US student visa F-1: how to get it in 2026
Updated: Author: Alina Kanametova
Key answer
In short
To get the F-1 student visa you need admission to an SEVP-approved school: first the I-20 and the SEVIS fee, then the DS-160 and the interview, for Russians in a third country. Off-campus work is not allowed except CPT and OPT. Someone already in the US can change status to F-1 through the I-539 without leaving; the community reports language courses are approved far less often than universities.
How to get the F-1 student visa: five steps
| Step | What | How | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Admission and the I-20 | an SEVP-certified school issues the I-20 after proof of funds | visa categories |
| 2 | The SEVIS I-901 fee | paid before the interview; the receipt is needed at the interview and at entry | paying the fees |
| 3 | DS-160 and the interview | for Russians at a third-country consulate; questions about the programme, funds and plans after graduation | consulates |
| 4 | The decision | approval, a 214(b) refusal (the main reason is immigrant intent), or administrative processing | administrative processing |
| 5 | Already in the US: change of status | Form I-539 with USCIS instead of a visa; a trip out for an F-1 visa is still needed if you plan to travel | the alternative: O-1 |
The language-school visa: English courses on F-1
There is no separate "language visa". Per the State Department table, a language training program is study on an F visa, like a university or college; the school issues the I-20, then the same SEVIS, DS-160 and interview. A visitor B visa allows only a short recreational course that earns no credit toward a degree or certificate. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course starts, but you may enter on it no earlier than 30 days before the start.
The chats sharply contradict the "a language visa is easier than a tourist one" pitch: members report near-universal refusals for English courses, especially when the biography does not explain why the person must learn the language in the US (hard for an English teacher or a driver to explain). The refusal comes under 214(b) - the consul sees immigrant intent. The advice from the chats: if the goal is relocation, language courses are not the way, and university admission is easier to explain to a consul than a course. What to do after a 214(b) refusal
F-1 and J-1 duration of status: the 2026 rule and the court order
- Jul 17, 2026 - the DHS final rule. F students, J exchange visitors and I media representatives are admitted not for duration of status (D/S) but for a fixed period: for F and J, the program length capped at 4 years. Staying longer takes an extension application to USCIS. The rule set its effective date at Sep 15, 2026.
- Sep 14, 2026 - the court order. The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. DHS, 1:26-cv-13799, order ECF 51) postponed the rule's effective date and enjoined DHS and ICE from implementing it pending further order or a ruling on the merits. It declined to vacate the rule outright for now.
- What it means now. The order covers everyone, not only the plaintiffs: the rule is not in effect, and F-1 and J-1 admission stays on D/S without a separate USCIS extension. The next hearing is on Oct 2, 2026; if the court changes course or is reversed on appeal, the rule could take effect. Status as of Sep 30, 2026. All visa lawsuits
Community experience: I-20, interviews, change of status
From community discussions
«I applied for an F1 after 3 months in the country, paid for premium processing, and believe it or not, I got an RFE. They asked why I wasn't learning the language in my home country. As a result, after my response, I was granted approval. Overall, it took just over a month (for F1), but my family members' F2 applications took almost a year. However, I know people who had their F1 and F2 processed without premium processing in about 3-4 months. By the way, I'm in Florida (Orlando).»
Elena · from public community chats
«You cannot renew an F1 visa inside the USA. You must leave the country and apply for the visa. However, if you are not concerned about traveling to and from the USA, a valid I-20 means a valid F1 status. If you have more questions, contact your international office for advice.»
First L. · from public community chats
«We entered at the end of May after 11 months of administrative processing. F1+F1, PhD, Electrical Engineering, UPenn. It was tough. We flew through London. They stopped us there for the first time. They asked about family, research, politics, and travels throughout my life. The second time, we were sent for questioning in the States at the border. The questions were similar, just more detailed. Altogether, this took about 2 hours. In the end, they wished us good luck and explained how to call a taxi.»
Tess H. · from public community chats
«They denied me under section 214b, ignoring all the documents I gathered and again accusing me of immigration fraud. I brought my I-20, a bank statement, the address of my apartment, and a paid valid SEVIS. Nonetheless, they deemed these documents invalid and said I wasn't studying anywhere and never had.»
Leonid · from public community chats
«I can only answer the fourth question about Spain. I had refusals for a J-1 in Moscow in 2017 and an F-1 in Paris in 2021. In Madrid, I got approval for the F1 a week after the refusal in Paris. I don't know how useful this is, but I heard that the consulate in Spain is quite lenient regarding refusals. However, this is strictly personal experience.»
Kirill K. · from public community chats
«That's the statistics. Because F1 courses are a common way for illegal migration and status changes. They say if you want to learn the language, there are online courses, and there's England. You don't need to go to the USA for that. Refusals are widespread. Approval can be obtained if you apply for a proper F1 at a good university with a specialized program.»
Anna · from public community chats
«They charge a significant amount for what a person can do independently. (Choosing a language school and getting an I-20 from them costs nothing and is very straightforward; language schools are interested in clients). Moreover, the schools they recommend have long been on the consulates' blacklist. They conceal the fact that visas for such study types are rarely approved, and they shouldn't underestimate consuls; you can currently learn the language from anywhere on the planet with a native speaker. Also, the very idea of "moving" through language courses is utterly flawed.»
community member · from public community chats
«I corresponded with a girl from China; we both applied for a visa in Berlin on the same day (May 7, 2025). She had an F1, a STEM PhD, and I was immediately given a long approval and got my passport back (I have a J1, also STEM). Hers was a 10-day approval (according to the consul), and they took her passport for some time. When they returned her passport, they told her to send additional documents, and just two days ago (after 70 days!) she received a refusal under section 214b. Was it worth the nerves for her? I'm still waiting, and I don't even know if I should be happy about it.»
community member · from public community chats
Personal opinions of community members from public discussions, not legal advice.
What the chats ask about a student visa
- 1×I am planning to move to the USA on a B1 visa and switch to an F1 visa. How much longer can I demonstrate a critical role if I consider that I will resign since I will be moving?
- 1×What status will I be in if I enter on a B1 visa and after 90 days my wife applies for F1 and I, as a dependent, for F2?
- 1×Is it possible to apply for an F-1 visa if I have a NOID, to avoid losing status while concurrently applying for EB-1 again? Or is this a contradiction?
- 1×How to understand if you worked without authorization on F-1?
- 1×Can I enter the U.S. on a student visa and then apply for I-140? To circumvent the ban on issuing immigration visas to citizens of 75 countries from January 21, 2026.
- 1×Please advise, can refusals of F-1 student visa for master's degree affect the approval of O-1? How important are ties to the home country?
Community answers
- Do I need a new F-1 visa if the university issued a new Form I-20 with new dates?
- A new I-20 by itself usually does not mean you need to get a new visa if your valid visa is suitable for entry. But it is important to have the current I-20, because it may be requested by the consulate, the airline, or the border officer.
- What does Form I-539A mean when changing status, for example from B-2 to F-1?
- I-539A is usually used as a supplemental form to the main I-539 for family members or additional applicants. The direction of the status change is indicated in the main I-539, and I-539A follows the same logic as the primary application.
- Can you write and publish books on F-1 or monetize them without work authorization?
- On F-1, any activity that may be considered work or active income in the United States requires careful analysis. Before publishing and monetizing, it is best to consult an immigration attorney or DSO to avoid violating status.
- Do you need to get a new F-1 visa if a person is already in the United States and wants to study?
- If a person is already in the United States, in some cases they can change status inside the United States instead of getting a visa at a consulate, but study usually requires an I-20 and compliance with status requirements. A visa in the passport and status inside the United States are different things, so it is important not to confuse them and to account for I-94/status timelines.
Where people go wrong - from the chats
- mistakeA common mistake is leaving inaccuracies in documents, such as in a form, petition, I-20, or supporting information. If an error is found, it is better to correct it before filing or the interview rather than hoping it will not be noticed.
- mistakeA common problem is a case getting stuck while OPT, offers, I-20, and other documents have limited validity, which means waiting for a consular decision can put the entire relocation plan at risk.
- mistakeA common mistake is assuming that any language course or free program at a college is suitable for a student visa. In practice, most such programs do not provide a basis for an I-20.
- mistakeWhen spouses apply for F-1 at the same time, a consular officer may see this as a higher immigration risk, especially if the study goals, financing, and ties to the home country are unclear.
- mistakeApplying for a student visa while also having an immigration history or a green card application pending can raise questions, since F-1 requires proof of nonimmigrant intent.
Real timelines named in the chats
| Stage | Typically | Note |
|---|---|---|
| different types, including F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, and unspecified: prolonged administrative processing and possible mandamus | lawsuits are usually considered after 6 months of AP; waits of about a year or more occur | Messages describe AP lasting months as a reason to contact attorneys; a guideline was mentioned that such cases are often not taken before 6 months. |
| F-2 -> F-1: change of status with USCIS | about 110 days | One specific observation regarding a change of status from F-2 to F-1. |
| F-1/J-1: waiting after administrative processing, considering documents from the educational institution | no fixed timeframe | It was noted that there is no set timeline from the State Department for F-1 and J-1; continuation of the process also depends on the university's readiness to issue updated I-20 or DS-2019 forms. |
| F-1: interview - request for additional data - passport return | several days | In Berlin, after a pink paper and submission of a resume, the passport was returned within a few days, but this did not mean the visa had been issued. |
Myths and reality
Myth: On F-2, you can work or study full time while the principal applicant is in F-1 status.
In reality: F-2 status is highly restricted: work is not permitted, and study is allowed only within the established rules, usually not as a full degree-seeking program without changing status. For work or full-time study, another status is often required.
Rules and tips from the chats
- ruleAn F-1 refusal is often issued under 214(b), without detailed explanations. A prior refusal does not always eliminate the possibility of reapplying, but the new case should address the reasons for doubt.
- ruleAfter 221(g) and administrative review, the outcome usually depends on the completion of internal checks; an active I-20 or a university willing to wait helps preserve the case, but does not guarantee a timeline for issuance.
- tipFor an F-1 interview, you should prepare clear answers about the purpose of study, why the US, why that school, the planned length of stay, the source of funds, work, and ties to your home country.
- tipFor J-1 and student cases, it is important to keep SEVIS and I-20 up to date, since the program start date can be postponed and the consulate may request current documents.
Cases from the community
F-1 · science, chemistry · approved
The applicant was admitted to a doctoral program in a scientific field and was placed in administrative review after the interview.
What they did: Submitted the requested documents and waited several months for the review to be completed.
F-1 · science, research PhD program · RFE
The applicant applied for a student visa for a doctoral program; after the interview, they were placed in administrative review and asked for an expanded travel itinerary, list of meetings and conferences, CV, and an invitation from the university.
What they did: Collected and sent additional materials as instructed by the consulate.
F-1 · engineering · denied
several applicants who were citizens of one country were refused when applying for certain engineering study programs in a third country
What they did: applied for a student visa through a consulate outside their country of citizenship
The consular stage: rules from the chats
If academic or immigration documents changed during AP, they may need to be updated before visa issuance.
For example, in student cases, people discuss a new I-20 when studies are deferred; it is practical to confirm the timing of submission with the university and the consulate.
Questions and answers on the site
Distilled from the public community chats, anonymised; corpus as of June 2026. These are participants' observations, not legal advice and not USCIS statistics.
Frequently asked questions
- Has duration of status for F-1 been abolished?
- No, not as of Sep 30, 2026. The DHS rule of Jul 17, 2026 replaces admission for duration of status (D/S) with a fixed period - the program length, capped at 4 years, extendable through USCIS - and was due to take effect on Sep 15, 2026. On Sep 14, 2026 a federal court in Massachusetts (Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. DHS, 1:26-cv-13799) postponed the rule's effective date and enjoined DHS and ICE from implementing it until further order. D/S continues for now; the next hearing is on Oct 2, 2026.
- How many criteria do you need to meet for EB-1A?
- At least three of the ten USCIS criteria. But meeting criteria is not enough: the officer additionally evaluates the case as a whole (final merits) and must see sustained acclaim and that you are among the best in your field. In the community's experience, a denial is possible even with 5 or more criteria counted if this second part is not proven.
- If I met 5 criteria, is the visa guaranteed?
- No. Meeting criteria is only the first stage. Next the officer looks at the case as a whole (final merits): you need to show sustained acclaim and a position at the top of the profession. It happens that the criteria are formally met, yet the officer writes that the applicant is not extraordinary enough. The outcome depends largely on the strength of the evidence and on the officer.
- What is final merits, and why are cases denied even with three criteria?
- Final merits is the final evaluation of the case as a whole after the individual criteria are checked: the officer decides whether you demonstrate sustained acclaim and belong to the top of the profession. That is why, even with three or more criteria counted, a NOID may arrive demanding proof that you are really at the top of your field.
- Can I quickly collect all the awards and file right away?
- Better not: the officer wants to see sustained acclaim spread over time, not achievements gathered all at once right before filing. Ideally the recognition should be distributed over recent years. Fresh, hastily created awards and publications can raise questions and an RFE.
Where next
- The B1/B2 tourist visainterviews, checks
- Consulates: interview reportsby city
- Administrative processing 221(g)timelines
- After a 214(b) refusalwhat to do
- The O-1 visa instead of studywork allowed
- EB-2 NIW from F-1 statusno employer needed
- US visa typesthe category table
- The J-1 exchange visathe two-year rule
- How to move to the US from Russiaevery route
Community questions on this topic
Consulates Russians travel to
Sources
- State Department: student visas F and M
- State Department: the DS-160 online application
- State Department: fees for visa services
- USCIS: Form I-539, change or extension of nonimmigrant status
- State Department: visa denials, 214(b) and 221(g)
- State Department: administrative processing
- Federal Register: the DHS fixed admission period rule for F, J and I, Jul 17, 2026 (effective date postponed by a court on Sep 14, 2026)
This page is reference, not legal advice; rules and fees change - verify on uscis.gov.