Visado y Llegada - Estudiar en Estados Unidos (es)

The F-1 Student Visa: Your Complete Guide

The F-1 visa is the standard nonimmigrant visa for estudiantes internacionales pursuing a tiempo completo academic study at accredited US institutions. Esta guia cubre every step from receiving your I-20 to clearing immigration at the airport. For what comes next, see our guides on living en Estados Unidos and work and career.

Step-by-Step F-1 Visa Process

Step 1: Receiving Your I-20 Form

The I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) is the foundational document for your F-1 visa, issued by your university's Designated School Official (DSO). It contains your full legal name (which must match your passport exactly), SEVIS ID number, program of study, start and end dates, and estimated cost of attendance with funding sources.

After accepting your offer and paying the enrollment deposit, submit these financial documents to your university:

1. Extractos bancarios showing liquid funds sufficient to cover al menos one year of study (the amount specified in the university's cost of attendance)
2. Sponsor affidavit signed by whoever is providing financial support
3. Scholarship or fellowship letters if applicable
4. University financial certification form (specific to each school)

The university issues your I-20 in 1-4 weeks after verifying your documents. Submit financial documents as quickly as possible -- delays compress your entire visa timeline. If your passport name differs from your academic records, inform the university immediately so the I-20 matches your passport exactly.

Step 2: Paying the SEVIS Fee

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) tracks estudiantes internacionales en Estados Unidos.

• Amount: USD 350 for F-1 students
• Payment: Online at fmjfee.com al menos 3 business days before your visa interview
• Receipt: Print your I-901 receipt -- you need it for the interview and at the port of entry

The SEVIS fee is separate from the visa tasa de solicitud (MRV fee). Debes pay both.

Step 3: Completing the DS-160

The DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application form, submitted through the Consular Electronic Application Center (ceac.state.gov). Tips for completing it:

• Save frequently using the application ID -- the form can time out
• Photo requirements: Upload a digital photo (2x2 inches, white background, recent)
• Be accurate: Every answer must be truthful and consistent with your supporting documents
• Travel history: List all countries visited in the past 5 years
• Social media: You will be asked to provide social media usernames
• Allow 60-90 minutes to complete the form carefully
• Print the confirmation page with barcode -- you need this for your interview

After submitting, pay the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee of USD 185 and schedule your visa interview through the US embassy or consulate website for your country.

Step 4: The Visa Interview

The interview normalmente lasts 2-5 minutes at the US embassy or consulate. The officer wants to confirm you are a genuine student who intends to return home after studies.

Common interview questions:

• About your studies: Why the USA? Why this university? What is your major? How will this degree help your career?
• About your finances: Who is funding your education? What is your family's financial situation? Do you have scholarships?
• About ties to home: What will you do after graduating? Do you have oportunidades laborales or family in your home country?

How to prepare:

1. Know your program: Be able to explain what you will study, why this field, and why this specific university
2. Demonstrate financial ability: Have clear, organized financial documents ready
3. Show ties to home: Explain your plan to return after studies -- career plans, family, or oportunidades laborales
4. Be concise and confident: Answer clearly and directly; do not memorize scripted answers
5. Dress professionally and arrive al menos 30 minutes early

Documents to bring (originals and copies):

• Valid passport (valid 6+ months beyond stay)
• I-20 form (signed by you and your DSO)
• DS-160 confirmation page
• SEVIS fee (I-901) receipt and MRV fee receipt
• University acceptance letter
• Financial documents (extractos bancarios, sponsor letters, cartas de beca)
• Seguro medico documentation -- find the right student seguro medico for the USA →
• Expedientes academicos, diplomas, and test scores (TOEFL/IELTS, SAT/GRE)
• Passport-size photos (2x2 inches)
• Resume/CV (especialmente for graduate students)

Consejo: Organize your documents in the order they are likely to be requested. The officer may not ask for everything, but having it all ready shows preparation and seriousness.

If your visa is denied

The most common reason for F-1 visa denial is Section 214(b), meaning the officer was not convinced you have sufficient ties to your home country or genuine intent to study. If denied, puedes reapply with stronger evidence (better financial documents, clearer career plans), request a different interview date, or contact your university's estudiante internacional office for guidance.

Arriving in the Estados Unidos

Puedes enter the US hasta 30 days before your I-20 program start date. Most students arrive 1-2 weeks early for orientation.

At the airport (CBP inspection):

1. Join the "Visitors" or "Non-US Citizens" line
2. Present passport with F-1 visa, I-20, and SEVIS fee receipt
3. Answer questions about your studies honestly and briefly
4. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) will be taken
5. Your I-94 record is created electronically (verify at i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

What "Duration of Status" means

F-1 students are admitted for Duration of Status (D/S), meaning your authorized stay is tied to maintaining valid student status, not to the visa stamp expiration date. As long as you maintain a tiempo completo enrollment, make normal academic progress, do not work without authorization, and keep your I-20 current, puedes remain en Estados Unidos legally even if the visa stamp in your passport expires. You would need a new stamp only if you travel outside the US and want to re-enter.

Consejo: Carry all essential documents in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage. If your bags are lost or delayed, you still need these documents to clear immigration.

After Arrival: Essential Setup

Week 1 priorities

Complete these tasks during your first week:

1. Attend mandatory estudiante internacional orientation. Covers immigration regulations, campus resources, and academic expectations.
2. Check in with your DSO to validate your SEVIS record and confirm your arrival.
3. Get your student ID -- your primary identification on campus.
4. Open a cuenta bancaria. See our living en Estados Unidos guide for details.
5. Get a US phone number -- essential for banking, two-factor authentication, and emergencies.
6. Set up your university email and academic accounts.
7. Register for classes if not already completed online.

Social Security Number (SSN)

An SSN is not automatically given to estudiantes internacionales. Puedes apply if you have authorized employment (como por ejemplo an on-campus job):

1. Get a oferta de trabajo and employment authorization letter from your university
2. Wait al menos 10 days after entering the US (so your SEVIS record is updated)
3. Visit your local Social Security Administration office with passport, I-20, I-94 (print from i94.cbp.dhs.gov), and employment authorization letter
4. Complete the SS-5 application form
5. Receive your SSN card by mail in 2-4 weeks

Without an SSN, puedes still open cuenta bancarias, get phone plans, and set up utilities. For tax purposes, apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead.

Driver's License

If necesitas drive, puedes apply for a state driver's license with your passport, I-20, I-94, proof of state residency, and SSN (or ineligibility letter from SSA). Requirements vary by state but generalmente include a written knowledge test and behind-the-wheel driving test.

Maintaining Your F-1 Status

Violations can result in loss of status. Key requirements:

• Full-time enrollment each semester (12+ credits undergrad, 9+ grad)
• Satisfactory academic progress toward your degree
• Work only as authorized (on-campus, CPT, or OPT). See our work and career guide.
• Report address changes to your DSO within 10 days
• Keep I-20 current and request extensions before expiration
• 60-day grace period after program completion to depart, transfer, or begin OPT

Travel and Re-Entry

To re-enter the US after international travel, you need: valid passport, valid F-1 visa stamp, I-20 with a travel signature from your DSO (valid 1 year), SEVIS receipt, and enrollment evidence.

Get your I-20 travel signature before every trip. If your visa stamp has expired and you travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for under 30 days, puedes re-enter under automatic visa revalidation (restrictions apply for some nationalities).

Common Visa Timeline Concerns

Proximos Pasos

1. Submit financial documents to your university as soon as you accept your offer.
2. Pay the SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com once you receive your I-20.
3. Complete the DS-160 carefully and schedule your visa interview.
4. Prepare for your interview using the tips above.
5. Book your flight to arrive within the 30-day window before your program starts.
6. Prepare for daily life using our living en Estados Unidos guide.

The F-1 visa process requires attention to detail and advance planning, but hundreds of thousands of estudiantes internacionales complete it successfully every year. Start early, stay organized, and contact your university's estudiante internacional office with questions.