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United StatesStudyLast checked October 16, 2026

F-1 Academic Student

The F-1 status is for full-time study at a US school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The school issues a Form I-20, the student pays the I-901 SEVIS fee, then applies for a visa. A DHS final rule effective 15 September 2026 replaced open-ended 'duration of status' with a fixed admission period capped at 4 years, with extensions through USCIS. Students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) work, with an extra 24 months for eligible STEM graduates.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 39 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Chad
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Your edge here Members

What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties

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Who it’s for

International students admitted to a full-time academic or language programme at an SEVP-certified US school.

Eligibility

  • School acceptance and I-20

    You need acceptance to a full-time programme at an SEVP-certified school and a Form I-20 issued by its designated school official.

  • SEVIS fee paid

    901 SEV
    The I-

    The I-901 SEVIS fee must be paid before the visa is issued (or before entry for visa-exempt students). Proof is needed at the interview.

  • Enough money

    Show enough funds to cover your expenses, based on the cost shown on your I-20.

    • Amount comes from the I-20 cost, not a fixed national figure
    Official wording

    You must show enough funds to cover your expenses. The amount comes from the cost shown on the I-20, not a fixed national figure.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementFull course of study
  • Document checklistForm I-20, Certificate of Eligibility
  • FeesI-901 SEVIS fee (F and M)

The full requirements are for members

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  • 6 more requirements
  • 8 documents
  • 6 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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Programs and scholarships Members

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Places to visit in United States

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Official sources

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