, so check the current Department of State wait-time information and the local embassy or consulate’s instructions. Estimates are not guarantees and do not include all administrative processing. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
7. Make sure you know the advantages and restrictions of your visa
- A visa’s expiration date determines how long it can be used to travel to a U.S. port of entry; it does not determine how long you may remain in the United States. An F-1 student’s authorized stay is generally recorded as “D/S” and depends on maintaining student status. If your visa expires while you are in the United States, that alone does not end your status, but you will generally need a valid visa to return after travelling abroad.
- F-1 students may work in qualifying on-campus jobs for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during eligible breaks. Some off-campus work or practical training may be allowed with the required authorization. Find out more about getting a job in the U.S.
- New F-1 and M-1 students may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the programme start date on Form I-20. Continuing students may enter earlier if they remain eligible and enrolled.
- To maintain F-1 status, follow your school’s requirements for a full course of study and contact your designated school official (DSO) promptly if you need to reduce your course load or extend your programme. Arrange any programme extension through your school before the end date on your Form I-20.
- If your passport expires, your country’s consulate or embassy can help you extend it.
Find out more in-depth information about the student U.S. visa application process by checking out the US government website.
