🇺🇸 United States · Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
To study full-time in the United States you generally need an F-1 student visa (M-1 for vocational study). After an SEVP-certified school admits you and issues a Form I-20, you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, complete the DS-160, and attend a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate. Study in the States (DHS) and the State Department's travel site are the authoritative sources.
- The F-1 visa is for academic study; M-1 is for vocational/technical study. Your school must be SEVP-certified to issue the Form I-20.
- Steps: receive the I-20 → pay the SEVIS I-901 fee → complete the DS-160 → book and attend a visa interview with required documents.
- You must show ties to your home country and sufficient funds for tuition and living costs for the program.
- F-1 students may do limited on-campus work and, later, training such as CPT/OPT — confirm current rules with your school's DSO.
Official authorities
- Study in the States (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Authoritative SEVP guide to the Form I-20 and student-status rules.
- U.S. Visas — Student Visa (Department of State)
Official consular guide to F-1/M-1 visa application steps.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- The White House — Official residence and office of the US President — executive orders, policy briefings, press releases
- U.S. Department of State — US passport and visa services, travel warnings, embassy information worldwide
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) — Federal tax filing, refund status, ITIN/EIN applications, and Free File program
- USCIS — Green card, H-1B and work visas, naturalization, immigration benefits, and case status