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The Application Process

After getting accepted into your studies from a U.S. SEVP-certified school and receiving Form I-20, you will need to:

  1. Pay the SEVIS fee (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

  2. Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and schedule a visa interview.

  3. Attend your interview, bringing all necessary documentation, including your Form I-20, proof of financial support, and evidence of ties to your home country.

If approved, you’ll receive your F-1 Visa and be eligible to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start of your program.

Even after getting an approval, it’s important to plan for life after your F-1 Visa. The visa itself does not lead to permanent residency, so for students who want to remain in the U.S., they must transition to work visas like the H-1B or explore pathways like the EB-2 NIW for permanent residency.

Get professional help with your F-1 visa and start your studies in the U.S.

C11-Significant-Benefit

C11 Significant
Benefit 

Intracompany Transferee (ICT)

Intracompany Transferee (ICT)

CUSMA and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Work Permits.

CUSMA and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Work Permits

C20-Reciprocal-Agreement

C20 Reciprocal
Agreement 

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Francophone-Mobility

Francophone
Mobility

employer-compliance

Employer
Compliance

International-Experience-Canada (IEC)

International Experience Canada (IEC) 

F-1 Visa

International students looking to pursue studies in the United States will need to apply for the F-1 student visa. It’s designed for individuals enrolled in a full-time course at a U.S. institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

With the abundance of reputable higher education opportunities in the U.S., this is a coveted visa for hopeful international students around the world.

Off-campus employment, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), requires authorization and must relate to your field of study. Any unauthorized employment and other compliance issues can jeopardize your status, so it’s critical to ensure you have a thorough understanding of the rules before and during your application.

the F-1 student visa

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Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an F-1 Visa, you must first gain admission to a U.S. school certified by the SEVP. Once admitted, the school will issue a Form I-20, which serves as the cornerstone of your visa application.

Following this, you must:

  • Prove that you have the financial resources to cover tuition, living expenses, and other associated costs without relying on unauthorized work.

  • Demonstrate that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies, as the F-1 Visa is strictly non-immigrant.

  • Show sufficient ties to your home country to affirm your intent to leave the U.S. upon finishing your education.

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