Documents to Carry for Your F-1 Visa Interview

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Jun 03, 2023 12:34 AM IST

Applying for an F-1 visa and getting it approved is one of the crucial steps in studying in the US and getting your F-1 visa approval is also based on documents you carry for your visa interview. Here's the list of F-1 visa interview documents.

Documents to Carry for Your F-1 Visa Interview

F1 Visa Interview Documents: Have you enrolled in a dream university in the USA? Then, as the last phase in your academic journey, it is time for you to prepare for your F1 USA visa interview.  Although the interview might be intimidating, being well-prepared is essential to doing well because it will determine if you are eligible to receive your F1 student visa.

International students who wish to enrol in educational institutions in the United States are granted the F1 visa, which is a student visa. It includes additional degrees and levels ranging from elementary school through university and graduate school.

The consular officer will decide whether to issue your visa based on your preparation of the required documents and compliance with all F1 visa requirements. You have come to the right place if you want to apply for an F1 visa and require information on the F1 visa interview documents on the day of your interview! 

If you want to apply for an F1 visa and the nitty-gritty of it, you can contact our study abroad experts with 10+ years of experience who can guide you through the entire US visa process.

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Eligibility Criteria for F1 Visa

There are certain eligibility criteria that need to be met before you can apply for an F1 visa:

  • You need to enrol in a program at a US university that requires a minimum of 18 hours of study in a week. All graduate and post-graduate programs come under it.

  • You have to take admission to a SEVP-certified university in the US that accepts international students. Check your university website for Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).Note: SEVP provides approval and oversight to universities authorised to enrol F and M, nonimmigrant students.

  • Proficiency in the English language is desirable to get a visa. To prove the same, you must have taken the TOEFL exam, IELTS exam, PTE exam or Duolingo English Test.

  • You should be financially eligible to study in the US. Your funds should reflect that you can afford to live and study in the USA.

Application Process for F1 Visa

To apply for an F1 Visa, you need to follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Gather your documents from your institution that accepts SEVP.

Step 2: Get your form I-20. Without this, you will not be able to give your visa interview.

Step 3: Fill up the DS-160 form and provide the necessary information for visa application.

Step 4: Pay USD 160 as the application fee for the visa.

Step 5: Next, you will have to pay SEVIS I-901 fees. The amount is USD 200.

Step 6: Schedule and appear for your F-1 visa interview

Step 7: Submit the necessary documents and papers. The list has been given below.

Personal Documents for F1 Visa Interview

The FI visa interview is time-consuming and we advise you to carry all the following documents. The visa officer can unexpectedly ask for some documents which you might not carry with you. So to cope with any emergency situation, we will recommend you keep all the records close to you.

  • Birth Certificate

  • Passport

  • Copy of the appointment letter of the interview

  • SEVIS Fees receipt

  • Print out of DS-160 Confirmation Barcode

  • Form I-20 duly signed by the candidate and the authorized representative of the university. This is proof of your financial sufficiency.

  • Applicant's copy of VISA fee receipt

Academic Documents forF1 Visa Interview

Here are the documents based on your academic background that you need to carry for your F-1 visa interview:

  • Student CV

  • Original mark sheet of class 10, mark sheet of class 12, mark sheet of bachelor's degree(for masters admission), and certificates of all main examinations passed till then.

  • Academic transcripts

  • If results are pending you will need a provisional mark sheet.

  • Co-curricular activity certificates

  • Original scholarship certificate(if any)

  • Copies of research work or projects

  • Original test scores of entrance exams such as SAT exam, GMAT exam, GRE exam, LSAT, etc

  • Scores of TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo

  • Bonafide certificate from college if you have not received your degree

  • Acceptance letter from the institution where you are going to be admitted

  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)

  • Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

  • Receipt of advance payment made to the university

Work-Related Documents for F1 Visa Interview

Here are the work-related documents that you need to carry for your F-1 visa interview (if required):

  • Work experience letters

  • Recommendation letter from employer

  • Payslip/salary certificate of last 6 months

  • IT returns of last 3 years

  • Appointment letters

  • Original documents of publications

  • Resume demonstrating professional expertise

  • Joining letter and release letter from the last office

Financial Documents for F1 VisaInterview

Given below are the financial documents required for F-1 visa interview:

  • Bank statement for last 3 years

  • Record of tax of past 3 years

  • Proof of scholarship in the US

  • Affidavit from sponsor (if necessary)

  • Original income tax paper of the sponsor.

  • Proof of approved loan if you have taken an education loan to fund your studies.

  • Original bank statements of past 6 months

  • Monetary proof to pay for a year of education and living cost

  • Term deposit certificates of 3 years

  • Property related documents

All the documents must be prepared and kept ready well ahead of time so as to avoid unnecessary problems later.

To prevent misunderstanding, it is advised that you neatly arrange all the files and documents in a partition file and name the parts. If you are required to provide any particular document, you can do it without difficulty. Most important, do not forget to get there a little early. Being late immediately creates a negative image. In addition, you may discover additional information about the F1 Visa application procedure on the official website of the US Embassy. 

Furthermore, we are aware that these interviews can be quite unsettling, but preparation is essential. As a result, you may now participate in practice interviews and let all of your inhibitions go before the actual F1 US visa interview.

If you want to know more about the paperwork related to an F1 visa, get guidance from our team of experts who can clear all your doubts about an F-1 visa, from the application process to tips for a successful visa interview.

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FAQs

What is a SEVIS fee for USA student visa?

After being accepted by a US university, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee to be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Then, your school will provide you a Form I-20. When you go to your F1 visa interview, you will deliver this form to the consular official. If your spouse and/or children plan to live in the United States with you while you study, they will need separate Form I-20s but will not need to be enrolled in SEVIS.

What financial documents are required during your F1 visa interview?

The financial documents required during your F1 visa interview are as follows:

  • Original Sponsor(s) Affidavit of Support dated 4-5 days prior to Visa interview date.

  • Sponsor's Bank Account Statement (preferable for the last three years).

  • Sponsor's tax returns (past three years are preferred).

  • A letter approving the loan, if applicable.

  • offers of scholarships from your university, if any.

  • Original CA statement, dated 3–4 days prior to the F1 US Visa interview date, demonstrating a summary of fixed and liquid assets, sufficient to pay for the first year of study and living expenses as well as evidence of easily accessible finances to cover the remaining year(s) of studies.

What work experience documents are required during your F1 visa interview?

The work experience documents required during your F1 visa interview are as follows:

  • Work experience letters 
  • Recommendations from employers
  • Pay-slips/salary certificates for the last six months 
  • IT Returns for the last 3 years

What are the mandatory F1 visa interview documents that you must carry?

The mandatory F1 visa interview documents required during your F1 visa interview are as follows:

  • Visa interview appointment letter

  • Passport (current and all the previous ones)

  • DS-160 Confirmation Slip (with the barcode clearly visible)

  • Original I-20, signed by you and the University authority

  • SEVIS Fee Receipt

  • Passport size photographs (as per regulations mentioned)

When should I schedule my F1 visa interview?

You will need to set up or schedule your interview after submitting the DS-160 form and paying the associated expenses. Before receiving your student visa, you must attend the interview. Due to the US Embassy's busy schedule, try to plan it as early as possible to avoid any delays. You will receive an appointment letter for the interview when you book it, which you will require throughout the application procedure.

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