In short: To study in United States as an international student you apply for: F-1 student visa. After receiving the I-20 and SEVIS registration, apply at a U.S. 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. No standard time; interview wait times vary by post and administrative processing, when required, adds time depending on the case. Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 13 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | F-1 student visa |
|---|---|
| Application fee | USD 185 one-off (common.usembassy.gov) |
| Money to show | 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. (uscis.gov) |
| Processing time | No standard time; interview wait times vary by post and administrative processing, when required, adds time depending on the case. (common.usembassy.gov) |
| Where you apply | After receiving the I-20 and SEVIS registration, apply at a U.S. (common.usembassy.gov) |
| Last checked |
Authority: U.S. Department of State (visa); DHS/ICE SEVP (SEVIS, I-20). Official portal: US Department of State - Visas.
Form I-20 issued by the SEVP-approved school after SEVIS registration; present it at the visa interview.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
The officer may request evidence of how you will pay educational, living and travel costs.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: uscis.gov · checked on
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: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | USD 185 one-off | 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. | common.usembassy.gov, 13 October 2026 |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | USD 350 | plus the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee for an F or M student visa (US$220 for a J exchange visitor visa) | common.usembassy.gov, 13 October 2026 |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | USD 220 | plus the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee for an F or M student visa (US$220 for a J exchange visitor visa) | common.usembassy.gov, 13 October 2026 |
| Reciprocity fee (depends on nationality) | amount not stated on the official page | Some nationalities pay an extra reciprocity issuance fee at the interview; | common.usembassy.gov, 13 October 2026 |
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: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
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.
Consular Electronic Application Center (Form DS-160): ceac.state.gov · form: DS-160
Source: studyinthestates.dhs.gov · checked on
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: pk.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: pk.usembassy.gov · checked on
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.
Official tracking page: pk.usembassy.gov
Source: pk.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: pk.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: pk.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: pk.usembassy.gov · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
No standard time; interview wait times vary by post and administrative processing, when required, adds time depending on the case.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
No health insurance requirement for the visa is stated on the official pages that could be read.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
No medical exam requirement for the F-1 visa is stated on the pages read.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
No police certificate requirement for the F-1 visa is stated on the pages read.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
You must be proficient in English or enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency; the school may require standardized test scores.
Source: uscis.gov · checked on
No translation rule could be confirmed on a readable official page.
Source: travel.state.gov · checked on
No apostille or legalisation requirement is stated on the official pages read.
Source: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: ice.gov · checked on
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: common.usembassy.gov · checked on
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: studyinthestates.dhs.gov · checked on
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of United States, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/us.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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