What Is an F-1 Visa and How Can You Apply for It?
For most students that’s an F-1 student visa. It’s the most common student visa for international students who want to study at approved academic institutions in the U.S.
Students who have an F-1 visa can earn a degree at MIU City University Miami because it’s an eligible academic institution. So, if you’re interested in earning a graduate degree in the United States, such as MIU City University Miami’s International MBA, we will offer guidance throughout the admissions and visa preparation process.
MIU can’t submit visa applications for our students, each student is required to act on their own behalf. But guidance from MIU can help students understand what an F-1 visa is, what the visa application process looks like, and what F-1 visa processing times are.
What is an F-1 visa and who is it for?
If you’re interested in studying in the U.S., you need to know what an F-1 visa is. An F-1 student visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows international students to study full time at approved institutions in the United States. It’s intended for students who are enrolled in Bachelor’s programs, Master’s programs, Doctoral programs, English language programs, and other courses at approved institutions.
What are the requirements to obtain an F-1 student visa?
Generally, the requirements for the F-1 visa application are as follows:
- Being accepted by a school that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
- Receiving an I-20 form from said school
- Demonstrating that you have the financial means to cover living expenses and the cost of tuition
- Showing that you plan to return home after completing your studies
- Meeting general eligibility requirements for U.S. entry
The I-20 is a crucial document because it means you’ve been accepted by an eligible school. But it doesn’t mean your visa has been approved. The U.S. government makes the final decision to grant or deny an F-1 visa application.
Students who receive an F-1 visa have to enroll full-time and be sure to comply with U.S. immigration conditions throughout their studies.
Federal immigration rules don’t require you to purchase F-1 visa health insurance, but many colleges and universities have their own insurance policies. Check your school’s particular insurance policy before you travel.
How to apply for an F-1 visa step by step
Get your I-20 from an SEVP-certified school
Once you’ve been admitted, you’ll receive an I-20 form from your school. This confirms your acceptance and also gives you other important information about your program. Remember, only schools that are SEVP-certified can issue an I-20 for an F-1 student visa.
Also remember that no school can handle the application process for you. MIU can answer questions about the documents you need to present and explain what to expect during the process. However, every student is responsible for completing the application process themself.
Pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160
Before you can schedule an interview, you have to pay the SEVIS fee. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the system used by the federal government to keep track of international students studying in the U.S.
Next, complete Form DS-160, which is the online application for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa. Here, you’ll provide information about your educational background, what your travel plans are, and other personal information.
The visa interview
Most applicants have to have a F-1 visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, where you may be asked questions about academic plans, school choice, how you plan to pay for your education, and your plans for after graduation.
Make sure you’re completely honest with the information you provide, and don’t forget to bring all of the documentation requested, including the following:
- passport
- I-20
- DS-160 confirmation page
- proof of financial support
F-1 visa processing time varies, so make sure to get started on the process well ahead of your start date.
Can you work on an F-1 visa? OPT and CPT explained
In most cases, students aren’t allowed to work. However, there are some F-1 visa work options that are allowed: including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an option for eligible students to gain experience that’s directly related to their academic program. CPT usually takes place before graduation and has to be approved by the school.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) lets eligible students work in a position that’s related to their field of study before or after graduation, depending on their circumstances. Many STEM graduates may also qualify for an extension.
You may hear of postgraduate work authorization as an F-1 OPT visa or F-1 CPT visa, but OPT and CPT aren’t separate visas. They’re simply work authorizations that you can qualify for under your existing F-1.
It’s important to remember that you can’t begin OPT work until USCIS approves your application. As USCIS states, “You may not begin your pre- or post-completion OPT until after we approve your Form I-765 and you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).”
How long you can stay, and how to renew an F-1 visa
As long as you continue to meet your F-1 visa requirements, you can stay in the United States for the duration of your academic program. Once you finish, you may be allowed a grace period before you leave the country, transfer to another school, or begin Optional Practical Training.
If for some reason your visa expires while you’re still enrolled, you may need an F-1 visa renewal before you can re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. The procedures vary depending on your country and your individual circumstances.
F-1 visa vs. other visas (J-1, F-2) and the path to a green card
The F-1 visa isn’t the only visa that allows international students to study in the U.S. In fact, there are several others.
- J-1 visa: For students enrolled in educational programs and cultural exchange programs at approved institutions.
- F-2 visa: For eligible spouses and unmarried children of F-1 students.
- M visa: For students attending vocational or nonacademic training programs.
When you compare the F-1 vs. J-1 visas, the biggest difference is the purpose of the program and which organization sponsors it.
If you’re looking for information regarding an F-1 visa to green card, it’s important to be aware that F-1s are strictly for temporary study; they’re not a direct path to permanent residency in the United States. Just the same, some students may become eligible after graduation for employment-based visas or other immigration options, which could eventually lead to permanent residence.
How to study in Miami with a hybrid master’s degree
Students who want to earn a graduate degree in the United States can take advantage of MIU’s hybrid master’s degree programs, including our International MBA. Our hybrid programs combine online coursework with on-campus university life.
Final visa decisions are made by the U.S. government, so universities can’t submit applications or approve visas. However, MIU offers guidance to eligible international students regarding the documents required for a USA student visa and university admissions processes.
References
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (n.d.). Optional practical training (OPT) for F-1 students. https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/optional-practical-training-opt-for-f-1-students
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Getting started with SEVP certification. Study in the States. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/schools/certification/start-cert
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Working in the United States. Study in the States. https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/resources/working
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Student visas. Bureau of Consular Affairs. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
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