F1 Visa

The F1 Visa is a type of student visa provided to international students who wish to enroll in prestigious educational institutions across the United States of America. It covers levels from elementary school to graduate school and university. It also includes several degrees.

What Is a F-1 Visa?

The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

As a F-1 student, the duration of your stay will vary based on the program in which you enroll. The I-20 form provided by the university you wish to attend will list the expiration date of your program.

Following your graduation, you may be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). This will permit you to work for up to 12 months in the US in a field related to your study. For STEM graduates, you can request two additional years of work in a related field. For ESL (English as a Second Language) graduates, there is no OPT.

F-1 Visa Requirements

There are several F-1 visa rules to keep in mind if you plan to apply for a F-1 student visa. You must meet these requirements for your application to be accepted:

Institution certification—The college or the university where you plan to study needs to be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
Full-time enrollment—You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution while your academic term is in session.
English language proficiency—You must meet the required English language proficiency score of the institution you are attending or be enrolled in courses that will help you improve your English proficiency.
Sufficient funding—You must prove you have sufficient funds available to finance your studies and living expenses while in the US.
Valid passport—Your passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after your program completion date.
Home country residency—You are required to have a residence in your home country to return to following the completion of your degree.

How to Apply for a F-1 Visa

Before you begin your F-1 visa application, you must take the following steps:

Get accepted by a SEVP-certified institution before submitting your visa application. When you are accepted, you will receive your I-20 form, which you will need to apply for your F-1 visa.
Pay your SEVIS fee.
If you are in the US on a different status like B1/B2, you have to file the change of status Immigration form. It can take upto 18 months for the change of status to be approved. You are allowed to stay in the US until then.
If you are outside the US, Complete your DS-160 visa application, Schedule and attend your visa interview.

Maintaining F-1 Visa Status

As an international student, you must actively maintain your F-1 status to continue studying in the US. To do this, you must comply with both university regulations and codes of conduct, as well as with the requirements and conditions set out in your F-1 visa requirements.

When entering the US:

While studying in the US:

Attend all your classes and maintain good academic standing.
If you need extra time to complete your program which would exceed the end date specified in your I-20, speak with your DSO to discuss your options for possible extensions.
Make sure to enroll for a full course of study when your academic term is in session.
If you want to drop a class or change classes, make sure to speak to your DSO first.

If you want to take a break and/or go on vacation, remember to first complete at least one full academic year at your institution. After your holiday, you must also register for classes in the next academic term.

Can F-1 International Students Work in the US?

Yes, you will be able to work in the US on a F-1 student visa. However, you will have to follow certain F-1 visa rules and restrictions:

During academic breaks, you will be permitted to work full time, if your university allows it. You can learn more about working as a F-1 international student by referring to USCIS.gov.

When searching for work while you study, make sure to seek approval from your DSO first.

Keep in mind, once you finish your program, you will have a grace period of 60 days to leave the US.

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