What is F1-Visa?

A non-immigrant visa called an F1 is given to students who want to study in the US. International students who seek to enroll in educational programs including universities, colleges, private elementary schools, high schools, language training programs, or any other academic institutions in the US are granted the F1 visa, which is a student visa. The candidate may apply for the F1 Visa if he or she has been accepted by one of the aforementioned institutions.

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What are the F1 Visa Qualifications?
In order to get an F1 Visa, the applicants need to qualify some specific criteria during the F1 Visa interview:

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• Foreign Residence - The candidate must reside abroad and must have the intention of doing so after completing the course.

• Financial Support - The applicant must show that he or she has the financial resources to fund both his or her studies and remain in the US.

• Sponsoring Education Institution - The applicant is required to enroll in classes at the university where the visa was obtained.

• Strong relation to home country - The applicant must demonstrate that they have close ties to their native country and that they have family, assets (such as a home, etc.), and bank accounts there.

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What are the advantages of F-1 Visa?

Because there is no cap on the F1 Visa, unlike the H1-B Visa, all students who have successfully applied and meet the requirements can obtain this Visa. If they are accepted into a better school, students may also transfer to any other institution.

Students with F1 visas are able to do a variety of other activities that they will need to do while they are in the US, in addition to living and studying there lawfully. like opening a bank account, obtaining a driver's license, and freely entering and leaving the US at any time. Additionally, they are permitted to work under certain guidelines and limitations.

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How to Obtain an F1 Visa
It is advised to begin the F1 Visa application procedure as soon as possible because it takes time. Depending on the availability of the dates, it can sometimes be completed in 15 days or it might take up to 2 months. Additionally, confirm that SEVP recognizes the college you are applying to.

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The candidate will be formally enrolled in the SEVP after receiving admission from the university. The aspirant must then demonstrate one year's worth of living and tuition expenditures. The candidate can apply for the F1 Student Visa after the university has examined the candidate's financial situation and issued an I-20 form.

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1. The most crucial document you need to provide when applying for an F1 Visa interview is the I-20 form. The college delivers two forms. A DS-2019 Form is given to individuals who need to apply for a J-1 visa whereas an I-20 Form is given to those who need to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa. Once you have received one of these forms, you can submit an application to the US Embassy or Consulate that serves the area where they currently reside permanently. Your right form will be mailed to you by the institution. Along with the address of your school or university and other details regarding your program, your form will also include your SEVIS ID. 

2. You may submit a DS-160 visa form after paying the SEVIS fee and receiving a receipt.

3. To bring to your interview, print the confirmation page from your application.

4. Pay the visa fee at authorized AXIS bank/Citi bank locations or via NEFT.

5. Make an appointment for your biometrics and an interview.

6. You must physically show up for the biometric appointment so that your fingerprints be scanned and your photo taken for the visa.

7. You will be questioned at the personal interview about your choice, college, finances, and intention to return. If they are persuaded, they will keep your passport so they may have the visa stamped in it. 

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What is the Processing Time for F1 Visa?

In comparison to other visas, the F1 visa takes far less time to process. Most of the time, candidates find out about the status of their visa right away following the interview. Once the interview is over, you will find out if you were granted the visa or not. If your application for a visa is denied, the visa officer will give you the documentation with the reason why. When processing a visa and learning the outcome can take some time, you must be patient and wait for the outcome.

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Are you allowed to work on an F1 Visa?

During the first year of their degree, students are not permitted to work outside campus. Each week, they are permitted to work 20 hours. However, they are permitted to work up to 40 hours a week over holidays and breaks. Students are permitted to work for a private company that offers services to the institution or university, such as a cafeteria or bookstore. There are two choices available to those who desire to work off campus:

• Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) - Students may work or intern through CPT as a requirement for their degree. It is necessary to complete the internship/practical training to earn their degree. Additionally, the internship needs to be approved by their university or other educational institution and connected to their field of study. Candidates may begin their Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) once they have been enrolled in their program for nine full months. CPT is only approved for a specific semester, such as the fall, spring, or summer. It might last anything from one semester to 364 days.

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• Optional Practical Training (OPT) - To enable international students to work in the US, the OPT was created. Students under OPT are only permitted to work for a total of 12 months. Additionally, one can only work in the field in which they majored and must find employment within 90 days after graduation. STEM students are eligible for an OPT extension of an additional 24 months. One can only begin working under OPT if they have applied for an Employment Authorization Document with their university's designated official (EAD). You must complete Form I-765. If you're fortunate, your employer may sponsor your application for an H1-B visa, which will then allow you to apply for a Green Card.

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Can I be accompanied by a dependent? 

F2 or M2 visas are needed for partners and minor children who intend to stay in the US with the applicant during his or her stay. A spouse with F2 status is permitted to enroll in classes that are vocational or recreational in nature, such as learning how to play tennis or cook, but they are not permitted to enroll in a complete course of study. Children with F2 status are permitted to enroll full-time in elementary, middle, or high school. At a college or university, they are not permitted to enrol in a full-time program of study.

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During the duration of the F2 visa's stay, a student's spouse and children are not permitted to take jobs.

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What are the Health Insurance Requirements for F1 Visa?

The US Department of State has not established any precise standards for F1 visas. Usually, the institution of higher learning determines the type of insurance that students must purchase. If the school has not specified any requirements for the health insurance, the applicant will need to choose the type of insurance they need to carry.

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What can you do with F-1 Visa?

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Change in visa status: F1 visa holders have the option to change their visa status if they land a job that calls for a different kind of visa. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your employer, or your sponsor/instructions reviewer's must be followed in this case.

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Extend the duration of your stay: Typically, the F1 visa is valid for the time period specified in the I-20 form or for the duration of your course. You must, however, request for an extension of your student 'visa if your visa does not permit you to remain for the entire period of your course. 

F1 visa holders are granted a visa extension under the pretense that they will finish their course in the 'US and then return to their native country.

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Access to US healthcare: If you have an F1 visa, you can use US healthcare facilities. 

Although medical care is among the most expensive in the world, students are recommended to 'enroll in a suitable health insurance plan as prescribed by their university or educational institution.

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What would happen if your visa was denied?

The visa officer will inform you of the reason for the rejection of your visa application as well as the section for which it was denied. Following the conclusion of the visa interview, the applicant is informed 

whether the visa is rejected for any reason, including inability to submit supporting papers, ineligibility, 

or any other reason.

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If your visa application was rejected, may you reapply?

Those who were initially denied a study visa may reapply. The candidate must submit a new visa 

application and visa fee if the visa is rejected pursuant to section 221(g). If you were denied a visa under 

INA Section 214(b), you can show proof that you made significant improvements to your application since

your previous application.

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