Student Visa (F‑1)
Landing that F‑1 visa is your ticket to “dear diary, I’m studying in America.” But between I‑20 signatures and DS‑160 quizzes, stress can spike faster than your GPA.
Negatives
● Consulate Delays: Wait times vary wildly—2–6 weeks or longer.
● DS‑160 Errors: A typo in your SEVIS number is a guaranteed denial.
● Intent Issues: Officer must believe you’ll return home—strong family ties are essential.
Positives
● Full Course Load: Study, research, internships—all allowed.
● On‑Campus Work: Up to 20 hrs/week during school.
● OPT & STEM OPT: 12–36 months of work authorization post‑graduation.
Tricks
● DS‑160 Preview: Draft answers in Word, then copy/paste into form to avoid session timeouts.
● Financial Packet: Bundle bank statements, scholarship letters, affidavit of support in one labeled PDF.
● Intent Binder: Bring a mini‑folder to interview with return‑ticket quote, property deeds, family photos.
Negatives
● Consulate Delays: Wait times vary wildly—2–6 weeks or longer.
● DS‑160 Errors: A typo in your SEVIS number is a guaranteed denial.
● Intent Issues: Officer must believe you’ll return home—strong family ties are essential.
Positives
● Full Course Load: Study, research, internships—all allowed.
● On‑Campus Work: Up to 20 hrs/week during school.
● OPT & STEM OPT: 12–36 months of work authorization post‑graduation.
Tricks
● DS‑160 Preview: Draft answers in Word, then copy/paste into form to avoid session timeouts.
● Financial Packet: Bundle bank statements, scholarship letters, affidavit of support in one labeled PDF.
● Intent Binder: Bring a mini‑folder to interview with return‑ticket quote, property deeds, family photos.
Step‑by‑Step Process
1. Get I‑20 from DSO → 2. Pay SEVIS I‑901 → 3. Complete DS‑160 → 4. Schedule & attend interview → 5. Enter U.S. on I‑20 → 6. Maintain status with full enrollment
Payments & Waivers
● SEVIS I‑901 fee: $350 (no waiver)
● Visa fee (MRV): $185 (no waiver)
● Premium: Only for SEVIS? No. No waiver.
Special Circumstances
● Concurrent Enrollment: Short‑term courses under 18 hrs can trigger CPT/OPT issues.
● Transfer Schools: File a SEVIS transfer 15 days before the next program starts.
● Economic Hardship: Can apply for off‑campus work authorization after one academic year.
Payments & Waivers
● SEVIS I‑901 fee: $350 (no waiver)
● Visa fee (MRV): $185 (no waiver)
● Premium: Only for SEVIS? No. No waiver.
Special Circumstances
● Concurrent Enrollment: Short‑term courses under 18 hrs can trigger CPT/OPT issues.
● Transfer Schools: File a SEVIS transfer 15 days before the next program starts.
● Economic Hardship: Can apply for off‑campus work authorization after one academic year.
1. Process Overview & Steps
Step 1: Receive & Sign Form I‑20
• From your U.S. school’s DSO
Step 2: Pay SEVIS I‑901 Fee
Step 3: Complete DS‑160 Online
Step 4: Schedule & Attend Visa Interview
Step 5: Prepare Financial & Ties Evidence
• From your U.S. school’s DSO
Step 2: Pay SEVIS I‑901 Fee
Step 3: Complete DS‑160 Online
Step 4: Schedule & Attend Visa Interview
Step 5: Prepare Financial & Ties Evidence
2. Estimated Timeline
- School Admission to I‑20 Issuance: 2–8 weeks
- Visa Interview Wait: 2–6 weeks (varies by consulate)
- Total: ~2–4 months before program start
3. Key Difficulty & Resolution
Difficulty: “Liang” filled DS‑160 but wrote his financial support amounts incorrectly—risking a denial at the consular interview.
Resolution: In our one‑hour session, Daniel showed Liang exactly how to break down scholarship vs. personal funds on the DS‑160 and pack the supporting bank letters in clear order.
4. Single-Consultation Impact
Liang had done the bulk of his application himself. After Daniel’s guidance, he entered the interview with perfectly aligned figures and documentation—and secured his F‑1 visa on the first try.
Student Visa (DS‑160 & Form I‑20)
In my personal opinion in this way I did found the way to be in the united Estates legally but thanks that I have a company on my country and this company in that time has resources to be sponsor of this visa
Securing an H‑1B or L‑1 can feel like winning a golden ticket—but it’s really a paperwork marathon. I’ve helped engineers and executives cross the finish line with minimal sweat.
Negatives
● H‑1B Cap Lottery: Only 85,000 spots—zero guarantee.
● L‑1 Blanket Limits: Not every company qualifies for blanket L‑1 filings.
● RFEs on Specialty Occupation: Vague job descriptions invite scrutiny.
Positives
● Dual Intent: You can pursue a green card while on H‑1B.
● Premium Processing: 15‑day decision window for $2,500.
● Portability: H‑1B can switch employers if new petition filed.
Tricks
● Detailed Experience Letters: Use bullet‑point narratives for each major project.
● Prevailing Wage Chart: Pre‑gather DOL wage data to justify offered salary.
● Cap‑Exempt Strategies: Find a non‑profit or university affiliate to avoid the lottery.
Negatives
● H‑1B Cap Lottery: Only 85,000 spots—zero guarantee.
● L‑1 Blanket Limits: Not every company qualifies for blanket L‑1 filings.
● RFEs on Specialty Occupation: Vague job descriptions invite scrutiny.
Positives
● Dual Intent: You can pursue a green card while on H‑1B.
● Premium Processing: 15‑day decision window for $2,500.
● Portability: H‑1B can switch employers if new petition filed.
Tricks
● Detailed Experience Letters: Use bullet‑point narratives for each major project.
● Prevailing Wage Chart: Pre‑gather DOL wage data to justify offered salary.
● Cap‑Exempt Strategies: Find a non‑profit or university affiliate to avoid the lottery.
Step‑by‑Step Process
1. Employer files LCA → 2. Employer files I‑129 (H‑1B/L‑1) → 3. USCIS decision → 4. Visa stamping or COS → 5. Travel & begin work
Payments & Waivers
● LCA: no fee
● I‑129 base fee: $460
● ACWIA fee (H‑1B): $750–1,500 (no waiver)
● Fraud fee: $500 (no waiver)
● Premium processing: $2,500 (no waiver)
Special Circumstances
● Cap‑Exempt Employers: Non‑profits, universities, research institutions bypass H‑1B cap.
● Blanket L‑1: Multi‑national companies with qualifying L‑1 blanket approval.
● Dependents: L‑2 spouses can work after I‑765 filing.
Payments & Waivers
● LCA: no fee
● I‑129 base fee: $460
● ACWIA fee (H‑1B): $750–1,500 (no waiver)
● Fraud fee: $500 (no waiver)
● Premium processing: $2,500 (no waiver)
Special Circumstances
● Cap‑Exempt Employers: Non‑profits, universities, research institutions bypass H‑1B cap.
● Blanket L‑1: Multi‑national companies with qualifying L‑1 blanket approval.
● Dependents: L‑2 spouses can work after I‑765 filing.
DS‑160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application)
1. Start Application
○ Choose location where you’ll apply.
2. Personal Information
○ Full name, DOB, passport info.
3. Travel Information
○ Purpose “Temporary Business/Tourism (F‑1 Student).”
4. U.S. Point of Contact
○ Your school’s international office.
5. Family Information
○ Parents’ names, employment.
6. Education and Work History
○ List schools, jobs, scholarships.
7. Security and Background
○ Standard “yes/no” security questions.
8. Upload Photo
○ Follow U.S. photo specs.
9. Review & Submit
○ Print confirmation page (barcode).
○ Choose location where you’ll apply.
2. Personal Information
○ Full name, DOB, passport info.
3. Travel Information
○ Purpose “Temporary Business/Tourism (F‑1 Student).”
4. U.S. Point of Contact
○ Your school’s international office.
5. Family Information
○ Parents’ names, employment.
6. Education and Work History
○ List schools, jobs, scholarships.
7. Security and Background
○ Standard “yes/no” security questions.
8. Upload Photo
○ Follow U.S. photo specs.
9. Review & Submit
○ Print confirmation page (barcode).
Form I‑20 (Certificate of Eligibility)
- Issued by DSO at your school.
Verify your name, DOB, program start/end dates, estimated cost.
• Sign and date the bottom. - Use for:
Paying SEVIS fee (I‑901).
• Visa interview appointment.
