How Much is F1 Visa Fee in Nigeria

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Overview of the F1 Visa Fee

To complete your application, you must pay two main fees.

• I-901 SEVIS fee – $350

This will place you on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which is a database that tracks all of the foreign students studying in the USA.

• Form DS-160 fee (F1 Visa application cost)

You also need to pay the entirely non-refundable visa application fee of $185 covering the application fee for your F1 Visa.

Despite these high fees, Nigerians have lower costs than some other nations. This is because the visa issuance fee is waived for Nigerians. Issuance is the process by which the US government gives someone a visa after their successful application, and this comes with an additional charge for residents of some countries.

What is the F1 Student Visa?

An F1 Student visa gives Nigerians the right to study various courses in the United States. It gives you access to the following institutions:

• University and college.
• High school.
• Private elementary school.
• Seminary.
• Conservatory.
• Language training program.

Please note that you cannot study for a vocational course on an F1 Student visa. In this case, you must look into the “M” type visa.

Having an “F” type Student visa is always necessary to study at the listed institutions in the USA. If you try to study on a Visitor visa, you will be breaking the conditions of your visa, which may lead to you getting.

Paying an F1 Student Visa Fee

For all non-immigrant visa fees, you will make the payment while attending your interview. This will be made to the Embassy’s cashier directly. There are a range of different payment methods you can use.

Firstly, you can pay the visa fee in cash based on the current exchange rate from Nigerian Naira to US dollars or Great British pounds.

If you don’t want to pay in cash, you can use various credit and debit cards. The cards supported by the United States immigration services include the following:

• Visa.
• Mastercard.
• Diners Club.
• Discover.
• American Express.

The US government will not accept any other credit and debit cards. You are also not allowed to pay your visa fee as a check.

You will have to pay the visa fee for your interview. If you don’t pay this fee, your interview will be terminated, and you risk your case being closed.

How United States Visa Fees are Changing

The United States last increased their visa application fees on May 30th, 2023. This increase was effective across nearly every non-immigrant visa, all of which saw increases of $10-$110. Visa fee increases included:

• “B” (business and tourism) and “F” (student) type visas from $160 to $185.
• “H, L, O, P, Q and R” (non-immigrant temporary workers) type visas from $190 to $205
• “E” (treaty trader and investor) type visa from $205 to $315.

The US consulate in Lagos has stated that these fee increases were “based on the actual cost of providing NIV services.” Fees are also expected to increase for some US visas in 2025, however while the H1-B Visa for temporary skilled workers has increased, there are no changes to the F1 Visa so far.

Nigerians wanting to study in the United States may have to pay higher fees in the future, but the F visa category fee remains at $185 or 144,300 NGN in 2025.

Applying for an F1 Student visa

Overview

When you apply for an F1 Student visa, you need to follow the standard procedure for applying for a non-immigrant visa. This process has two principal stages:

• Preparing forms and documents.
• Attending an interview and paying the application fee.

This process is broken down in the following section.

Preparing Forms and Documents

The first stage is to prepare all necessary forms and documents. The main form to complete is Form DS-160. This is the standard form that is required for a non-immigrant visa application. It will ask you for a range of personal information and information about your reasons for applying for the visa. The form also confirms your past history with the United States and whether you are eligible to enter the nation.

Attending an Interview and Paying the Application Fee

Nearly all applicants for an F1 Student visa will need to attend a visa interview. They are required in almost every case for non-immigrant visa applicants from 14 to 79 years old.

You can schedule an appointment with the US Consulate in Lagos or the Embassy in Abuja online. The wait time for an appointment for an F1 Student visa was 53 days in Lagos or 205 days in Abuja. This may change.

At the interview, you will hand in documentation, pay the US visa fee, verify information on your application, and have biometric information taken, such as fingerprints.

Documentation for Nigerians’ Applications for an F1 Student Visa

When Nigerians apply for their F1 Student visa, they will need to show the application fee payment receipt. This proves that you have successfully paid any required fees and can proceed with your application. However, there are a number of additional pieces of documentation to pull together for your application which include the following:

• A valid passport.
• A completed Form DS-160.
• A passport-style photograph.
• A Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student status. Your school will send you this once you are entered into the SEVIS database.

In some cases, further documentation will be required if the immigration authorities believe you need further evidence to prove you are eligible. This includes evidence that you are:

• Sufficiently qualified to complete the study you have enrolled in.
• You intend to depart the United States after you have completed your course.
• You have enough money to pay for educational, living, and travel costs.

How Can IAS Help?

The US visa fee for an F1 Student visa is undeniably high and could continue to rise. However, it will never be refunded if your application is refused. In most cases, you must re-apply and pay the application fee again. The only way to avoid this cost is to invest in specialist visa advice and legal representation. IAS has an expert team of immigration lawyers who can help you to perfectly complete your visa application and maximize your chances of success.

To find out how our team can help, contact our Lagos office at +2342013306361 or call us on +44 (0) 3316300929.