Student Visa in the United States: How to Apply, Step by Step

In this guide, Visa Finder explains how the F-1 student visa application process works, the two possible pathways (from inside or outside the United States), the fees charged by the U.S. government, and the questions that commonly arise at each stage.

The most common student visa is the F-1, intended for individuals pursuing studies at colleges, universities, language programs, high schools, or graduate schools.

Technical and vocational programs generally require an M-1 visa.

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may accompany students as dependents under F-2 or M-2 status.

With the school. Not with the consulate or the visa application form.

The first step is to choose an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and obtain admission.

The school issues Form I-20, an essential document without which a student visa application cannot proceed.

At this stage, the school reviews your application and requests proof of financial resources. Generally, the institution requires:

The required financial amount usually covers at least the first year of study, including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and general living expenses.

If the student has dependents, the required amount increases.

The I-20 is issued only after the school has reviewed and approved this documentation.

Carefully review all the information, including your name, date of birth, program of study, start and end dates, and financial amounts.

Errors on the I-20 can delay the entire process.

Next, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee through the official SEVP website and keep the payment receipt.

For F-1 students, the fee is $350.

This payment is required both for applicants applying through a U.S. consulate and for those requesting a change of status within the United States.

From this point forward, the process depends on where you are located.

The following are fees charged by the U.S. government. They do not include school tuition, institutional application fees, or professional legal fees.

A few important points about these fees:

Government fees can change. Before making any payments, always verify the current amounts on the official websites of the U.S. Department of State, SEVP, and USCIS.

Individuals living in Brazil or another country must apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate and attend an interview.

The steps are as follows:

1. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350).

2. Complete Form DS-160 online.

3. Pay the MRV consular application fee ($185).

4. Schedule the biometric appointment and visa interview.

5. Attend the interview with your passport, signed I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, DS-160 confirmation page, and financial and academic documents.

6. If the visa is approved, pay the Visa Integrity Fee ($250) at consulates where the fee is already being collected.

During the interview, the consular officer evaluates three main factors.

Are you a genuine student? Can you afford your education? Do you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies?

Ties to your home country, such as family, employment, property ownership, or professional plans, carry significant weight.

Some rules have changed recently.

Since 2025, applicants for F, M, and J visas have been required to make their social media profiles public for consular review.

In-person interviews have become mandatory in the vast majority of cases, and applications generally must be submitted in the applicant's country of nationality or residence.

It is important to confirm the current requirements before scheduling an appointment.

An F-1 visa may be issued up to 365 days before the start of the academic program.

However, entry into the United States is permitted no earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on Form I-20.

Individuals who are lawfully present in the United States under another nonimmigrant status, such as B-2 visitor status, may, in many cases, request a change of status to F-1 without leaving the country.

The application is submitted to USCIS using Form I-539, with a $470 paper filing fee, in addition to the $350 SEVIS fee.

The process also begins with the school.

After reviewing the same financial and academic documentation, the institution issues an I-20 specifically for a change-of-status application.

Several important factors require attention:

• Your current status must be valid when you file. USCIS recommends filing at least 45 days before your current status expires, and the application must be received before the expiration date on your Form I-94. Source: EduConnect USA.
• Individuals who entered under ESTA or the Visa Waiver Program cannot request a change of status. This restriction does not apply to Brazilian nationals who entered with a visitor visa, but it is common among travelers holding passports from other countries.
• Visitors cannot begin studying before F-1 status is approved. Attending classes while in B-2 status constitutes a status violation.
• Prior intent matters. USCIS carefully reviews changes from B-2 to F-1 status, and applicants must demonstrate that they did not enter the country with a preexisting intention to study. Source: Grape Law Firm PLLC.
• Processing times can be lengthy. In many cases, the applicant's current status expires before USCIS makes a decision, and an extension may be necessary to maintain lawful status until the academic program begins.
• Do not leave the country while your application is pending. Departing the United States while Form I-539 is under review may be considered abandonment of the application and result in denial. Source: Manifest Law.
• A change of status does not result in a visa. Approval grants F-1 status within the United States. If the student travels abroad, they will need to obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate before returning, paying the MRV fee and, where applicable, the Visa Integrity Fee.

Choosing between consular processing and a change of status depends on your immigration history, relevant dates, budget, and travel plans.

Each situation involves its own risks.

Yes, but with restrictions.

F-1 students may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session.

Off-campus employment requires specific authorization, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is related to the academic program, or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which generally takes place after completing the program.

F-2 dependents are not permitted to work.

Students must maintain a full course of study, keep their Form I-20 updated, report address changes to their school, and comply with employment restrictions.

Each school has a Designated School Official (DSO) responsible for monitoring students' records in the SEVIS system.

Choose an SEVP-certified school or college and obtain admission.

The school will issue Form I-20, which is required to begin either a visa application or a change-of-status request.

Both, at different stages.

The school requires financial documentation before issuing Form I-20.

Later, the consular officer—or USCIS, in a change-of-status application—may also evaluate your ability to pay for your education.

The amount listed on your Form I-20, which generally covers the first year of tuition and living expenses.

The required amount varies depending on the school, city, and number of dependents.

Yes.

Parents, relatives, or companies may sponsor your studies, provided they submit a sponsorship letter and supporting financial documentation.

The SEVIS fee for F-1 students is $350, based on amounts reviewed in September 2026.

It must be paid after receiving Form I-20 and before the visa interview or change-of-status application.

The MRV consular application fee is $185 and is nonrefundable.

If the visa is approved, some consulates also collect the $250 Visa Integrity Fee.

These amounts were reviewed in September 2026.

It is a $250 fee established in 2025 and charged only when a visa is issued.

Implementation varies among consulates, and the amount may be adjusted annually for inflation.

Adding the SEVIS fee ($350), MRV fee ($185), and Visa Integrity Fee ($250), the total reaches $785 per student at consulates where the additional fee is already being collected.

You may request a change of status to F-1 using Form I-539 if you are lawfully present in the country and your current status allows it.

Individuals who entered under ESTA are not eligible for this option.

The filing fee is $470 for paper applications and $420 for online applications, according to the USCIS fee schedule in effect in September 2026.

The $350 SEVIS fee is also required.

A change of status authorizes an individual to remain in the United States as a student.

A visa is the document placed in a passport that allows a traveler to seek admission to the country.

Individuals who change status and subsequently travel abroad must obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate before returning.

No, if you are currently in visitor status.

You may begin attending classes only after your F-1 status has been approved.

The consular officer asks questions about your academic program, school, financial resources, and future plans.

The purpose is to confirm that you are a genuine student and intend to return to your home country.

The visa may be issued up to 365 days before the program start date.

Entry into the United States is permitted no earlier than 30 days before the start date.

Yes.

Since 2025, the U.S. Department of State has instructed F, M, and J visa applicants to keep their social media profiles public during the review process.

Students may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session.

Off-campus employment is permitted only with authorized CPT or OPT.

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany F-1 students under F-2 status.

They are not permitted to work, but children may attend elementary and secondary school.

Each dependent whose visa is approved must also pay the Visa Integrity Fee where it is already being collected.

First, understand the reason for the denial, which is often based on Section 214(b), involving insufficient ties to the home country or inadequate supporting evidence.

Then, evaluate whether reapplying with stronger documentation is worthwhile.

The MRV fee is not refunded, and submitting a new application without meaningful changes to your circumstances rarely produces a different result.

Hiring an attorney is not mandatory.

However, a professional immigration assessment can help you choose the appropriate pathway, particularly when requesting a change of status, where deadlines and immigration history can significantly affect the outcome.

The Visa Finder team can assist you with your student visa application once you have selected and been accepted by the educational institution where you intend to study.