US Visa Procedure

F-1 is the most common visa status used by international students in the U.S. for applying. A student applies to the university based on the requirements and waits for its decision. When the university is satisfied with the requirements and feels the student is the best fit then the university issues admission. If the student accepts the offer then s/he has to plan their finance and show proof of the same. In an F-1 visa, the student must show financial support for the first year of the program when requesting the initial document I-20.

After a university completes the admissions process, it collects necessary financial support and identification documentation for admitted international students requesting F-1 status. Those student names and biographic information are entered into a U.S. government database called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS processes the information and produces an I-20. The school official (DSO) processes and signs the I-20 and then delivers it to the student either electronically or through delivering at home.

A student has to pay the fees for SEVIS ID generation. Once the SEVIS ID is generated, the same will be issued in I-20. I-20 proves you are enrolled in a SEVP-approved full-time program and have finance to support him/her. The student then applies for an F-1 visa using DS-160. The student needs to complete the DS-160 form and pay the fees. Now the student is eligible for a visa appointment at the consulate or embassy.

The fee for the SEVIS ID is $350 and DS-160 is $185.

A visa interview is to find the intention and genuineness of the student.

When going to the visa interview, bring:

1. Passport (valid at least six months into the future)

2. Valid Certificate of Eligibility I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)

3. Proof of admission (F/J new students)

4. Evidence of Financial Support

5. Visa application forms and fees

• SEVIS Fee receipt\

• Visa Fee receipt

6. F-1/J-2  spouse or child dependents will need their own  F-1 I-20 or J-2 DS-2019 and copies of all of the primary F-1/J-1's documents

Some consulates may require additional documentation, so check the consulate website for visa application instructions. Visa application forms and fees can be found on the consulate's website.

After giving the biometrics and visa interview the officer will either accept a visa application or refuse.

A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.  A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have the authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.  After you present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 at the port-of-entry, a CBP official will make this decision.  Once you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.

Student needs to plan their travel and prepare accordingly and clear the POE interview and get stamped their passports. Hurray! Now you have entered into the USA.

Students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program. Sort your accommodation and plan your trip to the nearest date of the program. 

Join your university on the orientation day. International Student Orientation covers important immigration, employment, and cross-cultural sessions, as well as academic information specifically of interest to all international students beginning at American University. This program will give you the chance to learn important information for your studies, as well as to meet your new classmates. 

The land of opportunities is waiting for you to embrace. We wish you all the best for your student journey in the USA.

• Eligible to work part-time for up to 20 hours/week on campus for the 1st year.

• F-1 students may engage in 3 types of off-campus work after the first academic year

  • CPT

  • OPT 

  • STEM OPT 

F-1 students can pursue H-1B visas after they graduate or while they are working in the OPT program. The students are not able to apply for the H-1B visas themselves. Instead, they must find H-1B employers who are willing to sponsor them, and the employers petition for the H-1B visas on their behalf. The validity is 6 years.

A Green Card is a requirement if you someday hope to become a naturalized American citizen. Applying for a Green Card is the most plausible visa choice if you wish to remain in the US after exhausting your 6 years of H-1B visa time. Find below the steps for getting GC:

• Most H1-B falls under EB-2. 

• The employer needs to file PERM

• File I-140.

• It becomes the priority date when I-140 is filed.

• Apply for I-485.

• Wait for the visa number.

• Final Green Card approval.

• Obtain the Green Card.

• Maintain the status.