How do you get an F-1 visa?

How long does it take to get my F1 visa?

• I'm a Canadian going to an American Dental School in August. My loan is still being processed! And without it I cannot get an I-20 from the school and thus my F1 visa. I'm scared I won't be able to go. Also after I do supposedly receive my loan, what is all this other junk I have to do? SEVIS?

• Answer:

  SEVIS is the student database. you definitely have to be registered in SEVIS in order to get student status, just like you need the I-20. of course, as a Canadian, you don't actually need a physical F1 visa in your passport before you go, since Candians are visa exempt in most nonimmigrant categories. you just need the I-20 and the SEVIS registration. they process you at the airport and give you an I-94 card to put in your passport as proof of your student status. so, you don't need to go to the embassy or one of the consulates for a visa and that will save a fair amount of time during the summer.