An All-Inclusive Guide to the F1 Visa Process The F1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa that permits foreign students to study in the United States. Prospecti576 slots apkve students must be aware that the F1 visa process entails a number of steps that demand meticulous attention to detail. The first step in the process is being accepted into an institution that has been approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is a requirement before applying for an F1 visa.