F-1 Student Visa for USA in 2026

F-1 Student Visa for USA in 2026: Updates, Requirements & Prep Tips

An F-1 Visa: What Is It?

International students can enter the United States and pursue their studies at universities accredited by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) with the F-1 student visa, a non-immigrant visa. You can only apply for your F-1 visa after your application has been accepted by an eligible US institution. It is the most common type of student visa for students wishing to attend a US university or college. In 2026, Masterclass Space is an F-1 student visa for the United States.

The length of your stay as an F-1 student depends on the program you enroll in. Your program's expiration date will be listed on the I-20 form that the university you want to attend provides. To determine how long you can stay in the United States, you must complete your degree before the specified expiration date.

You might be able to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. This will let you work in a field related to your studies in the United States for a maximum of 12 months. You might ask for two more years of employment in a relevant sector if you are a STEM graduate. You must return home within 60 days of graduation if you do not have any extensions or further training. Masterclass Space can assist you in investigating your post-graduation options with your F-1 visa if you would like more information.

2026 F-1 Visa Requirements

If you want to apply for an F-1 visa to the United States, there are a few things to consider. For your application to be approved, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Institution certification: SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement must authorize the college or university where you intend to pursue your education.
• Full-time enrollment: Throughout the duration of your academic term, you must be enrolled at the school full-time.
• English language proficiency: You must either be enrolled in courses that will help you enhance your English proficiency or meet the institution's required English language proficiency score.
• Sufficient funds: You must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your living expenses and academic costs while in the United States.
• Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for travel to the United States for at least six months from the date of program completion.
• Home country residency: After earning your degree, you must be able to return to your home country.

How to Submit an F-1 Visa Application

You need to do the following before starting your F-1 visa application:

Before filing your visa application, get accepted by an organization that has earned SEVP certification. You will receive your I-20 form upon acceptance, which you must use to apply for an F-1 visa.

1. Make your SEVIS payment.
2. Fill out the DS-160 visa application.
3. Make an appointment for your visa interview.
4. Attend the interview for your visa.

The F-1 visa application process may vary slightly depending on where you apply. View our specific guides for each of the following nations:

Pakistan, Mexico, and India

You will be prepared to finish and submit your F-1 student visa application after completing these steps.

How to Apply for an F-1 Visa

1. Obtain your I-20 after being accepted

When you are accepted to a US university with SEVP certification, the F-1 student visa application procedure begins. The US government uses SEVP accreditation as proof that your university is accredited and equipped to teach you. In 2026, Masterclass Space will be eligible for an F-1 student visa.

Your university will send you your I-20 form after you are accepted. This form includes supporting details concerning your stay as well as your academic goals.

When your I-20 is issued, the following details are entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS):

1. The number on your SEVIS ID
2. Start and finish dates of your program
3. Your planned course of study
4. Your sources of funding
5. Attendance fees at the school of your choosing
6. Additional personal data

This information is provided by your university based on the information you supply in your application files.

As soon as you receive your I-20, make sure all your information is accurate, and then sign the bottom of the first page. If there is a mistake on your I-20, you might not be allowed entry into the country, and it can take a while to correct it. When you visit the United States, keep your Form I-20. It is required for entry into the United States, employment, and other purposes (such as obtaining a driver's license in the United States).

TIPS FOR US VISAS
When you submit your application, set up your visa interview, and, of course, when your application is accepted, keep your Masterclass Space enrollment advisor informed at every stage of the process.

2. Make Your SEVIS Payment

Your F-1 student visa will cost about $535 in total, which covers SEVIS processing and maintenance fees in addition to the visa itself.

Requirements: Your I-20

Price: $350

Where to apply: Your SEVIS fee payment portal

The I-901 SEVIS fee receipt should be saved. It is required for your visa interview.

Requirements: Your I-20

Cost: $350

Where to apply: Your site for paying SEVIS fees

Save the receipt for the I-901 SEVIS charge. For your visa interview, it is necessary.

3. Finish Your Application for a DS-160 Visa

Your visa application is your DS-160. To get an F-1 visa, all prospective international students must complete the DS-160.

Your I-20, passport, travel schedule, photo for your visa, dates of your previous five visits or excursions to the US, résumé, or CV are all necessary.

Price: $185.

Where can I apply? The DS-160 application portal

You will receive a printed confirmation with a barcode once your DS-160 has been successfully submitted. You'll need this form for your visa interview, so save it.

4. Set Up Your Interview for a Visa

Set up your visa interview at the US embassy or consulate that is closest to you. Remember to schedule your visits as soon as possible because wait times might take months and differ by country!

Ask your enrollment advisor about social media screening requirements, student visa interview advice, and/or how to schedule a practice interview if you are using Shorelight to enroll at a US university. You will feel more at ease with the process if you practice your visa interview beforehand.

5. Show up for your visa interview

The US consulate or embassy verifies that you are coming to study as a legitimate, serious student during the interview phase of the F-1 visa application procedure. You must also demonstrate at your visa interview that you have the money to pay for your studies in the United States and that you want to return home after your studies are finished.

Additionally, you should anticipate having your social media accounts closely examined. Prior to your interview, make sure all of your social media accounts are public.

There are a few uncommon exceptions to the need that you attend your visa interview in person (e.g., if you are younger than 14 or older than 80 years of age, or if you meet certain visa renewal conditions).

expense: The expense is covered by your DS-160 payment.

Where to apply: Visa interview scheduling portal

You will receive your F-1 visa and obtain F-1 status after passing your visa interview. You can now study in the United States!

Masterclass Space offers international students visa support if they require any assistance in completing or filing their visa application.

Requirements for F-1 Visa Admission

Make sure you have the following prepared for the consular officer to review before your visa interview:

1. A current passport
2. A duplicate of the picture you intend to use for your visa
3. Your DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmations in printed form
4. I-20 form
5. Your university application should include your official exam results and school transcript.
6. Diploma and other certifications (if relevant)
7. Bank statements or other financial documentation
8. Publicly accessible social media accounts

The consulate official may ask for more documentation during your interview. To get ready, think about bringing the following paperwork:

Academic documents from the schools you attended, including transcripts, diplomas, degrees, and certificates

The results of standardized tests that your US university requires

Proof that you intend to leave the country after completing your education

Statements demonstrating your capacity to cover all living, educational, and travel expenses

Interview for an F-1 Visa

You may be nervous about your impending interview if you are an international student. While feeling nervous is normal, do not forget to take a deep breath and remember that you are fully prepared! Although your interview is crucial, it shouldn't be stressful.

What to anticipate during your interview for a visa

The questions your interviewer will ask will ascertain:

• Are you a real student?
• Can you afford to pay for your education?
• After earning your degree, do you intend to go back home?

Here are some questions you may be asked at your F-1 student visa interview to help you prepare:

• What made you choose this university?
• What other US colleges did you apply to?
• How are you going to finance your education?
• Do you have family in the United States?
• Will you be working in the United States?

After graduation, what are your plans?

By providing you with a thorough rundown of the procedure, your Masterclass Space advisor can assist you in getting ready for your interview. They can even assist you with simulated interviews! You can find out more about how to get ready for your next interview by using the Masterclass Space F-1 student visa interview guide.

F-1 Visa Rejections

Your application for an F-1 visa may be rejected. If this occurs, you will receive a written explanation that includes the specific legal provision that resulted in the rejection of your application.

It's crucial to thoroughly read and adhere to all guidelines to prevent having your F-1 student visa application rejected. Make sure all of your documents are correct before submitting your application. To make this procedure easier for you, Masterclass Space advisors can help you arrange all the necessary paperwork in the right formats and on time.

Recall that you want to adequately prove during your F-1 student visa interview that you are coming to the US to study and that you intend to return home after your program is finished. As you respond to the interview questions, have this in mind.

Sustaining the Status of F-1 Visas

To continue studying in the United States as an international student, you must actively preserve your F-1 status. To accomplish this, you must abide by the rules and conduct codes of the university as well as the specifications outlined in your F-1 visa requirements.

When Traveling to the US

Make sure you arrive in the United States no later than 30 days before the start of your program.

Get in touch with your designated school official (DSO) as soon as you enter the nation.

Before the start date indicated on your I-20 form, get in touch with your DSO once more after you get to your university.

While pursuing education in the United States
Attend every class and keep up your academic position. Your Masterclass Space adviser can point you in the direction of academic resources to help you succeed if you need assistance with any of your subjects.

Talk to your DSO about your options for potential extensions if you require additional time to finish your program beyond the deadline listed on your I-20.

During the academic term, make sure you enroll in a full course of study.

Make sure you consult your DSO before dropping or switching classes.

Remember to finish at least one full academic year at your school before taking a break or going on vacation. You have to sign up for classes for the upcoming academic term after your holiday.

Are F-1 International Students Employed in the United States?

With an F-1 student visa, you can indeed work in the United States. You must, however, abide by the following F-1 visa regulations:

During the academic term, you are only permitted to work part-time on campus.

The maximum number of hours you can work in a week is 20.

With your university's permission, you might be permitted to work off campus.

If your university permits it, you will be able to work full-time during breaks. Go to USCIS.gov to find out more about working as an F-1 international student.

Make sure to get your DSO's permission before looking for a job while you're a student.

Remember that you will have a 60-day grace period to depart the United States after completing your program. You can discuss your alternatives, such as transferring to another school or continuing your studies, with a Masterclass Space advisor if you choose to remain longer. To examine your alternatives, you can also consult the Masterclass Space F-1 extension guide.

Make a list of the next tasks you need to take now that you understand how US non-immigrant visas for international students operate. You will have a greater chance of getting into an American university if you start completing the USA studies F-1 visa requirements as soon as possible.

Conclusion

To find out more about the F-1 Student Visa for the United States in 2026, visit www.masterclassspace.com.