At a Glance
Study in the USA — the numbers that matter
Total Annual Cost
$32,000–$60,000/year including tuition and living costs — public universities average lower, private universities higher.
F-1 Visa Cost
$185 DS-160 application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee + a $250 Visa Integrity Fee (introduced 2025) — around $785 in mandatory government fees.
New 2026 Rule
From 15 September 2026, F-1 students get a fixed admission period shown on Form I-94, replacing the old open-ended “Duration of Status.”
Why the USA
The world's largest university system, still the top choice for many fields
The United States holds more of the world’s top-ranked universities than any other country, across nearly every field of study, with flexible credit systems that let you combine majors and minors. The F-1 visa process is well-documented and predictable when prepared properly — most refusals happen not from missing paperwork but from a weak, vague answer about your intent to return home, which is exactly the kind of interview preparation we build into your application with you.
Cost Breakdown
What actually goes into your US budget
Tuition
Public universities average around $11,000–$25,000/year for international students; private universities $40,000–$60,000+/year.
Living Costs
Varies significantly by city — New York, San Francisco and Boston run well above Southern and Midwestern college towns.
Visa & Fees
$785 in mandatory F-1 government fees (DS-160, SEVIS, Visa Integrity Fee), plus health insurance of $500–$3,000/year.
F-1 Visa Process
From admission to arrival
01
University Application
We help you shortlist and apply to SEVP-approved universities matching your goals and budget.
02
I-20 & SEVIS
Once admitted, your university issues Form I-20; you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
03
DS-160 & Interview Prep
Complete the DS-160 form and prepare for a focused visa interview — intent to return home matters most.
04
Visa Interview
Attend your F-1 interview, typically brief and direct in 2026.
05
Travel & Enrolment
Enter the US up to 30 days before your course starts and complete university registration.