F1 visa timeline: When to apply, book your interview and get your visa (for Indian students)
A clear F1 visa timeline for Indian students. Learn when to request your I-20, submit the DS-160, book your interview and avoid delays.
Timing is one of the most underestimated parts of the F1 visa process.
Many Indian students have everything else ready, university admits, funding plans, documents, then get stuck on the same question: when do I do what? This guide breaks down the F1 visa timeline for Indian students, shows how it can shift by intake, and helps you plan each step without last-minute panic.
Understanding the F1 visa timeline
The US student visa process follows a fixed sequence, but the timing can vary depending on:
Your intake (Fall vs Spring)
How early you receive your admit
Visa appointment availability in India
Start early and you’ll have options. Start late and you’ll be working around whatever slots are left.
F1 visa timeline by intake
Fall intake (August / September start)
This is the busiest intake for Indian students and the most competitive for visa slots.
Typical timeline
University admits received: January to March
Accept offer and request I-20: February to April
I-20 issued: March to May
Pay SEVIS fee: immediately after receiving your I-20
Submit DS-160 form: the same week as your SEVIS payment
Book visa appointment: April to June
Visa interview: May to July
Visa decision: often the same day or within a few working days
Tip: For Fall intake, aim to have your DS-160 ready by April if possible.
Spring intake (January start)
Spring intake is less crowded, yet it still rewards planning.
Typical timeline
University admits received: July to September
Accept offer and request I-20: August to October
I-20 issued: September to November
Pay SEVIS fee: immediately after receiving your I-20
Submit DS-160 form: the same week
Book visa appointment: October to December
Visa interview: November to December
Visa decision: usually quick if your documents are clear
Spring applicants often have more flexibility with slots, though delays can still happen, especially if your I-20 or funding proof takes time to finalise.
When should you request your I-20?
Request your I-20 as soon as you accept your university offer.
Universities usually require:
Proof of funding
A passport copy
Completed internal forms
Delaying your I-20 request is one of the most common reasons students fall behind.
When to pay the SEVIS fee
Once you receive your I-20, you can pay the SEVIS fee immediately.
You’ll need the SEVIS fee receipt for:
Booking your visa appointment
Attending your visa interview
There’s no upside to delaying this step.
When to submit the DS-160 form
Submit your DS-160 after:
Receiving your I-20
Paying the SEVIS fee
Timing-wise, aim to submit:
At least 2 to 4 weeks before your visa interview
Earlier for Fall intake, where demand is higher
Make sure your DS-160 details align exactly with your I-20 and funding documents. Small inconsistencies can create avoidable questions.
If you haven’t completed it yet, a step-by-step DS-160 form guide can help you fill it in correctly and avoid common mistakes.
When to book your F1 visa appointment in India
Visa slots in India can fill quickly, especially for Fall intake.
General guidance:
Book your appointment as soon as you submit your DS-160
Be flexible with dates and locations if possible
Don’t wait for “perfect” preparation before booking
You can keep refining your documents and interview answers after you have a slot.
When will you get your visa decision?
In many cases:
The decision is given on the same day as the interview
Passport return usually takes a few working days
If additional processing is required, timelines may vary.
Common F1 visa timeline mistakes to avoid
These are the mistakes that usually create unnecessary stress:
Waiting too long to request the I-20
Submitting the DS-160 before details are final
Booking visa slots too late for Fall intake
Rushing interview preparation at the last minute
Inconsistent information between DS-160, documents and interview answers
Good sequencing is just as important as good preparation.
How the timeline fits into your overall visa preparation
Your timeline works best when it aligns with:
Your DS-160 application
Your documents checklist
Your interview preparation
If you’re still preparing answers, see our guide to F1 visa interview questions and answers. If you want to make sure your documents are ready, use an F1 visa documents checklist for Indian students.
One clear next step
Funding preparation is a key part of your visa timeline. If you’re planning to use an international student loan, checking eligibility early can help you line up the right documents and keep your DS-160 answers consistent when you need them most.*
Check your loan eligibility with Prodigy Finance*
