How to Apply For a Student Visa?

The United States has thousands of top-quality schools and vocational institutions that attract scholars worldwide. However, before prospective students can move here to begin their educational journey, they must first successfully apply for a student visa.

A student visa is a passport endorsement provided by the U.S. government that allows you to stay in the country while enrolled in school. Obtaining a visa is a multi-step procedure that varies from embassy to embassy, but some elements remain consistent for everyone. 

Do I Need an M-1 Visa or an F-1 Visa?

International students looking to attend an educational institution in the United States can use either an M-1 or an F-1 student visa. These are both considered nonimmigrant visas, which means they have an expiration date and become invalidated when you are no longer a student.

The M-1 and the F-1 visas require you to enroll in an institution authorized by the U.S. government for international students. The primary difference between these two visa categories is the type of institution in which you are registered. 

1. The M-1 student visa is for students who have applied or enrolled in non-academic or vocational programs, not including language training programs.
2. The F-1 student visa is for applicants who want to study in an accredited college, university, or educational institution in the U.S. The educational institution you enroll in should end in a degree, certificate, or diploma after course completion.

A group of international students holding American flags. If you are enrolled in an approved program and meet other eligibility requirements, you may be able to obtain a nonimmigrant visa to study in the U.S. Learn how to apply for a student visa here.

What Are the Steps When Applying for a Student Visa?

To apply for either an M-1 or an F-1 student visa, you will need to meet specific eligibility requirements and satisfy the procedures established by the U.S. Department of State.

Check With Your Embassy

Since the process can vary depending on your country of origin, the first step is to check with your U.S. embassy for explicit instructions that may apply to you.

Check your eligibility

Ensure that you meet the following eligibility criteria to enter the F1 or M1 visa category: 

1. Must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
2. Must be enrolled to be a full-time student at the institution
3. Must be enrolled in an academic educational language- training or vocational program.
4. The school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
5. You must demonstrate strong ties to your home country, indicating your intent to return after completing your studies.
6. You must provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your studies in the U.S.
7. You must reside outside the U.S. when applying for the Visa to showcase your intent to move back after completing your studies.

Apply for Enrollment

Before you petition for your visa, you will need to apply and be accepted into an academic or vocational program. The institution and program you choose must be approved by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP). 

Receive Your I-20 Form

Once accepted into a program, the Student Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP)-approved school, international students will receive a Form I-20 from the designated school official (DSO). 

This Form I-20 issued by the SEVP-certified school will dictate the type of student visa one might obtain from the U.S. Department of State and the status required to be maintained in the States. Both you and the DSO have to sign the Form I-20. If you are under 18, your parents must sign the form for you, and if you wish to bring any eligible dependents over during your study period, you will have to obtain a Form I-20 for them as well.

This information will also be provided to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database created by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of foreign students studying in the United States. 

Applying for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate is possible only after receiving the Form I-20 and registering in SEVIS.  Upon attending your visa interview, you will need to present the Form I-20 to the consular officer.

If your spouse and/or children will live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s from the SEVP-approved school, and apply for a visa (but they do not pay the SEVIS fee).

Pay Your I-901 Fee

By using the information on your I-20 form, you can pay your SEVIS I-901 fee. You must complete this step before you enter the United States: 

The following documents are required by all the F and M student visa candidates to pay for the I-901 Fee:

• Personal information such as name, birth date, email ID and address
• Citizenship status, such as country of birth and citizenship
• School Code as per Form I-20
• SEVIS identification number as per Form I-20

Also, you will need proof of payment when you apply for your visa, so be sure to print a copy of your receipt.

Apply for Your Student Visa Using Form DS-160

Next, apply for your nonimmigrant visa by filing Form DS-160 online at the Department of State’s website. For this application, you will need the following document:

• A valid passport
• Travel itinerary
• Travel dates of the last five visits or trips to the United States
• Your SEVIS ID provided on Form I-20 or DS-2019
• The address of the school or program where you intend to study 
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)

Schedule a Visa Interview

The wait times for this interview can be extensive depending on your location, so schedule it as soon as possible after filing your DS-160 application. 

Be sure to bring all required documentation with you to your visa interview, including but not limited to:

1. Photo: Bring a printed photograph as per the Photograph Requirements.
2. Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status: For Academic and Language Students, Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students 
3. Form I-20: Signed Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) for F-1/M-1 students, provided by your school after SEVIS registration.
4. Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond your U.S. stay. Each visa applicant requires a separate passport.
5. DS-160 Confirmation Page: Completed Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160.
6. Application Fee Receipt: Proof of payment, if required, before the interview.

Additional documents may be required, such as:

• Showing finances to support- educational, living, and travel costs
• Academic preparations like degrees, diplomas, transcripts, certificates from attended school, and any standardized tests required by the school in the U.S.

The consular officer may ask about your visa eligibility and plans after completing your studies. You may also be fingerprinted during your interview appointment. 

Receive Your Student Visa

After a successful interview, you will be issued your M-1 or F-1 student visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may have to pay an additional visa issuance fee.

You can then present your passport, Form I-120, and visa to apply for entry at a United States port-of-entry and begin your studies!

What Should I Do When Your Student Visa Is About to Expire?

If you already have a student visa, studying at a public secondary school, but it’s expiring soon, and you wish to extend your stay in the U.S., you must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your authorized stay expires. 

Requesting a U.S. visa extension or filing Form I-539 will require filing fees of $470 in case of paper filing and $420 when filed online.

In the case of other students, except for students studying at the public secondary school, they must contact their DSO for information concerning the extension of their visa.

It is suggested to file Form I-539 at least 45 days before your authorized stay ends. 

Failure to pay may be excused if the applicant demonstrates that:

• The delay was caused due to extraordinary unforeseeable circumstances,
• Reasonable period of delay
• Has not otherwise violated the status
• Bona Fide nonimmigrant
• Not in a removal proceeding

What if your F-1 student visa has expired?

As per USCIS, you must leave within 60 days from the U.S. with an F visa after the program end date, as listed in Form I-20. Failure to depart will lead to the applicant being out of status and voided. This will not invalidate any future entries but may result in ineligibility for visas in future cases. 

As per USCIS, you can stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 visa if you maintain your student status. However, if you travel outside the U.S. after your F1 visa expires but haven’t completed your studies, you must apply for a new visa stamp before re-entering the U.S. in F1 status. The only way to get a new visa stamp is to apply for one at the United States embassy or consulate in your home country. The process will be similar to the one you went through to get your initial visa stamp.

What is the cost of applying for a US student visa? 

Here’s what you need to know about the costs involved in obtaining a student visa:

1. DS-160 Fee: $160 to be paid during the visa application filing.
2. SEVIS I-901 Fee: It is currently fixed at $350 for an M-1 or an F-1 student visa and is paid to the Department of Homeland Security. This includes the cost of the computer system used to record your stay in the United States.
3. Visa Insurance Fee (if required) – The visa insurance fee is $185 and after your visa has been approved, you have to pay the same in accordance to the applicability of your nationality.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my family when I’m on an F1 and M1 visa? 

As an F-1 or M-1 student, you can bring your spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. after informing the Designated School Official (DSO) and providing the necessary details. The DSO will issue a Form I-20 for each dependent, after which they must apply for an F-2 or M-2 visa. Remember, your dependents’ status is tied to maintaining your status during your studies.

Can I work while on an F1 and M1 visa? 

As an F-1 or M-1 student, you can work in any off-campus training employment that is related to the area of study. You must have authorization from DSO and USCIS prior to starting work after completion of the first academic year.

Can I renew my student visa while in the United States?

Student visas cannot be renewed while in the U.S. Students must return to their home country during the Summer or semester breaks to renew their visas at a U.S. consulate or embassy.