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What is an F-1 Visa?
F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that is designed for international students planning to Study abroad in the US. You can apply for the F-1 visa after securing admission to accredited US educational institutions. The F-1 visa not only permits you to engage in part-time work during your coursework but also opens doors to post-graduation opportunities through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. However, adherence to visa duration is important, and extensions must be obtained from one's home country if the academic journey requires more time.
F-1 Visa Qualifications
If you have to qualify for the F-1 visa, you will need to qualify for some specific criteria for the interview. The same is tabulated below.
|
Criteria |
Fulfillment for Obtaining F-1 Visa |
|
Financial Support |
You have to prove that you have enough finances to support your studies and stay in the USA |
|
Strong Relation to Home Country |
You should prove your strong relation to your home country, & that you have your family, assets & bank accounts in your home country |
|
Foreign Residence |
You should have your residence in a foreign country and must return after your course completion |
|
Sponsoring Education Institution |
You are expected to study at the educational institution through which your visa was granted |
F-1 Visa Requirements
You are supposed to meet a few criteria to enter the USA. Given below are the US F-1 visa requirements.
- Full-Time Enrolment: You should be enrolled for studies in an accredited and recognised university.
- Institution: Your previous educational institution must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program (SEVP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Sufficient Bank Balance: You should have sufficient funds to support yourself throughout your stay in the USA.
- Choice of Program: You can enrol in an academic program, language-training program or vocation program.
- English Language Proficiency: You must have an acceptable English proficiency test score or must be enrolled in a language proficiency course.
- Home-Country Residence: You must submit proof of your permanent residence in your home country to indicate that you have no intention of staying permanently in the USA.
F-1 Visa Application Process
It is advisable to apply for your F-1 visa USA at least six months before the start of your semester. You are required to follow certain procedures or steps to apply for the F-1 visa. They are explained below.
- Get your offer letter and I-20 form: You should first receive a Letter of Acceptance from an SEVP-certified university. You will then receive an I-20 form from the university, which should be submitted for your F-1 visa application. The starting and ending date of your course will be written on this I-20 form, which in turn decides your duration of stay in the USA. Hence, it should be ensured that there are no mistakes in it.
- SEVIS Fee: You will be given a SEVIS ID on your I-20 form. In order to continue your F-1 visa application, you will be required to pay the SEVIS fee. It is recommended to keep a printed copy or save the receipt of your fee payment.
- Fill out the DS-160 Form: DS-160 is an online visa application form that all non-immigrants, including those applying for an F-1 visa, are required to fill out. The form will be available on the Consular Electronic Application Centre website. You will need your SEVIS ID to access this form and will have to pay a fee for the same. You can then print and save the form with the barcode.
- Schedule your F-1 visa Interview: You can then schedule your F-1 visa interview, the waitlist of which can even be more than a month. You need to carry all the required documents, including the DS-160 and I-20 forms.
- Fly to the USA: The standard visa processing time for the USA is 4-5 weeks after the visa interview. Once you receive your F-1 visa, you can book tickets to study in the USA.
The list of documents you will be required to submit along with the F-1 visa application is tabulated below.
|
Valid passport |
Proof of funds |
|
Letter of Acceptance from a recognised university |
Medical examination report |
|
Language proficiency test scorecard |
SEVIS fee payment receipt |
|
I-20 Form |
What is the Difference Between a J-1 and F-1 Student Visa?
If you are planning to participate in exchange visitor programs in the USA, you can apply for a J-1 visa. We have tabulated the key differences between a J-1 and an F-1 student visa below.
|
Basis |
J-1 Visa |
F-1 Visa |
|
Source of funding |
For a J-1 visa, a minimum of 51% of the financial support should come from external sources such as scholarships or grants, while the remainder can be provided through personal funds or familial contributions |
It is flexible with any kind of funding |
|
On-campus employment |
Limited to 20 hours & prior authorisation is required |
Limited to 20 hours, but no prior authorisation is required |
|
Grace period |
30 days |
60 days |
|
Spouses and children |
Spouses and children can apply for a work permit & can even study full-time or part-time |
Spouses and children will have to change their visa status to work or study full-time |
|
Off-campus employment |
You can apply for Academic Training, without any fee, for upto 18-36 months |
You can apply for Optional Practical Training, with a fee, only upto 12 months |
|
Health insurance |
Required but for a limited amount |
Optional, but recommended |
F-1 Visa Interview
An F-1 visa interview is one of the most important steps to study abroad. It tests your eligibility and intent of pursuing the particular course in the USA. Your academic background, financial stability, language proficiency, and much more will be tested here. You will be asked a series of questions to assess your reasons to study abroad, career goals, and how your education will be beneficial to your home country. Though the visa interview is one of the toughest processes in getting a student visa, you can easily pass it if you prepare and perform well.
What to Expect at Your Visa Interview?
There is a set of procedures that will be followed during your visa interview. The same is given below.
- The interview will be in English and will be happening in front of the visa officer at a US Embassy or Consulate.
- The questions will be quick and straightforward.
- The questions asked will vary depending on your chosen academic program, choice of university, etc.
F-1 Visa Denials
There are chances of getting your F-1 visa rejected. Though the F-1 visa rejection rate is not very high, it would be helpful for you to get a few reasons for visa rejection.
- Submission of incomplete or incorrect application.
- Being unable to convince the US Consulate of your return to your home country after the course completion.
- Failing to justify your intention of Studying in the USA.
- Not meeting minimum language requirements.
- Misbehaving with the panel during the interview.
Maintaining F-1 Visa Status
Maintaining F-1 visa status is of great importance for international students pursuing education in the United States. To ensure that you comply with the same, you must fulfil several key obligations. This includes enrolling in a full course load, making satisfactory academic progress, keeping your I-20 form up-to-date, promptly reporting any changes to your designated school official, obtaining proper authorisation for off-campus employment, and maintaining health insurance as per school requirements. Additionally, you should be aware of your visa and travel document expiration dates, fulfil the tax obligations, and always adhere to US laws to avoid any legal issues. Staying informed and proactive in meeting these requirements is vital to a successful and uninterrupted academic journey in the United States.
Can F-1 International Students Work in the US?
F-1 international students in the United States are generally allowed to work, but there are specific regulations and limitations that they must adhere to. The same is explained below.
- On-Campus Employment: F-1 visa holders can work on the university campus for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during breaks. This employment does not require special authorisation, but you should confirm with the Designated School Official (DSO) that you are eligible.
- Off-Campus Employment: Off-campus employment opportunities for F-1 visa holders are limited and typically require authorisation. The two primary types of off-campus employment authorisation are Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
We hope to have provided you with all the information related to what an F-1 visa means for those who plan to study abroad from Nepal. If you have any further doubts or queries, you can contact AECC. Our counsellors can guide you throughout the application process, from university applications to visa assistance. Do not hesitate to contact us for FREE assistance!
