United States, 2026/27

How to get a US F-1 student visa, step by step

The 7 steps

1. 1. Get accepted by a SEVP-approved school

   Apply to a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Once it accepts you, it registers you in SEVIS and issues your Form I-20.

   Source : US Department of State

2. 2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee

   After the school registers you in SEVIS, pay the I-901 fee: USD 350 for F-1 applicants.

   Source : US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (SEVP)

3. 3. Fill in the visa application and pay the fee

   Complete the online application for your embassy or consulate and pay the application fee (USD 185 in our US guide, from the State Department). The order of steps varies by embassy, so follow its own website.

   Source : US Department of State

4. 4. Book and attend the interview

   Applicants aged 14 to 79 generally need an interview; bring your I-20. Fingerprints are taken digitally. Waits for an appointment differ by embassy: see the live figures on the processing-times page.

   Source : US Department of State

5. 5. Make your social media profiles public

   Our US guide records that from 1 October 2026 F-1 and M-1 applicants must set all social media profiles to public for vetting.

   Source : Our US guide (official sources listed there)

6. 6. Pay any issuance fee and collect the visa

   Some nationalities pay a visa issuance fee after approval. New students can be issued the visa up to 365 days before the programme starts.

   Source : US Department of State

7. 7. Travel at the right time

   You may not enter the US on a student visa more than 30 days before your programme start date.

   Source : US Department of State

Last checked: 7 Nov 2026. Each step links to the official page it comes from. Your embassy's own website sets the order and the document list: always follow it.

Que faire ensuite

1. Check the wait for an interview at your embassy: processing times.
2. Budget the year: cost calculator for the US, et the health insurance universities require.
3. Comparer with other English-speaking countries.

Questions

How do I get an F-1 student visa?

for a US F-1 student visa, get accepted by a SEVP-approved school and receive your I-20, pay the USD 350 SEVIS fee, complete the visa application and pay its fee, then attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. New students can be issued the visa up to 365 days before the course starts but may enter the US no more than 30 days before it.

How much is the SEVIS fee for F-1 students?

USD 350 for F-1 and M-1 applicants, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (SEVP).

How early can I travel to the US on a student visa?

No more than 30 days before your programme start date, according to the US Department of State.