This provides information about US Student Visa – F1 Visa. For a prospective non-immigrant student to study in SEVIS Certified school would have to obtain F or M Visa (non-academic courses). In order to apply for F1 Visa, student should have received Form I-20 from SEVP certified schools in USA. After receiving I-20, student have to attend Visa interview at US Consulate.
F1 Visa Interview Tips
Many students get visa denied, because they were not well prepared for the interview. I suggest you read the following articles to get a feel for F1 Visa interview process.
- F1 Student Visa Interview questions
- F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers
- F1 Visa Interview Tips
- How to Calculate Required Bank Balance for F1 Visa
- Steps to calculate Total Tuition Fees for I-20
- F1 Visa – How to Show Bank Balance for 2 Years
Above article should have given you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare for F1 Visa Interview. But, to go to next step, you have to read F1 visa interview experiences posted by other students.
F1 Visa – FAQ’s
- Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date.
- Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.
What is SEVIS and SEVP?
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) – Designed to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors.
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students. It enables schools to transmit mandatory information via the Internet, to the DHS and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States.
Requirements for F1 Visa
- Have a residence abroad, with no immediate intention of abandoning that residence;
- Intend to depart from the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
- Possess sufficient funds to pursue the proposed course of study.
Applying for Student Visa (F1)
To apply for student visa in India you would have to do the following
- Pay the fees in approved HDFC Banks (Refer to VFS Website)
- Complete DS-160 form (online)
- Use the Confirmation number printed in DS-160 to schedule F1 Visa appointment in VFS Website.
- Follow the instructions on VFS Site about required documents and interview procedure.
Students in other countries refer to respective US Consulate website about F1 Visa interview process.
Required Documents
Read this article to get complete list of F1 Visa Interview Documents (and samples). Now you have the list of documents, but that alone will not get the job done. Good preparation is the key to get F1 Visa.
How Long can you stay in F1 Visa
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. In your I-20 and I-94 form you will see D/S written at Port of Entry.
That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, the student is allowed the following additional time in the U.S. before departure:
- F-1 student – An additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the U.S. or to transfer to another school
OPT/CPT
- CPT – Curriculum Practical Training
- OPT – Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have an I-20 endorsed for OPT, and provide a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student’s area of study.
Hello All
Been a while since i visited the site…
I'm in a fix and need some clarification…
I'm a student on F1 status. I came to the US for a master's degree in mgnt. in 2006. Graduated in December 07' and was working on OPT till December 2008, got my OPT extended and worked from January 2009 till May 2010. Due to financial situations, the 2 companies i worked for on my OPT weren't able to sponsor H1 work visa. After completion of OPT i enrolled into another school for a MBA program.
Now, here's the situation;
While checking my visa status, the expiry date is December 2010 on the passport. Do i need to do something from my end to extend this or can I still be in the US after expiration date.
I have been reading forums and came to know that the validity is only for entry but if I'm in the US legally, I do not need to extend visa.
I have already updated my status in SEVIS and I'm a full time student again.
Can some one confirm if I'm correct here?
Thanks
If your I-20 is valid, then you don't need to worry about expired visa.
HSB, PLS I NEED ADVICE. I graduated from high school in 2005. I was admitted to study in my home country to study, i've studied for 3years, but the school has been experiencing till now. I want to leave the school to study in USA. Whats the best reason i would give VO for the five year gap till 2010. I plan to attend interview first week of november. I have some documents like
1. My late fathers landed property document.
2. Letter of employment.
3. I-20 form
4. Letter of future employment from a hospital(my intended course of study is B.Sc nursing)
5. My certificates of graduation from primary school and secondary school.
6. Letter of admission from the USA college.
7. A bank statement showing liquid cash of above $25000 from my uncle who is my sponsor.
What other documents do i need, and what advice do u have for me regarding the interview.
Contact me using [email protected], i want to succeed for the f-1 visa.
James,
If your funds match the amount in I 20 you should be fine money wise. But you need to come up to a story to convince that you would be legitimate student. Don't let them anticipate that you want to move to the US. Justify the 5 yr gap the best you can. Even American people take gaps from school . Tell them you were working for a while and now you are returning to the school. You should be fine in the interview. Use correct English and right tone of your voice (not too needy or too careless and not overconfident)
Thanks and good luck,
Ron
Hi,
I have secured admission and I20 in MA in Management program at from a US uni. I also have qualified for Permanent Residentship in Canada and I will have to send my passport to the Canadian consulate by this month to have my Canadian Immigration Visa stamped on it. Now I have following options regarding facing F1 interview:
1. Should I face F1 interview first at US consulate with my present passport with no Canadian Immigration Visa stamped on it?
2. Or should I get my Canadian Immigration Visa first and then face US consulate for F1 with my Immigration Visa Stamped on my passport?
I worry that, if I face F1 interview with my Immigration Visa Stamped on my passport then the VO may reject me on the grounds of "Potential Immigrant" .
As I have both the options available I would highly appreciate your frank commen on my predicament.
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
I have an MBA from UK and have been teaching Economics for almost 5 years at a University. My Toelf iBT score is 105. I have secured admission and I20 in MA in Management program at New Mexico State Uni. The program didn't require GRE and I haven't appeared at GRE/GMAT. Now, can you please help me answering following very obvious questions for my F1 interview?
1. Why did you choose USA instead of UK, whereas you are already familiar with UK education system and culture?
2. Did you choose the university because it didn't require GRE for admissions?
I would highly appreciate your frank comment.
Thanks in advance.
Dear Invictus,
Try to get admit for a PhD program in economics instead of another masters degree. If try to appear for the interview with a mediocre university with bypassing the GRE requirement, you will hamper your chances of getting a visa.They will suspect that you are leaving your stable job and going for another masters in order to settle in the US. But if you stil want to appear the interview make a solid connection between your British degree, your job and how everything fits with your American university admit.
I got visa on 24th aug
And i am very much thank full to this site , which helped me a lot.
I have less aggrigate even though i learned how to manage the VO through this web site so every body follow this site to achieve.
Dear Sir/Ma'am
I have been admitted in a University in Illinois. They issued me an I-20 and a SEVIS number. I got the student Visa late and my I-20 has expired. I have also applied to another university in California. Now if I get an admission offer from the California State University, I would definitely accept it. My question is:
If I enter the US on the I-20 from the Illinois University and then after entering the US, after a couple of weeks, can I register in the California State University???
I know that in this case I have to change my SEVIS and Annotation on my F1 visa to CSU.
As u know that it may take more than three months to get a visa. If I apply for the visa all the way from the start with the new SEVIS and I-20, I may not be able to reach the university in time for the classes.
So, what should I do? Should I apply for the new visa or should I go to the US and change my annotation from there???? Please Advise me.
please give me top institutes in usa for phd programme in condensed matter physics.
hai all iam ganesh i hav applied 4 3 universities 2 do my masters in MS in CS i b.tech aggregate is 64% toefl is 108 n gre not yet take…..the thing is iam not wellprepared with gre unfortunately if i get low score do i hav a chance of getting my visa as i hav good toefl score if the officer pointouts n compars rer n toefl…..most probably ill b gng 4 visa interview in after mid october….
i applied for f1 visa twice and was rejected both time … I applied for B.S.B.A ……..the VO just stuck to why do u choose wright state university ,ohio as ur first preference and not california state university -stanislaus …… i said wright state university is a well known state university its business program is accredited by AACSB(the assosiation to advance collegiate school of businsess)….. i dont know what was the reason i was refused … and in the first attempt he asked why not long island university … plss help me
Sorry that your visa was denied twice. I think they felt that you are not the genuine student cause you changed the university. You should convince the VO about selection of university such a way that they whould feel that you are passionatre about your research interest and the university program fits into your backround and interest. They very well know about the university. You shouldn't take their questions literally. They want to know if the program you want to study would fit into your personality. So next time talk about youreself more and less about your university. Good luck. This is Ron from the University of Wisconsin.
Hi,
With my TOEFL mark I got admitted for master's in univ of michigan-dearborn.Is it mandatory to submit my GRE mark in VISA interview??
Hello sir , My name is Sharan completed my engineering in computer science with aggregate of 65 % from VTU,I am a 2009 passed out. I have no Back logs , but wasted 2 years as i didnt got right job , Now I am planning for fall 2011. I am going to write gre on NOV 2010 and toefl on NOV last week, if the question like "Wat did you do these 2 years "
is asked in Visa interview ,wat should i need to answer ?? any answers will be welcomed
Do not tell VO that you wasted two years in job search. They will assume that you have nothing to do in India and thats the reason you want to go to the US. Two year break is ok. We all take breaks from studies. Just tell them you were engaged in your hobby plus did volunteer work etc. Justify your gap positively. I think you shouldn't have any problem.
Hello,
I have applied for f1 visa in 2008, and i got rejected. Now again i’m applying for MBA jan 2011.
My query is i passed my 12th in 2005, and i passed my Diploma in Business Administration in Aug 2008. But i have applied for undergradutation program i.e, bcom in 2008 as my result were not out. So to fill this three years gap i showed a work experience, but the problem is now i have lost the exp letter and ds-160 xerox form, so i dnt know what dates i showed them as my work experience ? This time i applying for mba, After 2008 to till date i’m doing MCSE, RHCE, CCNP and i have the id card of the institute so not an issue from 2008. But my actual question is am i gonna be in trouble that why did u apply for bcom in 2008 when u were doing bba. And why u didnt mention in ds-160. Well i was doing distance learning course. Will i be blacklisted..?
Thanks.
Hi friends actually i should be 2009 passed out but due to some health problem i have been detained during my 2-1 due to lack of attendance and now it's 2010
with an aggregate of 63.54% and 5 back logs how should i face the visa please give me some guidelines and are there any chances for me to get the visa………
GRE-920 TOEFL-93
Hi sir,
What is your name?
Devi reddy samithkumar Reddy
Name of the university?
Northwestern polytechnic university
Why are you going to US?
Study MS in CSE.
What is your percentage?
65%
How many back locks?
25
What are you doing from last 1year?
In order to support my studies i did Diploma in Hardware and networking for a period of 6months then i did job as a trainee in network engineering for 6 months.
I got rejection at Hyderabad on 16th aug 2010
Hi Samith i also got for Northwestern polytechnic university.. and my visa interview is more are less same.He asked if i would return after studies and i told yes.but i also got rejected.
Do not tell lies..this is not the place..pls be truthful to yourself first ..and then be truthful to VO.
hi.i am 2009 passout and had 18 backlogs which i cleared all in 3rd year.i attended for US F1 visa(Hyderabad Consulate) two times and got rejected due to backlogs.what should i do now?should i apply for some other country?my frnds told australia and uk visas are easy with those many backlogs.Is there no hope for me for US?
is my wife will travel with me on f1 visa because she is my dependent.
She would need F2 visa stamping.
Taking loan from Indian bank or banks of USA makes any difference in monetary terms?
hello every1
i have visited this site and found this 1 much informative.i have a question and your response will be much appreciated.i have been approved US student visa on 20th july but my case is in additional administrative process.i can attend university no later than 25th august 2010.my question is if i dont get my visa before 25th.then will i have to appear in interview again or they will issue me visa and i will have to take admission in spring session.plz reply its 2 urgent.
regards
umair
I'm in the exact same situation. Give me a mail id we can discuss further
My Brother also is facing with similar issue , could you pls let me know what would be the options , is it possible to get an extension from the Univ to report late by 1 / 2 weeks ? Your response is greatly appreciated
hello,
I just went for an F1 visa interview on 2nd august in new delhi consulate. even though they kept my passport and visa they asked me to answer/send some information through email. how long will it take them to give my passport back? I have full aid from an university and had previously an F1 with me.
Thanks
Hey Guys,
It was my second attempt today and i finally heards those Golden words
Hello, i went for my visa intv on the 19th july and i am rejected i dont know where i went wrong but the VO told me i dont have STRONG TIE to my country,can anyone explain this and is there a chance that i got a visa in my next interview,pls advice
will the VO takes all the documents like mark sheets gre score card etc., for further clarification
Hi Friends,
My name is Sunil Kumar and I have been selected for MS in Computer Science at Maharishi University of Management, Fairfiled, IOWA, USA. My visa interview date is August 13, 2010. I need some advice for the interview. First of all, I have been working as a programmer at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla for past 6 years on contractual basis. I had done Master of Computer Applications from the same University, I am working with in 2001. Thereafter, I was there in the university taking teaching classes and finally got contract on June 10, 2005. I had been refused F1-Visa once last year in Oct. The reason being 214(b). Please tell me how can I get through the visa interview this time.
hai everyone is there anyone going for university of missouri st louis.. for fall 2010 … i am foing for fall 2010….
which univ u hav applied?
n was dat a old lady who was takin ur interview?
she has lil curly hairs???
Yes,
She was a middle aged lady and my university is ‘Marywood University’
I know i screwed up the interview but i am really worried for my chances in second attempt
Dear Sir/Mam,
I had my interview at 9:30 today…
VO- When did you pass out
ME- i completed in 2009, dollowing which i did 1 year rotatory internship
VO- what in bachelors
ME- Bachelors of Homeopathic Medicine and surgery
VO- Why Psychology
ME- It was one of my subjects during bachelor's and since then i found that it is very related to my stream and we utilize the concepts of psychology knowingly and unknowingly
VO- How
ME- We lay alot of stress on mental symptoms and use psychotherapies like free association type &c
VO- But i feel psychology is more related to Diagnostics rather than counselling
ME- Yeah, but there is a seperate stream of clinical psychology, which i will be opting in my electives in second year, so that i can relate it to my stream
VO- how many univs
ME- 4
VO- Why XXX as first preference
ME- Actually my first preference was Suny Binghamton but since i didn't manage to get an admit from that, i have selceed this XXX
VO- Why Binghamton as first preference
ME- because of higher ranking and better infrastructure
VO- did you get an admit from texas A&M
ME- No
VO- your parents sponsoring you
ME- Yes, they have XXX in liquid assets and XX crore in immovables
VO- What do they do
ME- told
VO- sorry, i can't give you a visa today, i am not convinced
Please tell me where did i went wrong, what was the reason of 214(b). Can i stand any chance if i apply again. what shall i do, please guide me
Hello doctor,
I am sorry for what happened with you. I know how exactly it feels as I had been in that situation about for years back. However, I don't think you performed well in your interview. There are many things which yo need to pay attention during your second attempt. You should clearly link the psychology research to our undergrad. I can't find any connection of Homeopathic medicine and psychology. Better take admission to other programs which fit well to your background such as public health health administration etc. But if you want to stick with psychology, relate its research well with medical science. Your intension should be to learn research methods in psychology and not the 'practice' of psychology. You did poor job in explaining your scholarly attitude by confessing your rejections. Mention about your other admits and your selection of the particular university, not only good infrastructure or other physical attractions but the research situation and faculties, your research interests etc should be covered in your answer cause those things will help the visa officer to conclude that you are deserving candidate to sent to the United States. The point is that you should always be positive and show your worth to visa officers. There is no place for looser in the United States. Show that you are a winner and you fight for yourself. Good luck for next time.
Take care and think about what I told you.
Ron, PhD(current student)-University of Wisconsin, MPH,BAMS,
hi, i went for my visa intv on the 22th november and i am rejected, the VO said that she is not convinced that my sponsor who is not close to me will pay for me plus he has 2 children,i show her my afidavit of suport but she wasn't convinced but he wants to pay my study, he owns a compagny and promise me when i get my master degree there, i'll get a work in his cmpagny, i wanted to apply again can anyone help what to provide again as documents or do i have to change my sponsor??
my university doen't require gre or toffel what shoud i answer am i right
I have posted your experience here – http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/f1-visa-appointme…
even my colleges does require gmat about toefl my college says if u passed my eng lish medium college we do not require toefl i got a toefl and gmat wavier letter from my uni. u can request ur college to give u one.
All d best
Hi HSB,
I am an avid follower of your site. I am a Bangladeshi. I recently got an admit for a renowned university in USA for MS. Academiclly, my aim is to do MS, then PhD in the same university, then come back to bangladesh to be an assistant Professor in one of the universities here in bangladesh. So, since i got admitted for MS (not Phd yet), will mentioning this reduce my chances of gettting the visa? Should I rather say I want to come back to BD after MS and be a lecturer here in Bangladesh. That would contradict my Statement of purpose though, where I showed intent to do PhD. Any advice?
Another thing is that I did an bachelor in electrical engineering, and a also targetting MS in the same field. But i went to USA before during my undergrad in the summer on a summer educatinal activity as a game programmer. So does this send any red signal to the VO? please advice. My interested field is computer architecture.
Hello HSB,
I have my 2nd F1 visa interview in one week.
I am already studying in an American University…the university have a tie up with Business school and I am taking a campus transfer to USA.
In the 1st Visa Interview..Vo asked me that how many Universities I Have applied.
I said only one…XYZ University as I am already studying at this university and just taking the campus transfer…and VO rejected my Visa.
I was honest during the interview.
What if VO will ask again the same question?
Please advice!