Student Visa to the USA (F1) in the Czech Republic: a detailed application guide

According to SEVP data, more than one million international students enroll in educational institutions in the United States every year, the majority of whom arrive on an F1 visa. In recent years, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Georgians, and citizens of other nationalities who live or temporarily stay in Europe prefer to apply for a student visa to the USA (F1) through the Czech Republic. Why? That is exactly what we will tell you about in today’s material.

For what purposes is a student visa to the USA intended?

The F1 student visa is intended for those who plan to study at accredited educational institutions in the United States. This may include admission to a university, college, private school, or participation in a language program with a workload of more than 18 hours per week.

It is important to note that the F1 visa can be obtained not only for admission to an academic program but also through language courses in the USA. Many students choose this option if they want to start studying faster, improve their English, or prepare for admission to a university.

Our company helps select high-quality language schools and supports clients at all stages of obtaining a student visa to the USA (F1). We work with verified educational centers in Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Boston. The cost of education depends on the city and type of program:

1. Miami — from $150 per week.

2. Los Angeles — from $250 per week.

3. San Francisco, Atlanta, and Boston — from $200 per week.

Also, upon request, we select language courses in any US state according to your budget, goals, and consulate requirements, which significantly increases the chances of successfully obtaining a student visa F-1.

Who can obtain a student visa to the USA in the Czech Republic?

Not only EU citizens but also foreigners temporarily or permanently residing in the country can apply for a student visa to the USA through the Czech Republic. The main conditions for submission are:

• possession of a valid residence permit or a long-term Czech visa or a pending status of a Czech residence permit;

• confirmation of admission to a US educational institution;

• financial solvency (usually required to show an amount from $3,500 to $4,500 per year);

• absence of violations of visa or migration legislation.

Where can you apply for a student visa to the USA in the Czech Republic?

Application for a student visa to the USA in the Czech Republic is submitted through the American Embassy in Prague (U.S. Embassy Prague), located at: Tržiště 15, 118 01 Praha 1, Malá Strana. Phone: +420 257 022 000. This is where the following take place:

• biometric submission;

• interview with a visa officer;

• decision on the case.

Available appointment slots appear regularly, which makes obtaining a student visa to the USA through Prague one of the most convenient options for most applicants.

What documents are required to apply for a student visa to the USA in Prague?

The list of documents required to apply for an F1 student visa in Prague may vary depending on the educational institution and the applicant’s financial situation. However, the standard package usually includes the following categories of documents:

Basic:

• Form I-20 issued by a US educational institution;

• proof of payment of the SEVIS fee (SEVIS I-901) — the cost is $350;

• Form DS-160;

• international passport valid for at least 6 months after completion of studies;

• electronic photograph 5×5 cm.

Supporting the case:

• proof of financial solvency: bank statement indicating an amount — from $3,500;

• income certificates;

• sponsorship letters.

For admission to universities:

• educational documents: diplomas, transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS results.

Procedure for applying for a student visa to the USA in the Czech Republic

The process of obtaining a student visa to the USA through the Czech Republic is as follows:

1. admission to a US educational institution and receipt of Form I-20;

2. payment of SEVIS and completion of DS-160;

3. scheduling an interview in Prague through the visa system;

4. preparation of documents and verification of all data accuracy;

5. attending the interview at the US Embassy;

6. waiting for the decision — usually the result is known immediately after the interview;

7. receiving the passport with the F1 visa.

Cost and validity period of a student visa to the USA

At the time of writing this material, the cost of a student visa F1 to the USA was:

• SEVIS fee — $350 (paid before submitting documents);

• consular fee — $185;

• additional expenses for document preparation: bank statements, translations, photographs, etc.

Obtaining such authorization takes, on average, from 3 to 6 weeks and depends on the waiting time for an invitation from the educational institution and the workload of the American Embassy.

The validity period of an F-1 visa can be up to 5 years. At the same time, staying in the USA is allowed for the entire period of study plus 60 days after its completion (grace period).

Main reasons for refusal

Despite the loyal visa policy of the American Embassy in the Czech Republic, there is still a possibility of refusal to issue a student visa to the USA for the following reasons:

• insufficient financial support;

• mismatch between the chosen program and the level of education;

• contradictions between the DS-160 form and interview answers;

• unclear travel purpose or lack of ties with the home country;

• errors in documents or incorrectly completed DS-160 form.

Specialists of our visa agency analyze the client’s situation even before document submission, which helps minimize the risk of refusal.

Why should you contact us?

We have been working with applicants from different countries for 10 years and know all the nuances of applying for a student visa to the USA in the Czech Republic.

By contacting us, you are guaranteed to receive:

• an individual analysis of your situation;

• correct completion of the DS-160 and verification of all data;

• consultations on finances and supporting documents;

• assistance with securing an appointment slot in Prague;

• interview preparation in the format of a real interview.

Our main goal is to make the process of obtaining a student visa to the USA through the Czech Republic as comfortable as possible for you. We do everything possible to ensure that you go through it calmly, without mistakes, and with the highest possible chance of approval. Don’t believe it? Then call us right now and see for yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for F-1 in Prague if I have a temporary certificate confirming consideration of residence permit/visa documents?

Yes, in most cases the US Embassy accepts applicants who have confirmation of submission for a Czech residence permit (so-called potvrzení o podání žádosti o pobyt). The main requirement is that the document must be valid at the time of the interview and confirm legal stay in the Czech Republic.

Do financial documents need to be translated into English?

Usually no. Bank statements, sponsorship letters, and income certificates are accepted in the language of the issuing country. However, if a document contains non-standard markings, abbreviations, or unclear data, a notarized translation is recommended.

Can I choose a US educational institution after scheduling the interview?

You can schedule the interview before choosing a school, but Form I-20 must be issued before the interview date. Without it, the officer cannot review the case. Therefore, it is better to first decide on a program and then book an appointment.

Does an online course or hybrid program qualify for an F-1 visa?

No. For an F-1 visa, the academic program must be in-person. Some online coursework is allowed, but the main workload must take place on campus.