F-1 Visa: Study in the United States

What is the F-1 visa?

The F-1 visa is the nonimmigrant visa the United States grants to foreign nationals who want to study full-time in an academic program —for example, a university, a college, an English-language institute, or an undergraduate or graduate program— at an authorized institution. Vocational or technical programs fall under a different category (the M-1 visa).

It is a temporary visa with a specific purpose: to study. It is not permanent residence or a direct path to a “green card,” and keeping it depends on meeting the conditions of your student status (staying enrolled full-time, keeping your SEVIS information up to date, and following the work rules, among others).

At Global Dream we provide educational guidance and administrative support throughout the process. We are not a law firm and we do not guarantee that a visa will be approved: the final decision always rests with the U.S. authorities.

Who qualifies for the F-1 visa?

Broadly speaking, and according to official sources, the F-1 visa is intended for someone who fits a profile like this:

• Has been admitted to a school certified by SEVP (the Student and Exchange Visitor Program) in the United States.
• Will enroll in a full-time academic program (what the rules call a “full course of study”).
• Can show they have the financial resources to cover their studies and living expenses.
• Maintains ties to their home country and intends to return once the program ends.
• Has a level of English sufficient for the program, or will enroll in a course to develop it.

Meeting these points does not guarantee the visa. Each case is evaluated individually by a consular officer or by USCIS, depending on the route you use. Our support focuses on helping you prepare and organize your documentation clearly and honestly.

SEVP-certified schools

For an F-1 visa, not just any school will do: you must be admitted to a school certified by SEVP, the U.S. government program that authorizes schools to enroll international students.

Only an SEVP-certified school can issue the Form I-20 you need for your application, through an official called a DSO (Designated School Official).

• Confirm your school is certified using the official “School Search” tool on Study in the States (DHS).
• SEVP certification is separate from academic accreditation: verify it before paying any tuition or deposits.
• Some types of study (for example, certain online or distance programs) have special rules about F-1 eligibility.

Before committing to a school, check its SEVP certification. If you need it, Global Dream can help you confirm this point as part of your guidance.

Form I-20

Form I-20 (“Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status”) is the document your SEVP-certified school issues once it admits you and records your information. It is the basis for almost the entire F-1 process.

• It is issued by your school's DSO; according to official sources, both you and the school official must sign it.
• It contains key data: your SEVIS number, the program, the start and end dates, and an estimate of costs.
• You need it to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, apply for the visa, and later, when you enter the United States.
• You must keep it and keep it valid throughout your time as an F-1 student.

If you change schools, level of study, or program, an updated I-20 is generally issued. Keeping this document correct and current is one of the most important responsibilities of F-1 status.

SEVIS and the I-901 fee

SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is the U.S. government database where your information as an international student is recorded. Your Form I-20 reflects that SEVIS record.

After receiving the I-20 and before applying for the visa, you generally must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The amounts are set by the authority and can change over time, so always confirm the current figure on the official site before paying.

Keep your I-901 fee payment receipt: it is often requested at the consular interview and when you enter the United States.

DS-160 / consular processing vs. change of status

There are two main paths to obtaining F-1 status, and which one applies to you depends mostly on where you are located.

1) Consular processing (from your country): if you are outside the United States, you apply for the F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. According to the Department of State, the process usually includes paying the SEVIS I-901 fee, completing the online DS-160 form, paying the visa application fee, and attending an interview with a consular officer.

• Signed Form I-20.
• Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee.
• DS-160 confirmation page and a photo that meets the requirements.
• Valid passport, plus the proof of financial resources, transcripts, or test results the officer may request.

2) Change of status within the United States: if you are already in the country in another nonimmigrant status (for example, B-2 tourist), in certain cases you can ask USCIS to change your status to F-1 with Form I-539, without leaving the country. This route has its own requirements and risks —for example, the processing times and the rules about when you may begin studying— so it is worth analyzing carefully.

Important: the Department of State warns that there is no guarantee a visa will be issued. No agency or advisor can promise you an approval; be wary of anyone who does.

Working on an F-1 visa: the limits

The F-1 visa is, above all, for studying. There is a possibility of working in limited and regulated situations, but work is neither automatic nor a guaranteed right: it almost always requires prior authorization from your DSO or from USCIS.

• On-campus employment: according to USCIS, it is generally allowed within limits —for example, up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session— and subject to conditions.
• CPT (Curricular Practical Training): training that is an integral part of your curriculum; your DSO must authorize it on your I-20.
• OPT (Optional Practical Training): up to 12 months of training related to your field of study, which USCIS must authorize through a work permit (EAD).
• STEM OPT extension: some graduates of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics programs at certified schools may apply for an additional extension.

We do not promise or process work permits. Working without authorization can put your status at risk. Each option has strict requirements: verify them with your DSO and with the official sources before accepting any job.

Dependents (F-2 visa)

In many cases your spouse and your unmarried children under 21 can accompany you on an F-2 visa as dependents, by presenting their own Form I-20 issued by your school.

• According to USCIS, F-2 dependents are not authorized to work in the United States.
• Minor children on F-2 may (and usually must) attend full-time elementary and secondary school (K-12).
• An F-2 spouse and children may study part-time; to study full-time in higher education, they generally must change to their own student status (for example, F-1).

The rules for dependents are updated fairly often; always confirm the current details with the official sources before making family decisions.