US F-1 student visa for Indian students

1. 1

   Form I-20

   From a SEVP-certified school after admission.

2. 2

   SEVIS I-901 fee

   US$350, paid before the interview. [1]

3. 3

   DS-160 + US$185

   Online form and the application fee. [2]

4. 4

   Public profiles

   Set social-media profiles to public before the interview. [4]

5. 5

   Interview

   At a US post in India (your country of nationality or residence). [3]

Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the ECB reference rate of 28 Oct 2026. Your bank or forex card adds a margin, and rates move every day. ECB euro reference rates, 28 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

A US$250 'visa integrity fee' was created by a July 2025 US law; check the State Department fee page for whether it is being collected when you apply. [2]

• Booking the interview in another country to get an earlier slot: fees are not refunded and waits may be longer. [3]
• Private social-media profiles when the State Department asks for public settings. [4]
• Planning to rely on CPT for off-campus work: it must be required by the curriculum. [8]

• On-campus jobs: no more than 20 hours a week while school is in session; full time during breaks. [5]
• OPT: up to 12 months per degree level. File Form I-765 up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after completion, and within 30 days of the DSO recommendation. [6]
• STEM OPT: a 24-month extension with an E-Verify employer; total unemployment allowed is 150 days. [7]
• H-1B work visas: cap of 65,000 plus 20,000 for US master's holders; a September 2025 proclamation added a US$100,000 payment for certain new petitions, which is under court challenge. [10]

1. ICE — I-901 SEVIS fee FAQ (opens in a new tab) US$350 for F-1 · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
2. US Department of State — Fees for visa services (opens in a new tab) US$185 application fee
3. US Department of State — Adjudicating NIV applicants in their country of residence (opens in a new tab) Interview in country of nationality/residence
4. US Department of State — Expanded screening and vetting for visa applicants (opens in a new tab) Online presence, public profiles
5. ICE — SEVIS: F-1 employment (opens in a new tab) 20 hours on campus
6. USCIS — Optional Practical Training for F-1 students (opens in a new tab) 12 months, filing window
7. USCIS — STEM OPT extension (opens in a new tab) 24 months, E-Verify, 150 days
8. Study in the States — F-1 Curricular Practical Training (opens in a new tab) CPT rules, 2026 guidance
9. Study in the States — Fixed time period of admission final rule (opens in a new tab) Duration of status rule (blocked 14 Sep 2026)
10. USCIS — Presidential proclamation on certain nonimmigrant workers (H-1B) (opens in a new tab) US$100,000 payment, court status
11. USIEF — Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships (opens in a new tab) 55%, 3 years' work, deadline pattern
12. EducationUSA — Your 5 steps to US study (opens in a new tab) Admission set by each college, advising · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
13. College Board — SAT international fees (opens in a new tab) US$68 + US$43 · Last checked 29 Oct 2026
14. ETS — GRE fees (opens in a new tab) US$249 from 1 Aug 2026 · Last checked 29 Oct 2026

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