| Updated On - Jul 2, 2026
The F1 student visa is the visa every Indian student needs to study full-time at a US university. It is a non-immigrant visa tied to one SEVP-approved school, and it stays valid for as long as you remain enrolled. For most Indian applicants, it is the final and most important step after securing admission.
The process runs through three key documents and one interview, and while it is not designed to be hard, it rewards preparation. Approval rests on genuine academic intent, solid financial proof and a clear plan to return home. This guide covers every stage, cost and requirement you need. The price for visa inculdes cost:
- SEVIS I-901 fee: USD 350 (about INR 33,250)
- MRV visa fee: USD 185 (about INR 17,575), paid for the DS-160.
- Five US visa locations in India: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
- Processing time: usually 3 to 8 weeks, longer in the May to August peak.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Non-immigrant student visa (F1) |
| For | Full-time study at a SEVP-approved institution |
| Validity | Duration of status, while you stay enrolled |
| Core mandatory fees | USD 535 (SEVIS USD 350 plus MRV USD 185) |
| Key documents | Form I-20, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 confirmation |
| Consulates in India | 5, across New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata |
| Work rights | 20 hours a week on campus during term |
Must Read:
- US Student Visa Requirements: Cost, Application & Process
- SEVIS Fee: Definition, Process, and Importance
- I-20 Form Guide for Indian Students: Complete Explanation
- What to Do After Your Student Visa Gets Rejected?
- How to fill the DS 160 Form: A Step-by-Step Guide
F1 Visa, SEVIS, I-20 and DS-160 Explained
The F1 visa is your student visa, SEVIS is the system that tracks you, the I-20 is your admission form, and the DS-160 is your visa application. Every Indian applicant deals with all four. Understanding how these connect makes the whole process clearer, since each one feeds into the next.
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| F1 visa | The non-immigrant visa to study full-time at a SEVP-approved US school |
| SEVIS | The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that records and tracks F1 students |
| I-20 | The form from your university confirming admission, with your SEVIS ID and cost of attendance |
| DS-160 | The online US non-immigrant visa application form |
Note: Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee only after you receive your I-20, and always before your visa interview. You need the SEVIS ID printed on your I-20 to make the payment, and you must carry the SEVIS receipt to the interview along with your I-20.
Also Read:
- F-1 Visa Interview Questions: Complete Guide with Answers for Indian Students
- F-1 Visa Slot Booking: Complete Guide for Indian Students - Fees, Process & Documents
F1 Student Visa Application Process
The F1 student visa application process runs from admission and the I-20 through the SEVIS fee, the DS-160, the MRV fee, appointments and the interview. The order matters at each step. Start early, since appointment slots fill fast in peak season. The steps are:
- Get admission and Form I-20 from a SEVP-approved US institution.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at fmjfee.com using the SEVIS ID on your I-20, and save the receipt.
- Complete the DS-160 form online, upload your photo and print the confirmation.
- Pay the MRV visa fee of USD 185 before booking your appointment.
- Book two appointments, the biometrics at the visa application centre and the consular interview.
- Attend the interview with your passport, I-20, SEVIS and DS-160 receipts, and financial documents.
- Collect your passport after approval, then enter the US up to 30 days before your program starts.
If you receive your I-20, then pay the SEVIS fee next. That means using the SEVIS ID from the I-20 at fmjfee.com before you fill the DS-160.
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F1 Student Visa Fees and Total Cost
The core mandatory F1 visa fees are USD 535, made up of the USD 350 SEVIS fee and the USD 185 MRV visa fee, with Indian applicants paying no visa issuance fee. Both are non-refundable. A new Visa Integrity Fee can add USD 250 on top, and school deposits and travel costs are separate.
| Fee | Amount (USD) | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| SEVIS I-901 fee | USD 350 | About INR 33,250 |
| MRV visa fee (DS-160) | USD 185 | About INR 17,575 |
| Core mandatory total | USD 535 | About INR 50,800 |
| Visa Integrity Fee (may apply) | USD 250 | About INR 23,750 |
| Total with integrity fee | USD 785 | About INR 74,600 |
Currency conversions use USD 1 = INR 95 as of July 2, 2026, and move with the exchange rate.
What the mandatory fees cover and what they do not:
- Cover: the SEVIS record and the visa application, which are the two government charges.
- Do not cover: school deposits, courier, photos, travel to the centre or the integrity fee.
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Bank Balance and Proof of Funds for F1 Visa
There is no fixed bank balance for the F1 interview, but you must show liquid funds covering at least the first year's cost on your I-20, often INR 25 to 40 lakh. Funds must be traceable.
Consular officers want proof you can fund your studies without unauthorised work, so documentation is everything. Planning that budget is easier with this list of top universities abroad. Acceptable proof includes:
- Bank statements from the last three to six months, from a reputable bank.
- Education loan sanction letter from an approved lender.
- Fixed deposits, sponsor affidavits and income proof of parents or sponsors.
- Scholarship or assistantship letters, if you have them.
Note: Most F1 refusals fall under Section 214(b), for weak financial proof or an unclear intent to return to India. A clear funding plan and honest, specific answers about your course, university and career goals matter more than any single document.
Also Read:
F1 Visa US Consulates in India
India has five US visa locations that process F1 student visas: the US Embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Any of them can process your visa. You can choose the location with the shortest wait time, regardless of your home state, if your schedule allows. The five offices are below.
| City | US Visa Office |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | US Embassy |
| Mumbai | US Consulate General |
| Chennai | US Consulate General |
| Hyderabad | US Consulate General |
| Kolkata | US Consulate General |
What choosing a consulate affects and what it does not:
- Affects: your wait time for an appointment, which varies by city and season.
- Does not: depend on your home state, since any location can process your F1 visa.
The F1 student visa is the gateway to a US education, and while the process has several stages, each one is manageable with early planning. Secure your I-20, pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160, pay the MRV fee and prepare traceable proof of funds well before your interview. Budget the core USD 535 in government fees, check whether the Visa Integrity Fee applies, then choose the consulate with the shortest wait. Answer honestly about your course, funding and plans to return. The F1 visa then becomes the last confident step before you begin studying in the USA.
FAQs
Ques. What is an F1 student visa?
Ans. The F1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa for full-time study at a SEVP-approved US institution. It is valid for the duration of your status, meaning as long as you stay enrolled. It is the visa most Indian degree students need.
Ques. What is SEVIS and the SEVIS fee?
Ans. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that tracks F1 students. The SEVIS I-901 fee is USD 350 (about INR 33,250), paid at fmjfee.com after you get your I-20 and before your visa interview.
Ques. What is Form I-20?
Ans. The I-20 is the form your university issues after admission, confirming your enrolment. It carries your SEVIS ID, program start date and cost of attendance. You need it to pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160.
Ques. What is the DS-160 form?
Ans. The DS-160 is the online US non-immigrant visa application form. You complete it, upload a photo and print the confirmation. From December 2025, it also requires your social media handles from the past five years.
Ques. How much does the F1 visa cost in total?
Ans. The core mandatory cost is USD 535 (about INR 50,800), being the USD 350 SEVIS fee plus the USD 185 MRV fee. A new Visa Integrity Fee of USD 250 may apply on top, taking the total to about USD 785.
Ques. How much bank balance is needed for the F1 visa interview?
Ans. There is no fixed minimum bank balance. You must show liquid, traceable funds covering at least the first year's cost of attendance on your I-20, often INR 25 to 40 lakh, through bank statements, loan letters or sponsor proof.
Ques. How do I apply for the F1 student visa?
Ans. Get your I-20, pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160, pay the MRV fee, book your biometrics and interview, then attend the interview with your documents. If approved, you collect your passport and can enter the US up to 30 days before your course starts.
Ques. Which US consulates in India process F1 visas?
Ans. Five locations: the US Embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Any of them can process your F1 visa regardless of your home state, so you can pick the one with the shortest wait.
Ques. How long does the F1 visa process take?
Ans. The process usually takes 3 to 8 weeks, depending on appointment availability and background checks. The May to August peak can extend wait times, so apply as early as your I-20 allows, up to 365 days before your course.
Ques. Can I work on an F1 visa?
Ans. Yes, with limits. You can work up to 20 hours a week on campus during term and full-time during breaks. Off-campus work is limited to authorised options such as CPT during your course and OPT after you graduate.
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