Immigration Guide · USA

F-1 Student Visa: How to Get It, How Much It Costs, and What You Need to Know

It is one of the most popular ways to live and study legally in the USA, though there are nuances: you cannot choose just any school, you cannot work immediately, and ties to your home country often determine the outcome of the interview.

Varieties Language schools Working on an F-1 visa Price 2026 Changes FAQ
Where to start

A student visa is one of the most popular ways to live and study legally in the USA. However, it comes with many nuances: you cannot choose just any school, you are not permitted to work immediately, and the way you articulate the purpose of your trip during the interview often determines the outcome of your application.

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa; the law operates on the premise that you are coming temporarily and for a specific purpose. The consular officer must see a valid reason for your studies and be convinced that you plan to return home after completing the program.

Before choosing

Student Visa: Types

The term "student visa" usually refers to several different categories at once.

F-1

Standard student visa

For academic study: university, college, or language courses. This is the specific type obtained by the vast majority of students—and it is the one we focus on in this overview.

M-1

Vocational and technical training

For non-academic training—such as summer schools, culinary courses, or technical training—the conditions are stricter: the duration of study is strictly limited, and work permits are rarely granted.

F-2 / M-2

Status of spouse and children

Generally speaking, independent study is not permitted under this status. Children may attend school up to the 12th grade.

Separately The J-1 visa (for exchange program participants) is technically also an educational trip, but it falls under a different category with its own sponsor and rules; it is not covered in this analysis.
Where can I apply?

Two main types of F-1 visa programs

University / College

Bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, as well as community college programs. You need a logical educational and career plan: why this specific program, how it relates to your past experience, and what comes next.

Language Courses (IEP)

Intensive English programs offered by private schools or universities. A student visa requires a specific justification regarding how the language will be used subsequently—for work, business, or further education.

Necessarily Both options require enrollment in an SEVP-certified institution and obtaining Form I-20; without it, it is impossible to apply for a visa.
Common mistake

Language courses: check the school's license in advance.

Not every language school is authorized to issue Form I-20. Only SEVP certification grants the right to work with F-1 students; without it, a school physically cannot process visa documents, even if its website looks professional.

Checking the license is literally the first step to take before paying for the course, not after.

  • Check the status of a specific school in the official SEVP registry.
  • Ensure the certification is current at the time of submission—schools do lose their accreditation, and this is not uncommon.
  • Request the SEVP certification number directly from the school if it does not appear in the public search.
SEVP Rules

Training format: in-person only; online training is prohibited.

SEVP regulations strictly prohibit schools from shifting programs for international students to a fully remote format. No more than one online course per semester may count toward the course load (and even then, not for language programs).

18 hours/week

The minimum course load for language programs is the official SEVP threshold. In practice, reputable schools offer 20–25 hours per week.

Full course load

University programs have their own standard—a full academic workload established by the educational institution itself.

For university admission

Language test: which one to take

The specific test and minimum score are determined by the educational institution itself—check these details when selecting the program, rather than after submitting your documents.

TOEFL iBT
IELTS Academic
Duolingo English Test

More and more universities are accepting it.

PTE Academic

Sometimes.

In short: the immediate answer is no.

Student visa: can you work?

Initially, working is not permitted—neither while taking language courses nor during the first period of university study. However, legal options become available as your studies progress.

On-campus

On-campus employment

Permitted without a separate authorization: usually up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks.

CPT

Curricular Practical Training

Practical training or an internship related to the study program. It is available after a certain period of study and is arranged through the school.

OPT

Optional Practical Training

A work permit for employment in the field of study after program completion—usually for 12 months.

STEM OPT

STEM Extension

Graduates with STEM degrees may extend their OPT for an additional 24 months.

Important A student visa allows for employment, provided the appropriate work authorization is obtained. You should clear any type of employment with the school’s international office (DSO) in advance.
Step by step

F-1 Student Visa: Application Process

01

Admission

Enrollment and receipt of Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school.

02

Payment of fees

SEVIS I-901 fee and consular visa application fee.

03

DS-160 Form

Online questionnaire on the U.S. State Department website.

04

Scheduling an interview

Selecting a date at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

05

Student Visa and Interview

The purpose of the trip, financial standing, and ties to the home country are assessed.

06

After approval

The student visa is stamped in the passport. Entry is permitted no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed on the I-20.

Fees and Training

How much does an F-1 student visa cost?

In addition to the tuition fees themselves, state fees must be paid when processing the application.

SEVIS I-901 — $350

It is paid after receiving the I-20 and before the interview.

MRV fee — $185

Consular fee for visa processing, payable before scheduling an interview appointment.

Total ≈ $535

Neither amount is refundable, even if the visa is refused.

Starting in 2025 The student visa entails an additional Visa Integrity Fee ($250), but as of mid-2026, the mechanism for collecting it has not yet been implemented.
Tentatively scheduled for 2026

Student visa: estimated tuition fees

IEP

Language courses

$500–800 per week for tuition alone. $2,500–4,500 per month, including accommodation, meals, and insurance.

State

State University

On average, $25,000–$30,000 per year (tuition for international students).

Private

Private university

On average, $40,000–$45,000 per year; at top universities, up to $60,000–$70,000.

Total Including accommodation, insurance, and other expenses, the total cost of a year of study usually ranges from $32,000 to $90,000.
Student visa: the key condition for approval

Connection to the homeland

Section 214(b) of U.S. immigration law operates on the presumption that every non-immigrant visa applicant is a potential immigrant until proven otherwise. During the interview, the officer evaluates not primarily the academic documents, but rather how convincingly the individual demonstrates an intention to return home.

A weak or vague connection to one’s home country means the student visa is unlikely to be approved, even with a top-tier educational institution and strong documentation.

  • Family, real estate, and assets in the country of residence.
  • A job or career prospects worth returning for.
  • A clear and logical plan covering "why this training" and "what comes after it."
  • Absence of contradictions between the purpose of the trip, financial documents, and the applicant's background.
Attention

Important change effective September 15, 2026

July 17, 2026 — DHS, final rule

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is eliminating "duration of status" (D/S) for F (as well as J and I) students. Instead, a fixed period of stay is being established—based on the program end date on Form I-20, but not to exceed four years, plus a period for entry and departure.

If a student needs to stay longer, they will need to submit a separate application for an Extension of Stay to USCIS. For those planning a long course of study, OPT, or a change of program, this significantly alters the usual approach to planning.

Must not forget

What else is worth knowing

Grace period — 60 days

Upon completion of the program—to leave the country, transfer, or apply for a change of status.

Attendance ≥ 80%

Language schools are required to track attendance, and absences affect a student's status.

Second degree

Under the new rule, students holding a U.S. degree will not be able to enroll in a program at the same or a lower level after September 15, 2026.

Changing schools

It is possible, but requires notification via SEVIS and must not interrupt status.

Are you planning to study in the US or already preparing your visa application? Let’s review your situation.

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Questions and Answers

F-1 Student Visa FAQ

How long does it take to process an F-1 visa?
The timeline consists of two parts: the time required to receive the I-20 form from the school (usually a few weeks after enrollment) and the wait time for a consular interview, which varies significantly depending on the city and the season. It is advisable to submit your documents well in advance—though no earlier than 120 days before the program start date listed on the I-20—as the visa is issued immediately, while entry into the country is permitted only within the 30-day period prior to the start of classes.
Can I study part-time on an F-1 visa?
No. F-1 status requires a full course of study—whether for university or language courses. Switching to a reduced course load without approval from the school's international office (DSO) is considered a violation of status and may lead to its termination.
What happens if your visa application is rejected? Can you apply again?
Yes, re-applying is possible; a refusal under Section 214(b) is not a permanent ban. However, it is worth re-applying only if your situation has genuinely changed—for instance, if you have new arguments demonstrating ties to your home country, a clearer plan, or other supporting evidence.
Can a student's spouse or child work or study in the U.S.?
A spouse holding F-2 status cannot work under any circumstances. Studying is permitted, but not in a full-time university program; individual courses, hobby classes, and part-time language courses are allowed. Children with F-2 status may attend school normally but cannot enroll in a full-time college program while retaining dependent status.
Is it possible to transfer to another school or program after starting your studies?
Yes, a transfer is possible, but it involves a separate procedure via SEVIS: the current school designates the transfer date, and the new school issues a new I-20. It is important to avoid a gap in status between the schools and to notify both parties in advance, rather than after the fact.
Are there age restrictions for obtaining an F-1 visa?
There is no formal age limit, but in practice, additional requirements apply to minors (those attending school rather than university)—typically, a designated guardian in the U.S. and a school willing to accept such students are required. There are no age restrictions for adult students enrolling in universities or language courses.
What is the difference between an F-1 student visa and a B1/B2 tourist visa for a short course?
If a course exceeds 18 hours of instruction per week or is explicitly marketed as a "study program," an F-1 visa is formally required, regardless of the course's duration. Short introductory courses (under 18 hours per week, with no Form I-20 issued) can sometimes be taken on a tourist visa; however, you should verify this with the specific school, as SEVP-certified institutions are required to issue an F-1 visa for such programs.