{"about":"Student visa facts for United States, as read on official pages. Each statement names its source and the day it was checked. Information, not legal advice; the visa authority decides.","publisher":"ForiForeign","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/us/student-visa","destination":{"code":"US","name":"United States"},"visa":"F-1 student visa","authority":"U.S. Department of State (visa); DHS/ICE SEVP (SEVIS, I-20)","official_portal":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html","last_checked":"2026-10-13","facts":[{"key":"admission_document","label":"The admission document you need first","text":"Form I-20 issued by the SEVP-approved school after SEVIS registration; present it at the visa interview.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"key":"documents","label":"Documents the official page lists","text":"","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13","list":["Valid passport","DS-160 confirmation page","Photo uploaded in DS-160","Form I-20 signed by you and the school official","I-901 SEVIS fee payment proof","MRV fee payment","Possibly: transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates","Possibly: standardized test scores required by the school","Possibly: evidence of intent to depart after studies","Possibly: evidence of how you will pay all costs"]},{"key":"funds","label":"Money you must show","text":"No fixed amount. Show sufficient funds for self-support for the whole course: you or a sponsor must have enough for tuition and living expenses during the period of study. The school collects this evidence before it issues the Form I-20 and you bring it to the visa interview; the consular officer may ask how you will pay all costs. Evidence includes family bank statements, documentation from a sponsor, financial aid letters, scholarship letters and a letter from an employer showing annual salary.","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"key":"tuition_evidence","label":"Proof of tuition","text":"The officer may request evidence of how you will pay educational, living and travel costs.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"application_fee","label":"What the application costs","text":"MRV processing fee US$185 per applicant, plus the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee for an F or M student visa (US$220 for a J exchange visitor visa), paid online before the interview: it cannot be paid in person. Neither fee is refunded. Some nationalities pay an extra reciprocity issuance fee at the interview; it is in your country's Reciprocity Table on travel.state.gov.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13","amount":185,"currency":"USD","period":"one-off"},{"key":"health","label":"Health insurance","text":"No health insurance requirement for the visa is stated on the official pages that could be read.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"language","label":"Language","text":"You must be proficient in English or enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency; the school may require standardized test scores.","source_url":"https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"key":"where_to_apply","label":"Where you apply","text":"After receiving the I-20 and SEVIS registration, apply at a U.S. embassy, consulate or consular office, usually with an in-person interview.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13","mode":"embassy/consulate"},{"key":"biometrics","label":"Fingerprints and photo","text":"A photo is uploaded in the DS-160.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"processing_time","label":"How long the decision takes","text":"No standard time; interview wait times vary by post and administrative processing, when required, adds time depending on the case.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"tb_or_medical","label":"Medical examination","text":"No medical exam requirement for the F-1 visa is stated on the pages read.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"police_certificate","label":"Police certificate","text":"No police certificate requirement for the F-1 visa is stated on the pages read.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"translation","label":"Translations","text":"No translation rule could be confirmed on a readable official page.","source_url":"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study.html","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"legalisation","label":"Legalisation of documents","text":"No apostille or legalisation requirement is stated on the official pages read.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"work_rights","label":"Working while you study","text":"On-campus work up to 20 hours weekly in session, full-time in breaks; no off-campus work in first year, then CPT/OPT (including post-completion OPT).","source_url":"https://www.ice.gov/sevis/employment","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"dependants","label":"Family members","text":"Spouse and unmarried minor children may apply for F-2 visas; each needs an individual I-20 from the school but pays no SEVIS fee.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"on_arrival","label":"After you arrive","text":"Carry the signed I-20 (not in luggage) and show it to CBP at the port of entry; arrive no earlier than 30 days before program start.","source_url":"https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/prepare/students-and-the-form-i-20","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"fees":[{"kind":"government_fee","label":"Visa fee (government)","amount":185,"currency":"USD","period":"one-off","up_to":false,"text":"MRV processing fee US$185 per applicant, plus the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee for an F or M student visa (US$220 for a J exchange visitor visa), paid online before the interview: it cannot be paid in person. Neither fee is refunded. Some nationalities pay an extra reciprocity issuance fee at the interview; it is in your country's Reciprocity Table on travel.state.gov.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"kind":"other_mandatory","label":"SEVIS I-901 fee","amount":350,"currency":"USD","period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"plus the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee for an F or M student visa (US$220 for a J exchange visitor visa)","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"kind":"other_mandatory","label":"SEVIS I-901 fee","amount":220,"currency":"USD","period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"plus the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee for an F or M student visa (US$220 for a J exchange visitor visa)","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"kind":"other_mandatory","label":"Reciprocity fee (depends on nationality)","amount":null,"currency":null,"period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"Some nationalities pay an extra reciprocity issuance fee at the interview;","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/","checked_at":"2026-10-13"}],"how_to_apply":[{"key":"how_application","label":"How the application is lodged","text":"Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, then complete the online DS-160 visa application, pay the visa fee and book the visa interview as the US embassy or consulate you will visit explains on its website.","source_url":"https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2014/08/four-steps-help-you-apply-visa","checked_at":"2026-10-13","portal_url":"https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/","portal_name":"Consular Electronic Application Center (Form DS-160)","form_name":"DS-160"},{"key":"how_payment","label":"How the fee is paid","text":"The visa application fee (MRV fee) is collected through the embassy's appointment service provider (CGI, on the USTravelDocs website, in Pakistan). The fee receipt is valid for 365 days for booking the interview.","source_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas/","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_interview","label":"Interview","text":"Student visa applicants generally must attend an in-person interview with a consular officer (Pakistan rule effective 11 August 2025). Student (F and J) visas are prioritised for appointments.","source_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas/","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_tracking","label":"Following your application","text":"The visa call center cannot give the status of an application by phone. Questions about a pending application are sent through the embassy's online visa navigator.","source_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas/","checked_at":"2026-10-06","tracking_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visa-navigator/"},{"key":"how_processing_time","label":"Processing time, as the application page states it","text":"No processing time is published. The U.S. Mission in Pakistan encourages applying at least six months before the intended date of travel. When a case needs administrative processing most are resolved within 60 days of the interview, and the timing varies from case to case. The current wait for an interview appointment is shown only by the State Department's live wait-time tool.","source_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas/","checked_at":"2026-10-13"},{"key":"how_decision_and_passport","label":"The decision and your passport","text":"An approved U.S. visa is placed in the passport. In Pakistan the passport is returned through the document delivery service run by CGI.","source_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/visas/","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_additional_documents","label":"If more documents are asked for","text":"Some applications need extra administrative processing after the interview, and the officer tells you at the interview. Most cases finish within 60 days; wait at least 90 days after the interview or after sending extra documents before asking about status.","source_url":"https://pk.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas/","checked_at":"2026-10-06"}],"steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Get admitted and receive Form I-20","detail":"Apply to a SEVP-approved school. After acceptance you are registered in SEVIS and the school issues Form I-20, signed by you and the school official.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/"},{"n":2,"title":"Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee","detail":"Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online at FMJfee.com before the visa is issued; the fee for F-1 students is $350.","source_url":"https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq"},{"n":3,"title":"Complete the DS-160 online","detail":"Fill in Form DS-160 with your SEVIS ID and school address, upload a photo, and print the confirmation page.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/"},{"n":4,"title":"Pay the visa application fee","detail":"Pay the non-refundable MRV fee of US$185; some nationalities also pay a reciprocity issuance fee at interview.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/"},{"n":5,"title":"Schedule and attend the interview","detail":"Book an interview with the DS-160 barcode. Applicants aged 14-79 generally appear in person; bring your I-20 and supporting documents.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/"},{"n":6,"title":"Track the application","detail":"Check status on ceac.state.gov; some cases need administrative processing that adds time.","source_url":"https://common.usembassy.gov/en/study-visa/"},{"n":7,"title":"Travel and enter","detail":"Visas can be issued up to 365 days before the program start; enter no earlier than 30 days before, carrying the signed I-20.","source_url":"https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/prepare/students-and-the-form-i-20"}],"not_stated_on_the_official_pages":[],"applicant_country_pages":[{"country":"PK","name":"Pakistan","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/us/student-visa/from/pakistan"}]}