F-1 Visa Total Cost Planner
See the real first-year F-1 cost — including the fees most 'cost-of-study' tools quietly skip.
Try it
All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing leaves this page.
How to use this calculator well
- Type your actual tuition (full academic year, not per semester). Use the published figure on your offer letter or school website.
- Add an honest 12-month living budget — rent + groceries + utilities + transit + a phone plan. Don't guess 30% lower than reality to make yourself feel better.
- Type your SEVIS I-901 fee and MRV visa fee (typically 350 and 185). These are non-refundable and must be paid in cash-equivalent even if your visa is refused.
- Include interview travel — many families forget the airfare to the consulate city plus one hotel night.
- Set the days-left number to your actual I-20 start date minus today. The tool flags it if you're cutting the SEVIS timing close.
- Compare your liquid funds against the first-year total. If you're short, the tool does not lie about it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SEVIS fee refundable?
No. The 350 USD I-901 fee is non-refundable in nearly every case, including visa refusals. It's also non-transferable to a different SEVIS ID, so if you change schools before entering the US, you'll pay it again.
Why count interview travel as a cost?
Because for many applicants outside the largest cities, the consulate visit is a flight + 1-2 hotel nights + local transit. We've seen families spend 600-1200 USD on the interview trip alone, especially from smaller home countries.
Does this tool account for tuition payment plans?
Yes — the calculation is annual. If your school allows 4 installments, your cash-on-hand timing will differ, but your total-year cost will not.
What if I'm a transfer student?
The SEVIS fee is generally only paid once per new SEVIS ID. If you transferred with a valid (non-expired, non-withdrawn) SEVIS record, you may not owe it again. Confirm with your new DSO before paying twice.
Where this estimate falls short
- We don't load currency exchange rates. If you're funding from a non-USD account, multiply by your bank's actual selling rate + transfer fee.
- Health insurance is shown as one annual figure; we don't model claim caps, deductibles, or co-insurance here.
- We don't model scholarship or GA/TA disbursement timing. Those usually post a few weeks after classes start, which affects cash flow but not annual cost.
- Consulate-specific MRV fees vary by country; this tool uses the standard 185 USD figure for F-1.