An F1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa that is issued to an international student who wants to get admission to educational institutions to pursue a degree program in the US. A student who has received a letter of acceptance from any university, private elementary school, high school, college, language training course, or any other academic institution in the US can apply for an F1 visa.
A candidate must qualify specific criteria in the F1 Visa interview in order to get F1 Visa. Following is a list of the criteria:
It is necessary for the candidate to have a residence in a foreign country and he/she must intend to return there after completing their course.
During the interview for the visa, the candidate must prove his/her strong relation with the home country and have family, asset,s and bank accounts in their home country.
The candidate must prove that he/she can afford the expenses of living and studying in the US.
The candidate would be expected to study in the educational institute for which the visa was granted to him/her.
There are a number of documents that would be required for applying to F1 visa. The documents required for getting F1 VISA are mentioned below:
The F1 visa processing process may take a lot of time, therefore it is suggested to apply as soon as possible. The visa process may get wrapped within 15 days or it may take up to 2 months. You must make sure that you’re applying to a university that is recognized by SEVP. A candidate must know that he/she cannot apply for the visa before 120 days of the program start date. Students will not be allowed to arrive in the US on a student visa before 30 days from the beginning of the program. Once you’ve received the university’s acceptance letter you will be officially enrolled in the SEVP. After this, a candidate must tuition fees and living expenses for one year. The university will issue an I-20 form for the candidate after checking the financials. The candidate can now apply for the F1 Student visa.
Following are the steps that must be followed for applying for F1 Visa after receiving the I-20 form:
In comparison to the processing time of other visas, the processing time for F1 visas is very less. Generally, the candidate would come to know whether he or she is selected for the visa or not just after the visa interview. If you are rejected then the interviewer will return your documents. In some cases the processing may take the time it’s recommended to be patient for the results. . The visa process may get wrapped within 15 days or it may take up to 2 months.
US department of state for F1 visa have not issued any such specific requirements for health insurance, usually the school or the university you are applying to will issue guidelines about the health insurance requirements for the student.
A candidate must know that he cannot work off campus during the 1st year of the program. The candidate would be allowed to work for 20 hours a week. However, they can work up to 40 hours a week during vacations. The students will be allowed to work a firm providing services to the university.
There are two options for the students who want to work outside the campus
Curriculum Practical Training
CPT would enable a student to work or intern as a part of their curriculum in academics. Internship training is mandatory for completing the degree. The internship must be in the area of study and must be approved by the university. Students can start CPT after 9 months of enrolment in program.
Optional Practical Training
Students can get an opportunity to work in the US under OPT. You would be allowed to work for a period of 12 months (max). A candidate must work only in the area of study and they should get a job within 90 days of completing their graduation.
Ques 1. Does it take a lot of time in the F1 visa application process?
No, if we compare the application processing time of F1 visa with the processing time of other visa we would come to know that the application process time for F1 Visa is very less. The visa process may get wrapped within 15 days or it may take up to 2 months.
Ques 2. Do we need a health insurance for applying F1 Visa?
No, the US department of state for F1 visa have not issued any such specific requirements for health insurance, usually the school or the university you are applying to will issue guidelines about the health insurance requirements for the student.
Ques 3. Does the F1 visa provide us advantages other than living and studying in US?
Students having F1 visa would have an advantage of not only living and studying in the US but they will have a privilege of enjoying various other advantages which includes travelling in and out from the US anytime without restrictions, opening a bank account in the US and getting a driving license.
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