Earning the scholarship and the admission letter is half the journey. The other half is the visa that lets you enter the United States to study and compete. For most athletes who will play at a US college, that document is the F-1 visa, the visa for full-time students. You can only apply for it after the college accepts the athlete — because the institution itself issues the first document in the process, the Form I-20. In other words: admission (and the scholarship) comes first, then the visa. This guide explains the official step-by-step process, the costs and timelines, and what to expect at the consulate interview. All amounts and timelines come from official US government sources, listed at the end. They change often — always confirm at the source before paying anything.
What the F-1 visa is
The F-1 is the visa for studying at an academic institution approved by the US government — a SEVP-approved school (from the program that oversees international students). Colleges that offer athletic scholarships in the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA and CCCAA divisions are, as a rule, approved institutions. The F-1 covers both studying and playing sports while the athlete is enrolled full time.
One point that shapes the whole calendar: a student visa for new students can be issued up to 365 days before the program start date, but you are not allowed to enter the US more than 30 days before that start date. For students coming from Brazil — where high school ends in December and enrollment at US colleges usually happens in the following semester (fall) — this window leaves room to handle the visa calmly, without having to travel too early.
Step by step: I-20, SEVIS, DS-160 and the interview
The process follows a clear order. Each step depends on the one before it:
- Admission and the Form I-20. Once the college approves enrollment, it registers the athlete in SEVIS (the federal information system for international students) and issues the Form I-20 — the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status." You and the school official sign this document. No I-20, no F-1.
- SEVIS fee (Form I-901). Before the interview, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, which funds the program that monitors international students. Payment is made on the official website FMJfee.com. Keep the receipt.
- Form DS-160. This is the nonimmigrant visa application, filled out online. On it, you enter your SEVIS number (printed on the I-20) and the address of the school where you'll study (also on the I-20). At the end, the system generates a confirmation page with a barcode — bring a printed copy.
- Consular interview. After submitting the DS-160, schedule your interview at the US consulate or embassy. When an interview is required, the visa process cannot be completed without appearing in person before a consular officer.
Costs: what you pay and where
There are two main required fees, paid at different points in the process and to different recipients. The amounts below are the current official ones; confirm before paying.
| Fee | Official amount | Where to pay | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEVIS fee (I-901) | US$ 350 | FMJfee.com | Before the interview / before the visa is issued |
| Visa application fee (MRV fee) | US$ 185 | As instructed by the consulate | Usually before the interview |
Student (F) category. Official amounts subject to change — confirm at the source.
The SEVIS fee is separate from the visa fees and from any administrative fee the school itself may charge. The application fee (MRV fee) is nonrefundable — you pay it whether the visa is approved or denied. Depending on nationality, there may also be a reciprocity fee (issuance fee) charged when the visa is granted; it varies by country and should be checked in the official table. Because we never assume anyone's nationality, each athlete should look up the amount that applies to their own passport.
Tips for the consular interview
The interview is short and to the point. The officer's goal is to confirm that you are a genuine student, with a real academic plan and the means to support yourself. If you're going on an athletic scholarship, it's worth preparing:
- Consistency with the I-20. The information on the DS-160 must match the I-20 (SEVIS number, school name, program). Mismatches raise doubts.
- Clarity about your study plan. Be able to say which college, which major and why that institution — including your athletic tie, if any. Sports are part of your story, but the F-1 is a student visa: studying is the core.
- Proof of funds. Be clear about how your costs will be covered — athletic scholarship, academic scholarship, family resources. A letter from the college detailing the scholarship amount helps.
- Organized documents. Passport, DS-160 confirmation, signed I-20 and fee receipts, all on hand and in order.
- Honest, direct answers. Answer only what you're asked, calmly. Families of teenage athletes should check with the consulate for the specific rules that apply to applicants under 18.