STUDENT VISA & PROCESS
From offer letter to departure: the F-1 visa step by step
Admission is half the journey. The rest is your I-20, the SEVIS fee, DS-160, the interview and your entry date — each with its own timing.
Six steps of the visa process
- 1
Receive your offer and submit financial documents
The university issues an I-20 only once your funding for the first year is documented. Start this early — it is the step most often sent back.
- 2
The university issues your I-20
Check every detail immediately. One wrong field means requesting a corrected I-20 and losing days.
- 3
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
It must be paid and receipted BEFORE your interview. Print the receipt; do not rely on a copy on your phone.
- 4
Complete DS-160, pay the visa fee, book the appointment
Your DS-160 must match your passport and I-20 exactly. Book as soon as the I-20 arrives — appointment slots are the usual bottleneck.
- 5
Attend the interview at the embassy or consulate
The interview is usually only a few minutes. What matters is answering briefly, honestly and consistently with your documents.
- 6
Receive the visa and travel
F-1 students are generally admitted no earlier than 30 days before the program start date printed on the I-20.
What to bring to the interview
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid for the period your consular post requires |
| Signed original I-20 | Verify every field before signing |
| SEVIS I-901 fee receipt | Printed on paper |
| DS-160 confirmation page | With the barcode, clearly printed |
| Photograph | To your consular post’s specification |
| TXST offer letter | Printed copy |
| Proof of funds | Originals, matching what you sent the university |
| Transcripts, certificates, English scores | Originals or certified copies |
Check your I-20 before you use it
- Name spelled and ordered exactly as in your passport
- Date of birth, country of citizenship and passport number
- Program name and level matching your offer letter
- Program start and end dates
- SEVIS ID (starting with N) — needed to pay the I-901 fee
- Student signature completed; a parent signature is required under 18
Four questions that always come up
Why this university and this program?
Answer with your own specific reasons — the curriculum, internship access, career plan — not marketing language about the university.
Who is paying for your studies?
Name your sponsor, their occupation and the source of funds. Your answer must match the financial documents you submitted.
What will you do after graduation?
Have a clear career plan. If you intend to apply for OPT, say so honestly — but do not present it as a plan to remain permanently.
Do you have relatives in the United States?
Answer truthfully. Concealing information causes far more damage than disclosing it.
After the visa: entry and keeping F-1 status
Carry documents in your hand luggage
Passport with visa, I-20, offer letter and proof of funds — never in checked baggage.
Check in with the International Office
On arrival, complete your immigration document check-in with the university and attend international student orientation.
Stay enrolled full time
Maintaining F-1 status requires a full course load each term. A reduced load needs prior authorisation — never simply drop courses.
Work only where permitted
During term, F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week; full time is possible during long breaks.
CPT and OPT
CPT covers training tied to your program; OPT is post-completion work authorisation — STEM programs may qualify for up to three years.
Report changes on time
Address changes, a change of major and program extensions all have reporting deadlines.
If your visa is refused
A refusal is not the end of the road. Write down exactly what you were asked and which documents you handed over, then contact the International Office BEFORE booking a second appointment. Resubmitting the same file usually produces the same result; the work is to identify the weak point and strengthen it. If the timing no longer works, your admission can often be deferred to the next intake.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after admission will I get the I-20?
Once you are admitted and your financial documents are accepted. The funding review takes most of the time, so prepare it alongside your academic file.
When should I book the interview?
As soon as you have the I-20 and have paid the SEVIS fee. Availability depends on your consular post and can be weeks out.
Can I arrive early to settle in?
F-1 students are generally admitted no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on the I-20. Arriving earlier requires a different visa category.
What language is the interview in?
Student visa interviews are normally in English. Practise short, natural answers — it also shows you are ready to study in English.
Can my family come with me?
A spouse and children under 21 may apply for F-2 visas. F-2 dependants are not permitted to work in the United States.
What does the International Office do for me?
We review your financial documents before they reach the university, check the I-20, guide you through DS-160 and run mock interviews — free for our students.
Want someone to review your visa file with you?
Send us your documents and the International Office will check your proof of funds, verify the I-20 and schedule a mock interview.