F-1 US student visa: I-20, SEVIS fee and consular interview

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

The F-1 US student visa is a visa for international students studying full-time at schools approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The process includes many consecutive steps: receiving I-20, paying SEVIS fee, filing DS-160 application, scheduling and consular interview. This article helps you understand each step and avoid common mistakes.

What is I-20 and why is it important?

Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) is issued by a school approved by SEVP after you are admitted and prove sufficient finances to the school. The I-20 lists program information, start date, estimated one-year expenses, and your source of funding. Each I-20 has its own SEVIS code, used to pay SEVIS fees and declare DS-160.

Carefully check your name, date of birth, and course start date on the I-20 to match your passport. If there is an error, contact the school's international student officer (DSO) to reissue it. You can learn more about similar documents in other countries in the article What are CoE, I-20, CAS.

Procedure for applying for an F-1 US student visa

1. Receive I-20 from school after matriculation and submit financial documents.
2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online on the official SEVP site (fmjfee.com), save the receipt.
3. Fill out the DS-160 application online, download standard photos, and print the confirmation page with barcode.
4. Pay the visa fee and schedule an interview at the US Embassy in Hanoi or the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City through the official scheduling system.
5. Interview and submit passport if approved.
6. Receive passport with visa in the selected form.

According to the US Department of State, new students can apply for a visa as early as 365 days before the program start date. During peak season (around May–August), appointments are often full, so apply early. See more articles Study visa processing time for different countries.

Fees to know

Fees are subject to change; Please check travel.state.gov and the US Embassy in Vietnam page before paying. About financial preparation, see article Proof of finances for studying abroad.

Consular interview: what to prepare?

Documents to bring

• Valid passport (usually at least 6 months beyond expected stay in the US).
• DS-160 confirmation page, visa fee receipt, SEVIS receipt.
• I-20 signed.
• May be required: transcripts, degrees, standardized test scores (SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE...), financial documents, evidence of post-study plans.

Interview content

Consular officers often ask about the school, major, reason for choosing the US, who pays, and post-graduation plans. According to US immigration law, nonimmigrant visa applicants are initially assumed to have an intention to immigrate, so you need to show a clear and appropriately binding educational purpose. Article Student visa interview: how to prepare There are detailed instructions.

Social network

From 2025, the US Department of State requires F, M, and J visa applicants to change the privacy of their social network accounts to "public" to serve the review. Please declare fully and truthfully all accounts in DS-160.

After obtaining a visa: entry and maintenance of status

• Do not enter the country too early: new F-1 students may not enter the country earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on the I-20.
• Bring I-20 in your carry-on baggage to present at the border gate along with your passport and visa.
• Register with the school on time to activate your SEVIS profile.
• Maintain status: study full-time, comply with part-time work regulations (usually limited to campus during the semester).

Read more about procedures at the border gate in the article Immigration to Australia, USA, Canada.

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Frequently asked questions

Are SEVIS fees and visa fees the same?

Are not. SEVIS I-901 fee paid to SEVP to maintain student records; Visa fee (MRV) paid for application processing at the consulate. You need to close both.

Can an F-1 visa be reapplied if it is refused?

Have. However, you should resubmit when your documents or circumstances have changed, or when you can explain more clearly. See article student visa failure and how to reapply.

Can I go to the US 30 days earlier to settle in?

Not so with the new student F-1 visa. If you want to arrive earlier, according to the US Department of State, you must use a different visa and apply for a change of status, which is complicated and often discouraged.

How long is the F-1 visa valid?

Visa duration is decided by the consular office and may vary from the study period. It is important that you maintain valid status under your I-20 while in the United States.

The F-1 US student visa requires careful preparation but is completely within reach if you follow the correct order and are honest. Once you have a visa, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 to book tickets for the correct entry time frame.

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