Step by step
You apply for the F-1 only after admission, in six steps from the I-20 to travel. As of September 2026, US government fees add up to US$535, and every applicant goes to an in-person interview, since the F-1 has no interview waiver.
- Admission and I-20. Once admitted, you prove your family can pay for your studies. The college reviews the documents and issues the I-20. The I-20 guide explains how much money you need to show.
- SEVIS fee. You pay the I-901 fee of US$350, using the details on your I-20. Keep the receipt.
- DS-160. You fill in the online visa application.
- Visa fee and appointment. You pay the visa application fee (MRV) of US$185 and book the interview through the official appointment site for your country.
- Interview. In person, at a US embassy or consulate.
- Travel. The visa can be issued up to 365 days before your program starts, and you can enter the US up to 30 days before it starts.
Since October 2025, the F-1 has no interview waiver, for a first visa or a renewal.
What it costs
As of September 2026, the F-1 adds US$535 in US government fees to the cost of the year: US$185 for the visa application (MRV) and US$350 for SEVIS. The Visa Integrity Fee of US$250 or more would raise the total to US$785 or more once it is collected.
| Fee | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee (MRV) | US$185 | Not refunded if the visa is refused |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | US$350 | Paid before the interview. Bring the receipt |
| Visa Integrity Fee | US$250 or more | Created by law in 2025, paid when the visa is issued and adjusted for inflation. The government has not yet published how it will collect it, and it is not on the State Department's fee page |
| Total | US$535 today (US$785 or more with the Visa Integrity Fee) |
What to bring to the interview
Bring four documents to your F-1 interview: a valid passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, your I-20 signed by you and your school official, and the SEVIS fee receipt. The officer may also ask for school records, test scores and proof of how your family will pay.
- A valid passport
- The DS-160 confirmation page
- Your Form I-20, signed by you and your school official
- The SEVIS fee receipt
The consular officer may ask for more: your school records, test scores, evidence that you intend to return home and proof of how your family will pay for tuition, housing and travel. Bring the same financial evidence you gave the college, and carry it when you enter the US, because a border officer may ask to see it. Set all your social media profiles to public: the consulate reviews the online presence of every F-1 applicant.
The 2026 rule change, on hold in court
The US government published a rule on 17 July 2026 that would change the F-1 from 15 September 2026. On 14 September 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts postponed it nationwide, in a preliminary ruling. If the rule takes effect, it provides for:
- Fixed admission period. Students would be admitted for the length of the program on their I-20, up to 4 years, instead of for as long as they keep studying. To stay longer, they would file for an extension with USCIS or leave and re-enter.
- 30 days to leave. After the program or OPT ends, the grace period to leave the US would fall from 60 to 30 days.
- OPT needs its own filing. To work on OPT after graduation, students would also have to file for an extension of stay with USCIS.
- No switching in the first year. Undergraduates could not change majors or transfer to another college during their first year, unless the government grants an exception.
While the ruling stands, the old system applies: you stay as long as you keep your student status, with 60 days to leave after your program or OPT ends. Check with your college's international office before you travel.
Can I work on an F-1 visa?
Yes, within limits. As of September 2026, F-1 students can work on campus up to 20 hours a week during classes and full time during breaks. Off-campus work needs authorization, through CPT, OPT or the economic hardship rule.
| Where | Rule |
|---|---|
| On campus | Up to 20 hours a week during classes, full time during breaks |
| Internship tied to your program (CPT) | Only with your college's authorization, usually after one full academic year |
| After graduation (OPT) | Up to 12 months per degree level |
| STEM OPT | A further 24-month extension |
| Off campus for economic hardship | Only after one academic year, with authorization |
F-1 and F-2
The F-2 is the visa for the spouse and children of an F-1 student. F-2 holders cannot work. They may study part time, and children may attend school full time. To study full time at a college, an F-2 holder has to change to F-1.
F-1 or J-1?
Colleges and universities use the F-1. The J-1 is for approved exchange programs, such as research or summer work, and uses the DS-2019 instead of the I-20.