F-1 Visa Requirements: Qualifying for an F-1 Visa

UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

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Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 13, 2023Fact Checked

 

An F-1 visa is a visa available to international students who wish to pursue an academic program at a US school. To qualify for an F-1 visa, prospective international students must satisfy the following F-1 visa requirements:

  • Acceptance into a USCIS-approved school;
  • True intention to come to the US to complete a full course of study and then return home;
  • Target program of study must lead to a specific educational goal;
  • Student has enough money to attend school full time without working;
  • The ability to speak and write in the English language well enough to successfully complete the work required in the program of study or the availability of tutoring or instruction in the student’s native language at the school of choice.

Acceptance at an Approved School

An F-1 visa is granted only to a student who has been accepted at an approved school. Luckily, most public and accredited private and vocational schools have been approved, so international students should have no problem finding a school that both suits their needs and qualifies as a government approved institution. The government maintains a list of SEVP approved schools. Prospective students should check this list before actively pursuing acceptance to a school. Students may also want to visit the US for a short time to look at schools before applying to them. You can do this by obtaining a B-2 visa to visit the US. Be sure to tell the consul during your B-2 visa interview that you are a prospective student and that you intend to look at suitable schools while you are visiting the US. The consul will note this on your passport. Without this note, USCIS might well deny your application to convert your visitor visa for an F-1 student visa on the grounds that you committed fraud by getting a visitor visa when your true intention was to study in the US.

Intention to Come to the US to Study (And Then to Go Home When You’re Done)

One of the most important conditions for getting an F-1 visa is the intention to leave when you have completed your program. You cannot use a student visa as a way to gain entry to the US for the purpose of staying indefinitely. That is illegal. So how does immigration services know what your intentions are? USCIS may ask that you show that you will be leaving behind property, possessions and/or family members in your home country as an incentive to return home. It also helps if you can show that you have a job waiting for  you when you return.

Carrying a Full Course of Study

International students should expect to carry a full course load while they are working towards their degree, diploma or certificate in the US. Undergraduate students with an F-1 visa can expect to enroll in at least 12 semester or quarter hours of instruction each term to fulfill their F-1  visa requirements.  There are exceptions, for example for students who are in their final semester and do not need 12 hours to complete their program. Graduate or specialized programs and online classes have other requirements, so be sure to check with your advisor to make sure you are in compliance with your F-1 visa requirements.

Program Leads to Accomplishment of a Specific Educational Goal

F-1 visa requirements dictate that international students be enrolled in a program that leads to a specific educational goal, such as a degree, diploma or certificate. A degree or certificate is not a requirement. You could come to the US just to study for a semester full time and that would be sufficient as a specific educational goal.

Adequate Money to Complete Studies

Student visa candidates must show that they have enough money to pay for their program of study without having to work. They will be asked to show that they have enough cash on hand at the time of application to pay for the first year of studies. They will then need to show that they have a reliable source to pay for subsequent years of study. Students typically have their parents sign in writing that they will pay for the program and then submit proof that they are able to do so.

English Language Proficiency

Does the student know the English language well enough to handle the course work in their program? Adequate knowledge of the English language is crucial to the success of foreign students and many colleges and universities will require that students take an English language proficiency test. Most of the time, the consulate will allow the school to determine whether or not a student’s English is good enough, but the consulate may also determine, even if the school thinks the student’s English is good enough, that the student’s English is not good enough to qualify for an F -1 student visa.

Do You Need An Immigration Lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is typically not needed during the F-1 visa process. Most situations are handled without incident and without the need for an immigration lawyer. There are specific circumstances, however, that could require the expertise of an immigration lawyer. For example, if you are coming from a country that is considered to be a sponsor for terrorists, or if you have had a visa in the past and allowed it to lapse, you  may very well need an immigration attorney to help you overcome these obstacles. An experienced immigration lawyer will be worth the money spent to ensure your successful visa application.

Meeting F-1 Visa Requirements: Case Studies on Utilizing Insurance

Case Study 1: Health Insurance for English Language Program

Juan is an international student from Mexico who plans to attend an English language program in the United States. As part of the F-1 visa requirements, Juan must show proof of adequate health insurance coverage. He decides to purchase a comprehensive health insurance plan specifically designed for international students. During his program, Juan falls ill and needs to visit a doctor.

Thanks to his health insurance, he is able to receive medical care without worrying about the high costs associated with healthcare in the US. Having the required health insurance coverage not only helps Juan meet the F-1 visa requirements but also ensures his well-being during his studies.

Case Study 2: Renter’s Insurance for Off-Campus Housing

Sophie, an international student from France, is enrolled in a degree program at a US university. She decides to rent an off-campus apartment for the duration of her studies. To meet the F-1 visa requirements, Sophie needs to show proof of adequate housing and financial stability. She chooses to purchase renter’s insurance to protect her personal belongings and meet the housing requirement.

A few months into her stay, there is a burglary in her apartment building, and Sophie’s laptop and other valuables are stolen. Thanks to her renter’s insurance policy, Sophie receives compensation for her lost belongings, allowing her to replace them and continue her studies without financial strain.

Case Study 3: Travel Insurance for Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Luis, an international student from Brazil, successfully completes his degree program in the United States and is eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows him to work in the US for a specified period after graduation. As part of the F-1 visa requirements for OPT, Luis needs to have a valid insurance plan that covers accidents, illnesses, and medical emergencies.

He purchases travel insurance that meets the OPT insurance requirements. While working on his OPT, Luis decides to take a vacation and travels to another state. Unfortunately, he meets with a car accident during his trip and requires emergency medical treatment.

His travel insurance covers the medical expenses, ensuring that his OPT experience is not disrupted by unexpected financial burdens.

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.

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