US F-1 Student Visa Eligibility Checker
Nigerian applicants • 2026 rules • Instant eligibility assessment
If your F-1 was issued before January 1, 2026 at 12:01am EST, the ban does not cancel it.
You cannot begin the F-1 process without a Form I-20 from a SEVP-certified institution.
Most US universities require TOEFL (usually 80+), IELTS (6.5+), or equivalent. Some waive it for strong applicants.
This is the total cost for one academic year shown on your Form I-20: tuition + living + fees.
Must cover at least one full year. Bank statements from the past 3 to 6 months. Large recent deposits may raise questions.
Consular officers assess your intent to return home after studies. Strong ties reduce perceived overstay risk.
A passport expiring before your program end date plus 6 months will cause problems at the interview and at entry.
Common F-1 application mistakes Nigerian students make
Frequently asked questions
How the F-1 Student Visa Eligibility Checker Works
This tool walks through the six core requirements that determine whether a Nigerian applicant is eligible to apply for a US F-1 student visa. It checks your current visa status (critical given the 2026 ban), I-20 status, financial proof, English proficiency, home country ties, and passport validity.
For each requirement, the checker returns a pass, fail, or warning. It also calculates your total government fees and a rough Naira equivalent based on the current indicative exchange rate.
Travel ban status (most critical) + I-20 from SEVP school + Proof of funds (available funds greater than or equal to one year program cost) + English proficiency + Home ties + Valid passport = F-1 eligibility profile
Government fees = SEVIS I-901 ($350) + MRV visa application fee ($185) = $535 total upfront
What the 2026 F-1 Travel Ban Actually Means for Nigerians
Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, partially suspended F, M, and J visa issuance to Nigerian nationals. This is not a total ban on all US visas, but it covers new student visa applications specifically.
Three groups of Nigerian students are affected differently. First, Nigerians currently studying in the US on a valid F-1 visa issued before January 1, 2026 are explicitly unaffected. Their visas are not cancelled and they can continue their programmes. Second, Nigerians outside the US who already held a valid F-1 on January 1, 2026 are also not subject to the proclamation and can still travel. Third, Nigerians applying for a brand new F-1 visa after January 1, 2026 are subject to the suspension and are generally ineligible unless they qualify for a specific exception.
F-1 Eligibility Requirements: The Full Picture
Requirement 1: Admission to a SEVP-Certified School
Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can issue a Form I-20. There are approximately 8,700 SEVP-certified schools in the US. Your school must generate your SEVIS record and issue the I-20 before you can apply. The I-20 shows your program name, start and end dates, your SEVIS ID, and the estimated cost of attendance.
Requirement 2: Proof of Financial Support
You must demonstrate funds sufficient to cover at least the first year of your program, including tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses as shown on your I-20. Typical annual costs at US universities range from about $20,000 at affordable state schools to $70,000 or more at private institutions in high-cost cities.
Acceptable documentation includes bank statements from the past 3 to 6 months, scholarship award letters, sponsor affidavits with supporting income proof, and fixed deposit records. Funds should show a stable, consistent balance. Sudden large deposits without explanation raise red flags.
Requirement 3: Non-Immigrant Intent (Home Ties)
The consular officer must be convinced you intend to return to Nigeria after completing your studies. This is assessed through evidence like family ties, property ownership, employment letters, business interests, or savings accounts maintained in Nigeria. This requirement is especially scrutinised for Nigerian applicants given the cited overstay rate concerns.
Requirement 4: English Proficiency
Most US universities require TOEFL (typically 80 out of 120 minimum) or IELTS (usually 6.5 minimum) for admission. Some schools accept Duolingo English Test scores. A few schools waive the requirement for students from English-speaking countries or with strong academic records. Your I-20 will reflect your school’s specific requirement.
F-1 Application Cost Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Refundable? | When Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEVIS I-901 fee | $350 | No | Before visa interview |
| MRV visa application fee | $185 | No | Before interview booking |
| Visa Integrity Fee (if approved) | $250 | Potentially | On visa issuance |
| School application fee | $50 to $150 | No | Per school application |
| Document preparation, courier | $20 to $80 | No | Before interview |
Government fees are as of March 2026. The $250 Visa Integrity Fee was introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025) and is collected at visa issuance. Total government fees before approval: $535.
Realistic Scenarios for Nigerian F-1 Applicants
Scenario 1: Currently enrolled student in the US (safe to continue)
Adaobi has been studying computer science at Georgia Tech since 2024 on a valid F-1 issued in October 2025. She is not affected by Proclamation 10998. Her visa remains valid and her SEVIS record is active. She should not travel internationally until she consults her Designated School Official (DSO), as re-entry could be affected.
Scenario 2: Nigerian in Nigeria trying to get a new F-1 in 2026
Emeka received his I-20 from University of Texas in February 2026. He is in Lagos and wants to apply for an F-1. Under Proclamation 10998, his application is subject to the partial suspension. He may submit an application and attend an interview, but the US Embassy states he “may be ineligible for visa issuance.” Without qualifying for a specific exception, approval is unlikely while the proclamation remains in effect.
Scenario 3: Nigerian with a dual passport (another nationality)
Chidera holds both a Nigerian and a UK passport. Proclamation 10998 specifically exempts “dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension.” If Chidera applies using her UK passport, she is exempt from the Nigerian suspension and can proceed with a standard F-1 application. This is one of the explicitly stated exceptions.
What Happens to Your SEVIS Fee if the Visa is Denied?
The SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) is non-refundable regardless of outcome. If your visa is denied, you keep the SEVIS receipt but lose the $350. The MRV fee ($185) is also non-refundable. Only the Visa Integrity Fee ($250) is collected upon approval, so you do not pay it on a denial. Total non-refundable loss on denial: $535.
This is especially relevant for Nigerian applicants applying while the travel ban is in effect. Paying $535 in non-refundable fees for an application that has a very low chance of approval during the suspension period is a financial risk worth understanding clearly before proceeding.
Assumptions Used in This Checker
- SEVIS I-901 fee: $350 per student (F-1 category, current as of March 2026)
- MRV visa application fee: $185 per applicant
- Visa Integrity Fee: $250 on approval (per the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, July 2025)
- Minimum proof of funds: one full year of program costs as listed on Form I-20
- Bank statement window: 3 to 6 months of consistent balance
- Naira conversion: approximately N1,650 per $1 (indicative, subject to daily market changes)
- Travel ban: Proclamation 10998 remains in effect as of March 2026, subject to 180-day reviews
- Checker does not assess individual exception eligibility, which requires official consular review
Disclaimer
© 2026 DeyWithMe — Relocation math for Nigerians. Not immigration advice.
