📅 By appointment only — no walk-ins. Call or WhatsApp 510-322-4000 to schedule.
🎓 F-1 Student Visa Services · Bay Area, CA

Study in the U.S.
Your F-1 Visa, Done Right

From your I-20 to the interview chair — complete F-1 student visa guidance. SEVIS, DS-160, financial documentation, and confident interview preparation, handled with care.

✓ I-20 & SEVIS guidance ✓ Interview preparation ✓ Private consultation only

Understanding the visa

What Is the F-1 Student Visa?

The F-1 visa lets international students study full-time at a SEVP-certified U.S. school, college, or university. The path runs in a clear order — and each step has to be done correctly before the next.

🏫 1. Acceptance & I-20

A SEVP-certified school admits you and issues Form I-20, which carries your SEVIS ID — the key to every step that follows.

💳 2. Pay the SEVIS Fee

Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online at FMJfee.com using your SEVIS ID, before your interview. Keep the confirmation.

📝 3. DS-160 & Appointment

Complete the DS-160 form, pay the MRV visa fee, and schedule your visa interview at the U.S. consulate.

🤝 4. The Interview

Attend your interview with your documents in order. The consular officer decides your visa — preparation is everything.


What it costs

Fee Structure

There are two kinds of cost: official U.S. government fees (paid directly to the government) and our private assistance fee. We never collect government fees on your behalf.

FeeAmountDetails
SEVIS I-901 Fee
F-1 students
$350 Paid to SEVP at FMJfee.com after you receive your I-20 and before the interview. Funds the student tracking system. Paid once per SEVIS record. F-2 dependents do not pay it.
U.S. Government MRV Application Fee
DS-160 visa fee
$185 Paid to the U.S. government. Non-refundable. Receipt valid for 365 days from payment. Required to schedule the visa interview.
Visa Integrity Fee
New — not yet collected
$250 Signed into law but not being collected yet as of 2026. When implemented, it is charged at visa issuance (not application) and is not paid if the visa is denied.
Bharat Visa Services Assistance
I-20 review, SEVIS, DS-160, interview prep
Quoted per case Our private service fee depends on your case and how much support you need. WhatsApp us for a clear quote before anything begins — no surprises.
Government fees today total $535 ($350 SEVIS + $185 MRV). Fees are set by U.S. authorities and may change without notice. Always verify current fees at travel.state.gov and FMJfee.com before payment. Verified May 2026. Bharat Visa Services is a private agency and does not collect U.S. government fees.

Who we help

Support for Every Student's Situation

Whether it's your first F-1 application or a return after a break, we help you prepare a clean, well-organized student visa application.

🎓New / first-time students

Applying for an F-1 visa for the first time.

📚Undergraduate & graduate

Bachelor's, master's, PhD, and diploma programs.

🔄Visa renewals

Renewing an expired or expiring F-1 visa.

🏫School transfers

Changing schools or programs within F-1 status.

💰Financial documentation

Students needing help showing funds match the I-20.

👪Parents & sponsors

Families funding a student's U.S. education.


How we help

What We Do for Your Application

We focus on accuracy and preparation so your application is complete and you walk into your interview ready. We assist and consult — the consular officer makes the final decision.

1
Review your I-20 & SEVIS

We check your I-20 details and guide your SEVIS I-901 fee payment correctly.

2
DS-160 preparation

Step-by-step guidance completing the DS-160 accurately to avoid common errors.

3
Financial document review

We help ensure your funds and sponsor documents align with the I-20 amount.

4
Document checklist & review

A personalized checklist plus a review of every supporting document.

5
Interview preparation

Practice the academic-intent and funding questions officers ask most.

6
Appointment-based consultation

Focused one-on-one sessions by phone, WhatsApp, or scheduled appointment.

Got your I-20 already?

Send it to us on WhatsApp. We'll map out your exact next steps and timeline — free of charge.

💬 WhatsApp to Start

Be ready

Documents Typically Needed

Exact requirements vary by case and consulate. This is a general starting checklist to help you prepare.

F-1 Document Checklist

Gather clear copies of each item below. We'll review them with you and flag anything missing before your appointment.

Valid passportValid at least 6 months beyond travel.
Form I-20Signed, issued by your SEVP-certified school.
SEVIS I-901 fee receiptConfirmation of your $350 payment.
DS-160 confirmation pageWith the barcode confirmation number.
MRV fee receiptProof of the visa application fee payment.
Appointment confirmationInterview / biometrics appointment letter.
Compliant photoPer U.S. visa photo specifications.
Financial proofBank statements / sponsor letters matching the I-20.
Academic recordsTranscripts, degrees, and test scores.
Acceptance letterAdmission letter from your U.S. school.

Please read

Important Disclaimer

⚠ We are a private visa assistance agency — not a government authority

Bharat Visa Services is a private visa assistance agency that provides application support services. We are not affiliated with the Government of India, the U.S. Department of State, USCIS, SEVP, or any government authority or school. We do not issue visas, I-20s, or admissions, and we do not guarantee approval. The final decision on any visa application rests solely with the U.S. consular officer. Immigration rules and fees may change without notice — always verify current requirements on the official U.S. Department of State website.


Frequently asked questions

Common Questions About the F-1 Visa

Honest answers to the questions we hear most. When in doubt, reach out — every case is different.

The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students enrolling in a full-time academic program at a SEVP-certified U.S. school, college, or university. It allows you to study in the United States and, under certain conditions, work on-campus and later apply for practical training (CPT/OPT).

The SEVIS I-901 fee is a mandatory $350 fee for F-1 students that funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. You pay it online at FMJfee.com after receiving your Form I-20 and before your visa interview. It is separate from the DS-160 visa application fee. Keep the payment confirmation for your interview.

Yes. You must first be accepted by a SEVP-certified school, which issues you a Form I-20. The I-20 contains your SEVIS ID, which you need to pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160. You cannot schedule an F-1 interview without it.

Common concerns raised by consular officers include unclear academic intent, financial documents that do not match the I-20, weak ties to the home country, and inconsistent answers. Preparing accurate documents and rehearsing clear, honest answers reduces these risks. The decision is always made by the consular officer.

F-1 students may work on-campus subject to limits, and may become eligible for off-campus practical training such as CPT and OPT under specific conditions and authorizations. Work rules are strict and depend on your school and program. Always confirm with your Designated School Official (DSO).

No. We are a private visa assistance agency and are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State, USCIS, SEVP, or any government authority. We do not issue visas and do not guarantee approval. The final decision rests solely with the U.S. consular officer. What we do is help you prepare accurately and confidently.

Ready to Start Your
F-1 Student Visa Journey?

Reach out for an appointment-based consultation. We'll review your I-20, guide your SEVIS and DS-160, and get you interview-ready.

📍 Mountain House, CA 95391  ·  📅 By Appointment Only  ·  Owner: Raj Sharma