Applying for F-1 Visa

To enter the U.S. for the purpose of studying, 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. The decision whether to grant a visa is entirely up to consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates. Here is some useful information that will help you 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 be able to request an expedited F-1 visa interview date if there is no regular visa interview slot available before the semester starts. However, not all embassies and consulates offer expedited interviews, and the process for requesting one varies. You can check the details about the embassy or consulate closest to you HERE. After entering the website, you can choose the region and country to locate the embassy or consulate nearest you. Then, look for a link about expedited appointments which will list the qualifications and how to make a 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 whether to schedule an expedited appointment is at the discretion of the embassy or consulate.