US Student Visa: Steps to Create an Account and Pay the SEVIS Fee Following Receipt of Form I-20

By now, those eager to begin their studies at their top-choice US universities should have received their admission letters. US universities are currently sending out admission letters to students for the Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 intakes. International students accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school will be issued a Form I-20 by their designated school official (DSO). All F and M students studying in the United States need a Form I-20, which is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.

To travel to the United States for their education, students must next apply for a student visa .The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad has released an update regarding the scheduling of student visa interviews. According to their X (formerly Twitter) handle, they have extended the Student Visa Season by two weeks. This extension aims to ensure that students interviewing later in the season can still arrive in time for the start of their programs. Student visa interviews will now continue until the end of August.

Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days before the start date of their course of study, and students are allowed to travel within 30 days before the start date listed on their Form I-20. To apply for your student visa, you must begin by paying the Form I-901 SEVIS fee. The Form I-901 is used to process the I-901 Fee payment for prospective nonimmigrants seeking F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, and J-1 visa statuses. This fee does not apply to dependent children or spouses on F-2, M-2, or J-2 visas. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain information on SEVP-certified schools and F-1 and M-1 students studying in the United States, along with their F-2 and M-2 dependents.

Steps to Apply for the Student Visa

You will need your SEVIS ID as it appears on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Step 1: SEVIS Fee

After finalizing your institution and receiving your I-20, your first step is to pay the SEVIS Fee.

Pay the SEVIS Fee online at the FMJFee website.

Step 2: Create Account and Fill Out DS-160

Visit the U.S. Travel Docs website https://www.ustraveldocs.com/.
Select your region and country, then create a user account.
Complete the DS-160 (visa application) form at the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.

Step 3: Pay Visa Application Fee

Pay the application fee via National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) or mobile phone.

Step 4: Schedule Your Visa Appointment

Schedule your first appointment for biometrics collection at the Visa Application Center (VAC).
Schedule your second appointment for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Applicants for U.S. visas are required to appear in person for an appointment at the VAC and the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The VAC appointment must be scheduled at least one day before the interview appointment.

Visa applicants who were previously issued a U.S. visa and meet certain eligibility criteria or age requirements may be eligible for an interview waiver appointment.

Documents: Bring the following mandatory documents for your visa appointments

For your Visa Application Center visit:

A valid passport
DS-160 confirmation page
Appointment confirmation page

For your visa interview:

Your passport
A printed copy of your appointment confirmation letter
Your DS-160 confirmation page stamped at VAC
SEVIS fee receipt
Form I-20 (for F and M applicants) or DS-2019 (for J applicants) issued by the U.S. institution or program sponsor

The DS-160 (visa application) form takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Under U.S. law, you must electronically sign and submit your own application unless you qualify for an exemption. Students should note the Application ID displayed at the top right corner of the page as it will be required to log into the account later.

The DS-160 fee is $185, which includes the cost of submitting your DS-160 F-1 visa application to the U.S. government. This fee is separate from the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee paid to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Additional Information

Over the next few days, Education USA India is holding Student Visa Information Sessions for 2024. During these sessions, a Consular Visa Officer from the U.S. Embassy or Consulates will guide students through the procedures for applying for a U.S. student visa.

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