If you need to renew or apply for a U.S. entry visa, expect delays. Plan ahead, as this may take longer than in the past. Because most visa applicants are now required to appear for a personal interview, you should expect processing delays. Additionally, "security checks" can delay visa issuance by several weeks or months.
To find out how to apply for the F-1 visa review information from the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Services web page at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
Check with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the country where you are traveling to find out the latest procedures on applying for a visa. For a list of web links to United States Embassies around the world go to the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html
Each Consulate and Embassy has different procedures for applying for the visa. It’s important that you bring all the required documents needed to obtain the visa.
Current financial documentation: Check your I-20 to see where your financial support is from. If it’s from STU, you must obtain an updated letter of support from the Financial Aid Office that details the amount and source of funds. This information should match the information on the I-20. If the funding is from personal or family funds, you will need to obtain a current bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds to cover the expenses listed on the I-20.
Remember, the visa cannot be obtained within the U.S. The F-1 visa is only needed when you are re-entering the U.S. Once you are in the U.S., you do not need a valid F-1 visa to maintain status.
If you are from one of the countries designated for special registration please read the information on the DHS web site for exit and entry registration procedures and for further changes in the program.
SPECIAL REGISTATION (NSEERS)
According to the DHS, when the new US-VISIT system is fully implemented, it will provide the appropriate information necessary to account for most temporary foreign visitors in the United States. Any remaining elements of NSEERS, such as port of entry arrival registration, will become part of the US-VISIT system.
Check the websites below for the newest information from the DHS.
http://www.ice.gov/graphics/specialregistration/index.htm