Applying for an F-1 Visa

To enter the U.S. as an F-1 student, you will need to obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

For more information on applying for a visa and travel to the U.S., refer to our Immigration Updates webpage.

First obtain your I-20 from ISSP, then follow the steps below:

Steps to follow to obtain an F-1 visa

Step 1: Pay the SEVIS Fee

Before applying for your F-1 visa, you must pay a SEVIS Fee of $350. You can pay this electronically or by mail, but payment must be received at least 3 days before the visa interview, or for Bermudan or Canadian citizens, 3 days before you enter the U.S. For more information on the SEVIS fee, read ICE I-901 FAQ.
If you previously paid the SEVIS fee, and your F-1 record has stayed active, you do not need to pay it again.
If you are transferring your immigration record from another school, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee. For more information about this, contact [[globe, ISSP]].

Bermudan or Canadian Citizens

Bermudan or Canadian citizens do not need to apply for a student (F-1 or J-1) or dependent (F-2 or J-2) visa; they may simply enter with the I-20, proof of citizenship (i.e., passport or driver's license and birth certificate), admission letter, SEVIS Fee payment receipt, and evidence of financial support. They will however, have to pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 days before entering the U.S. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the border.

Step 2: Complete the Online Visa Application (DS-160)

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. Learn more about completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application, and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Note: If you need to list a U.S. address in your application, you can list the address of your department, or ISSP's physical address (200 S. Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185).
Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must meet the Photograph Requirements.

Step 3: Schedule a Visa Interview

It is common for a visa application to be denied if a student cannot arrive in the U.S. in time for their first day of classes. Therefore, if you need an earlier visa appointment to facilitate your arrival at the beginning of the semester, you can submit a request for an expedited visa appointment. You usually need to schedule a regular visa appointment before you can request an expedited date. Please note that expedited appointments will only be granted at the Consular/Embassy Section’s discretion.

If you cannot arrive in the U.S. in time for the first day of your program, please contact your academic program and ISSP.

Instructions will be on the website of the embassy or consulate at which you apply. This is typically handled by a call center or service that contracts with the embassy. U.S. State Department policy requires that embassies and consulates give students priority in visa appointments.
- On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants should schedule their appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. See the U.S. Department of State announcement about nonimmigrant visa applicants for more information.
As a part of the process, you will pay a visa application fee and sometimes a visa reciprocity fee, which varies by country, and is rarely applicable.

Required Documents for Visa Interview
Required Documentation Gather and prepare the required documentation before your visa interview. The consular officer may request the following additional documentation, so you may wish to have them prepared: Evidence of your academic preparation (transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certifications from schools you attended; and standardized test scores required by your U.S. school) Evidence of your intent to depart the U.S. upon completion of the course of study (e.g. employment offer, concrete plans on how your education in the U.S. will help your career in your home country, family and property ties, etc.) Evidence of how you will pay all educational, living, and travel costs (e.g. Certification of Financial Support, bank statement, assistantship or scholarship letter) If you do not receive your I-20 back after your appointment, contact ISSP for a replacement, as you will need this when traveling to the U.S. In addition to the documents listed above, New students will need the receipt of their SEVIS fee payment and their admission letter from William & Mary of VIMS. Continuing students will need a valid travel signature on form I-20 (signatures valid for 1 year from date of signing) and their W&M transcript (official recommended). Students on OPT will need a valid travel signature on form I-20 (while on OPT, signatures valid for 6 months from date of signing), their EAD card (OPT card), and a letter from their employer verifying their employment and recognizing travel (recommended). Check with your U.S. Consulate to see if they require any additional documents.

What to Expect at the Visa Interview

At the visa application appointment, the officer will conduct a brief interview of you and review your documents. Review NAFSA's 10 Tips for a Successful Visa Interview to help you prepare.

Note about Social Media Collection:

On May 31, 2025, the Department of State updated its immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms to request additional information, including social media identifiers, from most U.S. visa applicants worldwide. Please see the Department of State's Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.

When completing the DS-160, keep the following best practices in mind:

Honesty is key
List any social media account that would come up if you searched for your name on an Internet search engine (even closed accounts)
If you do not have any social media accounts, be prepared to respond to additional questions

Security Checks

Some applicants may be subject to a security check as part of your visa application, which may delay getting your visa. This is often referred to as "administrative processing." While most security checks are completed within a few weeks, (the U.S. State Department works with the other federal agencies involved to expedite them), in rare cases they can take several months. Various factors may make you more likely to have a security check, such as your country of citizenship, your gender, and the field you are studying.

Authorization of your F-1 Visa

If the consular officer grants you the visa, the officer will instruct you on when and where you can pick it up. The visa will have an expiration date; however, the expiration date on the visa is not the date by which you must leave the U.S. You may stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 as long as you maintain your immigration status by being in possession of a valid I-20 and follow all immigration rules. If you have left the U.S. and your F-1 visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new one to re-enter the U.S.

Bermudan and Canadian citizens do not need a F-1 visa to enter the U.S.

You may stay in the U.S. until the completion of your program (see program end date on I-20) plus 60 days (e.g., grace period). During the 60 days grace period, you may travel in the U.S., prepare for your return home, etc; however, you cannot work during that period - even on-campus.

Applying for a visa after Changing Status

If you are currently in the U.S. in another status and plan to change status to F-1, please see Changing Status to F-1 for more information.

If you have already changed status within the U.S. (e.g., H-4 to F-1) and this will be your first subsequent F-1 visa application, you should carry with you your I-797 Change of Status Approval Notice as well as documentation of your previous status with you (e.g., old H-4 Approval Notice).

Entry to the U.S.

On your first entry to the U.S. with your I-20, you cannot enter earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20. For travel after that, (e.g., summer break), there is no restriction. In addition, on your first entry to the US with your W&M I-20, the name of the school on the F-1 visa (unless exempt from visa requirements as for Canadian citizens) must match the name of the school on the I-20.