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F-1 · M-1 · I-20 · SEVIS · DS-160

Move to America to Study

A student visa lets you study at a U.S. school approved by the government. You are accepted by the school first, then apply for the visa.

Verified against official sources on 2026-10-25 Last verified: 2026-10-25

Core facts, form edition dates, fees and recent notices were checked against the official pages listed below on October 25, 2026. Sections marked 'Our guidance' are our own advice, not official text. Some official pages show older 'last updated' dates.

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Step 1 of 8

Overview

The State Department says you must have a student visa (F or M) to travel to the U.S. to study. The F visa is for universities and academic programs, and the M visa is for vocational and other non-academic programs. You first apply to a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). If it accepts you, the school registers you in the SEVIS system and issues Form I-20. You then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the online DS-160, pay the visa application fee and attend an interview.

Who qualifies

  • You are accepted by a SEVP-approved school, which gives you a Form I-20.
  • You can show the officer you will study full time, can pay for your studies and living costs, and intend to follow the visa rules. A consular officer decides whether you qualify.
  • Your nationality is not under an entry restriction that blocks F or M visas (see the 'What changed' tab).
  • You are admissible to the U.S.
Next: Your route

Step 2 of 8

Your route

F-1 or M-1?

What kind of program is it?

  • University, college or academic program: You will need an F visa.
  • Vocational or non-academic program: You will need an M visa.

When do you apply?

  • New student: You can apply for the visa up to 365 days before the start date of your course, but you cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date.
Back Next: Forms

Step 3 of 8

Forms

Required forms

Fees were checked on October 25, 2026 on the official pages. Always use the current information from the official page.

I-20

Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status

Issued by your school after it accepts you.

What it does
Shows the program and your SEVIS record. You need it for the DS-160 and the interview.
Who files it
Your school's designated official.
When
After you are accepted and your school creates your SEVIS record.

You will usually need

  • Acceptance by the school
  • Proof of funds, as the school asks
  • Passport

Tip: Bring the signed original I-20 to the interview.

Official page for I-20 (opens in a new tab)

SEVIS I-901

SEVIS I-901 Fee

The fee for the student record system.

Fee: $350 for F and M applicants (ICE)

What it does
Pays for the SEVIS record.
Who files it
The student.
When
After you get the I-20 and before the visa interview.

You will usually need

  • Your SEVIS ID from the I-20
  • Payment method

Tip: Keep proof of payment for the interview.

Official page for SEVIS I-901 (opens in a new tab)

DS-160

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Completed by the student.

Fee: $185 application fee (State Department)

What it does
The online visa application.
Who files it
The student.
When
After you have the I-20.

You will usually need

  • Passport
  • I-20 details
  • Travel and education history

Tip: Print the confirmation page and bring it to the interview.

Official page for DS-160 (opens in a new tab)

Back Next: Process

Step 4 of 8

Process

Step-by-step stages

  1. Apply to a SEVP-approved schoolOnly schools approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program can enroll you on an F or M visa.
  2. Receive Form I-20Your school registers you in SEVIS and issues the I-20.
  3. Pay the SEVIS I-901 feeICE and DHS say it must be paid before the visa interview.
  4. Complete the DS-160 and pay the visa feePrint the confirmation page.
  5. Visa interviewThe State Department says interviews are generally required, with limited exceptions. The officer decides whether you qualify.
  6. Enter the U.S.No earlier than 30 days before the start date of your program.

What to bring to the interview

From State Department and DHS student pages, checked October 25, 2026.

  • Your signed original Form I-20
  • Your passport
  • The DS-160 confirmation page
  • Proof of SEVIS fee payment
  • A photo that meets the requirements
  • Evidence of funds and of your ties to your home country
Back Next: Costs and timing

Step 5 of 8

Costs and timing

Fees and official sources

Government fees as published by the agencies, checked on Oct 25, 2026. Fees change, so confirm on the official page before you pay. These are not Move to America's prices.

Paid to the U.S. government

FormWhat it is forFeeTiming
SEVIS I-901 SEVIS fee for F and M applicantsPaid to ICE. Special J categories and government visitors pay less or nothing. $350 Not currently verified
DS-160 Student visa application feeThe State Department says you may also owe a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. $185 Not currently verified

Source: ICE and Travel.State.Gov

  • Tuition, housing, health insurance and travel are separate and are not government fees.
  • Move to America's own charges ($2 per eligibility assessment, and optional community membership) are separate from every fee above.

Processing times

Visa appointment wait times depend on the embassy or consulate where you apply. We do not have verified wait times, so we show none. Check your embassy's website.

Not currently verified

See all stages and USCIS averages

Back Next: Avoid mistakes

Step 6 of 8

Avoid mistakes

Common mistakes and red flags

Our guidance, not official text

  • Applying to a school that is not SEVP-approved
  • Paying the SEVIS fee late or losing the receipt
  • Entering the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date
  • Not being able to show how you will pay for your studies
  • Not preparing for questions about your plans and ties to your home country
  • Booking final travel before the visa is issued

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a student visa before I am accepted?

No. The State Department says you first apply to a school, and your visa process starts after the school issues your I-20.

How early can I apply for the visa?

The State Department says new students can apply up to 365 days before the start date of their course.

Can I work on a student visa?

Work rules are detailed and depend on your situation. Ask your school's designated official before you do any work.

Back Next: What changed

Step 7 of 8

What changed

Official notices that may affect student visas. Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change often, so open the source before you act.

  • Jan 1, 2026 · White House / State Department

    Entry restrictions for nationals of listed countries

    A presidential proclamation effective January 1, 2026 suspends entry and visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries in full, and limits visas for nationals of 20 more. Use the lookup in the 'Entry restrictions by nationality' box below to check your nationality. The proclamation lists a small number of exceptions, and its text does not list one for immediate-relative or adoption immigrant visas.

    Read the official notice (opens in a new tab)

Entry restrictions by nationality

Check whether the January 2026 proclamation affects your nationality.

Full restriction

  • Afghanistan
  • Burma
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority are also covered by the full restriction.

Partial restriction (immigrant visas, and B, F, M and J visas)

  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burundi
  • Cuba
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Dominica
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Malawi
  • Mauritania
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Immigrant visas only

  • Turkmenistan

Exceptions in the proclamation text

  • Lawful permanent residents of the United States.
  • Dual nationals travelling on a passport from a country that is not on the lists.
  • Holders of certain diplomatic and international organization nonimmigrant visas (A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6).
  • Certain athletes and teams, with support staff and immediate relatives, travelling for major sporting events as determined by the Secretary of State.
  • Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees, and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
  • People who already held a valid visa on January 1, 2026. The proclamation says those visas are not revoked.
  • People already granted asylum in the U.S., and refugees already admitted.
  • Case-by-case national-interest exceptions can be granted by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
  • The proclamation text we read lists no exception for immediate-relative or adoption immigrant visas.
  • For Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela the text says entry stays limited as set out in an earlier proclamation (10949) and in this one, so check the State Department page for the exact visa categories.
  • We read the proclamation as published. It may have been amended since. Check the State Department page before you plan or pay for anything.

Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026. Source: White House, text of the proclamation · State Department notice. Checked Oct 25, 2026.

Back Next: Get ready

Step 8 of 8

Get ready

Readiness checklist

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Official sources

The official pages and form instructions are the authority. If this guide differs, follow the official source.

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Move to America is an independent information and preparation service. We are not a government agency, not affiliated with USCIS or the U.S. government, and not a law firm. Nothing here is legal advice, and we cannot guarantee any visa or immigration outcome.