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U.S. Attorney for Visa Matters
F-1 Student Visa

F-1 Student Visa

  • The most popular student visa
  • Allows free movement within the United States and allows the holder to leave and return to the U.S. without restrictions.
  • Allows official employment for a certain number of hours per week.
  • Provides the ability to open a bank account, purchase insurance policies, etc.
  • Allows changing the place of study.
  • There is an option to extend the visa for up to 6 years.
General Information

Before applying for a student visa, the applicant must be enrolled in a U.S. educational institution. After enrollment, the institution provides all the necessary documents for applying for a student visa.

The F-1 visa allows students to study at colleges, universities, private high schools, as well as participate in English language programs. The F-1 visa is granted in cases where the course of study is more than 18 hours per week.

The F-1 visa may also be granted to an applicant to study at a U.S. public high school (grades 9-12), with a maximum study period of 12 months. The school must indicate in Form I-20 that the student has covered the expenses of their education and must specify the amount of these expenses. *Holders of valid visas in categories: A, E, F-2, G, H-4, J-2, L-2, M-2, and other derivatives of these non-immigrant visas can study in U.S. public elementary and secondary schools.
Specifics of Obtaining an F-1 Visa

Education in the U.S. is rightfully considered one of the highest quality and most sought-after in the world. Every year, tens of thousands of young people aim to attend U.S. educational institutions, and the authorities encourage and support this endeavor.

However, the refusal rate for student visas is consistently higher than for business and tourist visas. Young candidates often find it difficult to prove strong ties to their home country. To obtain an F-1 visa, the applicant must provide documentation not only of their enrollment in a U.S. educational institution but also evidence of sufficient financial resources to pay for their education and an intention to return to their home country — one way to convince the consular officer of this could be by demonstrating the demand for their future profession in their home country.

A crucial factor may be the applicant's level of English proficiency, as it is impossible to study effectively without a sufficient command of the language.

If the applicant is intending to study at a secondary school, the primary requirement is sufficient hours of study to complete the program. For higher education institutions, the course of study to which the applicant is admitted must meet the following requirements:

- Graduate or doctoral programs at colleges, universities, conservatories, or seminaries;

- Bachelor's degree programs at colleges or universities, including at least 12 credit hours per semester, unless the final semester does not require 12 hours for completion;

- Study at a post-secondary institution awarding a specialist degree or similar degrees, with courses recognized by at least three other higher education institutions;

- Language, humanities, art courses, and other non-specialized preparatory programs requiring 18 hours of study per week (or 22 hours if the course includes a significant amount of laboratory work).

Documents and Information Required for Visa Application

When applying for an F-1 visa, the following documents must be provided:

  • Electronic application for a non-immigrant visa (form DS-160).
  • A valid passport with at least six months validity beyond the expected period of stay in the U.S.
  • One photograph (5 x 5 cm).
  • Form I-20, approved by the educational institution or the administrator of the relevant program.
  • Receipt of payment of the SEVIS fee (form I-901). For additional information, visit the SEVIS website.

This list of documents is not exhaustive. At the interview, you may bring any other documents that you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

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    Why Students Choose Attorney Matthew Morley

    Matthew Morley is the only American attorney in Moscow specializing in U.S. immigration law. He is accredited by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and has a strong reputation with the U.S. Consulate in Russia. Matthew Morley has in-depth knowledge of the U.S. Embassy’s procedures in Russia and other CIS countries.

    Since the F-1 visa interview and approval process heavily depends on a well-prepared document package and the applicant’s readiness to communicate with the consul, consulting an attorney can help avoid unfortunate mistakes. Matthew Morley will assist in correctly compiling supporting documents and creating a personalized interview plan. He can also provide necessary legal support while you are in the United States."