How to obtain an F1 VISA

The F1 visa can be given to international students who want to attend an ELP English language Program or academic program at a university or college in the United States of America. Students applying for F1 visa are responsible for maintaining the minimum course load to get the status of a full-time student. Additionally, students can stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 60 days longer after they have successfully finished their academic program.

Likewise, F1 students are also allowed to remain in the U.S. for as long as 12 months once they have completed their degree if they wish to work under the Optional Practical Training or OPT program. They are also required to finish their degrees no longer than the expiration date stated on their Certificate of eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or I-20 form. This will be given by the university or college the student wishes to attend.

To qualify for an F1 visa, international students must successfully meet the following criteria:

  • The student must have a legitimate foreign residence and when the student has completed his studies, should return to his foreign residence by his F1 visa expiration date.
  • The student should also show that he has abundant financial support.
  • The student should exclusively attend the college or university responsible for granting his F1 visa.
  • The student must also show that he has strong ties to his home country such as in the form of family, assets, bank accounts, and job offers among others.

Once granted an F1 visa, the international student, also called F1 student is typically allowed to complete a post-completion practical training for up to 1 year after finishing his degree. This kind of practical training can only be started strictly after successful completion of the degree.

How to Apply for an F1 Visa

American F1 Visa

Because all universities and colleges operate differently, they also implement different policies for admission. They will be informing you of the things they require of you which will be their basis to verify if you are academically eligible or not.

Not factoring in your academic eligibility, one important requirement is that you should show proof that you will have ample funds for supporting yourself while finishing your degree program even if you don’t work. Likewise, you should preferably present health insurance that you can use as coverage for medical expenses in the event that you require medical assistance while studying abroad.

When your university or college has confirmed your academic eligibility and completion of application, they will provide you with the form I-20 or Certificate of eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status which you will need for applying for F1 visa. It is vital to note the importance of making copies of everything that is sent out in case of misunderstandings and such.

In general, students should apply at the U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy that has jurisdiction over the student’s legal place of residence. Typically, this should be in your place of birth or home country where you reside. It is also possible for students to apply for an F1 visa abroad but it may be harder for them to qualify since it is not in their country of residence.

What You Need when Applying for an F1 Visa

The following is the list of F1 visa requirements when applying at the U.S. Embassy.

  • Application fee payment. This payment is non-refundable so even in the event that you are not granted an F1 visa, you cannot ask for your money back.
  • The DS-156 application form accordingly signed and completed. These can be obtained through U.S. consular offices and are free of charge.
  • The form DS-157 for all males between the ages of 16 and 45.
  • A passport with a valid U.S. visa and a validity date of 6 months minimum beyond the planned length of stay in the U.S.
  • For ‘M’ applicants, an I-20M-N form and for the ‘F’ applicants, an I-20A-B form. This type of form is confirmation that you have been successfully accepted to the U.S. university, college or institution you wish to attend.
  • One 1 and ½ inches to 2X2 photo with a light background, showing the front view of your face and without anything covering your head.
  • Enough proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while studying.

These documents are very important and essential. You should also prove to the U.S. Consulate officer that you have strong ties to your home country so that you will surely return to your home country after finishing your studies. To do this, you should present various evidence you can get to clearly show your intention of going back and not staying in the U.S.

In this case, evidence may include proof that your immediate family is living in your home country, ownership of various property, such as a car, bank account, etc., mortgage payment receipts, assets  and if possible, a formal letter from a prospective employer clearly stating the employer’s intention of hiring you once you are finished studying abroad.

F1 Visa Employment

In general, regulations by the U.S. Immigration are strict when it comes with F1 visa student holders who want to work while studying. However, they do allow international students to engage in on-campus and part-time employment amounting to only 20 hours weekly.

On the other hand, on-campus jobs more often than not give out lower wages, which is surely not sufficient to pay for your education. In this regard, these types of jobs are only counted upon for supplemental income and should not be your only source of funds.