The United States of America is the world's top-most educational destination for International students. International students receiving a degree from world-class institutions in the U.S. are also known to receive global exposure encompassing global standards. The innovative study programs in the U.S. are offered via a new thought-learning platform to produce highly skilled individuals ready for the workforce.
The ever-growing Industrial sector of the United States presents several job opportunities for newly graduated students with a U.S. degree.
The F-1 student visa is offered by the U.S. Immigration Department for International students who possess an acceptance letter from the US-based Colleges/Universities.
The Validity of the F-1 student Visa is five years. However, the F-1 Visa is only applicable until the completion of the student's study program. To receive the F-1 student visa, the US-based study program or course should be offered in the form of a degree or a certificate.
The U.S. study programs need to have a SEVIP certification from the U.S. government. The Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIP) is employed by the United States to track the schools and universities that allow access to education for international students. SEVP certification for U.S. universities is to let the students know that U.S. universities are qualified to provide education to international students. The F-1 student visa also provides its students with the eligibility to work off-campus in cases of severe hardships or require financial help.
The students applying for the F1 student visa are required to satisfy the following criteria:
Intakes |
Study Program |
Admission deadlines |
Summer |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
May - September |
Spring |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
January - May |
Fall |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate |
September - December |
For admission assistance into the US-based programs. Contact Y-axis
Students studying in the U.S. with the F1 visa can enjoy benefits like world-class education, experience exciting student life-style in the U.S. and explore beautiful destinations & landscapes in and around U.S. while travelling to and from U.S.
Here are some of the major benefits for students studying in the U.S. with F-1 visa:
Update: Students can extend the duration of their F-1 visa after the expiry of their college term. This can be done through the option of Optional Practical Training (OPT) which is for a duration of 12 months
The students can apply for the US F-1 visa through the following steps. Applying well-in-advance i.e 3-4 months can prove beneficial. The I-20 form needs to be submitted at the time application. The I-20 form is given by the SEVIP approved US-based college/university confirming the expiry or end-date of the program. This is necessary for the F-1 Visa approval procedure.
Requirements or required documents by the candidate while applying for the U.S. F1 Visa:
Useful tip (1): The University provides the above information based on the documents you must submit for application. The students can contact the University for more details.
Useful tip (2): After receiving the I-20 form from the University, ensure all the information is printed accurately, and then sign the document before submitting it.
Useful tip (3): Retaining your I-20 form when travelling to the U.S. is a good idea. The document is required to be presented to the customs as educational proof while migrating to the U.S. and for other official formalities.
Applicants for student F-1 visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate over their place of permanent residence. This will normally be the home country in which you live. The students can book an appointment with the U.S. consulate nearest to them. The candidates can make their application at the official U.S. website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Steps after Submitting the I-20 form for Visa Application:
The candidate, after applying to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the US F-1 student visa along with the I-20 form, needs to complete the following steps:
Cost & Requirements: $350 and I-20 form
The student will receive a I-901 SEVIS fee receipt required to be shown at the time of the interview. The students can make the application on the Visa Application Portal.
Completing your DS-160 form is an essential step to receive your F-1 visa
After submitting the application to DS-160, the student will receive a printed confirmation with a barcode printed on it. The candidate is required to save the receipt and carry it with them for the visa interview
Cost & Requirements: Pay $160 along with I-20, passport, travel itinerary, photo for your visa
Kudos! As you have successfully completed the application process. Now, the only step left is to attend the interview.
The candidates can book a Visa interview slot online at the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the US F-1 student visa. The candidates can book the slot at the nearest U.S. Visa Embassy.
The candidates must carry the following additional documents with them when attending the interview. Below is a list of documents:
Consult with experts at Y-Axis for any F-1 Visa document-related quarries.
The interviewer at the U.S. embassy asks questions about the candidate's study abroad plan, commonly involving the post-graduation and university choice, academic capability, financial status, and further plans. Here are a few tips for the students before appearing for an interview:
After clearing their English language proficiency tests, the students can be confident about clearing the F1-Visa Interview as well. Here are a few tips before facing the interviewer:
Here are some of the common questions the candidates can prepare themselves prior to attending the US F-1 Visa interview
· Why are you going to the United States? · What do you do for a living? · How many colleges did you apply to? · How many schools did you get admitted to? · How many schools rejected you? · Why are you planning to continue your education? · Can you not continue your education in your home country? · Why choose the United States of America? · Why not choose Canada or Australia? · How many colleges did you apply to? · How many schools did you get admitted to? · How many schools rejected you? · Where did you go to school now? · What are you specializing in/What will your major be?
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Helpful Tip: The candidates can prepare for mock interviews with their peers before attending an actual US F-1 Visa interview with the questions here.
After clearing the visa interview, the candidates who have received approval for an F-1 student visa can enter the U.S. Here are a few points that International students need to remember before entering the U.S. on an F-1 visa:
The students can maintain an F1 status until they finish their college studies. The students can also apply to extend their F-1 visa status at the University given the extended term duration, extension in a research project, or delay in finishing the project.
The following are the requirements to maintain an F1 Visa status as nonimmigrant student in the US:
- The passport should have enough pages for stamping, a minimum of 3 pages, and be well within the expiration date.
-The I-20 form needs to have the most recent travel signature from customs when traveling to or from the U.S.
Submitting the I-20 form also covers the proof for course load each term.
The F-1 visa holders can apply for job opportunities in the following ways. However, some specific rules and restrictions are to be followed. An international student must actively maintain their F-1 status to continue studying in the U.S.
The students must apply for a work visa to continue working in the U.S.
Here are a few tips by which Indian students can ace the F-1 Visa interview:
Here are a few reasons listed for the F1 Visa rejections/denials:
Not being able to prove the nonimmigrant intent(intent to travel back to India) is one of the primary reasons students get rejected. The candidates are required to show sufficient evidence of residency, property ownership, and financial ties in the home country)
Clerical errors in the application form or proofs with proofs of insufficient financial funds add to the visa denial rates.
This may not be applicable for most students, but for some undergraduate students who have received their UG degree the US and have violated the terms of F-1 Visa by overstaying in the country or other such rules. The students may not receive the US F-1 student Visa Again.
Note: The students can stay only uptill 60 days in the US after following course completion.
Any reason addressed at the time of Visa denial must be rectified before re-applying for the U.S. Visa. They need to be clearly addressed at the time of the interview as the application may be under review and keenly observed for faults. The candidate can apply for a visa interview again in the following visa season, which may take anywhere between 3 and 6 months for processing.
TIP: A thorough F-1 Visa application with an I-20 form needs to be submitted without any errors. Along with the above, a fully completed DS-160 form and an above-par Visa interview by the candidate is necessary for Visa Approval.
The interviewer at the U.S. embassy asks questions about the candidate's study abroad plans. They commonly involve post-graduation and university choice, academic capability, financial status, and further plans. Being well-dressed, groomed, presentable, and confident can increase your chances of clearing the F-1 Visa interview.
Any gaps or inadequacies in the application must be clearly explained to the interviewer with a valid explanation. The time for re-application is anywhere between 3-6 months.
-Share insights into the experiences of international students studying in the USA on an F1 visa. ○ Tips for adjusting to life in the USA and making the most of the experience.
Tips for studying in the U.S.:
Conclusion: International students can continue their education in the U.S. and receive their U.S. degree as F1 visa holders. The F1 visa is a powerful Visa for students planning to reside in the U.S. while studying. The students who are F-1 visa holders are not considered as immigrants or rather as nonimmigrants who would reside in the country temporarily until the completion of their study program \
Explore helpful resources for US F-1 visa application with Y-Axis.
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