TABLE OF CONTENTS
Applying for an F-1 US Student Visa: A comprehensive guide
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Apply for an F1 US student visa easily, what are the requirements, the processing time and the fee, what is the academic qualification required?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Ready to start your master's or MBA in the United States? Before you pack, you'll need an F-1 student visa. This guide walks you through exactly how to apply for Fall 2026 - the requirements, what it costs now, the interview, and the new rules you'll want to know before you book anything.
Rules changed a lot in 2025 and 2026. We've updated this guide to reflect the current fees, the mandatory in-person interview, social media disclosure, and the new fixed admission period. Always double-check the official sources linked below before you apply, as processes can change.
About M,F and B visas
Generally, applicants wishing to study in the United States will be required to obtain either an F visa or an M visa. In some cases, a student wishing to enrol in a short course may need to obtain a visitor (B) visa.
What is an F visa?
An F-1 visa for academic students lets you enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, conservatory or similar academic institution. This is the visa most master's and MBA students need.
What are M visas?
An M-1 visa is for students in a vocational or non-academic programme — for example mechanical, cosmetology or culinary courses.
What are B visas?
A B-1 visitor visa is for temporary tourism or business. It generally does not let you begin postgraduate studies, and only allows short recreational courses in limited cases.
What visa do I need?
If you're heading into a master's or MBA programme, you'll need to apply for an F-1 visa. The rest of this guide focuses on the F-1.
A snapshot of the F-1 student visa:
A non-immigrant visa for full-time academic study.
Tied to the length of your programme (see the new fixed admission period below).
For non-US citizens or residents who are outside the US when they apply.
Can lead to Optional Practical Training (OPT) after you graduate.
The F-1 application process, step by step
Apply to and get accepted by a SEVP-approved school.
Receive your I-20 form from that school.
Pay the USD $350 SEVIS I-901 fee.
Complete the DS-160 online visa application form.
Pay the visa application (MRV) fee - currently USD $185.
Schedule and attend your in-person visa interview.
If approved, collect your passport with the F-1 visa.
The requirements: what you'll need for an F-1 visa
Core documents
A valid passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, in most cases).
A passport-style photo that meets the current specifications.
Your I-20 form.
Your completed DS-160 confirmation page.
Your SEVIS fee receipt and MRV fee receipt.
Documents you may also need
Academic records that qualify you for further study - transcripts and degree certificates.
Standardised test scores your programme requires - for example GMAT, GRE, IELTS or TOEFL.
A note on the DS-157. Older guides mention a DS-157 "supplemental" form for male applicants aged 16–45. This is now rarely used and is only requested in specific cases. Complete it only if your embassy or consulate asks you to - the DS-160 is the main form.
Other things that help your case
Evidence of ties to your home country (family, property, a job offer or other commitments).
Acceptance at a SEVP-approved institution.
Proof you can fund your studies and living costs.
Applying to a SEVP-approved school
Your first step is to apply to and be accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school - ideally six to twelve months before your programme starts. If you're still choosing where to study, our Where can I study tool helps you find master's and MBA programmes at supported US universities.
The I-20 form
Once you're accepted, your school's designated official will issue your I-20 - the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Its main job is to support your F-1 application, and it carries the school code and SEVIS ID you'll need throughout the process.
To issue your I-20, your school will usually ask you to show how you'll pay for your studies. That can include:
Bank statements.
Proof of a scholarship, if you have one.
If someone in the US is sponsoring you, Form I-134 (affidavit of support) plus their financial documents.
If you're funding your studies with a loan, proof of your approved loan. If you're applying with Prodigy Finance, we help you with this - see what we can offer.
Tip: Your university's international student office will guide you through getting your I-20 and usually reaches out soon after you accept your offer.
The DS-160 form
After your I-20, you'll complete the DS-160 - the online non-immigrant visa application - on the official CEAC site. Note down the Application ID shown in the top corner, and save often.
You'll be asked for:
Your name, date of birth, address and contact details.
Your passport details.
Your travel plans and any previous US travel.
Your US point of contact.
Your family, work and education history.
Background and security questions.
The SEVIS ID and address of your US school.
New: social media disclosure
Since 2025, F, M and J visa applicants must list the social media accounts they've used in the past five years on the DS-160, and are asked to set their profiles to public so they can be reviewed. Leaving accounts off, or keeping profiles private, can cause delays or a refusal. List every account, including ones you no longer use.
The fees: SEVIS and visa application
There are two fees to budget for.
SEVIS I-901 fee - USD $350. Pay this at FMJfee.com after you receive your I-20, and at least three days before your interview. Keep the receipt for your interview and for travel.
Visa application (MRV) fee - USD $185. This is the fee tied to your DS-160. Keep the receipt with your interview documents.
Heads-up on a possible new fee. A USD $250 "Visa Integrity Fee" was created by US law in 2025. As of 2026 it was not yet being collected, because the implementing rules hadn't been published. Check the official US embassy or consulate site for your country before you apply, so you budget for the correct total.
Tip: If you want to enter the US more than 30 days before your course starts, you'd need a visitor visa and a later change of status - speak to your embassy or consulate before booking flights.
Scheduling and attending your visa interview
Once your forms and fees are done, book your interview. Wait times vary by location, so apply early - an F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days before your programme start date, though you can only enter the US within 30 days of that start date.
New: in-person interviews are now standard
From 1 October 2025, nearly all F-1 applicants - including renewals - must attend an in-person interview with a consular officer. Combined with the extra vetting, this has lengthened wait times at many posts, so book as soon as you can.
Preparing for the interview
Arrive early and bring everything: passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation, both fee receipts, financial documents, and your academic records. Being organised keeps the appointment smooth.
Common F-1 interview questions
Why study in the US rather than start work in your home country?
Why this school and this programme?
What are your test scores and academic record?
How will you fund your tuition, accommodation and living costs?
Do you plan to return home after you graduate?
A few things to keep in mind
Be ready to show you can fund your studies and living costs - bank statements, scholarship letters or an approved loan.
Be clear and honest about your plans after graduation, whether that's returning home or applying to work in the US via OPT or an H-1B visa.
Getting your decision
Processing is often quick - many applicants hear the outcome shortly after the interview, though some cases take longer for further processing. If you're approved, your passport is returned with the visa. If you're refused, you'll be told the reason and can reapply with a stronger application.
Useful things to know for Fall 2026
New: fixed admission period from 15 September 2026
This is the biggest change for Fall 2026 students. A US rule taking effect on 15 September 2026 replaces the old open-ended "duration of status" with a fixed admission period. In short:
You'll be admitted for the length of your programme shown on your I-20, up to a maximum of four years, plus short arrival and departure windows.
If you need longer, you'll apply to extend your stay with USCIS, including biometrics.
Students already maintaining status on the effective date have transition arrangements based on their I-20 end date.
Because this is new and detailed, check the official Study in the States guidance and your international student office for how it applies to you.
How long is an F-1 visa valid?
Your visa stamp's validity depends on your country's reciprocity agreement with the US, and getting a visa lets you travel to a US port of entry. How long you can stay is a separate question - that's governed by your I-20 and, from 15 September 2026, the fixed admission period above.
When can I enter the US?
You can enter the US up to 30 days before the programme start date on your I-20.
Is there an age limit?
No. There's no age limit for an F-1 visa.
Do I need a medical exam?
There's generally no medical test to get an F-1 visa, though vaccination requirements can vary. Check the current requirements for your country before you travel.
Can I bring family?
Yes. Your spouse and children under 21 can join you on F-2 visas. F-2 spouses can study part-time but not enrol full-time; children can attend school up to college level until they turn 21.
Can I work on an F-1 visa?
Yes, within limits. You can usually work on campus up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work is generally only allowed through authorised programmes such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or approved economic-hardship employment - always check with your international student office first.
How long can I stay after my programme ends?
F-1 students usually have a 60-day grace period after the programme end date on the I-20 to depart, transfer or change status.
What about renewals and reapplying after a refusal?
The application process is broadly the same when you renew, and in-person interviews now apply to most renewals too. If you're refused, you can reapply once you can strengthen your case with better documentation or clearer ties to home.
A realistic word on refusal rates
Student visa refusals have risen sharply. Global F-1 refusal rates reached a decade high in recent cycles, and rates vary widely by region - so preparation matters more than ever. The strongest applications show clear funding, genuine ties to home, and honest, consistent answers. If you're funding with a loan, having your approval ready before the interview is one less thing to worry about.
After you get your F-1 visa
Congratulations - you're one step closer to your degree. Now it's a good moment to plan your arrival and your first weeks on campus and to double-check your budget.
Once you're there, drop by the international student office - they'll keep you on top of visa rules and changes. And if your loan includes living expenses, open a local bank account early so your university can transfer those funds to you.
Funding your US master's with Prodigy Finance
Worried about the money side? Prodigy Finance offers loans built for international students, supported across 120+ countries.
There's no co-signer* and no collateral required, we send the funds directly to your school, and eligible students can even have their tuition deposit refunded to help with cash flow. It's a clear way to show the funding your F-1 application needs.
Prodigy Finance provides loans to international students pursuing their master's at top schools around the world.*
