Fun fact: The U.S has more international students than anywhere else in the world, attracting students from more than 200 places of origin. Clearly, if you're interested in heading abroad to attend a U.S. school, you aren't alone.
But don't start packing your bags just yet. First, you need a visa. There are different types of visas for different types of student programs. Higher education, vocational, and language students can obtain a visa via the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
First, you'll have to get admitted to an SEVP-certified school. Then comes the part we all hate: paperwork. But it's not that bad, we promise! Before you apply for a student visa, you'll need Form I-20 and the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. We explain the details below.
Understanding key terms
Before we get into the details, we want to lay out a few important terms for you. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know:
- Visa M. The U.S. offers two main types of student visas. Visa category M is for students who want to attend a vocational school or similarly recognized nonacademic institution.
- Visa F. Visa category F is for students who want to attend a university, college, high school, seminary, conservatory, private elementary school, or language training program.
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). SEVP is an initiative of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designed to help nonimmigrant students in visa categories F and M - and their dependents - come to the U.S.
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This is the information system SEVP uses to monitor SEVP-certified schools. School officials use SEVIS to fulfill SEVP eligibility and reporting requirements.
- Designated school official (DSO). A SEVP-certified university or college will have a DSO who is responsible for coordinating the I-20 paperwork. The DSO may access SEVIS to download the form.
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Once you're accepted to a SEVP-accredited college or university, the school will issue you Form I-20. You can then use this form to apply for your student visa.
- F-1 Student Visa. If you're planning to go to a college or university in the U.S., you'll need an F-1 Student Visa. But before you can apply for the F-1 visa, you need Form I-20.
- Nonimmigrant status. An F-1 student visa is linked to "nonimmigrant status," which basically means you aren't trying to stay in the U.S. when you finish school. That's why one of the requirements of the F-1 visa (more on this below) is that you maintain a residence at home.
Preparing for the I-20 form
Before you can start the visa paperwork, you've got to do another kind of paperwork: college applications! (Psst, check out these tips). Make sure the school you apply to is SEVP-certified. Check if your dream school qualifies.
Once you're admitted to the school, your DSO should issue you the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - For Academic and Language Students.
You'll be entered into SEVIS and provided with a unique SEVIS identification number. You'll also have to pay the SEVIS fee or I-901 fee. This is done by completing the SEVIS I-901 Form, Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Visa Nonimmigrants.
You can pay this fee online at FMJfee.com. Payment methods vary according to your country of origin. For example, students from certain countries must pay by money order. The SEVIS fee website has details.
Once you've paid, make sure to print the receipt as proof of payment. You'll have to submit Form I-20, Form I-901, and your proof of payment when you go to your visa appointment. You should also have this paperwork on you when you travel to the U.S.
Acquiring the I-20 form
Again, your DSO should issue your Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - For Academic and Language Students. The form covers essential information about you and your studies, including:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your country of birth
- Your country of citizenship
- The school's name
- The school's DSO
- The school's address
- Program of study
- Program length of study
- Program start date and end date
- Estimated cost of tuition and fees
- Estimated living expenses
- Estimated dependent expenses
- Details about how your expenses will be covered (for example, via an on-campus job, teaching assistantship, etc.)
Make sure the information is accurate to avoid any hiccups in your visa application later.
The visa application process
With Form I-20 and the SEVIS I-901 payment taken care of, it's time for . . . more paperwork. (Sorry!) You'll have to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. Make sure to print your application form - you'll need it for the interview.
Interview!?
Yes, we hate to break it to you: You'll have to schedule an interview with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Waiting times for visa appointments vary depending on the location, season, and type of visa, so leave plenty of time. New F-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days before your program's start date.
When you go to your interview, make sure you have all the paperwork, including:
- Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status
- I-901 Form, Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Visa Nonimmigrants, and proof of paying your I-901 SEVIS fee
- Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form
- Passport
- Photo for the application
- Visa application fees (fees vary according to nationality - find yours here)
In some cases, additional documents may be required, like copies of your academic degrees, transcripts, and proof of how you'll support yourself financially (such as bank statements).
What can you expect from your visa interview? You'll be asked some basic questions about your paperwork and have to provide digital fingerprint scans. Don't stress about the questions; it's all part of the process. Answer honestly and completely, and you'll be fine!
Maintaining F-1 student status
To qualify for and maintain an F-1 student visa, you'll have to meet some basic criteria. Make sure you maintain these requirements, or you may risk getting in trouble with U.S. immigration services:
- Full-time enrollment. You must be enrolled in an academic educational program or language program at a SEVP-approved school on a full-time basis. Make sure you're getting enough credits to sustain full-time enrollment.
- English proficiency. You must be proficient in English or enrolled in a course studying toward English proficiency.
- Financial means. You must have enough money to support yourself during your studies. A student visa is unique from a work visa.
- Abide by employment criteria. F-1 students may accept certain types of on-campus employment but can't accept off-campus employment during their first academic year. After their first academic year, F-1 visa students are still restricted to certain types of work: curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT), or STEM OPT extension.
- Maintain a residence back home. You must maintain a residence back home that you don't plan to give up.
Finally, you'll need to maintain an up-to-date SEVIS record. Your DSO is responsible for this task.
Understanding other relevant procedures
You applied to the school and got in. You got your I-20 and completed your F-1 visa paperwork and appointment - and got approved! Congratulations. Now, there's just one thing left to do: Go to the U.S.!
A visa alone doesn't guarantee you entry to the U.S. You must pass through a designated port of entry, like an airport, and request permission to enter the country. Here, you'll be asked to show your passport, visa, and Form I-20. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry will then approve or deny your request.
If you need to extend your stay, you can request an extension via the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Otherwise, you must leave the country within 60 days of your study program end date (as specified on your I-20).
One last piece of admin you may have to deal with: getting a Social Security Number (SSN). This is only relevant if you get a job requiring special approval from the DHS because of your nonimmigrant visa status. Learn more.
Your journey to U.S. education
We admit it: pursuing a course of study in the U.S. requires quite a bit of admin. Form I-20 is one of the most important required documents you'll need to obtain an F-1 student visa.
Don't let the practicalities keep you from pursuing your dream of a degree. Follow the U.S. government regulations when completing the necessary paperwork - and then get ready to dive into American college life.
College Rover has a comprehensive database of colleges and universities, allowing you to compare schools easily. Once you've identified your perfect school, you can begin the application process and get one step closer to your dream.
