F-1 VISA APPLICATION GUIDE

How to Apply for Your F-1 Visa

Navigating the U.S. visa process involves several specific steps, but the Intensive English Center (IEC) is here to guide you. Below is the complete roadmap from accepting your admission offer to arriving in Nashville.

 

The 7-Stage Process Overview

Follow this sequence to secure your F-1 student visa:

f-1 visa application sequence

Requesting Your I-20

What is the I-20? The Form I-20 is your Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.   It is issued by the IEC once you have been admitted and submitted all required documents.   You need it to apply for your F-1 visa, enter the U.S., and maintain your status throughout your studies.

How to Request Your I-20 from the IEC:

1. Receive your acceptance letter and confirm enrollment.

2. Watch for an email from the IEC with instructions to access the student immigration portal.

3. Log in to the IEC immigration portal using your student ID and password.

4. Complete the I-20 Request Form. You will need to upload:

  • A copy of the biographical (photo) page of your valid passport.
  • Proof of financial support showing you can cover tuition and living expenses for at least one full academic year .
  • If applicable: a copy of your current visa, I-94, and/or current I-20 from another U.S. school.

5. Submit your form and allow 5-10 business days for the IEC to process your request.

6. Download your I-20 PDF from the portal once notified.   You must print a paper copy and sign it by hand.

7.  Beginning with  Session 2026-4 (starting June 28, 2026), all prospective students requesting the issuance of an  I-20 form for the purpose of scheduling an  F-1 visa   appointment  at a U.S. embassy or consulate will be required to submit an  Initial Payment of           $300.00. This payment will be credited toward the tuition for the student’s first academic session at the Intensive English Center.

  • If a student’s  F-1 visa application is denied,  the $300.00 initial payment  may be refunded upon written request, provided that official documentation of the visa denial is submitted.
  • Refund requests will be processed  after the student’s I-20 record has been officially cancelled in SEVIS. This policy applies to all new I-20 requests beginning with  Session 2026-4.

 

Paying the SEVIS I-901 Fee

Before you can schedule your visa interview, you must pay the federal SEVIS fee.

1. Visit www.FMJfee.com.

2. Complete the I-901 form using the exact name on your I-20.

3. Pay the fee (currently $350 for most F-1 students).

4. Print and save your receipt; you must bring it to your visa interview.

 

Completing the DS-160 Visa Application

1. Go to ceac.state.gov to complete the online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application.

2. Select the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you will apply.

3. Complete all sections accurately; this includes your travel history and any social media accounts.

4. Upload a compliant passport-style photo.

5. Review all entries carefully before submitting; answers must be truthful as you are under oath.

6. Print the DS-160 confirmation page with barcode, which is required at your interview.  

Note: F-1 visas can be issued up to 1 year before the program start date.

 

Scheduling & Attending the Visa Interview

1. Pay the $185 visa application fee (MRV fee) at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

2. Schedule your visa interview appointment.   You can check wait times at travel.state.gov.

3. Prepare the following required documents for your interview:

  • Valid passport (must remain valid at least 6 months beyond your program end date).
  • Printed DS-160 confirmation page.
  • Visa appointment confirmation.
  • Original signed Form I-20 from the IEC.
  • SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt.
  • Proof of financial support (bank statements, sponsor letters, scholarship letters).
  • Academic transcripts, diplomas, and standardized test scores.
  • Evidence of ties to your home country (property, family, employment).

4. Attend the interview and answer all questions honestly and concisely.

5. After approval, the visa stamp will be placed in your passport and returned to you.

Important Travel Notice:  A visa approval does NOT guarantee entry to the U.S.. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry makes the final decision.  Always carry all your original documents with you in your carry-on luggage.

 

Financial Documentation Requirements

To receive your I-20 and secure your F-1 visa, you must prove you have the funds to support your studies.

- Students must demonstrate the ability to cover all estimated costs for at least one full academic year.

- Accepted documents include bank statements, scholarship letters, and sponsor affidavits (Affidavit of Support).

- Documents must be current (typically dated within the last 6 months).

- Multiple sponsors can be combined, but the total must equal or exceed the school's estimated cost of attendance.

- Students living with family in the U.S. for free may need to submit an Affidavit of Free Room and Board.

 

Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided for general guidance only and is not legal advice.  U.S. immigration laws and regulations are subject to change. Students are responsible for complying with all federal immigration requirements. The IEC staff are not immigration attorneys.  For complex immigration issues, students may wish to consult a qualified immigration attorney. Always verify current requirements with the IEC and with official U.S. government sources (USCIS, ICE/SEVP, DHS, Department of State).