The journey to study in the United States 🇺🇸 is exciting, but it’s also filled with important steps and strict rules. The United States government has made several changes in 2025 that affect how foreign students get, keep, and sometimes lose their student visas. These new rules are meant to protect national security and make sure that everyone follows the law. If you’re planning to study in the United States 🇺🇸, it’s important to know what to expect at each stage, what actions you need to take, and what the authorities will do. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the entire process, including what can cause you to lose your student visa and become ineligible for future visas.
Step 1: Understanding Visa Eligibility and Choosing the Right Visa
Before you can apply, you need to know if you’re eligible for a student visa. The United States government offers several types of student visas, but the most common are:
- F-1 Visa: For academic studies at universities, colleges, high schools, or language training programs.
- M-1 Visa: For vocational or non-academic programs.
- J-1 Visa: For exchange visitors, including students in certain exchange programs.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be accepted by a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- Show that you have enough money to pay for your studies and living expenses.
- Prove that you plan to return home after your studies.
- Have a clean criminal record and not be a security risk.
Estimated Timeframe: It usually takes a few weeks to gather documents and get accepted by a school. Some students may need more time if their background checks take longer.
Step 2: Receiving Your Form I-20 or DS-2019
Once you’re accepted, your school will send you a special form:
- Form I-20 for F-1 and M-1 students. Access the official Form I-20 information here.
- Form DS-2019 for J-1 exchange visitors. Find the official DS-2019 information here.
You need this form to pay the SEVIS fee and schedule your visa interview.
Required Actions:
- Check all the information on your form for mistakes.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online. Pay the SEVIS fee here.
- Keep your form safe—you’ll need it for your visa interview and when you enter the United States 🇺🇸.
Step 3: Completing the Visa Application (Form DS-160)
All student visa applicants must fill out the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. This form asks about your background, travel plans, and other details.
Estimated Timeframe: Completing the DS-160 can take 1-2 hours. You’ll need to upload a recent photo and gather information about your travel and study plans.
Step 4: Paying Visa Fees and New Administrative Charges
In 2025, the United States government introduced new fees:
- Visa Application Fee: Usually $185 for most student visas.
- Visa Integrity Fee: $250 (new in 2025).
- Form I-94 Tracking Fee: $24 (new in 2025).
You must pay all these fees before your interview. Keep your receipts as proof.
Required Actions:
- Pay the visa application fee as instructed by your local U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Pay the Visa Integrity Fee and Form I-94 fee as directed. Not paying these fees can delay or stop your visa process.
Step 5: Scheduling and Attending the In-Person Visa Interview
Starting September 2, 2025, all student visa applicants must attend an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Most interview waivers have been removed, so almost everyone must go in person.
What to Expect:
- You’ll be asked about your study plans, finances, ties to your home country, and background.
- You must bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, Form I-20 or DS-2019, fee receipts, and any supporting documents.
- The officer may ask about your social media accounts and online activity.
- If you’re from a country considered a security risk, expect extra questions and checks.
Estimated Timeframe: Scheduling an interview can take a few days to several weeks, depending on the embassy’s workload. The interview itself usually lasts 10-20 minutes, but you may wait longer at the embassy.
Required Actions:
- Arrive on time and dress neatly.
- Answer all questions honestly. Giving false or incomplete information can lead to visa denial or future ineligibility.
- If you miss your interview or give inconsistent answers, your visa may be denied or revoked.
Step 6: Enhanced Security Screening and Social Media Vetting
Since early 2025, all student visa applicants go through extra security checks. This includes:
- Reviewing your social media accounts for the past five years.
- Checking for ties to foreign political parties or organizations considered hostile by the United States government.
- Looking closely at students from certain countries or those studying sensitive subjects like science, technology, engineering, or math.
What to Expect:
- You may be asked to provide usernames for your social media accounts.
- If you try to hide information or lie about your background, your visa can be denied or revoked.
- The government may “aggressively revoke” visas if they find links to certain foreign governments or parties, especially the Chinese Communist Party.
Estimated Timeframe: Security checks can add days or even weeks to your visa process, especially if you’re from a country on the security risk list.
Step 7: Receiving Your Visa and Entering the United States 🇺🇸
If your visa is approved, the embassy will place a visa sticker in your passport. You can then travel to the United States 🇺🇸, but you can’t enter more than 30 days before your program starts.
Required Actions:
- Double-check your visa for mistakes.
- Carry your Form I-20 or DS-2019, fee receipts, and acceptance letter when you travel.
- At the airport, show your documents to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
What to Expect from Authorities:
- The CBP officer will check your documents and may ask questions about your studies.
- If everything is in order, you’ll be admitted and given an electronic Form I-94, which shows your arrival and how long you can stay. Learn more about Form I-94 here.
Step 8: Maintaining Your Student Visa Status
Once you arrive, you must follow strict rules to keep your visa:
- Stay Enrolled Full-Time: You must take a full course load every semester. Dropping below full-time without permission can cause you to lose your visa.
- Make Academic Progress: Failing too many classes or not making progress toward your degree can be a problem.
- No Unauthorized Work: You can’t work off-campus during your first year. After that, you need special permission for any work outside your school. Working more hours than allowed or without approval can lead to visa loss.
- Follow SEVIS Reporting Rules: You must keep your information up to date in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Tell your school if you move, change your major, or have other big changes.
- Obey U.S. Laws: Any criminal activity, even minor offenses, can lead to visa revocation and future ineligibility.
Estimated Timeframe: You must keep these rules for your entire stay, whether it’s one semester or several years.
Step 9: Dealing with New Fixed-Term Visa Limits
The United States government is considering a rule to limit F-1 visas to a fixed term, such as four years, instead of the current “duration of status” system. If this rule takes effect:
- Your visa will have an end date. You must leave, extend, or renew your visa before it expires.
- Staying past your visa’s end date without approval will cause you to lose your status and become ineligible for future visas.
Required Actions:
- Track your visa expiration date carefully.
- Apply for extensions or renewals early if you need more time to finish your studies.
Step 10: Consequences of Losing Your Visa or Violating Rules
If you break any of the rules, the United States government can revoke your visa right away. This can happen if you:
- Drop out or stop attending classes without permission.
- Work illegally.
- Overstay your visa or fail to extend it on time.
- Lie during your application or interview.
- Get involved in criminal activity or are seen as a security risk.
What Happens Next:
- You may have to leave the United States 🇺🇸 immediately.
- You could be banned from getting another U.S. visa for years or even for life, depending on the violation.
- Even small mistakes can have big, long-term effects on your ability to study or visit the United States 🇺🇸 again.
Step 11: Special Relief and Exceptions
Some students from countries facing war or disasters may get “Special Student Relief.” This can allow part-time study or work, but you must follow all the special rules. Misusing this relief or not following the rules can also lead to visa problems.
Practical Tips and What to Do If You Have Problems
- Stay in Touch with Your School’s International Office: They can help you understand the rules and fix problems before they get serious.
- Keep Copies of All Documents: Save emails, receipts, and forms in case you need to prove something later.
- Ask for Help Early: If you’re struggling with classes, money, or paperwork, talk to your school or a legal expert right away.
- Monitor Official Announcements: Rules can change quickly. Check the U.S. Department of State’s visa page for updates.
Case Study Example:
Maria, a student from Brazil 🇧🇷, arrived in the United States 🇺🇸 to study engineering. She worked part-time on campus, but during her second year, she accepted an off-campus job without getting permission. Her school found out and reported her to SEVIS. Maria’s visa was revoked, and she had to leave the country. She is now barred from applying for another U.S. visa for five years. This shows how even a small mistake can have serious consequences.
Looking Ahead:
The United States government is expected to keep tightening student visa rules, especially for students from countries seen as security risks. More background checks, higher fees, and stricter rules are likely. Students should always follow the latest guidance and keep their records in order.
Summary and Next Steps
- Check your visa eligibility before applying.
- Follow every step carefully: from getting your Form I-20 or DS-2019, paying all fees, and attending your in-person interview, to keeping your status after you arrive.
- Stay honest and follow the rules: Any violation can lead to losing your visa and future ineligibility.
- Use official resources: For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa information page.
- If in doubt, ask for help: Your school’s international office or a qualified immigration lawyer can guide you.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the United States government’s new rules mean that students must be more careful than ever. By understanding each step and staying compliant, you can protect your student visa and your future opportunities in the United States 🇺🇸.
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