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United States · F-1 student visa

US F-1 Student Visa from Pakistan

The F-1 visa is for full-time academic study at a US school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Your school issues a Form I-20, you pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160, then attend an interview at the US Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi. The officer must be satisfied that you are a genuine student who can pay for your studies and intends to leave after them.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026

At a glance

Who issues it
The US Department of State, through its embassy and consulate in Pakistan
Apply from
Interview at the US Embassy Islamabad or the Consulate General Karachi
Main document
Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school
Can family join
Spouse and children can come on F-2 visas but cannot work
Work while studying
On-campus jobs within limits; off campus only through authorised practical training
Length of stay
A fixed admission period tied to the programme end date on your I-20

Who this is for

  • Students admitted to a full-time degree at a US college or university certified by SEVP
  • Graduates going on to a master's or PhD, including those with funded assistantships
  • Students joining a full-time English language programme at a certified school
  • Applicants who can show funding for at least the first year of costs on the I-20

When another route fits better

  • Vocational or technical training, such as flight school, needs an M-1 visa instead.
  • Sponsored exchange programmes, such as Fulbright, usually use the J-1 exchange visitor visa.
  • A short recreational course that does not earn credit may fit within a B-2 visitor visa; anything for credit needs an F-1.

Documents to prepare

Everyone

  • Valid passport, plus old passports showing earlier visas
  • Form I-20, signed by you and your school's Designated School Official
  • SEVIS I-901 fee payment confirmation
  • DS-160 confirmation page and interview appointment letter
  • Visa fee payment receipt
  • Degrees, transcripts and HSSC or A level results
  • Test scores the school relied on, such as IELTS, TOEFL, SAT or GRE
  • A recent photo that meets the US visa photo rules

Funding evidence

  • Bank statements and a bank letter for whoever is paying
  • Scholarship, assistantship or loan letters
  • The sponsor's income evidence, such as tax returns, salary slips or business records
  • Property or other asset records, if they are part of your funding plan

Step by step

  1. 1

    Get admitted to an SEVP-certified school

    Check that the school is certified before you apply. After you accept the offer and send financial documents, the school issues your Form I-20.

  2. 2

    Pay the SEVIS fee

    Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee on the official payment site and keep the receipt. Enter your SEVIS ID exactly as it appears on the I-20.

  3. 3

    Complete the DS-160

    Fill in the online form carefully, including your social media identifiers. Your answers must match the I-20 and your documents.

  4. 4

    Pay the visa fee and book an interview

    Book an appointment at the embassy in Islamabad or the consulate in Karachi. Applicants are expected to apply in their country of nationality or residence.

  5. 5

    Attend the interview

    Bring your documents, but expect the officer to rely mainly on what you say. Be ready to explain your course, why this school, who is paying and what you plan to do afterwards.

  6. 6

    Travel on time

    If approved, your passport comes back with the visa. You can only enter within a short window before your programme start date, and you must report to your school after arrival.

Costs to plan for

  • The SEVIS I-901 fee, paid before the interview
  • The visa application fee and any other government charges in force when you apply
  • University application fees and tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or GRE
  • Tuition and living costs for at least the first year, as shown on the I-20
  • Health insurance, which most US schools require
  • Travel to Islamabad or Karachi for the interview, plus courier and flights

Why applications get refused

  • Not convincing the officer that you will leave the US after your studies (a refusal under section 214(b))
  • Funding that looks arranged for the interview, such as large recent deposits with no clear source
  • Unclear reasons for choosing the course, the school or the US
  • A study plan that does not fit your academic or work history
  • Answers that do not match the DS-160 or the I-20
  • Earlier refusals or overstays that are not explained
  • Concerns raised by the online presence review, or profiles left private after being told to make them public

Tips before you apply

  • Set your social media accounts to public before the interview, as F-1 applicants are instructed to do, and make sure your profiles match your application.
  • Practise explaining your plan in two or three plain sentences. Interviews are short.
  • Keep funding simple: one or two clear sources, with documents that show where the money came from.
  • Check the embassy website for notices before paying fees, as US vetting rules and entry restrictions changed several times in 2025 and 2026.

Questions people ask

No. F-2 dependants cannot work. Children on F-2 visas can attend school, and a spouse may only study part-time.

Yes. There is no set waiting period, but a new application only helps if something has changed, such as clearer funding, a better study plan or stronger evidence of your ties to Pakistan.

On-campus work is allowed within limits. Off-campus work is generally only possible through Curricular Practical Training during the course or Optional Practical Training, both tied to your field of study.

Under a DHS rule published in July 2026, F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period tied to the programme end date on the I-20, rather than for 'duration of status'. If you need more time, you apply to extend through USCIS.

Expect to attend an in-person interview. Waivers are limited and set by the State Department, so check the embassy website when you book.

Official sources

Fees, fund requirements and processing times change. Check the current figures on the official site before you apply.

Last reviewed 8 October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. VisaWala is not affiliated with any embassy or government, and only the issuing authority decides a visa application.