What Is a US International Student Visa?
To study in the US as an international student, you need to obtain a US student visa. There are three student visa types in the US: F-1 student visa, J-1 student visa, and M-1 student visa.
Before you can apply for a student visa as an international student, you first need to get accepted to an accredited US college or university. If you are unsure about which university or degree programs are right for you, Shorelight can help: Reach out to our expert advisors for college application assistance.
Keep reading to find answers for all your student visa USA questions.
What Are the Types of Student Visas in 2025?
To study in the US as an international student, you need to apply for a F-1 student visa, a J-1 student visa, or a M-1 student visa. The visa you require may vary depending on the type of education you want to pursue in the US.
For example, most universities require international students to have a F-1 student visa for academic studies, but if you want to attend work- or study-based exchange and visitor programs in the US, you need to apply for a J-1 student visa.
Questions about student visa policy updates? Check out our Studying in the USA in 2025 FAQs Guide >
F-1 Visa
As the most popular type of student visa, a F-1 student visa enables international students to attend an accredited college or a university in the US, an English language institute, or a program that is more than 18 hours a week. The F-1 student visa process starts after your application to a US institution (certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, or SEVP) is accepted.
As an international student on a F-1 student visa, you are expected to complete your studies by the expiration date included on your I-20 form (also known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, provided by the US college or university you have been accepted to). So, if your expiration date is June 30, 2029, you must earn your degree before that date.
If you have a F-1 visa, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (e.g., the OPT full form), which can enable you to gain work experience in the United States. However, OPT must be directly related to the academic program in which you are enrolled. For example, if you want to request OPT for a software engineering internship, you should be studying for a STEM-related degree. STEM students may also be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing for up to 36 months of work experience in the US.
J-1 Visa
Also known as the Exchange Visitor visa, the J-1 student visa is required if you want to attend work- or study-based exchange visitor programs in the US. These programs are usually sponsored by the US government, a university, or a cultural organization, and are designated by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
J-1 students may be eligible for Academic Training (AT) — a type of work authorization that allows you to gain practical experience in your field of study. Academic Training can take place during or after your academic program and must be approved by your program sponsor.
Depending on your program, J-1 visa holders may need to return to their home country for two years after completing their program before they can apply for a change of status in the US.
M-1 Visa
The M-1 student visa is required for international students who want to travel to the US for non-academic purposes or vocational studies such as cooking classes, cosmetology courses, and technical courses. Note that if you are studying in the US on a M-1 student visa, you are allowed to work full time in practical training only after the completion of your program.
Learn more about American visas by visiting State.gov >
US Student Visa Requirements
To be eligible for a US student visa (F-1 student visa for most international students), you should first get accepted to an accredited college or a university in the US. Once you are accepted, you will need:
Your passport
School transcript and the official test scores you used on your university application
Bank statements you used to fill out your college application
Make sure you meet all US student visa requirements >
DS-160 Form
The DS-160 form is an online application required to apply for a nonimmigrant visa. As the first step of applying for your student visa USA, you have to complete the DS-160 form and pay a non-refundable fee.
When filling in the DS-160 form, you should have the following documents:
Passport
Travel itinerary, if available
Dates of your last five visits to the United States, if you have traveled to the United States before (you are also required to submit your international travel history for the past five years)
Resume or CV with information about your current and previous education and work history
Additional information if prompted (e.g., your intended purpose of travel)
Completing the DS-160 form is mandatory, as consular officers will use the information you submitted to process your student visa USA application and determine your eligibility for a F-1 student visa. You can complete the form and submit it on the Department of State’s application portal.
I-20 Form
The I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) is a document that proves that you are legally enrolled in a program of study in the US. The I-20 is required to complete your US student visa process.
The I-20 form documents your study plans and provides supporting information about your stay in the US. After your university application is accepted by a SEVP-approved college or university in the US, the university will then provide your I-20 form. After obtaining the I-20 form, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (SEVP processing and maintenance charge) to register your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Once your SEVIS fee is paid, you can then apply for a student visa.
How to Apply for a US Student Visa in 2025
Applying for a US student visa takes time, so be patient and flexible during the process. There are several steps you need to complete to apply for a F-1 student visa, J-1 student visa, or M-1 student visa.
Questions about student visa policy updates? Check out our Studying in the USA in 2025 FAQs Guide >
Here is how to get a US visa for international students:
Get accepted to a SEVP accredited US university — Only SEVP-approved colleges or universities in the US can register in SEVIS and provide the documents required for your US student visa. You can find out if the institution you applied to is accredited by visiting Study in the States.
Get your I-20 form and pay the SEVIS fee — Three days before submitting the visa application, you are required to pay the SEVIS fee via the payment portal after obtaining your I-20 form from the university you are planning to attend.
Complete your DS-160 visa application — Also called the online nonimmigrant visa application, this form is required to complete your DS-160 in order to obtain a F-1 visa. To complete your DS-160 application, you need your passport, I-20 form, travel itinerary, photo for your visa, and you will have to pay a fee.
Schedule your visa interview and prepare — After completing and submitting your visa application, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and schedule your visa interview. The waiting time will vary depending on your country, so make sure to schedule your appointment as early as possible.
Attend your visa interview — In your visa interview, you must prove that you are traveling to the US with the intent to return home after your studies are complete. You are required to take all important documents, including your DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmation information and your I-20 form.
For more information on the F-1 visa process (or the American student visa process), please visit State.gov.
Visa Scheduling and Fees
After completing your DS-160 form, the next and final step is to schedule your student visa USA interview. Reach out to the nearest US embassy or consulate to make arrangements for your interview. Before you go, bring the following documents for your F-1 student visa interview:
You may be asked to submit additional documents to be eligible for the student visa, such as academic transcripts, degrees or diploma certificates, or English language test scores.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
The visa appointment wait time will vary depending on staffing, location, season, and visa category. US embassies and consulates aim to work efficiently to keep wait times for appointments as short as possible. The earlier you book your appointment, the sooner you can get an interview date and time confirmed, so make sure to apply for your visa early.
For more information on visa appointment wait times, please visit State.gov.
Visa Interview
The final step in your student visa USA process is attending the visa interview.
At the interview, you should prove to the US consulate or embassy that you are traveling to the US as a legitimate, serious student and that you wish to return home after your studies are completed. You should bring all interview documents and have met all of the F-1 student visa requirements.
Before you attend the interview, make sure to do your research and practice potential questions in advance. Here are some F-1 visa interview questions you may be asked at your interview.
Why did you pick this university?
Why do you want to pursue a degree in the US?
Which other US universities did you apply to?
How will you pay for your education?
Do you have relatives in the USA?
Do you plan to work while in the USA?
What do you plan to do after graduation?
Entering the United States
While obtaining your student visa is mandatory to travel to the US, it does not guarantee entry.
Your visa will allow international students like you to travel to a US port-of-entry (such as an airport) and request permission to enter the US from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry. They have the authority to either permit or deny your admission to the US.
Maintaining Student Visa Status
International students studying in the US with F-1 student visas are required to depart the United States within 60 days after the end date of the program which is listed on form I-20, including any authorized practical training.
If you wish to extend your visa status, you can request an extension through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Change of Student Visa Status
In situations where you receive an offer of employment or marry a US citizen, you may have to change your student visa status. You can request to change your nonimmigrant status to another category through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
US Student Visa FAQs
Is There an Age Requirement for a US Student Visa?
Both the F-1 student visa and M-1 student visa do not have specific age requirements. If you are accepted to an accredited institution to attend your academic or vocational program, your age will not be a problem.
How Long Is a Student Visa?
An F-1 student visa is valid for the period you are enrolled in your academic program — typically for five years from the starting date of the program. You will have an additional 60 days to depart the US after completing your program. However, you can request an OPT work authorization which allows you to work in the US for 12 months on an F-1 visa. If you have a STEM-related degree, you can request an extension of 24 months.
An M-1 visa is also valid for the period you are enrolled in your vocational program, which is usually one year. If you require more than one year to complete your program or any practical training, you are required to contact your designated school official (DSO) to request an extension of stay, limited to a period of three years.
How Much Does a Student Visa Cost?
After being accepted to a US university, you must pay the $350 fee for an F-1 student visa or M-1 student visa to register your information in SEVIS. The visa application fee for an F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa is $185.
Does a Student Visa Allow You to Work?
Yes, if you have an F-1 student visa, you are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
You may be wondering what is the difference between CPT vs OPT? A CPT work authorization allows international students with a F-1 visa to gain practical experience related to their major through employment or cooperative (co-op) education before they graduate. An OPT visa lets international students work up to 12 months after graduation. If you have a STEM-related degree, you can apply to extend your OPT visa and work for an additional 24 months.
If you are on an M-1 visa, you are allowed to work full time in practical training after completing your program. To be allowed to work, you are required to obtain your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or M-1 Visa Work Permit. To start this process, contact your Designated School Official (DSO).
J-1 visa holders may be eligible for Academic Training in a field related to their program for up to 18 months after graduation. STEM undergraduate and pre-doctoral students may request an extension, allowing for a maximum total of 36 months of AT.
