How to Apply for Student F1/J1 Visa

Phase 1 (Applying for the I20/DS2019)

1. Congratulations on your acceptance! You deserve your effort.
2. Know your visa type. Most of the students are using F1, and only a few will use J1 (e.g.
LPDP awardee). Google it to know more.
a. F1 is requiring I20 for your visa application.
b. J1 is requiring DS2019 your visa application.

⚡
3. Request your document (I20/DS2019) to your school/campus. This process may take
1-8 weeks. Protip: Request it as soon as possible.
a. I20 can be sent through email.
b. ̶D̶S̶2̶0̶1̶9̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶r̶e̶q̶u̶i̶r̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶U̶.̶S̶.̶A̶.̶ ̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶n̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶r̶i̶e̶r̶,̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶i̶t̶
̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶t̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶l̶o̶n̶g̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶r̶e̶c̶e̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶c̶u̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶p̶h̶y̶s̶i̶c̶a̶l̶l̶y̶.̶ DS2019 can be sent

⚡
through email. (Last update: 27 April 2023)
4. After you get your SEVIS ID & Program number, continue to phase 2. Protip: you can
get those through the document’s draft, so basically you can continue to phase 2 after
receiving the document’s draft.

Phase 2 (Applying for the Visa)

1. Pay the SEVIS/I901 FEE. Pay here or https://s.id/PaySEVIS. Print your payment
confirmation.
a. F1 costs you $350.
b. J1 costs you $220.

⚡
2. Complete the DS160 form. Complete here or https://s.id/DS160. Print your DS-160
confirmation page. Protip: Remember your application ID & Save your application
frequently. The system will time out after 20 minutes and you will lose all unsaved
information.

⚡
3. Apply for a visa interview. Apply here or https://s.id/VisaAppointment.
a. Pay the $160 to continue booking an interview. Protip: If you do not have a
CIMB Niaga Account, you could come to the CIMB Niaga office near you or use
Flip/Oy to pay the fee.
b. Print your payment confirmation.
c. Wait for 12-48 business hours. (the systems are not integrated, they will check it
manually).
d. Select your best time for an interview appointment.
e. Print your appointment confirmation.

Phase 3 (Visa interview) - Jakarta / Surabaya

1. Heads up! You will get your visa.
2. Make sure you print/bring all the documents needed for the interview;
a. Appointment Letter
b. DS160 confirmation page
c. Passport valid for six months beyond your initial U.S.A. stay
d. Previous passports (only if you have)
 e. SEVIS/I901 Fee payment confirmation.
f. The receipt from CIMB Niaga or from the bank where you made the EFT
payment for the visa fee for each visa applicant.
g. 5x5 cm passport photo in glossy format on a white background which was taken
in the past six months. Read the photo requirements here or
https://s.id/USAVisaPhoto.
h. I20 for F1 or DS2019 for J1
3. Come at least 15/30 minutes before your appointment.
4. Pay the reciprocity fee.
a. F1 costs you $220

🇺🇸
b. J1 costs you $0 (free)
5. Good luck on your journey in the USA !

Summary:
F1 total cost = $730
J1 total cost = $380
The process to apply may take 2 days. (exclude the I20/DS2019 process)
The process to issue the visa may take 2-4 business days. (mine was 1 day)

*Correct me if I am wrong

By : Muhammad Ramy Azhar - 22 April 2023

Feel free to contact me to ask anything regarding the visa process
Telegram: ramyazharr
Instagram: ramyazhar