F-1 Visa Process for Malaysian Students Studying in the United States

Before you touch the visa application

Your US university's international student office issues Form I-20 once you accept your offer and confirm you meet financial requirements for your programme. The I-20 registers you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and it carries a SEVIS ID number you use throughout the visa process. Read your I-20 carefully, since your reported course start date and financial sponsor details need to match everything you submit later.

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee

Before you can be issued an F-1 visa, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, currently USD 350, through the official FMJfee.com portal . This fee is separate from your visa application fee, and it is non-refundable, so pay it only once your I-20 is confirmed and you are ready to proceed. Keep your payment receipt, since you need to show it at your visa interview.

Complete the DS-160

The DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application form you submit before booking your interview. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport and I-20, since mismatches can delay processing or trigger extra questions at interview. Save your DS-160 confirmation page and barcode number, since you need it to schedule your appointment and bring to the interview itself.

Since 18 June 2025, the US State Department requires F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa applicants to set their social media accounts to public and to list every social media identifier they have used across all platforms in the past 5 years, according to guidance published by US embassies . Leaving an account off your list, or providing inaccurate information, can lead to a visa denial and can affect your eligibility for future US visas. List every account honestly, including ones you rarely use.

Pay the visa application fee and book your interview

The nonimmigrant visa application (MRV) fee is currently USD 185, paid before you schedule your interview at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Book your slot as early as your I-20 start date allows, since expanded vetting introduced in 2025 has extended processing and administrative review times for many applicants. Do not assume a standard turnaround, and avoid booking non-refundable flights until your visa is issued.

Prepare for the interview

Consular officers review your DS-160 answers, your academic and financial documents, and, where flagged, your publicly visible social media content, to confirm your details are consistent and to check for signs of fraud or security concerns. Officers are assessing whether you intend to return to Malaysia after your studies, so be ready to explain your ties to home, your study plan, and how your programme connects to your future.

• Form I-20, signed, with your SEVIS ID visible.

• DS-160 confirmation page and barcode.

• SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.

• Passport valid well beyond your intended stay.

• Financial evidence matching what your I-20 declares, whether personal savings, parental sponsorship, or a scholarship letter.

• Academic transcripts and admission or offer documents.

Answer questions directly and honestly. Officers make visa decisions at the end of the interview in most cases, though some applications are placed into administrative processing under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for further review, which can add weeks or months before a final decision.

If your case goes into administrative processing

Administrative processing is more common under the expanded screening in place since 2025, particularly for applicants with prior visa issues, prior SEVIS terminations, or flagged social media content. There is no fixed timeline for this review, so avoid making firm travel or accommodation commitments until you have your passport back with a visa decision. Contact the embassy or consulate handling your case for status updates rather than relying on general online estimates, since processing speed varies by individual case.