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F-1 Visa Application Process

Students who need to obtain an F-1 visa must complete Form DS-160 through the U.S. Department of State, and then attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. Review the consulate or embassy's website for specific application and interview procedures.

Before attending the interview, students MUST pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee. Visit the page for more information.

Note: If your country of citizenship or birth is Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia, you will not be able to pay the fee by credit card. You must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn on a U.S. financial institution.

This fee, currently $350, is used to maintain the SEVIS database and is separate from the visa application fee. This fee is not collected by ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ or OIP.

Required Documents for the Visa Interview

Always bring the required supporting documents with you to the interview. Failure to prepare can result in visa denial. In general, you should bring the following:

• Passport (must be valid for at least six months into the future)
• Original I-20 with your signature (bottom of page 1)
• ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Admission Letter
• DS-160 Confirmation Page
• SEVIS (I-901) Fee Receipt
• Evidence of nonimmigrant intent (intent to return home after completing your program)

Evidence of Nonimmigrant Intent

Visa applicants are presumed to have the intent to settle in the U.S. permanently until they can prove otherwise. Students should be prepared with evidence that they have strong ties to their home country, such as:

• Property, assets, or businesses owned in the home country
• Bank or financial accounts that will remain open
• Close family members who will remain in the home country
• Job offers or opportunities in the home country after program completion
• Evidence of financial resources to pay for tuition and living expenses (assistantship offers, scholarship letters, personal financial statements, or sponsorship confirmation)

Common Visa Interview Questions

The visa officer may ask a few or all of the following questions. Be prepared with brief but purposeful responses:

• Why did you apply to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ?
• Why did you choose your program of study?
• What do you plan to do with your degree?
• What are your plans after graduation?
• Do you plan to return home?

Visa Denials

Most F-1 visa denials occur due to one of the following reasons:

• Lack of evidence of nonimmigrant intent: the visa officer does not believe the applicant will return home after completing their program.
• Lack of evidence of financial resources: the visa officer does not believe the student has sufficient funds to live and study in the U.S.

Be prepared with clear explanations of your intent to return home and documentation showing where your funding comes from.