Who this is for
- Students admitted to a full-time academic or language program at a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- People who can show they have enough money to pay for tuition and living costs for their studies.
- Applicants who generally intend to return home after their studies and keep ties abroad.
- Students with enough English skills for their program, or who are enrolled in English courses.
- Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of an F-1 student, who may apply for F-2 status but generally cannot work.
Forms involved
| Form | Official name | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| I-20 | Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status | Issued by the school's Designated School Official (DSO) after admission and used for the visa, entry and maintaining status. |
| I-901 | SEVIS I-901 Fee payment | Paid online by the student to the Department of Homeland Security, generally before the visa interview. |
| DS-160 | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Completed online before scheduling the consular interview. |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization | Used to request Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the STEM OPT extension after a DSO recommendation. |
| I-539 | Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Used by some people already in the U.S. in another status to change to F-1 without leaving. |
Step by step
- Get admitted to an SEVP-certified schoolApply to a school that is certified to enroll international students. After admission and proof of funds, the school enters you in SEVIS and issues Form I-20.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 feePay the fee online using the SEVIS ID on your I-20 and keep the payment receipt for your interview.
- Complete the DS-160 and book an interviewFill out the DS-160 online, pay the visa application fee and schedule an interview, generally at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or residence.
- Attend the visa interviewBring your passport, signed I-20, financial documents and academic records. The officer reviews your study plans, funding and ties to home.
- Enter the U.S. on timeNew students can generally enter no more than 30 days before the program start date shown on the I-20. Check your electronic I-94 record after arrival.
- Maintain your statusReport to your school, enroll full time, keep your I-20 and passport valid, and tell your DSO about changes such as a new address or program.
Documents usually requested
- Valid passport
- Form I-20 signed by you and your school's DSO
- SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
- DS-160 confirmation page and visa fee receipt
- Bank statements, scholarship letters or sponsor letters showing funding
- Admission letter from the school
- Transcripts, diplomas and test scores the school relied on
- Evidence of ties to your home country, such as family, property or job prospects
- Passport-style photo meeting State Department rules
How long it takes
Timing depends on school admission dates, how soon you receive the I-20, interview wait times at your embassy or consulate, and any extra security screening. If you change to F-1 from inside the U.S., USCIS processing times apply; see egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.
Government filing fees
The SEVIS I-901 fee is paid to DHS, the visa application fee to the State Department, and forms like the I-765 for OPT or the I-539 carry USCIS filing fees. Fees change, so check uscis.gov/g-1055 and the official State Department and SEVIS fee pages before paying.
Working and traveling while you wait
F-1 students can usually work on campus part time during the school term, while off-campus work generally requires CPT or OPT authorization. Before traveling abroad, students usually need a recent travel signature from the DSO on the I-20 and a valid visa to return.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Dropping below a full course load without DSO approval, which can end F-1 status.
- Working off campus without CPT or OPT authorization.
- Entering the U.S. on a tourist visa or ESTA and starting classes, which is generally not allowed.
- Forgetting to report a new address or program change to the DSO.
- Staying past the grace period after finishing the program or OPT.
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work in the U.S. on an F-1 visa?
Yes, but only in limited ways. F-1 students can usually work on campus part time while school is in session and more during official breaks. Off-campus work generally requires Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approved by the school or Optional Practical Training (OPT) approved by USCIS.
What is the difference between CPT and OPT?
CPT is work that is part of your study program and is approved by your school before you finish. OPT is temporary work related to your field, usually after graduation, and needs a USCIS work permit. Students with qualifying STEM degrees may be able to apply for a STEM OPT extension; using a year or more of full-time CPT can affect OPT eligibility.
How long can I stay after I finish my studies?
F-1 students generally have a grace period after completing their program or OPT to leave, transfer, start a new program or change status. In 2026 DHS published a rule that would replace open-ended "duration of status" with fixed admission periods and shorten this grace period, but a federal court blocked it in September 2026; check Study in the States for the current rules.
Can I transfer to another school on an F-1?
Yes, F-1 students can usually transfer to another SEVP-certified school. Your current DSO releases your SEVIS record, the new school issues a new I-20, and you must report to the new school within the required time.
Will my social media be checked for a student visa?
Yes, the State Department reviews the online presence of F, M and J visa applicants. Since 2025, applicants have been asked to set their social media profiles to public so they can be reviewed as part of the visa decision.
Can I bring my spouse and children on an F-1?
Usually yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can apply for F-2 visas with their own I-20s from your school. F-2 spouses cannot work, and study is generally limited.
Official sources
- travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
- uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students
- uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-f-chapter-5
- studyinthestates.dhs.gov/elimination-of-duration-of-status-frequently-asked-questions
- state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/06/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-visa-applicants
Last reviewed: October 2026
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Immigration rules, forms and fees change often — always check the official sources above. MyUSVisa is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency; legal advice comes only from the licensed attorney you choose.