The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US university or college, and you can only apply for your F-1 visa after an accredited US institution accepts your application.

As a F-1 student, the duration of your stay will vary based on the program in which you enroll. The I-20 form provided by the university you wish to attend will list the expiration date of your program. You will need to earn your degree before the listed expiration date, and this will give you an outline of how long you will be able to remain in the US.

Following your graduation, you may be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). This will permit you to work for up to 12 months in the US in a field related to your study. For STEM graduates, you can request two additional years of work in a related field. If you do not have any extensions or additional training, you will need to return to your home country within 60 days after your graduation. If you want to learn more, Unicampus Global can help you explore what you can do with your F-1 visa after graduation.

There are several F-1 visa rules to keep in mind if you plan to apply for a F-1 student visa. You must meet these requirements for your application to be accepted:

• Institution certification - The college or the university where you plan to study needs to be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
• Full-time enrollment - You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution while your academic term is in session.
• English language proficiency - You must meet the required English language proficiency score of the institution you are attending or be enrolled in courses that will help you improve your English proficiency.
• Sufficient funding - You must prove you have sufficient funds available to finance your studies and living expenses while in the US.
• Valid passport - Your passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after your program completion date.
• Home country residency - You are required to have a residence in your home country to return to following the completion of your degree.

Before you begin your F-1 visa application, you must take the following steps:

1. Get accepted by a SEVP-certified institution before submitting your visa application. When you are accepted, you will receive your I-20 form, which you will need to apply for your F-1 visa.
2. Pay your SEVIS fee.
3. Complete your DS-160 visa application.
4. Schedule your visa interview.
5. Attend your visa interview.

As an international student, you might feel uncertain about your upcoming interview. While feeling nervous is normal, do not forget to take a deep breath and remember that you are well prepared! Your interview is important, but should not be stressful.

Your interviewer will ask questions to determine:

1. Are you a legitimate student?
2. Do you have the resources to pay for your studies?
3. Do you plan to return home after completing your degree?

• Why did you pick this university?
• Which other US universities did you apply to?
• How will you pay for your education?
• Do you have relatives in the USA?
• Do you plan to work while in the USA?
• What do you plan to do after graduation?

Unicampus Global can help you prepare for your interview by giving you a detailed overview of what the process will involve. They can also help you practice with mock interviews!

Yes, you will be able to work in the US on a F-1 student visa. However, you will have to follow certain F-1 visa rules and restrictions:

• You can only work part time on campus while your academic term is in session
• You can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week
• You may be able to work off campus with the approval of your university

During academic breaks, you will be permitted to work full time, if your university allows it. You can learn more about working as a F-1 international student by referring to USCIS.gov.

As an international student, you must actively maintain your F-1 status to continue studying in the US. To do this, you must comply with both university regulations and codes of conduct, as well as with the requirements and conditions set out in your F-1 visa requirements.

When entering the US:

• Make sure to enter the US no more than 30 days before your program begins.
• As soon as you arrive in the country, contact your designated school official (DSO).
• When you arrive at your university, contact your DSO again before the start date listed on your I-20 form.

While studying in the US:

• Attend all your classes and maintain good academic standing. If you require support with any of your classes, your Shorelight advisor can direct you to academic resources to help you improve.
• If you need extra time to complete your program which would exceed the end date specified in your I-20, speak with your DSO to discuss your options for possible extensions.
• Make sure to enroll for a full course of study when your academic term is in session.
• If you want to drop a class or change classes, make sure to speak to your DSO first.

If you want to take a break and/or go on vacation, remember to first complete at least one full academic year at your institution. After your holiday, you must also register for classes in the next academic term.

There is a possibility that your F-1 visa application will be denied. If this happens, you will be given detailed reasoning in writing, including the section of the law that led to the denial of your application.

To avoid having your F-1 student visa application denied, it is important to read and follow all instructions carefully. Always double- and triple-check your documents before submitting your application. Unicampus Global can offer visa assistance to make this process easier for you: They are happy to help you organize all the documents you will need, in the correct formats, and on schedule.

Remember: During your F-1 student visa interview, you want to sufficiently demonstrate that you are traveling to the US to study and planning to return to your home country once your program is complete. Keep this in mind as you answer your interview questions.