Introduction
Are you seeking admission to one of the top colleges or universities in the US? If so, you must have several questions, like what is F-1 visa, how to get a student visa for the USA, what are F-1 visa rules, and so on. We hope to answer all your F-1 student visa queries in this blog.
An aspiring student needs a visa to fulfill his/her dream of pursuing courses in the US. The US government issues the student visa to eligible candidates who meet all criteria, for US institutions that are certified by the SEVP. While applying for an F-1 visa, you also need to understand F-1 visa rules and the application process to maximize your chances of F-1 visa approval.
So read on to learn everything related to the F-1 visa.
What is an F-1 visa?
An F1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa issued by the U.S. government to foreign students who are planning to study in the United States. It allows foreign students to study at any accredited college, university, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution in the United States.
With an F1 visa, you may stay in the United States for the duration of your studies, including any authorized practical training and other activities related to your studies. F-1 visas may also be issued to dependent family members who accompany the student.
F1 Visa New Rules
The US government has issued some F-1 visa new rules that you need to understand before applying for an F-1 visa. These rules help you understand what you need to have to increase the chances of F-1 visa approval. Let’s look at them.
- F-1 visa holders must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited institution in the U.S.
- F-1 visa holders must have/show sufficient funds available for their studies and living expenses for the entire period of their stay in the U.S.
- Applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to successfully complete their studies.
- F-1 visa holders must report any change in their status to their DSO within 30 days.
- Applicants must provide evidence of intent to return home upon completion of their studies.
- F-1 visa holders are not allowed to stay in the U.S. longer than their visa duration and must leave the country when it expires.
How to apply for a student visa?
How to apply for a student visa is the most common question asked by aspirants looking to study in the US. To apply for an F-1 visa, the first thing you need to do is to get admission documents from your institution certified by SEVP. The most significant document for applying is form I-20 given by your educational institute. Without the form I-20, you cannot proceed with your F-1 visa application.
After you receive the form, apply through form DS-160, where you mention essential details about your visa status. The fee for an F-1 visa is $160. Pay the fees and place the receipt along with your interview documents, since you will need it during the interview. You might need to pay some additional fees depending on the country and the US embassy you are applying through.
You need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, which is $200. When you get shortlisted by your institute, it immediately registers you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Once you submit the DS-160 form and pay all the necessary fees, you have to schedule your interview at the US embassy. It’s better to take an interview appointment as soon as possible to avoid any delays in the F-1 visa application process. After scheduling the appointment online, you will receive a confirmation. This interview confirmation letter needs to be carried along for the interview.
Make sure you have all the required documents in a file before appearing for the interview. The interview question will generally be related to the reasons you want to go to the US and the educational institute you are going to attend.
How can Imagility help you?
Imagility is an innovative immigration software solution that allows aspirants to create an effective F-1 visa application that takes into account all necessary requirements. With its AI and ML capabilities, Imagility automates the petition-building process and recommends improvements to ensure effective petitions. This way, the platform helps reduce the risk of rejection or Request for Evidence (RFE) and improves the chances of a successful visa approval.
The Imagility Student App simplifies the university selection, application, and visa preparation process for students. All this information is consolidated in the App, allowing students to locate universities according to their desired field, degree, and region.
The App also ensures that students are up-to-date with the visa process and gives helpful advice on the interview process. The App serves as an addition to the Imagility Platform and makes navigating the F-1 visa process a much simpler process.
Download the app on Play Store and App Store today!
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