Documents Required for F-1 Visa
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The F1 Visa is a US student visa (non-immigrant) required by international students who wish to study in the US. However, if you enter to study in the USA through this visa, you must complete the course's whole duration. Only the US Embassies and USA consulates outside the US have the authority to issue F-1 Visas. Certain documents are required for F-1 visa application completion, and this article will discuss them in detail.
Further, the spouse and/or children of the F-1 Visa candidates need to get the dependent’s F-2 Visa. The F-2 Visa holders are not permitted to join any form of employment although the children are allowed to attend public schools in USA. Since the visa procedure is a strenuous process, you should start applying beforehand. As soon as you receive your admit or acceptance letter from the university and the I-20 form, you should apply for an F-1 Visa.
What is an F1 Visa in USA?
An F1 visa in USA is applicable for international applicants enrolled across US universities or colleges for a full-time study program. Applicants applying for a US student visa and qualifying for an F1 visa will have to submit certain supporting documents along with a SEVIS fee and student visa fee. Check out the section below to understand what all is required to obtain an F1 visa to study in USA as an international student for a full-time program.
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F1 Visa Categories to Study in USA
To apply for a US study visa, F1 visa slot booking formalities must be completed by students 6-8 weeks before their travel to the USA. Avoid delaying your slot booking for an F1 visa as it may further cause delays in your travel and visa application approval. The following students will have to apply for an F-1 visa to study in the USA:
| Students Entering US and Attending | US Student Visa Category |
|---|---|
| University or college | F Visa |
| High School | |
| Private elementary school | |
| Seminary | |
| Conservatory | |
| Any other academic institution, even including a language training program |
Check out the article below to understand the process of getting accepted at US universities and what documents are required for a US study visa or your F-1 student visa for international students.
F1 Visa Application Process in USA
Here is what F1 visa application process includes in USA:
Step 1: Get Offer Letter & I-20 from US University
Upon enrollment at US university, the applicant will receive the I-20. Students need to show the funds and pay the deposit if required by the university to get the I-20 form. The I-20 form will act as a supporting document to prove that you have enough funds for your entire stay duration, as there is a limited number of legal employment opportunities. This form will also serve as the medium to schedule an appointment for your US student visa interview with the local US Embassy or Consulate.
Step 2: Submit SEVIS Fee
Once you receive the acceptance letter and I-20 from the US University, they will be registered with the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program). Pay the one-time application fee or SEVIS fee of USD 350 (INR 29,391). Also, keep these handy -
- SEVIS ID number
- Program start and end dates
- Intended program of study
- Funding sources
- Cost of attendance of your university of admission
- Personal information
Step 3: Submit the DS-160 Form
Complete your DS-160 form and submit it (for free, there is no charge). For this, you would need your I-20 form and SEVIS fee receipt number.
Step 4: Schedule F1 Visa Interview
Schedule your F1 visa interview after paying the fee and submitting the student visa form for the USA. You can prepare for F1 visa interview by reading case studies.
Check out the following links:
F-1 Visa Admission Requirements
Before we share the documents required for the F-1 Visa interview, we would like to reiterate that you will not be asked for any documents other than your application/ appointment letter. However, being prepared is always advisable and you should keep these documents handy for that one-in-a-million chance of the interviewer asking to see any document.
Also, file them neatly so that they are easily accessible. In addition, your original passport should be readily available, as you would be requested to submit the same.
Set 1: Personal Information
- Passport (current and all the previous ones)
- MRV Fee Receipt
- Visa Interview Appointment Letter
- DS 160 Confirmation Slip (with the bar code visible)
- SEVIS Fee Receipt
- Passport Size Photograph (as per regulations mentioned)
Set 2: Educational Documents
- Academic Transcripts like Class 10th and 12th Certificates and mark sheets
- GRE or GMAT for graduate courses and SAT or ACT scorecard for undergrad admissions
- IELTS or TOEFL scorecards or even PTE scorecards
- Bachelor’s Degree/ Provisional Degree Certificate or course completion certificate or mark sheet for all the years as well as the consolidated mark sheet (if applicable)
Set 3: Work-related Documents (if applicable)
- Joining Letter
- Salary Slips (last six months)
- Relieving Letter
Set 4: Financial Documents
- Loan Approval Letter (if applicable)
- Saving Bank Account Statement (recommended: last three years)
- Fixed Deposit Certificates (recommended: last three years)
- Tax Returns for the past three years
- Property Documents (residential, commercial, ancestral and/or farmland)
Check out: Financial Documents Required to Study Abroad
Once you have all the documents ready, you need to start preparing for the visa interview. Remember to arrive a few minutes ahead of your scheduled time with all the documents and receipts.
You might also like to read:
F1 Visa Denials
F1 visa denials can be due to multiple reasons, the denial reason will be elaborated in detail for the applicant. Applicants must ensure that they submit authentic documents for F1 visa applications. Any information that does not match the interview and documents can lead to a rejection. You can be a visa rejection due to 221(g) Rejection or also based on 214(b) Rejection. You could be a potential immigrant or lack finances or your documents are insufficient for admission.
Check out the complete list of US Student Visa (F1) Rejection Reasons and avoid them.
Are you looking for admission-related query resolution? Please write to us in the comments below or sign up for free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling.
Documents Required for F-1 Visa FAQs
Q. What documents are required for an USA F1 visa?
A. International students applying for an F1 visa to study in USA will have to submit the following documents:
- A valid and latest passport
- Photo which is same as your application
- DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmation hard copy
- I-20 form's copy
- School transcripts
- Standardised and ELP test scores
- Proof of finances
All these documents are essential in completing your F1 visa form to study in the USA.
Q. What are the requirements for F1 visa?
A. International applicants applying for an F1 visa, should have an offer letter from an SEVP recognised institution in the US. Also the applicants should have fulfilled all the visa requirements, paid SEVP, I-901 fee and completed the DS-160 form. The international students studying a full-time course at any US university and fulfilling all the eligibility criteria are eligible for an F1 visa in USA.
Q. Is getting F1 visa difficult?
A. Getting an F1 visa can be challenging, but it is not impossible. The difficulty of obtaining an F1 visa depends on several factors, including your financial situation, academic qualifications, and ties to your home country. If you can demonstrate that you have strong ties to your home country and that you plan to return after your studies, you are more likely to be approved for an F1 visa.
Q. What documents do I need for F1 visa drop box?
A. An F1 visa applicants looking for interview waivers should ideally submit the following documents to be eligible for Dropbox in USA:
- Applicant's current passport (plus all old passports if any)
- DS-160 form's confirmation page
- 2 copies of I-20 forms
- SEVIS Fee receipt
- 2 passport-size photos in US visa format
Q. Can F1 visa be denied if documents are missing or wrong?
A. Yes, F1 visa applications can be rejected if the documents are wrong or missing. Applicants at all costs must adhere to the F1 visa documentation requirements so that they do not face any rejections. Also avoid submitting incorrect information, be clear with your intentions and in case of discrepancies be ready with answers also (if the need may arise).
Q. How much bank balance is required for an F1 visa?
A. The minimum bank balance to study in USA on an F1 visa is around USD 18,000 - USD 24,000 which is around INR 20+ Lakhs. Failing to show this amount can lead to US student visa rejection.
Q. How much is the F1 visa fee?
A. The F1 visa fee is USD 185 which is INR 15,616. Applicants applying for the F1 visa have to pay this amount. The SEVIS fee is different from F1 visa fee, thus, these two should not be mixed with one another.
Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Â Is Texas A&M Commerce a good university?
Texas A&M Commerce is regarded as one of the top public universities across the United States. Moreover, the Texas A&M Commerce ranking 2024 under the category of Best Colleges is National Universities is #369. Also, the acceptance rate of this university is 42%. Additionally, the university offers the best academic programs, expert faculty, job & placement, and more. Besides, Texas A&M University-Commerce also offers over 130 academic degrees for its students.
Q: Â Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Â How long does it take to get admission to Iowa State?
After submitting the application the Iowa State admission committee will review the application for admission on the basis of documents that applicants provide. A decision may require several weeks as it depends on the time of year the applicant submits the application (Applications submitted right before the deadline require a much longer processing time due to the volume of applications received then.). Applicants will receive an admission offer letter and the I-20 Form if admitted.
Q: Â Is the University of South Dakota hard to get into?
With a 99% acceptance rate, the University of South Dakota is easy to get into. The university follows an easy approach during admission. The university takes a simple admissions procedure. The high acceptance percentage does not mean that the university admits every applicant; rather, it suggests permissive admittance as compared to another university.
Students must prove themselves by scoring excellent academic scores, English proficiency requirements, and standardized test scores. Also, the university prioritizes factors, such as rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essays, recommendations, and more.
Q: Â What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State?
International students who wish to study at Iowa State must have at least GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission. International transfer applicants must have a minimum equivalent GPA of C+ on a scale of A to F or 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for all transferable courses.
Q: Â Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
A postgraduate in English Literature from Jamia Milla Islamia, Niha has been associated with the education industry as a student counsellor for the past eight years now. Her expertise in customer service, communicat... Read Full Bio
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