Service journey
Document support for F-1 student visa applicants
The F-1 student visa process spans multiple stages — from the initial application through arrival, optional practical training, and eventual status change. At each stage, the quality and consistency of your documents affects the outcome. MyCaseworks provides flat-fee document review services mapped to the stages of the F-1 journey, so you can address weaknesses before an officer sees them.
This is not a bundled package with a single price. Each service below is priced independently by tier. You choose the services that match your current stage and budget.
Preparing your visa application
Before your F-1 visa interview, you need a complete file: a Statement of Purpose, financial evidence, academic documents, and a filled DS-160. Weaknesses in any of these can trigger a refusal under INA §214(b). The services below help you strengthen each component before submission.
- SOP review — Tracked changes, structure check, and visa-relevant edit flags for your Statement of Purpose.
- Document checklist review — Per-document verification against USCIS published requirements. Flag missing or non-compliant items before you file.
- Financial proof review — Bank-statement, sponsor-letter, and proof-of-funds verification against your Form I-20 cost of attendance figure.
If your visa is refused
A refusal is not the end of the process. The refusal letter states the specific ground — often INA §214(b) for student visas. Understanding whether the refusal was document-related, interview-related, or credibility-related determines your next move.
Visa refusal appeal support — Refusal-letter dissection, new-evidence checklist, and reapplication strategy. Attorney review on the Essential tier for US matters.
After you arrive — working on OPT
After you complete your degree, post-completion Optional Practical Training lets you work in your field of study for up to 12 months (24 additional months for STEM OPT). The I-765 form is where most applicants make errors that delay their start date.
I-765 OPT review — Field-by-field Form I-765 check for post-completion and STEM OPT. Eligibility-category verification, I-20 date-window check, and evidence checklist.
Pricing — compare all tiers
Each service above is priced individually. There is no bundle discount or package price. Choose the tier that matches the depth of review you need.
Basic
$99–$199
Guided document prep, error check, and filing instructions. No attorney review.
Essential
$299–$499
Document prep + async attorney review. Annotated document with tracked changes. Standard turnaround on the Essential tier is 5 business days.
Enhanced
$599–$899
Essential + live attorney video consultation to walk through flagged issues and answer questions. Best for refusal recovery or complex case history.
Full refund terms at /refund-policy/.
How it works
- Select the service that matches your current stage and submit your documents via the intake form.
- We confirm scope of work and match you to a reviewer for your jurisdiction.
- Your reviewer marks edits, writes a summary of key issues, and returns the annotated document.
- You receive the annotated document and summary at the email you provided.
Who reviews your documents
US F-1 documents are reviewed by US-licensed attorneys; lead reviewer is Denise Platter Cabrera (CA Bar #298948). This is document-specific guidance against published USCIS requirements, not retained legal representation. For case-specific legal advice, retain an immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need all these services, or can I pick just one?
- You can pick any single service or combine several. Most applicants start with the document checklist review to confirm their file is complete, then add SOP review or financial proof review if they want deeper scrutiny on specific documents. Each service is priced and scoped independently.
- Can I use the same Statement of Purpose for my university application and my visa interview?
- Not always. University SOPs focus on academic fit and career goals. Visa SOPs must address home-country ties, funding source, and post-study plans. If you reuse a university SOP at the consulate without adapting it for visa relevance, you risk a refusal under INA §214(b). Our SOP review flags visa-relevant gaps and suggests adjustments.
- What if my F-1 visa is refused after review?
- Document review improves quality and consistency, but it does not guarantee approval. If you are refused, our visa refusal appeal support analyses the refusal letter, identifies whether the grounds were document-related, and maps a reapplication strategy. The refusal recovery SOP review is designed to address the specific grounds without contradicting your prior record.
- When should I start the I-765 OPT review?
- You can submit your I-765 for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after it. We recommend starting the review at least two weeks before you plan to file, so you have time to gather corrections and supporting documents. STEM OPT extension reviews should start at least 90 days before your post-completion OPT EAD expires.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. For US F-1 matters, a US-licensed attorney reviews your documents, but this is document-specific guidance against published USCIS requirements, not retained legal representation. For case-specific legal advice about your immigration status, retain an immigration attorney.
What happens after you book
- Choose the document type (SOP, checklist, financial proof, I-765, or refusal pack).
- Upload files and context through intake.
- Receive edits and a clear list of remaining risks before you file or interview.
When this service is not the right fit
- You need full-service legal representation at a consulate or USCIS interview.
- You want guaranteed visa approval — no legitimate service can offer that.
Free procedural guides first
Many applicants only need a clear checklist. Read these free owners before you pay for a review.
- US student visas hub
All F-1 / CPT / OPT procedural guides.
- F-1 document checklist 2026
Core evidence for I-20 and interview.
- OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
Post-completion work path.
Official sources
Fees, forms, and eligibility change. Confirm rules on first-party government sites. Our reviews are educational document support, not a guarantee of any visa or permit outcome.