USA guide · verified 2026-07-04
USA Student Visa: Process, Documents and Funds
Student visa
Indian students apply for the F-1 non-immigrant student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata, based on jurisdiction). The process is: get the I-20 → pay the SEVIS I-901 fee → complete the DS-160 → pay the visa application (MRV) fee → attend an in-person interview. Since 2 September 2025, in-person interviews are required for virtually all F-1 applicants, the pandemic-era waiver ('Dropbox') option that let some renewing applicants skip the interview has been discontinued for students.
Visa type
MandatoryF-1 (academic student)
SEVIS I-901 fee
MandatoryUS$350 (2026)
Paid online at FMJfee.com after the school issues Form I-20 and before the visa interview. This is separate from, and in addition to, the visa application fee. The fee has stood at $350 since a 2019 DHS rule (raised from $200); always re-confirm the current amount before advising a student, since SEVP fees can be revised.
Visa application (MRV) fee
MandatoryUS$185 (2026)
Paid in INR at the prevailing exchange rate through the ustraveldocs.com/India payment process, before scheduling the interview. Non-refundable regardless of visa outcome.
Visa Integrity Fee, new, not yet collected
ConditionalUS$250 created by law (July 2025); NOT yet listed or charged as of this guide's review date
The July 2025 federal budget law (Public Law 119-21) creates a US$250 'Visa Integrity Fee' on nonimmigrant visa issuance, including F-1, on top of the MRV fee, refundable in principle if the holder complies with visa terms, but the collection mechanism has not been stood up. As of this guide's review date the official State Department fees page still lists only the fees below (no $250 line item), and multiple university international-student offices confirm there is still no way to pay it. This is a real, enacted fee, not a proposal, it could go live within FY2026 with little notice. Check travel.state.gov before quoting a student a final visa-fee total.
Interview requirement
MandatoryIn-person interview required for essentially all F-1 applicants
Two 2025 tightenings: from 2 September 2025 the broad interview-waiver ('Dropbox') option ended for F-1/F-2 students, and from 1 October 2025 the remaining age-based exemptions (under 14 / over 79) were removed and waiver categories narrowed further. A consular officer may still require an interview case-by-case for any applicant.
Where interviews happen (India)
U.S. Embassy New Delhi or U.S. Consulates General in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata
Jurisdiction is assigned by the applicant's home state/region, not by choice. Book biometrics and interview appointments as early as the visa timeline allows, wait times fluctuate seasonally and are published by post.
Receive Form I-20 and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
MandatoryOnce the SEVP-certified school issues the I-20, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee (US$350, 2026) online at FMJfee.com and keep the payment receipt, it is required at the visa interview. Do this before starting the DS-160, since the DS-160 asks for SEVIS details.
Cost: US$350 (2026)Complete the DS-160 online application
MandatoryFile the DS-160 at the official Consular Electronic Application Center (ceac.state.gov/genniv). This form now requires listing social-media usernames/handles for every platform used in the last five years, omitting an account, even an inactive one, can be treated as misrepresentation. Print the DS-160 confirmation page for the interview.
Answer the social-media disclosure completely and truthfully. Since 2019 this has been mandatory for all US nonimmigrant visa applicants, and consular guidance treats incomplete disclosure as a serious red flag, not a technicality.Pay the visa application (MRV) fee and schedule biometrics + interview
MandatoryPay the US$185 (2026) MRV fee in INR via the accepted local payment channels (through ustraveldocs.com/India), then schedule two appointments: a biometrics (fingerprinting) visit at a Visa Application Center and the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate with jurisdiction over the student's home region. Book as early as the visa calendar allows, appointment demand peaks April, August ahead of the Fall intake.
When: Can apply up to 365 days before the program start date; cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the I-20 start dateCost: US$185 (2026)Attend the in-person interview
MandatoryBring: passport (valid 6+ months beyond intended stay), DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, SEVIS fee receipt, Form I-20 (signed by the student and the school official), academic records/test scores if requested, and financial evidence. The consular officer decides on the spot in most cases; some applications require 'administrative processing' (221(g)) which can add weeks.
You get: F-1 visa stamped in the passport, or a request for further administrative processing.
Before September 2025, some returning/renewing nonimmigrant applicants (and applicants under 14 or over 79) could skip the in-person interview. Two tightenings closed this: from 2 September 2025 F and J students (and dependents) lost the broad waiver, and from 1 October 2025 the age-based exemptions were removed and remaining categories narrowed. Nearly all F-1 applicants now appear in person. Do not advise a returning F-1 student that they can skip the interview this cycle based on last year's experience.
Every F-1 applicant must list social-media identifiers used in the last five years directly on the DS-160 (mandatory since 2019). SEPARATELY, since June 2025 the State Department requires F/M/J applicants to set the privacy on all listed social-media accounts to PUBLIC so consular officers can review the applicant's online presence during vetting, a distinct, newer action beyond just disclosing handles. Coach students to both disclose every handle AND make those accounts public before the interview, and to keep public content consistent with a genuine, bona fide student profile.
The I-901 SEVIS fee (US$350, paid to DHS/ICE at FMJfee.com) and the DS-160 visa application/MRV fee (US$185, paid to the State Department via the India visa-services channel) are different fees to different agencies. Both must be paid and receipted before the interview.
A July 2025 federal law created a US$250 'Visa Integrity Fee' on nonimmigrant visa issuance (including F-1), separate from and on top of the SEVIS and MRV fees. As of this guide's review date it is enacted but not yet implemented, the official visa-fees page does not list it and there is still no payment mechanism at posts, so do not quote it to a student as a current charge. But because it is already law, not a proposal, re-check travel.state.gov each cycle in case collection starts.
Sources
- Student Visa, F-1 and M-1, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Fees for Visa Services, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)
- Student Visa, Five Steps (India), EducationUSA India (U.S. Department of State advising network)
- Visas, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India (in.usembassy.gov)
Where this fits
This is one step of the full USA journey: admission, tests, application, visa, money, arrival and stay-back, every figure cited to an official source.
More on USA
Bramica is independent and takes no commission from any university, recruiter or agency. This page is information, not immigration advice. Rules, fees and thresholds change; confirm the current requirement on the official source before acting on it.