F-1 Student Visa

F1 student visa is the visa awarded to foreign students who wish to pursue short term courses less than 18 hours a week. SEVP or Student Exchange Visitor Program is a comprehensive program introduced with the motive of helping the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to monitor the movement of non immigrant students and exchange visitors. The accurate information regarding the same is maintained in the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information Program).

Students are advised to apply for the F1 student visa early in relation to the commencement of your course. F1 student visa should provide Form I-20A-B which is called certificate of eligibility for non immigrant Student Status for academic and language students. You have to submit a SEVIS generated I-20 form which has to be given to you by your school or educational institution approved by the DHS.

In case your SEVIS I-20 form was issued after September 1, 2004, then you must pay a SEVIS I-901 fee to the DHS either through email or western union.

You have to file a duly completed and signed non immigrant visa application form DS-156 along with DS-158 and if required you have to file DS-157 too. The DS-156 must be the March 2006 electronic form called e-form application.

Once you have filed your application, then you have to wait for the confirmation which is usually called the waiting period. This waiting period differs from person to person.

Applicants in the age of 14 to 79 years have to go for an interview process where they will be digitally photographed as well as a digital fingerprint of theirs will be taken. Sometimes an additional screening may also be required. Passport and a photograph (taken according to the prescribed format) are also required. You must also possess the fee receipts of MRV, visa issuance fee (if applicable), and SEVIS I-901 fee.

In order to get F1 student visa, you have to show the diplomas and transcripts awarded by the previous institutions, scores of standard exams like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, SAT, etc. You must be in a position to prove your financial stability to meet your expenses.

In case you have dependents, you have to show a proof your relationship with them.

If you stay away from classes for more than 5 months, then you have to take a new F1 student visa to enter the US.