Once you have an admit and your Form I-20, the F-1 visa process begins.
Step by step
- 1. Get your I-20 from your SEVP-approved school (issued after you document first-year funds).
- 2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, $350 at fmjfee.com. Keep the receipt.
- 3. Complete the DS-160 online and pay the $185 fee. Print the confirmation page.
- 4. Schedule your interview at a US Consulate (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata).
- 5. Attend the interview with all documents; give fingerprints.
- 6. On approval, a $250 Visa Integrity Fee (effective Oct 1, 2025) applies.
Documents to carry
- Passport (valid 6+ months)
- DS-160 confirmation + fee receipt
- Signed Form I-20 + SEVIS payment receipt
- Proof of funds, bank statements, FDs, loan sanction letter, scholarship/assistantship letter
- Academic records: transcripts, degree, test scores
Wait times, apply early
Wait times in India are volatile and seasonal. Student visas are often prioritized before the semester start. Check the official Global Visa Wait Times and book the moment you have your I-20.
The interview itself
It's short, often 2-3 minutes. The officer is checking: Are you a genuine student? Can you pay? Do you intend to study? Answer honestly and concisely about your program, funding, and plans.
What if my visa is denied?
You don't pay the Visa Integrity Fee if denied. You can reapply, ideally after addressing the reason (often weak financial proof or unclear study intent). Be honest about prior refusals on the DS-160.
Nervous about the interview or your funds documentation? An Aurora mentor can run a mock interview with you.
