F1 Visa: Requirements, Renewal, Processing Time!

The F1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa that allows international students to study in the United States at accredited institutions. To qualify, applicants must meet specific requirements, including acceptance into a U.S. school, proof of financial support, and strong ties to their home country. The renewal process is essential for students who need to extend their stay, requiring timely application and proper documentation. The processing time varies based on the embassy, workload, and individual circumstances, so early application is recommended. Understanding these aspects ensures a smooth journey for students pursuing education in the U.S.

What is F1 Student Visa in the USA?

An international student requires the F1 Visa (non-immigrant visa) to visit a college/institution in the US to pursue higher studies. In addition to the duration of stay allowed in the US under the F1 Visa (based on the academic program), the visa holder can stay in the US for additional 60 days (if the individual is not approved to stay and work under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Program. An applicant must obtain the F1 Visa in order to enter the US for attending a university/college/institution, high school, private elementary school, seminar or any other training program.

F1 Visa Qualifications

All the candidates are required to fulfil all the requisite criteria while appearing for an F1 Visa Interview, which will increase their chances of receiving acceptance for the same:

Criteria	Criteria Fulfilment for getting an F1 Visa in the USA
Foreign Residence	The candidate must have residence in a foreign country and intend to return there upon completing the course.
Financial Support	The candidate must demonstrate that he/she has enough finances to support his/her studies and stay in the US.
Sponsoring Education Institution	The candidate is expected to study at the educational institution through which the visa was granted.
Strong relation to home country	The candidate must prove that he/she has a strong relationship with his/her home country and they have their family, assets (like house etc.) and bank accounts, in their home country.

Qualifying Factors for F1 Visa

Form DS-160 – All applicants must complete the form DS-160 to qualify for the non-immigrant F1 Visa.
Valid Passport – The applicants must possess a valid passport with sufficient blank pages to accommodate travel stamp by the US Immigration authority.
Returning to own country – The applicant will require proving that he/she is visiting the UK to complete certain course/studies and will return to his/her native country once the specified stay ends.
Admission – The applicant must seek the F1 Visa for entering one of the approved universities/institutions/schools by the SEVP.
Funds – The applicant must provide proof of sufficient funds to support his/her stay, studying, and travel expenses throughout the stay in the US.
Documents – The applicant must provide necessary documents as specified in the application form.
Visa Fee – Based on the nationality, mode of application, and other factors, the visa fee needs to be paid to proceed with the application.

Documents Required for the F1 Visa Interview

Form I-20
SEVIS I-901 receipt
Signed passport (must be valid for 6 months after entering the US)
Transcripts or diplomas from current or previous colleges/institutions
Details of program of study
Details of accommodation in the US
Proof of sufficient funds to cover all kinds of expenses during the stay
Additional documents based on the type of program, applicant’s nationality, and other factors

F1 Visa Interview

Applicants between the age group of 14 through 79 are required to go through the visa interview process while applicants under the age 13 and over the age of 80 are not required to appear for an interview unless specified by the embassy or consulate. During the interview, the applicant’s biometric data and the documents are collected and reviewed to determine the eligibility parameters. Depending on the number of applications received by the consulate/embassy, the visa interview process may take a significant amount of time. Applicants are advised to plan their application process at the earliest possible.

F1 Visa and Jobs in the US

The visa doesn’t allow the holder to illegally work in the US under the F1 Visa which could result in deportation. Based on certain factors, the international students might be allowed to work 20 hours a week. Applicants can also seek for an approval to work off campus for up to 12 months. Applicants are advised to get in touch with the international student advisor at their university/institution/school to obtain further information pertaining to working in the UK on an F1 Visa.

Applying for an F-1 Visa

For comprehensive information about the F-1 student visa application process, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Students are encouraged to apply for their F-1 visa as soon as they receive their Northeastern Form I-20. U.S. Embassies or U.S. Consulates are able to issue F-1 entry visas up to 365 days before the program start date listed on your I-20.

In most countries, student visa applicants must appear in person for the visa interview. However, each U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures. Students should consult the specific embassy website or call for application instructions.

Visit the Website of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions
U.S. Department of State estimated Global Visa Wait Times

The following documents are typically required for the F-1 visa application:

Online Non-immigrant Visa Application Form (DS-160) confirmation page
- See below if you do not yet have a local U.S. address
- For a contact person, you can put the name of the person who signed your I-20. You can find this information under “School Attestation” on your I-20.
Visa application fee payment receipt (visit the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate website for specific instructions)
Form I-20 issued by OGS at Northeastern University
Valid passport (the passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S.)
Evidence of financial support (proof of sufficient funds for estimated cost of one academic year)
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee payment receipt
A copy of your acceptance letter to Northeastern University
One photograph (see the U.S. Department of State website for photo requirements)

FAQs

1. What is an F1 Visa?

An F1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa for international students who want to study full-time at a U.S.-approved school, college, or university.

2. Who is eligible for an F1 Visa?

To qualify, you must:

Be accepted by a SEVP-approved U.S. institution
Demonstrate financial support for tuition and living expenses
Prove intent to return to your home country after studies

3. How do I apply for an F1 Visa?

Get accepted into a U.S. school and receive Form I-20
Pay the SEVIS fee ($350)
Complete the DS-160 visa application
Schedule and attend a visa interview at the U.S. embassy/consulate

4. What documents are required for an F1 Visa?

Valid passport
Form I-20 from the school
DS-160 confirmation page
SEVIS fee payment receipt
Financial proof (bank statements, scholarships, etc.)
Visa appointment confirmation

5. How much does an F1 Visa cost?

SEVIS fee: $350
Visa application (DS-160) fee: $185
Other fees may apply depending on country-specific requirements

6. How long does F1 Visa processing take?

SEVIS activation: Few days
Visa appointment wait time: Varies (can be weeks or months)
Visa approval process: Usually 4-6 weeks, but can take longer in some cases

7. Can I work on an F1 Visa?

On-campus work: Allowed up to 20 hours/week during classes
Off-campus work: Requires authorization through OPT or CPT
No unauthorized employment is allowed

8. What is OPT and CPT for F1 Visa holders?

CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Work/study program before graduation
OPT (Optional Practical Training): Work authorization for up to 12 months after graduation (STEM fields can get a 24-month extension)

9. How can I renew my F1 Visa?

If your visa expires while studying, you can remain in the U.S. but must renew before re-entering
Renewal process is similar to the initial application, but you may be eligible for an interview waiver

10. Can F1 Visa holders bring family members?

Yes, spouses and children (under 21) can apply for an F2 Visa, but they cannot work in the U.S.

11. Can an F1 Visa holder apply for a Green Card?

Yes, but it requires a change of status through employment (H1B Visa), marriage, or family sponsorship.

12. How can I check my F1 Visa status?

You can track your visa application on the CEAC website (https://ceac.state.gov) and check SEVIS status through your school.