Students in Chennai applying for a US F-1 visa pay a $185 application fee, according to the US State Department’s fee schedule, and almost all of them now have to attend an in-person interview. Interviews are held at the US Consulate General at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, whose consular district includes Tamil Nadu. Mariana L. Neisuler took over as Consul General on 2 March 2026, the US Mission in India says.
The basic process has not changed, but the rules have become stricter over the past year. The rules below come from US government pages only. If an agent or a social media post tells you something different, check it against those pages.
The steps, in order
- Get your I-20. Your US university, which must be approved by SEVP, issues Form I-20 and registers you in SEVIS.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Pay it online after you receive the I-20, and keep the receipt.
- Fill in the DS-160. Complete the online application, upload a photo, and print the confirmation page.
- Pay the visa fee and book appointments through the official US visa appointment service for India, which is linked from the US Mission’s website. First-time applicants usually have a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre before the interview at the consulate.
- Attend the interview at Gemini Circle with your documents.
Timing matters. The State Department’s student visa page says new students can be issued a visa up to 365 days before their course starts, but cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the start date. Students who are already enrolled can apply at any time.
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay
- The DS-160 confirmation page and the fee receipt
- A photo meeting the State Department’s requirements
- Your signed Form I-20
- Documents the officer may ask for: mark sheets and transcripts, test scores, proof of funds for tuition and living costs, and evidence that you plan to return after your studies
Carry originals, organised so you can find each one quickly. Interviews are short, and officers decide based on your answers as much as your papers.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- Interviews for almost everyone. From 2 September 2025, the State Department requires most nonimmigrant visa applicants to attend an in-person interview, including applicants under 14 and over 79. The main exceptions are diplomatic categories and some B1/B2 renewals. Student visas are not exempt.
- Online presence review. F-1, F-2, M and J applicants are among the categories whose online presence the State Department reviews. Its 18 September 2026 notice added more categories from 1 October. Your social media accounts may be checked, and what you post should match what you say in your application.
- Apply where you live. Since 15 July 2026, the State Department has told applicants to interview in their country of nationality or residence. Fees paid for applications made elsewhere are not refunded. For Indian students, this effectively closes the option of booking an earlier slot in another country.
- No paid fast-track in India. A pilot that lets applicants pay $750 for an earlier interview covers only B visas, and only in Mexico, Canada and a few Central and South American posts, according to the pilot page. It does not apply to students or to India.
- Rescheduling. The US Mission in India allows one free reschedule. If you miss an appointment or need a second change, you have to pay the fee again, according to a February 2025 law-firm note.
The night before
- Check that the name on your passport, I-20 and DS-160 is spelt exactly the same way in all three.
- Print your appointment confirmation and keep it with your passport.
- Practise explaining in two or three sentences what you will study, why you chose this university and how you will pay for it.
Practical tips
Book your appointment as soon as you have your I-20, especially for the August intake, when many students apply. Gemini Circle is close to the Thousand Lights and AG-DMS metro stations, and bags and electronic devices are generally not allowed inside, so plan to leave them elsewhere. Do not pay anyone who claims they can get you an earlier slot. The official appointment service is the only real channel.
For decisions about funding or your immigration status after you arrive, ask your university’s international student office, or a qualified immigration adviser if your case is complicated.
Quick answers
How much is the F-1 visa fee?
$185, and it is non-refundable. The SEVIS I-901 fee is paid separately.
Is an interview mandatory for a student visa?
Yes, for practically all student applicants since September 2025.
Can I apply in another country for an earlier slot?
From July 2026 the State Department says to apply where you live. Fees paid elsewhere will not be refunded.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Student Visa (US Department of State)
- Fees for Visa Services (US Department of State)
- Interview Waiver Update, July 25, 2025 (US Department of State)
- Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants (US Department of State)
- Adjudicating NIV Applicants in Their Country of Residence (US Department of State)
- Nonimmigrant Visa Expedited Appointment Pilot Program (US Department of State)
- US Embassy and Consulates in India
- Changes to US Mission India’s nonimmigrant visa processing (Ogletree)
