International students can access the US on an F-1 student visa or M-1 and J-1 visas. A bulk of these pupils pursue a doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s degree programs.
Visa application is an involved process, and there is a lot that requires noting how to get a US Student Visa.
Currently, there are about 1.2 million international students in the US. Most of them are on a US study visa (F-1 visa) typically awarded to foreigners pursuing college degrees.
Any students who plan to study in the USA need to apply for a US Student Visa. In this article, we will see how to apply for a US Student Visa.
Types of US Student Visa
Before you begin questioning how to get a US Student Visa, verify which type of student visa you need to apply for:
- M-1 Visa: is issued to foreign students seeming to visit a vocational school or non-academic program.
- J-1 Visa: issued to transfer students, interns, professors, expert trainees, or annual workers in the private educational sector.
- F-1 visa: is the type of US Student Visa issued to foreign students seeking an academic or English Language program. The efficacy period lasts until you finish your study program.
Our center will be on the F-1 student visa, the class usually needed for full-time academic study in the USA.
Also Read: USA Universities Application Deadlines 2024
Analysis of F-1 Visa Application Steps, Requirements, and Conditions
Although your particular country or government may have extra application actions, requirements, and conditions, here is the overall process-
- Apply and get admission into a SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certified institution.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) for entry into the SEVIS
- After this payment, your school provides you with an I-20 form which you will require to present to the consular officer at your F-1 visa interview. If you intend to travel and live with your kids and mate in the US, they will all need individual I-20 forms without enrollment into the SEVIS.
- Pay the non-refundable visa application fee and fill the application demands of your particular embassy or government.
- The visa application is open online, through which you could finish your application before imprinting the DS-160 form, which you will take to your F-1 visa interview.
- Register and make arrangements for your interview. Your interview is a solution to whether you will be granted an F-1 student visa or not.
You can register the date but be conscious of the differences in waiting periods for interview dates regarding the visa category, period, or place.
So make your visa application quick enough as you can see your US F-1 student visa up to 120 days before the opening date of your study program.
However, you will only be able to do your F-1 student visa to travel to the United States within 30 days to begin your course.
Required F-1 visa interview documents:
- Non-immigrant visa application form (Form DS-160)
- Regulated digital color passport photo taken freshly
- A legitimate passport
- Acceptance of visa application fee payment ($160)
- Certificate of Acceptability for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status (Form I-20)
- Papers proving enough financial support throughout your stay in the US (Bank Statement)
- Diplomas, Transcripts, Certificates, and Degrees from your attended schools. Also, scores from standardized tests such as TOEFL, GMAT, SAT, GRE, etc.
- Documents that accept as proof of your intention to return upon finishing your program
Extra documents may be asked depending on your area or the particular program you have been admitted into.
Attend your scheduled Visa Interview
Your eligibility for an F-1 student visa adds on the short interview-
- You will be examined a few particular questions associated with your passion for studying in the United States during this.
- You will have to take all the relevant documents we have mentioned above.
- Give your fingerprints for recordings and get your F-1 visa interview reports verified in progression.
- Your success in the interview depends upon how you can convert the Consular Officer of your ability and intention to study.
- You will also have to provide your passport so they can assign your visa with directions on it.
If you have any US student visa issues, you can contact SOPEDITS now, and they will happily serve your queries.