We Handle Your
Entire Visa Process
F-1 visas, I-20 forms, OPT, CPT. Counselly walks you through every step, prepares your documents, and makes sure nothing gets missed.
0M+
international students we help navigate the US visa process
0 mo
of US work authorization. We help you plan for OPT from day one
0
steps we guide you through, from I-20 to landing in the US
How We Get You There
Counselly guides you through every step so you never feel lost in the process
Get accepted & receive your I-20
Counselly helps you find and apply to the right programs. Once you're admitted, we explain your I-20 and what every field means for your visa.
Pay the SEVIS fee & gather documents
We give you a personalized checklist of exactly what you need, no guesswork. Counselly flags deadlines and tells you when to pay your SEVIS fee.
Complete the DS-160 application
Counselly walks you through the DS-160 form section by section, so you know exactly what to answer and how to avoid common mistakes.
Schedule your embassy interview
We track embassy wait times for your country and tell you the best time to book. No more scrambling at the last minute.
Prepare for your F-1 interview
Counselly prepares you with common interview questions, what documents to bring, and how to present your study plans clearly and confidently.
Receive your visa & prepare to travel
We help you plan your arrival: when to fly, what to carry, and what to expect at the border. No surprises on day one.
Arrive & complete check-in
Counselly reminds you to get your I-94, report your address, and complete orientation so you start your program on the right foot.
Maintain your status & plan ahead
We keep you informed about CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT opportunities. Counselly helps you plan your career path from the moment you arrive.
You're in the US!
Counselly got you here. Now go make it count.
What Counselly Covers
Tap any area to see how we help
The Bigger Picture
Your F-1 visa is just the beginning. Counselly plans the full journey, from student to working professional in the US.
During Studies
On-Campus & CPT
Work 20 hrs/week on campus. After year one, CPT opens internship doors at top companies.
After Graduation
12 Months OPT
Work full-time in your field anywhere in the US. Counselly helps you apply on time.
STEM Graduates
+24 Month Extension
36 total months of work. Three years to build your career and find a sponsor.
Long-Term
H-1B & Beyond
Your employer sponsors your H-1B. Counselly helps you understand the timeline.
Counselly maps this entire path when you start so every decision you make as a student sets you up for what comes after.
What Most Students Get Wrong
The visa process is full of myths. Here's what's actually true.
"I need $100K in my bank account to get approved"
You need to show enough funds for your first year, and scholarships, assistantships, and sponsor letters all count. Counselly calculates exactly how much you need based on your program.
"Most F-1 visa applications get rejected"
The approval rate for F-1 student visas is actually very high, especially for students with genuine university admissions and proper documentation. Preparation is what matters.
"I can't work at all in the US as a student"
F-1 students can work on-campus from day one, use CPT for internships, and get up to 36 months of post-graduation work through OPT and STEM OPT.
"The visa interview is designed to catch you out"
Embassy officers want to see that you have a real admission, real funding, and a real plan. If your documents are solid, the interview is usually quick and straightforward.
Students Who Made It
Real stories from international students who navigated the visa process with Counselly
I was so stressed about the embassy interview. Counselly gave me a checklist and walked me through what to expect. I got approved in 5 minutes.
Priya M.
MS Computer Science, Georgia Tech
From India
I didn't even know I needed to pay the SEVIS fee separately. Without Counselly I would have shown up to my interview without the receipt.
Marco L.
MBA, NYU Stern
From Italy
The OPT timeline was confusing until Counselly laid it all out. Now I'm on STEM OPT working at a startup in San Francisco.
Yuki T.
MS Data Science, UC Berkeley
From Japan
Your AI Immigration Advisor
Personalized to Your Country
Counselly knows that a student from India has a different visa experience than one from Italy. We tailor wait times, fees, embassy tips, and document requirements to your specific nationality, not generic advice.
Your Deadlines, Managed
We build a personalized timeline that tells you exactly when to pay your SEVIS fee, when to book your embassy appointment, and when to start gathering documents. Miss nothing.
Interview-Ready Preparation
Counselly prepares you for the embassy interview with country-specific tips, common questions, and a final document checklist. Walk in confident, walk out approved.
Ready to Start Your Visa Journey?
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