United States of America · study
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
- Processing time
- Visa interview wait times vary widely by consulate.
- Government fees
- SEVIS I-901 USD 350; DS-160 USD 185.
- Typical duration
- Duration of study (D/S); OPT up to 12 months; STEM OPT extension up to 24 additional months.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 8 July 2026, the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) for United States of America is an unsponsored United States immigration route. Sources: official United States of America government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/us/f-1#answer
What is the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) in United States of America?
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is an unsponsored United States route. Indicative government fees are SEVIS I-901 USD 350; DS-160 USD 185; indicative processing time is Visa interview wait times vary widely by consulate; typical duration is Duration of study (D/S); OPT up to 12 months; STEM OPT extension up to 24 additional months. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The F-1 visa is issued to students admitted to an SEVP-certified US academic institution. After completion, F-1 students may apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT); students with qualifying STEM degrees can extend by 24 months (STEM OPT), for a total of up to 36 months of post-graduation employment authorisation.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian students consistently account for the largest F-1 cohort. STEM OPT extensions (24 months on top of the 12-month b…
Chinese applicants
Chinese F-1 applicants in sensitive research fields (certain STEM PhD areas) face administrative processing (221(g)) and…
Nigerian applicants
Nigerian F-1 applicants saw heightened 214(b) scrutiny on "intent to return" at consular interviews. Detailed evidence o…
Pakistani applicants
Pakistani F-1 applicants face routine administrative processing (§221(g)) at Islamabad consular processing, particularly…
Brazilian applicants
Brazilian F-1 demand has grown sharply post-2020. Brazil is not on the Visa Waiver Program, so all visitors and students…
Additional sources
Primary source
ICE SEVP — Study in the States ↗ · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptance at an SEVP-certified institution issuing Form I-20.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Sufficient financial support for tuition and living costs for the first year.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ✓Genuine non-immigrant intent at consular interview.U.S. Department of State ↗
Common blockers
- !Insufficient funding evidence at consular interview.U.S. Department of State ↗
- !Incomplete SEVIS registration.
Typical evidence
- ·Form I-20 from SEVP-certified school.U.S. Department of State ↗
- ·Bank statements, sponsor affidavits, scholarship letters.
- ·Evidence of ties to home country.U.S. Department of State ↗
Application pathway
Receive I-20 from SEVP-certified school
Institution issues the I-20 after admission.
Pay SEVIS I-901 fee and complete DS-160
Schedule consular interview.
Maintain status during study
Meet full-course-of-study and reporting requirements.
OPT / STEM OPT application
Apply for post-completion OPT, and STEM OPT extension where eligible.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Coordinate enrolment and attendance with the institution. Check the actual work conditions before accepting a job or freelance work.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United States. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse Study in the States ↗
Students and SEVP-certified schools use this DHS page to understand I-20, SEVIS, and status steps.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security · verified
- ApplyApplicantComplete DS-160 ↗
F-1 visa applicants outside the United States use DS-160 for the consular visa application.
U.S. Department of State · verified
Fees and processing time
Indicative government fees: SEVIS I-901 USD 350; DS-160 USD 185.. The issuing authority does not publish a central processing time for this route, so plan against comparable cases. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.
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Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Exchange visitor visa covering academic scholars, students, trainees, interns, researchers, au pairs, and other exchange programs.
Frequently asked questions
Does F-1 OPT require a specific employer?+
Standard post-completion OPT does not require a specific employer at filing, but work must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. STEM OPT requires employment with an E-Verify employer and a formal training plan (Form I-983).
How long can I work in the US after graduating before I need an H-1B?+
After completing a qualifying degree you can apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT), and a qualifying STEM degree can add a 24-month STEM OPT extension, for up to 36 months of post-graduation work authorisation in total. This is the common bridge used to seek employer-sponsored H-1B or green-card filing.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in United StatesHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Last checked: 1 June 2026