The USA provides many educational programs for foreign students for Undergraduate, Doctorate, and Post-Graduate studies. The 2019 report shows that most of the forign students were from China (369,548 students), , Saudi Arabia (37,080 students), Canada (26,122 students), India (202,014 students) and South Korea (52,250 students) respectively.
All foreign students who want to study in the US require a student visa via F1, J1 or the M1 visas. It is recommended to begin your visa process in advance as it may or may not be a lengthy process. Majority of students begin their visa process four to five months prior to the start of the course.
The top 5 Requirements for USa VISA process are:
- Choosing a US Student Visa
- Gathering all Documents
- Completing the Visa Application Process
- Paying the Visa Application Fee
- Attending the Visa Interview
- Select a student visa according to your choices:-
There are 3 main types of US student visas for international students.
- F1 Student Visa
This visa is for academic studies in the US and is one of the most common types of entry visa for international students.
F1 allows you part-time or on-campus employment. You can also work on Optional Practical Training (OPT) for a maximum of a year after completing your course.
- J1 Student Visa
This visa is for international students obtaining practical training unavailable in their own country.
The J1 visa offers the same employment benefits as the F1 visa holder. The student can stay in the US according to the permission granted by the sponsor of the program.
- M1 Student Visa
It is a Non-Academic visa issued to international students for specific programs in the US. It focuses on the vocational studies of international students.
This visa holder is not allowed to work during the course of study. Moreover the proof of funds to pay tuition and living costs for the complete period of stay needs to be shown.
2. Gathering all the required documents
The following documents are required to apply for the US student visa.
- A passport valid for more than 6 months after entering the US.
- Letter of Acceptance/offer letter from a SEVP-accredited institution with Form I-20
- fee payment application for SEVIS
- Non-Immigration Visa application and Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Photograph in the necessary size
Other Additional Documents
- Academic preparation documents like transcripts
- Proof of sufficient funds for living throughout the stay
- Bank statements
- Financial undertaking by sponsor
- A scholarship program
- Evidence of leaving the country after complete tenure of your course.
3. Completing the Visa Application Process
A person is required to contact the US embassy in India for a US visa application. This is recommended to be done as early as possible irrespective of the start date of the course. Visa processing times may vary. Student visas are issued maximum for 120 days before entering the US.
DS-160 Online Visa Application Form: You have to fill the visa application form DS-160 online.
4. Pay the Visa Application Fee
The visa issuance fee is known as Machine Readable Visa Fee (MRV fee).
Application fee for different types of US Student Visas
| Visa Type | Fee of the application |
| F1 Visa | $200 |
| J1 Visa | $180 |
| M1 Visa | $200 |
Normally, there are three ways to pay the fees. It is a non-refundable and non-transferrable fee which can be paid by bank, online or by a phone.
You need the printed receipt if you pay online and a fee confirmation number if you pay it by phone.
MRV fee receipt will be required when you go for an interview .
5. Attend your Visa Interview
This is the last step in order to obtain your US student visa. Check the concerned embassy for the documents required at the visa interview appointment.
The visa officer at the embassy will decide whether you are qualified for a US student visa or not and which category is best for you.
The Main reason for the interview is that the officer at the embassy wants to know more about you than what your documents speak of you.
Answer all questions and convince him/her of your ties to the home country. Your academic background,your English language skills and the program that you want to join will be scrutinized.
- F1 and M1 visas are generally issued 120 days prior to the start of your study but your entry to the US is allowed only 30 days before the start date.
- The J-1 visas are issued anytime irrespective of the commencement of your course.
Note:
- The 30-day limitation is not for the returning students who want to resume their studies in the US.
- Be on time at the interview. Late candidates to the interview have to reschedule their appointment for another day.
This is just a quick guide for your American Visa requirement and you can always get in touch with Sandeepni Foreign Services for all the Study visa related queries.
