How to Apply for a Student Visa for U.S. Universities – Step by Step Guide

Published On: June 20, 2025

Planning to study in the U.S. in 2025? Then getting your student visa is a major item on your checklist. The process might feel overwhelming at first—but don’t worry. If you follow the steps carefully and stay organized, you can get your F-1 visa without the headache. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to do, from your acceptance letter to the moment you land in the States.

Acceptance

First things first—you need to get accepted by a SEVP-approved U.S. school. SEVP stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Only schools approved by SEVP can issue the I-20 form, which is essential for your visa.

Once you’re accepted, the school will send you a Form I-20. This form contains key information like your course, tuition fees, and the duration of your study. You’ll need this for every step that follows, so keep it safe.

SEVIS Fee

Next up: pay the SEVIS fee (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). This fee supports the maintenance of your information while you’re in the U.S.

To pay, go to FMJfee.com and submit Form I-901. For F-1 visa applicants, the SEVIS fee is currently $350. Make sure to print the receipt—you’ll need it for your interview.

DS-160 Form

Now it’s time to fill out the DS-160 form, the official non-immigrant visa application. You’ll do this online at the U.S. Department of State’s website.

You’ll need to upload a recent passport-style photo and answer questions about your background, education, and travel plans. Once submitted, you’ll get a confirmation page with a barcode. Again—print and save this.

Visa Fee

After completing DS-160, you’ll need to pay the visa application fee. For most F-1 visa applicants, this fee is $185 (check your local U.S. embassy for exact rates and payment instructions).

In some countries, you’ll need to pay this before booking an interview. In others, payment and scheduling go hand-in-hand.

Interview

Time for the big step: the visa interview. Schedule it at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You should bring:

Valid passport
DS-160 confirmation page
Visa fee receipt
SEVIS I-901 payment confirmation
Form I-20
Acceptance letter from your university
Financial documents showing you can cover tuition and living expenses
Academic transcripts and test scores (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE)

At the interview, you’ll be asked about your study plans, school choice, funding sources, and future goals. Be confident and honest. They just want to be sure you’re a genuine student with a clear purpose.

Approval

If all goes well, you’ll be told your visa is approved—congrats! Your passport with the visa stamp will be returned within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Make sure all details are correct: name, university, and visa type. If you spot an error, report it immediately.

Entry

Once you’ve got your visa, you can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on your I-20. Book your flight, prep your documents, and pack wisely.

On arrival, you’ll meet a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Show them your passport, visa, and I-20. Be ready to answer basic questions about your school and studies.

Here’s a handy recap table:

Step	Description	Cost
Form I-20	Issued by school after acceptance	Free
SEVIS Fee	Form I-901 on FMJfee.com	$350
DS-160 Form	Online visa application	Free
Visa Application	Fee payable before interview	$185 approx
Interview	Attend with required documents	Varies

Getting your U.S. student visa is a multi-step process, but if you stay organized and follow this guide, you’ll be ready in no time. Start early, keep copies of everything, and be honest at your interview. Your dream of studying in the U.S. is totally within reach—now go make it happen!