The F visa is the United States' primary nonimmigrant visa category for international students. For the unversed, it allows entry as a full-time student at an SEVP-certified college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school or other academic institution, or in a language training program. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine whether you need an F visa or an M visa (M visas cover vocational/non-academic training instead). Here is everything you need to know about an F visa. Also Read: Between Sand Dunes And Glaciers: Decoding The Mystery Of India's Cold Desert, A Land Of Contrasts For F-2 dependents, eligibility requires: Being the legal spouse or unmarried child under 21 of an F-1 student, who must be enrolled full-time at a SEVP-certified school and maintain valid student status throughout the dependent's stay, with the dependent intending to leave the US once the F-1 student finishes studying. F-2 visas are issued in far smaller numbers and are harder to obtain than F-1 visas. As per reports, the State Department issued only 24,055 F-2 visas in Fiscal Year 2024. Apply and get accepted by a SEVP-certified school. Your Designated School Official (DSO) issues Form I-20 once you are admitted and have shown financial documentation proving you can cover tuition and living expenses. For dependents, the F-1 student must request a separate I-20 for each dependent. Pay the $510 I-901 SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com before your visa interview, and keep the receipt. Fill out the online nonimmigrant visa application at the State Department's CEAC portal, answering accurately since inconsistencies with interview answers raise flags. For student visas, select "Student" as occupation and "Study" as purpose of trip, with "Duration of Status" as intended length of stay. This is a non-refundable $185 fee, payable per the State Department's requirements. Step 5: Schedule and attend the consular interview. As of September 18, 2025, the Department of State updated its Interview Waiver policy, so most applicants - including those under 14 and over 79 - must now attend in-person interviews. If approved, the visa is stamped into your passport. Officials recommend starting early: Applications can be filed up to a year before the program begins, but most consulates suggest applying two to three months in advance given heavy processing volumes, especially from countries like India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Also Read: The Burden Of Being A Tourist Favourite: How India's Most Loved Destinations Are Paying For Your Vacation Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now. Senior Copy Editor at Times Network, Akanksha Arora covers Lifestyle, Culture and everything that falls under its big umbrella. When not writing, she ... View More