Getting Started with the F1 Visa Application Process: A Complete Guide The F1 visa is a vital first step for foreign students hoping to pursue their studies in the US. If you want to pursue your academic goals in America, you must be awarsatt kinghe of the complexities involved in applying for an F1 visa. Obtaining the required paperwork, which consists of a valid passport, evidence of financial support, and an acceptance letter from an institution recognized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), is the first step in the trip. The Form I-20, which is provided by the educational institution and acts as a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status, must also be completed by applicants.