The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students YOUNG IMMIGRANTS to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange YOUNG IMMIGRANTS Visitor Program (SEVP) YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US university or college young IMMIGRANTS. You can only apply for your F-1 visa after an accredited US institution accepts your application.

As an F-1 student

As an F-1 student, the duration of your stay will vary based on the program in which you enroll YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. The I-20 form provided by the university you wish to attend will list the expiration date of your program YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. You will need to earn your degree before the listed expiration date, and this will give you an outline of how long you will be able to remain in the US. 

Following your graduation, you may be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. This will permit you to work for up to 12 months in the US in a field related to your study. For STEM graduates YOUNG IMMIGRANTS, you can request two additional years of work in a related field. If you do not have any extensions or additional training, you will need to return to your home country within 60 days after your graduation YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. If you want to learn more, Shorelight can help you explore what you can do with your F-1 visa after graduation.

F-1 visa rules

There are several F-1 visa rules to keep in mind if you plan to apply for an F-1 student visa for YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. 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 YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.
• Full-time enrollment—You must be a full-time student at the institution YOUNG IMMIGRANTS while your academic term is in session.
• English language proficiency—You must meet the institutions required YOUNG IMMIGRANTS English language proficiency score 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 YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.
• 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 YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.

How to Apply for an F-1 Visa – YOUNG IMMIGRANTS

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

1. Get accepted by a SEVP-certified institution before submitting your visa application YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. When you are accepted, you will receive your I-20 form, which you will need to apply for your F-1 visa.
2. Pay your SEVIS fee.
3. Complete your DS-160 visa application.
4. Schedule your visa interview.
5. Attend your visa interview.

If you are applying for an F-1 visa from India YOUNG IMMIGRANTS, Shorelight’s F-1 visa for Indian students guide is for you.

Once these steps are completed, you will be ready to complete and submit your F-1 student visa application.

F-1 Visa Application Process – YOUNG IMMIGRANTS

1. Get Accepted and Get Your I-20

The F-1 student visa process starts when you get accepted to a SEVP-certified US university F-1 visa rules YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. SEVP certification is the US government’s way of proving that your university is accredited and has the proper resources to provide you with an education. 

Once you are accepted, your university will provide your I-20 form, YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. This form documents your study plans and provides supporting information about your stay. 

The following information is recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) when your I-20 is issued:

• Your SEVIS ID number
• Your program start and end dates
• Your intended program of study
• Your funding sources
• Cost of attendance at your school of choice
• Other personal information

Your university provides this information based on what you submit in your university application materials YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. 

As soon as you receive your I-20, make sure all your information is accurate YOUNG IMMIGRANTS, and then sign at the bottom of the first page YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. It can take a long time to fix an error on your I-20 and if something is wrong, you may not be granted access to the country YOUNG IMMIGRANTS. Retain your form I-20 when you travel to the US. You will need it to enter the US, to work, and for other activities (e.g., getting a US driver’s license) YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.