United States Student Visa Guide
Foreign students coming to the United States for academic, language, vocational or other qualifying study generally need an F-1 or M-1 student visa, depending on the type of school and course of study.
The F-1 visa is generally required for study at a university or college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, another academic institution, or an approved language-training program.
The M-1 visa is generally required for vocational or other recognized nonacademic study or training at a U.S. institution, other than a language-training program.
An applicant must establish eligibility for the student classification and for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa. The consular officer decides each application individually under U.S. immigration law.
The first formal immigration step is acceptance by a school certified by the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). After accepting the student, the school enters the student's information in SEVIS and issues Form I-20.
The student must generally pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before the visa interview. The current I-901 fee for F and M students is US$350.
For new students, F and M visas may currently be issued up to 365 days before the program start date shown on Form I-20.
However, a new student may not enter the United States on the F-1 or M-1 student visa more than 30 days before the program start date.
For continuing students, an F or M visa may be issued at any time while the student remains properly enrolled at a SEVP-approved school and active in SEVIS. Continuing students may generally enter before classes resume in accordance with their continuing student status and travel documentation.
U.S. law imposes special restrictions on F-1 students attending publicly funded schools.
| School or program | F-1 rule |
|---|---|
| Public elementary or primary school | An F-1 visa cannot be issued for attendance at a public elementary/primary school. |
| Publicly funded adult education program | An F-1 visa cannot be issued for attendance at a publicly funded adult education program. |
| Public secondary/high school, grades 9-12 | Permitted in F-1 status for a maximum of 12 months. |
| Cost of public secondary education | The F-1 student must pay the school system the full, unsubsidized per-capita cost of the education. |
| Private elementary or secondary school | The public-school statutory restrictions do not apply in the same way, but the school must be authorized to enroll F-1 students. |
Dependents of nonimmigrants in many categories may attend public primary or secondary school without being treated as F-1 public-school students. Their ability to study derives from the rules applicable to their dependent status.
A person coming to the United States for a course leading to a U.S. degree or academic certificate generally must obtain the appropriate F or M student visa before travel.
A visitor visa may be appropriate for a short recreational course that is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. A prospective student may also use visitor status for a lawful visit to schools before or during the school-application process, provided the traveler complies with visitor-status rules.
| Item | Current rule |
|---|---|
| F-1 / M-1 visa application fee | US$185, non-refundable. |
| I-901 SEVIS fee | US$350 for F and M students. |
| Visa issuance / reciprocity fee | May apply after approval depending on nationality. |
| Interview | Generally required under the current interview-waiver policy; F and M visas are not listed as routine renewal-waiver categories. |
| Place of application | Applicants should generally schedule the interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. |
Under the Department of State policy effective October 1, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants-including applicants under age 14 and over age 79-generally require an in-person interview unless they fall within a specifically listed exception.
Under the Department's instructions updated July 15, 2026, nonimmigrant visa applicants should generally schedule their visa interview in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants applying based on residence should be able to demonstrate residence in that country.
A spouse and unmarried minor children who will live with the principal student in the United States may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas, as appropriate.
F and M student visa applicants are currently subject to Department of State online-presence review as part of visa screening and vetting.
Applicants should provide complete and truthful information in the DS-160 and throughout the visa process. Willful misrepresentation of a material fact may result in serious immigration consequences.
Student visa eligibility depends on the applicant's school, program, Form I-20, finances, immigration history and individual circumstances. Visa policies, screening requirements and consular procedures may change. Applicants should verify the current requirements of the U.S. Department of State, DHS/SEVP and the U.S. embassy or consulate handling the application before paying fees or making final travel arrangements.