Study in the USA: the widest choice, with the strictest checks
The USA offers the widest range of universities and, after a STEM degree, one of the longest work periods. It also changed more rules in 2026 than any other country on this list, so read the recent changes first.
At a glance
| Student visa | F-1, applied for at a US embassy or consulate with the university's Form I-20 |
|---|---|
| Visa costs | US$185 visa application fee + US$350 SEVIS fee. A US$250 "visa integrity fee" is in law but was not being collected as of late October 2026 |
| Money to show | The full first-year cost on your I-20: tuition plus living costs, set by each university |
| Work while studying | On campus, up to 20 hours a week during term |
| After graduation | OPT: 12 months of work; a further 24 months for STEM degrees (36 in total) |
| Main intakes | Fall (August–September); Spring (January) at many universities |
| Tests | TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo for English; SAT or ACT for some bachelor's programmes; GRE or GMAT for many master's |
| Official site | studyinthestates.dhs.gov · travel.state.gov |
Rules and fees change often. Confirm every figure on travel.state.gov and the university's own international office page before you pay or apply.
What changed recently
- From 15 September 2026, F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period tied to the programme on their I-20, at most four years, instead of "duration of status". The grace period after the programme falls from 60 days to 30. Staying longer needs an extension through USCIS.
- Under the same rule, graduate students generally cannot change school or programme, and undergraduates must finish one year before transferring.
- Fewer interview waivers and wider social-media checks mean most students now attend an in-person interview.
- The US$100,000 H-1B fee announced in 2025 does not apply to F-1 students changing to H-1B status from inside the USA.
Your year, step by step
Where the money goes
Tuition differs more in the USA than anywhere: public universities charge out-of-state students less than private ones, and community colleges far less. Use each university's own "cost of attendance" page; that figure is also what the I-20 asks you to prove. Many universities offer merit scholarships to international students at the bachelor's level; at master's level, assistantships in research labs can cover tuition.
Before you pay any agent or university
- Check the university on the country's official list (linked above), not on the agent's brochure.
- Pay fees only to the university's own bank account, never to an agent's account.
- Confirm the school is SEVP-certified on studyinthestates.dhs.gov; only these can issue an I-20.
Still deciding between countries?
Compare all eight on money to show, work rights and the years you can stay after your degree.