USA Student Visa 2026: F-1 Rules, Fees and New Stay Limits
The US student visa changed in a fundamental way on 15 September 2026. Students are no longer admitted for as long as their studies last. They are admitted until a fixed date, capped at four years, and must apply for more time if they need it. This guide covers that change and the rest of the F-1 process, from the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
To study in the United States you need an F visa for academic study or an M visa for vocational study. First a SEVP-approved school must accept you and issue a Form I-20. You then pay the I-901 SEVIS fee of USD 350, complete Form DS-160, pay the USD 185 visa application fee and attend an interview. A visa can be issued up to 365 days before your course starts, but you cannot enter more than 30 days before. Since 15 September 2026, F students are admitted for the length of the program on their I-20, not more than four years, plus 30 days to arrive and 30 days to depart. On campus you may work up to 20 hours a week in term time.
F visa or M visa
| You will attend | Visa category |
|---|---|
| University or college | F |
| High school or private elementary school | F |
| Seminary or conservatory | F |
| Another academic institution, including a language training program | F |
| Vocational or other recognised non-academic institution, other than a language training program | M |
You cannot study for a degree or certificate on a visitor (B) visa or under the Visa Waiver Program, even for a short course. A visitor visa allows only a short recreational course that carries no credit.
What changed on 15 September 2026
Until then, F students were admitted for "duration of status", an unspecified period that lasted as long as they kept studying. A Department of Homeland Security final rule published on 17 July 2026 replaced that with a fixed period of admission.
| Rule | From 15 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Period of admission | The length of the program on your Form I-20, not exceeding four years |
| Arrival | A 30-day period before the program start date |
| Departure | A 30-day period after the program or practical training ends, down from 60 days |
| English language training | Restricted to a 24-month period of admission, plus 30 days to prepare for departure |
| Public high schools | No more than 12 months in aggregate, including school breaks and annual vacation |
| Needing more time | Apply to USCIS for an extension of stay on Form I-539, or leave and be readmitted |
An extension of stay is needed if you need more time to complete your program, want to begin a new program, or want to take up post-completion practical training. You work with your school's designated school official first, receive an updated Form I-20 with the recommendation, then file Form I-539 with the fee and biometrics. The alternative is to leave the United States and obtain a new period of admission from Customs and Border Protection when you return.
New limits on changing course
- Transfer. Students below graduate level cannot transfer to another school during their first year and must complete it at the school that issued their I-20. Graduate students cannot transfer at any point. In both cases SEVP can authorise an exception for extenuating circumstances.
- Change of major. Students below graduate level cannot change major in their first year without an exception. Graduate students cannot change major at any point.
- Change of level. Students below graduate level cannot change educational level in their first year without an exception. Graduate students cannot change level during their program.
- After finishing. You cannot enrol in a new program at a lower level, or at the same level, for example a second bachelor's degree.
If you were already in the United States
F students admitted under duration of status before 15 September 2026 can remain until the program end date on their Form I-20, or the end of their post-completion practical training, but not beyond 14 November 2030. If you travel abroad and return, Customs and Border Protection may admit you with a new fixed period.
How to apply, step by step
- Get accepted by a SEVP-approved school. The school registers you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and issues your Form I-20, which you and your school official must sign.
- Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. It is separate from the visa fee.
- Complete Form DS-160 online, upload your photo and print the confirmation page.
- Pay the visa application fee of USD 185, which is non-refundable.
- Schedule an interview at the US embassy or consulate in the country where you live. You can apply elsewhere, but the State Department warns it may be harder to show you qualify.
- Attend the interview with your passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt and Form I-20. Digital fingerprints are taken as part of the process.
- Wait for a decision. The officer may tell you the application needs further administrative processing. If approved, some nationalities also pay a visa issuance fee.
- Travel no more than 30 days before your start date. A visa lets you travel to a port of entry; the border officer decides on admission.
What it costs
| Fee | Amount (USD) | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| I-901 SEVIS fee, F or M visa applicants | 350 | Student and Exchange Visitor Program |
| I-901 SEVIS fee, J exchange visitors | 220 | Student and Exchange Visitor Program |
| Visa application fee | 185 | Department of State |
| Visa issuance fee | Depends on nationality | Department of State, only if the visa is approved |
A spouse and children who will live with you each need their own Form I-20 and their own visa, but they do not pay the SEVIS fee.
Documents and money
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay, unless your country is exempt by agreement.
- Form I-20, signed by you and your school official.
- Academic records: transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates, and any standardised test scores your school requires.
- Evidence of intent to leave the United States when your course ends.
- Evidence of funds to pay all educational, living and travel costs.
There is no single dollar figure. Your school must collect evidence that you or a sponsor can cover tuition and living expenses for the period of study before it issues the I-20, and you bring the same evidence to the visa interview. Accepted evidence includes family bank statements, documentation from a sponsor, financial aid and scholarship letters, and an employer's letter showing annual salary. International students are not eligible for US government-funded financial aid.
Working on a student visa
| Type of work | Rule |
|---|---|
| On-campus employment | No more than 20 hours a week while school is in session; you may apply up to 30 days before classes start |
| Off-campus employment | Only after one full academic year, and only for qualifying economic hardship, with approval from USCIS |
| Curricular practical training (CPT) | Must be an integral part of the curriculum; usually after one full academic year; can be full time |
| Optional practical training (OPT) | 12 months at each education level; before completion it is limited to 20 hours a week in term time |
| STEM OPT extension | Available to eligible students with a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics |
Three warnings from the Department of Homeland Security. Working without authorisation is reported and ends your SEVIS record, which means leaving immediately. One year or more of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for post-completion OPT. And students in English language training programs are not eligible for OPT at all. Everyone who works needs a Social Security number.
On 8 October 2026 the department also published a proposed rule that would establish fees for optional practical training. It is a proposal, not yet a final rule.
Mistakes that cost students their status
- Relying on old advice about "duration of status". Check the Admit Until Date on your Form I-94 and plan around it.
- Assuming a 60-day grace period. It is now 30 days. Some official pages written before the rule still show the old figure.
- Planning to transfer or change major in the first year. That now needs an exception.
- Starting work before authorisation arrives. You cannot begin while Form I-765 is pending.
- Arriving too early. You cannot enter more than 30 days before your program start date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a US student visa cost?
The visa application fee is USD 185 and the I-901 SEVIS fee for F and M applicants is USD 350. Some nationalities also pay a visa issuance fee if the visa is approved.
How long can I stay in the US on an F-1 visa?
Since 15 September 2026, for the length of the program on your Form I-20, not exceeding four years, plus 30 days to arrive and 30 days to depart. For more time you apply to USCIS for an extension of stay or leave and are readmitted.
What happened to duration of status?
A Department of Homeland Security final rule published on 17 July 2026 replaced it with a fixed period of admission from 15 September 2026. Students admitted earlier can stay until their program end date or the end of their practical training, but not beyond 14 November 2030.
Can I work on an F-1 visa?
On campus, up to 20 hours a week while school is in session. Off-campus work requires one full academic year of study and qualifying economic hardship. Practical training, CPT and OPT, must relate to your program and be authorised first.
How early can I apply for a US student visa?
A visa for a new student can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date. You cannot enter the United States more than 30 days before that date.
How much money do I need to show for a US student visa?
There is no fixed amount. You must show evidence that you or a sponsor can cover tuition and living expenses for the period of study, both to your school before it issues the Form I-20 and at the visa interview.
Can I transfer schools on an F-1 visa?
Under the rule in force since 15 September 2026, students below graduate level cannot transfer during their first year, and graduate students cannot transfer at any point, unless SEVP authorises an exception for extenuating circumstances.
How long is OPT?
You can apply for 12 months of optional practical training at each education level. Students with a degree in a STEM field may be eligible for the STEM OPT extension.
Sources (official only)
- US Department of State — Student Visa
- Department of Homeland Security — Fixed period of admission final rule: quick facts
- Department of Homeland Security — Final rule announcement, 17 July 2026
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement — I-901 SEVIS fee
- Study in the States — Working in the United States
- Study in the States — Training opportunities
- Study in the States — Financial ability
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. US student rules changed in September 2026 and guidance is still being updated, so check the official pages before you act. Information, not legal advice.