TABLE OF CONTENTS

Nepali Student Passing F1 Visa Interview

HIGHLIGHTS

You need to pay $185 visa interview fee through CGI Federal to schedule your U.S. Embassy interview.
Bring documents like your passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation, and transcripts to the visa interview.
STEM students can get up to 3 years of OPT, non-STEM students can get 1 year after graduation.

F1 Student Visa

If you're a student in Nepal interested in studying in the United States, you'll need an F1 student visa. This type of visa allows you to attend academic programs and universities in the US. Our blog provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand the application process, including what documents you need, how to schedule an interview, and what to expect during the visa interview. With this guide, you can increase your chances of successfully obtaining an F1 visa and pursuing your educational goals in the USA.

Eligibility Requirements for F1 Visa

The eligibility requirements for F1 Visa are given below:

Must be accepted from US college or university for Bachelors / Masters / PHD
Must have I-20 issued from the US university or college
Have the financial capacity to study in the US
Must be a genuine student
Have an intent to return back to Nepal after graduation

Documents Required for F1 Visa Application

Here is a list of required documents for F1 visa application:

An original valid passport
An approved Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.
Education Transcripts
DS-160 Confirmation Page
Passport size photo
Visa Interview Fee Payment Receipt
SEVIS fee payment

Step-by-step guide to applying for an F1 visa

1. Receive an I-20 form from university / college

To begin the F1 visa application process, you need to acquire an I-20 form from the university. This requires you to first gain acceptance into the university and provide adequate evidence of your financial ability to study in the United States. Click here to learn how to apply to US universities and get accepted Once you have met these requirements, the university will send you a hard copy of the I-20 form, which you will need to present during your visa interview at the U.S. embassy located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

2. Complete an online DS-160 Form

The student is required to complete an online DS-160 Form. In the form, students need to enter information about the applicant, including personal, educational, school and passport details. The form must be filled out accurately and completely, and any errors or omissions could delay or even result in the denial of the visa application. Therefore, it is important to take the time to review and verify all the information before submitting the form. Click here to know how to fill DS-160 form Additionally, the applicant will need to provide a digital photo as part of the application process, which must meet certain requirements specified by the U.S. Department of State. If you want an assistance to fill DS-160 form, click here.

3. Pay SEVIS Fee

Before scheduiling a visa interview, all F1 students are required to pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee. This fee is intended to cover the costs of the SEVIS program, which manages information about international students studying in the US. In Nepal, you can pay the SEVIS fee by going to the bank such as Nabil Bank, Kumari Bank, Everest bank and asking them to pay the SEVIS fee. Students need to carry the receipt number as proof of payment of SEVIS fee. It's important to note that the SEVIS fee must be paid at least three days prior to the visa appointment date, so it's recommended to complete this step as soon as possible to avoid any delays in the visa application process.

4. Pay and Schedule the visa interview fee

F1 visa applicants must pay the visa interview fee and schedule the visa interview. First, they need to create an account a CGI Federal account using this link.Using CGI federal account, F1 applicants need to schedule a F1 Visa Interview appointment by paying $185 visa interview fee. In Nepal, you can pay F1 visa interview fee from Nepal Investment Bank. Please note that this fee cannot be refunded, so it's crucial to ensure that you have all the required documents and are adequately prepared before scheduling the interview.

5. Gather all required documents

Before the visa interview, F1 applicats must gather all required documents such as passport, I-20 form, visa fee payment receipt, SEVIS fee receipt, DS-160 form confirmation page, educational transcripts and any other documents mentioned by the US Embassy.

6. Attend your interview

On the scheduled date, the F1 visa applicant must attend the interview. They need to bring along all the required documents and be prepared to answer any questions posed by the visa consular officer. If the visa application is approved, the F1 applicant can then proceed to make travel arrangements to the US.

What to expect during the F1 visa interview?

During the F1 visa interview process, you will typically go through a security check before being allowed to enter the embassy or consulate. Once inside, you will wait in a waiting room before being called for your interview. During the interview, the consular officer will ask you a series of questions, and you will need to provide clear and concise answers to these questions.

Here is a list of most common questions asked:

After the interview, the consular officer will inform you of their decision regarding your visa application.

What to Do if Your F1 Visa is Denied?

In the event that your F1 visa application is denied, a written explanation for the reason for the denial will be provided. You can reapply for the visa at a later time using the same process as the initial F1 visa application.

What to Do if Your F1 Visa is Granted?

If your F1 visa interview is successful, then the consular officer will provide you a green slip confirming your visa. The officer will hold on to your passport to issue the visa and return all other relevant documents to you. Typically, you will receive a notification to pick up your passport with the F1 visa stamp in 3-7 days. You will be able to collect your passport at the location you specified during the visa interview application.

After F1 Visa Approval

Successfully obtaining approval for an F1 visa is a significant accomplishment, as it permits you to accompany your spouse or parent who holds an F1 visa to the United States. However, it's crucial to comprehend the necessary steps to take following approval to guarantee a smooth and successful entry into the US. The following are some suggested actions you may want to take after receiving your visa approval.

1. Confirm your travel plans

It is necessary to confirm your travel plans. This includes booking your flight tickets, arranging for accommodation, and making other necessary arrangements for your stay in the U.S.

2. Be prepared for customs and immigration

Upon arrival at the airport in the US, you'll be required to go through customs and immigration. It's crucial to be adequately prepared for this process by carrying all necessary documents, including your passport, visa, and I-20 form.

3. Familiarize yourself with the culture

Finally, it is important to familiarize yourself with the culture in the US. This will help to adapt to your new surroundings and make the most of your stay in the country. You can know the culture by reading books, watching Youtube videos, shows or movies.

What can an F1 visa holder do?

An F1 visa holder from Nepal can study full-time at an university / college in the United States. There are other things that the F1 visa holder can do:

Engage in Volunteer Activities / Internships
During their study, students can get involved in university clubs and organizations and build their leadership skills. Moreover, they can get internships at different companies and get hands on experience during their study.
Work in the field of their program after graduation
After graduation, students have the opportunity to work in the field related to their studies through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can last for a duration of 1 to 3 years depending on their program of study. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students are eligible for a maximum of 3 years of OPT with the STEM extension, while other students can work full-time for 1 year.
Change of status
F1 students can change their status from student visa to work visa (H1-B) or permanent residency (GreenCard) if their employer applies these visa. While on OPT, students' employers can file H1b or Green Card for their employees and once they are selected and approved they can change their status from students to work visa or permanent resident. H1-B allows you to work for upto 6 years, while Green Card allow you to apply for citizenship of USA after 5 years.

Limitations of F1 Student Visa

F1 student visas come with the following limitations.

Cannot work outside of school
F1 students are not allowed to work outside of school. Inside school, students can work upto 20 hours per week
Need to notify university while travelling outside US
While travelling outside the US, international students need to notify the university and get signed approval in the I-20 before travelling outside of US. F1 students need to show the I-20 with the signature of university advisor while returning back to the US.
Cannot engage in commercial or business activities
Students cannot engage in business or commercial activities while they are studying in the university. After graduation, they can as a Optional Practical Training.

Wrapping up

Getting an F1 student visa is a crucial step for Nepali students who want to pursue higher education in the United States. The application process involves various steps such as acquiring an I-20 form, filling out a DS-160 form, paying SEVIS fees and scheduling an interview. It is essential to gather all required documents and prepare for the visa interview thoroughly. With the help of this comprehensive guide, you can increase your chances of obtaining an F1 visa and pursuing your academic goals in the US.

How to Apply for an F1 Student Visa to the US from Nepal