Applying for F-1 Visa

To enter the U.S, you are required to have a valid F-1 visa, unless you are eligible for the Automatic Visa Revalidation.

Students should apply for the F-1 visa as soon as they receive the initial Form I-20 and have the required documents ready. U.S. embassies and consulates can issue the F-1 visa up to 365 days before the Program Start Date listed on your initial I-20. Whether an individual is granted a visa, it is entirely the decision from the U.S. embassies and consulates. Here are some useful information that will help you to prepare for the visa application process:

Student Visa Application Process by the Department of State

10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa by NAFSA

Navigating the Student Visa Process by Education USA

Expedited Visa Interview Request

You may request to expedite your F-1 visa interview date if there is no regular visa interview slot available before the semester starts. The eligibility and process to request an expedited visa interview varies by different embassies and consulates. Check if the embassy or consulate in your location accepts the expedited request HERE. After clicking into the website, you can choose the region and country to locate the embassy or consulate. Then, you can find the link about expedited appointment which lists the qualifications and how to request.  

You MUST first submit the visa application (Form DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment (even if the date is later than your intended travel) before you can request the expedited visa interview appointment. 

The International Student Services office can provide a support letter for your expedited visa interview request after you receive the initial I-20. The decision of whether an expedited visa interview appointment is approved is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy and consulate’s discretion.