US F-1 Student Visa: $185 + $350 SEVIS Fee

You can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during school. Off-campus work requires authorization through CPT (during studies) or OPT (after graduation).

F-1 visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days before your I-20 program start date, but you cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the program starts. Apply early as interview wait times vary significantly.

The SEVIS I-901 fee is $350 for F-1 students. Pay it online at fmjfee.com after receiving your I-20 but before your visa interview. Keep the payment receipt as you will need to bring it to your interview.

Common questions include: Why did you choose this school/program? How will you fund your studies? What are your plans after graduation? Do you have family in the US? Be honest and concise. Demonstrate strong ties to your home country and genuine intent to study.

Yes, but you need a valid F-1 visa stamp, valid I-20 with a recent travel signature from your school (within the last year), and maintained valid F-1 status. Your school's international student office can provide the travel signature.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows F-1 students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months after graduation (24-month extension available for STEM fields). Apply through USCIS with your school's recommendation, typically 90 days before graduation.

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can apply for F-2 dependent visas. F-2 holders can live in the US and attend school (K-12 or part-time at college level) but cannot work. Your school will issue dependent I-20 forms for each family member.

Falling out of status — by not attending classes, working without authorisation, or failing to maintain a full course load — can have serious consequences. You may be barred from future US visas and could face deportation. If you are having academic difficulties or personal issues, contact your school's international student office immediately — they can help you apply for a reduced course load or medical leave before you fall out of status.

You can transfer by being accepted at a new SEVP-certified school, notifying your current school of the transfer, and having your SEVIS record transferred to the new institution. The new school will issue a new I-20. You do not need a new visa stamp if your current one is still valid, but you will need the new I-20 for re-entry to the US.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is work authorisation during your studies that must be part of your curriculum — such as internships or co-ops. OPT (Optional Practical Training) is work authorisation after graduation in your field of study. CPT requires employer and school approval before starting. OPT requires USCIS approval and can take 3-5 months to process.

You must demonstrate funds to cover at least the first year of tuition plus living expenses. The exact amount is listed on your I-20 form. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, fixed deposit certificates, scholarship letters, financial sponsor letters with supporting bank documents, and education loan approval letters. The funds should be readily available, not locked in long-term investments.

For a fixed period rather than "duration of status". Under a DHS final rule effective 15 September 2026, F-1 students (and J-1 exchange visitors) are admitted until the programme end date on the I-20, capped at 4 years, plus 30 days to depart. English language training is capped at 24 months. If you need longer — a programme over 4 years, post-completion OPT, a STEM OPT extension or a new programme — you must file Form I-539 with USCIS before your admission period ends. Students already in the US and maintaining status on 15 September 2026 keep their current status until the I-20 end date or the expiry of an employment authorisation document, up to 4 years from that date. The rule is a major rule under the Congressional Review Act, so DHS has said the effective date could still move; check studyinthestates.dhs.gov and your DSO before relying on any date.