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F-1 visas are issued for visits to High schools, US-American universities, Colleges, Language courses, Training and further education.
F-1 visas, officially known as "student visas", allow foreign nationals to attend academic and scientific educational institutions in the USA.
These visas are required to enter the US to attend a college, public or private secondary school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory or other academic institution, including a language program.
Simply put, F-1 visas cover the following stays:
I-20 Form and SEVIS
The educational institution in the USA must be SEVP-certified and have a SEVIS registration. This certification and registration are required so that the I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) can be issued. This form must be presented to the US Consulate when applying for the F-1 visa.
An F-1 visa can only be issued if a properly completed and valid I-20 form signed by the Designated School Official (DSO) is provided by the educational institution. Otherwise, another US visa may be required.
The SEVP is a program of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It manages foreign students and exchange visitors to the USA via the US government's web-based SEVIS database.
Study place/acceptance by a school
Before the F-1 visa application can be started, applicants must have successfully applied for a full course of study at an SEVP-certified educational institution in order for the required I-20 form to be issued.
Educational institution as the purpose of the trip
Applicants must be traveling to the US for the purpose of education or training, whether for a full course of study, a student exchange or a language course at an approved institution.
Financing
The financing of studies, high school attendance or language studies as well as living expenses must be secured through personal funds or scholarships.
Intention to return
Applicants must intend to leave the USA after completing their program. This can be proven by evidence such as a permanent residence in the home country and other documents showing the intention to return.
The residence status in the USA with an F-1 visa is valid for the entire duration of your studies or attendance at the educational institution (e.g. language school). The maximum duration of stay is recorded on the I-20 form and can be viewed there at any time.
Important: If you attend a public SEVP-certified high school, your stay in the USA is limited to a maximum of 12 months. Private educational institutions can be attended for longer than one year (or even shorter).
If the duration of the program is delayed (e.g. due to a change of major or illness), students can apply for an extension of their stay at the respective educational institution.
In addition to the duration of the program, F-1 visa holders may stay in the USA for up to 30 days before the start of their studies and up to 60 days after graduation. During this so-called "grace period", traveling in the USA is permitted, but working is prohibited.
Attention: If you stay outside the USA for longer than five months without any connection to your studies or school attendance, you may lose your student status and therefore also your F-1 visa.
The F-1 visa is usually issued for up to five years. The period of validity depends on the nationality of the applicant and is decided on the basis of the so-called Reciprocity Schedule. German nationals normally receive a five-year F-1 visa.
It is important to note that F-1 visas are only valid in conjunction with a valid I-20 form.
The validity of an F-1 visa does not automatically mean that you are allowed to stay in the USA for the entire duration. The validity period of the visa is not the same as the permitted length of stay. It is important to distinguish between the validity of the visa and the residence status.
The validity period of the visa refers to the period between the issue date and the expiration date, within which the applicant can request entry at the border. The validity period is determined by the US consulate or embassy where the F-1 application was submitted and is indicated on the visa on the expiration date.
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