F1 Visa for Filipino citizens

The F1 Student Visa is the most common Student Visa in the United States. Filipino nationals who want to pursue a qualifying academic programme in the US are required to obtain this visa ahead of starting their studies at an accredited academic school.

Many institutions have been accepted onto the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The list of institutions includes:

• Academic high schools
• Conservatories
• Elementary schools
• English language institutes
• Colleges
• Universities
• Seminaries

Page Contents

• Overview Of the F1 Visa in the United States
• Eligibility for the F1 Visa in the Philippines
• Applying for the F1 Visa from the Philippines
• F1 Visa Interview
• Supporting Documents for the F1 Visa
• F1 Visa Processing Time when Applying from The Philippines
• Why are F1 Visas Rejected?
• What Happens When an F1 Visa is Rejected?
• Can I Work with a F1 Visa?
• Can the F1 Visa Be Revoked?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• FAQs

Filipino citizens hoping to access an F1 Visa must have been accepted into an accredited US institution as a full-time student. They must also be currently living outside of the United States when applying for the visa.

There is a requirement for all F1 Visa applicants to either have a proficient level of English or be enrolled onto an English language course while in the US.

Most accredited schools provide an English language proficiency test for F1 Visa applicants and potential students will need to ensure they achieve the required score. The tests will usually be standard examinations set by the International English Language Test System or the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

There are also financial criteria that must be met by potential F1 students, which will need to be demonstrated through proof of guaranteed loans, bank account statements, and financial award letters. The money can come from the student, their family, or a sponsor.

Applicants must be able to submit themselves during their stay in the US. As a guide, the predicted cost of one year of studies in the United States is $71,375 for undergraduates and $56,642 for graduates. As well as taking this into account, F1 Visa candidates should plan for costs relating to travel, health care, leisure, and expenses not related to school, such as owning a car.

USCIS also requires as part of the F1 Visa criteria that all holders are able to demonstrate they plan to return to their home country, such as the Philippines, once they have completed their studies.

When you are accepted into an accredited school in the US, you will automatically be enrolled into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which comes with an I-901 fee of $350 for the majority of candidates.

The fee is reduced to $35 for people who are expecting to perform summer work/travel, be an au pair, or be a camp counsellor.

SEVIS contains all of the information relating to the Filipino student’s education in the US. This includes funding, dates of study, and a SEVIS ID number.

Once the student is on the system, the academic institution is required to send out Form I-120. This allows candidates to demonstrate proof of school acceptance to USCIS, before becoming eligible for the F1 Visa.

After receiving Form I-120, Filipino citizens can submit Form DS-160 online for $160. This is a nonimmigrant visa that is designed to allow temporary travel into the United States. It isn’t specific to the F1 Visa, but all F1 Visa applicants must submit this form with the relevant information and documents.

To prepare for the visa interview, candidates must save the printed confirmation from the DS-160 form.

An appointment must then be scheduled at a US Consulate or Embassy in the Philippines. Individuals under the age of 13 do not usually have to book an F1 Visa interview.

The F1 Visa interview takes place in the applicant’s home country. Filipino candidates must travel to the United States Embassy in Manila.

During the interview, applicants must demonstrate that they have provided accurate information, they have a valid reason for wanting to enter the US, and they have plans to return to the Philippines after their studies.

A consular officer will take the applicant through the interview process by ensuring their fingerprints have been taken, collecting documents, and asking questions about their application.

Filipino interviewees can expect to be asked questions such as:

• When do you plan on returning to the Philippines?
• Why do you want to study in the US?
• Are you able to fund your time in the US?
• Why don’t you want to study in another country?
• What are your plans after your studies?
• What are you going to study?
• Which school are you going to?
• What is the location of your US school?

Some people will find out that their application has been approved on the day of the interview. If further administrative processing is needed, the candidate will have to wait to find out whether their application is going to be accepted or rejected.

The F1 Visa takes up to a few months to be processed, although it can be as quick as a few days. However, this processing time doesn’t include the time it takes to apply to a US school, wait for Form I-120, and fill out Form DS-160.

Delays can also prolong the processing time. For example, a delay in visa interview appointments in the Philippines would add on time. This is why it’s important to plan ahead and apply for the F1 Visa early. It is possible to submit an application as early as 365 days before the start of the course.

The F1 Visa eligibility criteria is specific, and therefore it is generally easy for candidates to know if they meet the requirements.

Individuals who are not enrolled onto a programme of study at an approved school will be rejected. The outcome will be the same for applicants who are living in the US, or who have long-term plans to stay in the US.

English language proficiency is a more subtle requirement, as candidates can still be accepted if they are not proficient in English. However, individuals who do not pass their school’s proficiency test and are not enrolled onto an English language course will be denied the F1 Visa.

Insufficient funds is another common reason for F1 Visa rejection. The applicant must demonstrate that they are capable of funding their entire stay, otherwise USCIS will not be able to provide an F1 Visa.

Inaccurate documents also frequently lead to F1 Visa rejection. All supporting documents must be completely accurate in order for USCIS to determine whether the applicant is eligible for the F1 Visa.

Other reasons for denial include late submissions of documents, unlawful presence in the US, expired passports, and fraud.

Candidates whose F1 Visa application is rejected will be informed of the reason for refusal. If there is an opportunity to make a change and avoid a second refusal, the candidate can pay to submit another application.

Often, it’s difficult for applicants to know their chances of getting the F1 Visa with a second application. Total Law immigration lawyers (+1 844 290 6312) can step in at this point and offer specialist advice about the best action to take.

We will save you time and money by either helping you to submit a stronger application or helping you to avoid a second wasted application.

F1 Visa holders are allowed to work in the US from 30 days before the start of their studies. However, this is only permissible under the following circumstances:

• The job is on campus or at an educationally affiliated off-campus workplace
• The employer provides a certification letter to the Social Security Administration (so that the employee gets a Social Security number)
• Employment of the Filipino citizen does not take away employment from a US citizen
• The work does not exceed 20 hours per week during term time

Working multiple jobs is permissible, provided that the rules of the visa are still met (e.g., the total working hours remain under 20).

Any Filipino student who wants to work in the US must first inform their Designated School Official of their plans. The DSO can offer guidance on taxes, as F1 Visa holders must file a tax return for any work completed in the US.

After graduation, it is no longer legal for F1 Visa holders to be employed in the United States, as they are required to return to the Philippines. However, it may be possible to switch visas and you may wish to reach out to an immigration expert for advice on immigration pathways to the US.

Yes, the F1 Visa can be taken away if the visa holder disobeys the rules of the visa, US law, or their school. Examples of reasons for F1 Visa removal are:

• Being a threat to public safety
• Quitting school
• Entering the US more than 30 days before the start of the study programme
• Working more than 20 hours per week
• Working for an off-campus organisation that is not affiliated with the school
• Not attending classes at the school