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New F-1 Students

U.S. visas are issued by U.S. Consulates and Embassies abroad. Each consulate/embassy has different requirements and procedures.

It is important to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply to learn about their requirements. Visit the U.S. Embassy website to learn how to schedule an appointment, how many times you can apply for your visa, what specific documents are required, and what procedures must be followed.

Refer to the U.S. Department of State frequently asked questions for general answers about visas.

Top Tips for Prospective F-1 Visa Applicants

  • Apply for your visa in your country of citizenship or permanent residence.
  • It is not possible to renew an F-1 visa while in the United States.
  • Allow enough time for security checks and administrative processing.
  • Apply for your F-1 visa as early as possible.
  • You must receive a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status and pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee before applying for the F-1 visa interview. If you do not pay the I-901 SEVIS fee 30 days before your program start date, your SEVIS record will be canceled.
  • Consular officers may ask you questions based on topics including academic plans, finances, immigration history, and ties to your home country.

You may also want to review the 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa prepared by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

How to Apply for an F-1 Visa

  • Step 1: Pay SEVIS Fee

    F-1 students are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.

    If you do not pay the fee 30 days before your program start date, your SEVIS record will be canceled.

    The I-901 SEVIS fee is in addition to the consular visa fee and is nonrefundable.

    After paying, bring a copy of your payment receipt to your visa interview.

    Note: Your visa application will be denied if the I-901 SEVIS fee has not been paid.

    Canadian students do not need F-1 visas to enter the U.S. to study, but they are still subject to the I-901 SEVIS fee.

    You must show proof of payment at the port of entry.

    The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website includes information on I-901 SEVIS payment options, refunds, payment status verification, requirements for the I-901 SEVIS fee, and frequently asked questions.

    You can pay the I-901 SEVIS fee through the following methods:

    • Online: You can submit the I-901 SEVIS form online and make the payment using a credit card. A receipt will also be mailed to the address listed on the I-901 form. If you decide to pay online, we strongly suggest that you print a copy of the payment confirmation and keep it with your immigration documents.
    • By mail: You can submit the I-901 SEVIS form and a check or money order that has been drawn from a U.S. bank and is payable in U.S. dollars. Many foreign banks can issue checks drawn from a U.S. bank or foreign subsidiaries of a U.S. bank. A receipt will be mailed to the address listed on the I-901 SEVIS form.
    • In person through the Western Union Quick Pay service: Read the instructions for this payment option and bring a printed copy of the instructions and the sample of the completed Western Union form to the Western Union agent to correctly process your payment.

    Study in the States provides a narrated video tutorial that walks students and exchange visitors through the steps of paying the I-901 SEVIS fee.

  • Step 2: Complete the DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

    The DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form is for temporary travel to the United States for F-1 visas.

    Form DS-160 is submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of State website.

    The cost for student and exchange visitor visas is $185.

    Consular officers use the information entered on the DS-160, combined with a personal interview, to determine your eligibility for the F-1 visa and to process your application.

    Review frequently asked questions collected by the Department of State for instructions about completing the DS-160.

  • Step 3: Gather Your Documents

    Bring these documents to your F-1 visa interview:

    • DS-160 form confirmation page
    • Visa application fee payment receipt, if required to pay before the interview
    • One photo that meets the photograph requirements, if required by your embassy/consulate
    • I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
    • Valid passport, with an expiration date at least six months in the future
    • Admission letter for a UT Southwestern program
    • Financial support evidence
    • Form I-20 signed by your UT Southwestern immigration specialist
    • Documents proving you intend to return to your home country after completion of F-1 status (for example, job prospects, family, land, financial prospects, investments)
    • Any additional documents listed on the website for the S. Embassy/Consulate where you will apply

    We also recommend that you carry your résumé and/or CV and a copy of the UT Southwestern catalog description of your major.

    If You Are Renewing Your Visa

    Students renewing their visa after a stay in the United States should also carry:

    • Transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended
    • UT Southwestern enrollment verification letter
    • All previously issued DS-2019s
    • Proof of private health insurance
    • Support documentation from your academic program (only if requested by U.S. Consulate or Embassy)

    For F-1 Dependents

    Spouses or minor children who will come with you (known as F-2 dependents) go through a similar visa application process to obtain an F-dependent visa. However, dependents should not pay the SEVIS fee.

    Review the instructions at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate where they will apply.

    Dependents should bring the following additional documents:

    • Their own documents and copies of the F-1 documents (if they applied for their visa separately)
    • Proof of the relationship between you (the F-1 applicant) and your dependents, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate
  • Step 4: Schedule Your Visa Interview

    Paying the visa application fee is among the first things to consider when scheduling an interview.

    Check the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website where you will apply to get instructions and to see whether to pay this fee before the visa interview.

    Instructions will vary by embassy or consulate.

    Generally, you will schedule the appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country.

  • Step 5: Attend Your Visa Interview

    Your interview will be with a U.S. Department of State visa officer, who will determine whether you are eligible for the visa.

    Every embassy and consulate functions separately and may have slightly different procedures.

    For example, digital fingerprints may be taken depending on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate where you will apply.

    The visa officer can evaluate your application based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the following:

    Nonimmigrant Intent

    F-1 visas are nonimmigrant visas. This means the visa holder intends to return to their home country at the end of their stay.

    Be ready to provide evidence of nonimmigrant intent by demonstrating you have ties to your home country and will return home after your program is complete.

    Some ways to show intent to return to your home country include:

    • Proof of residence in your home country
    • Proof of ownership of property in your home country
    • Proof of immediate relatives residing in your home country
    • Proof of bank accounts in your home country
    • Job offers or plans to pursue a career in your home country

    Financial Ability

    When applying for an F-1 visa, you must show that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay.

    You will need to show enough funds to cover living expenses, tuition and fees, books, and other costs.

    Your Academic Plans

    The visa officer may ask about your academic plans and why you want to attend UT Southwestern. For this reason, you should be prepared to discuss your academic plans.

    This might include sharing:

    • Why you want to attend UT Southwestern specifically
    • What you plan to study
    • How you plan to use your education when you return to your home country

    Also, we encourage you to make sure you understand your academic program and how it fits your career plans.

    Role of Employment

    Employment in the U.S. is a potential immigration benefit, but not the primary purpose.

    F-1 visas are student visas, not work visas.

  • After Your Interview

    Further administrative processing may be required.

    If that is the case, the visa officer will inform you.

    If your visa is approved, you will be told when your passport with the visa stamp will be returned to you.

    Review visa processing times to learn about typical visa processing times.

  • More Helpful F-1 Visa Information

    F-1 Student Visa Denial

    If your visa application is denied, there are a couple of common reasons given.

    • If your visa is denied under INA 214(b), this normally indicates that:
      • You did not sufficiently demonstrate the intent to be an F-1 student, or
      • You did not demonstrate ties to your home country.
    • If your F-1 visa is denied under INA 212(a)(4), this normally indicates that you did not sufficiently demonstrate that you are unlikely to become a public charge during your stay in the U.S.

    If you have new information to prove your intent, you may reapply for an F-1 visa at any time.

    Notify our office if you are denied a visa so that we may assist you.

    If you have general questions regarding visa denials and how to prepare for your next visa interview, InternationalAffairsOIA@UTSouthwestern.edu OIA.

    Security Clearances

    Students can experience significant delays due to required security checks.

    Master's and Ph.D. students in scientific and technical fields are advised to provide detailed information about their field of study when applying for visas.

    Some helpful items to bring to your visa interview include:

    • A résumé
    • A list of publications, including samples
    • A letter from your UTSW Department

    Exceptions: Canadian Citizens

    Canadian citizens do not need F-1 visa stamps to study in the U.S. When entering the U.S. to study, Canadian citizens will need to provide the following to the officer at the port of entry:

    • Proof of identity and citizenship (a Canadian passport, for example)
    • The original Form I-20 signed by your UT Southwestern international student adviser
    • I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
    • Admission letter for a UT Southwestern program
    • Financial support evidence
    • Proof of your ties to Canada
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