Despite recent contentious visa restrictions, the United States remains one of the world’s leading international student destinations.
Annually, a large number of international students apply to US universities to study full-time in the US.
However, to attend a school in the United States, you must have more than just good grades, you must also have a US student visa.
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Legally attending a school in the US, all international applicants, that is anyone without US citizenship or permanent residence — must first acquire a US student visa.
This international student visa helps to stay in the United States for a short period of time to join an approved school, language program, or academic exchange program.
Unfortunately, obtaining a visa can be a difficult process, which is why we’re here to assist.
In this guide, I’ll go over the fundamentals of visas and how to attain a student visa to the United States. I’ll also provide you with a few pointers and aids to help you through the visa application procedure.
Types Of Student Visa In The United States.
Before intending applicant should apply for a student visa you should be aware of the types of visas available and the one that would specifically suit you as an individual
There are three types of student visas in the United States:
- Visa type F-1: This visa is intended for high school or college/university (including language programs) study in the United States, and it applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- M-1 visa: This visa is intended for non-academic or technical schools in the United States. These programs are typically short-term and vocationally. You could, for example, enroll in a cooking school or a healthcare training program.
- The J-1 visa is intended for transfer guests such as study abroad students, scholars, interns, and au pairs.
In summary, international students who wish to pursue full-time studies in an undergraduate or graduate program will require an F-1 visa.
In contrast, if you want to study abroad for only a semester or two at a US institution (and receive credits that transfer back to your home institution), you’ll need to apply for a J-1 visa.
How To Apply For A US Visa
1. Apply To An SEVP Institution:
As an international student, you should select an institution and program that are validated by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the United States government (SEVP).
Certification is important because it ensures that your degree will be acknowledged by other universities, professional associations, employers, and government ministries around the world.
Only SEVP-approved institutions can register students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and let you have the documents you need to apply for a student visa in the United States. Use the government’s Study in the States website to find accredited programs.
You must apply respectively to each institution in which you are interested. You must meet the admission criteria of each institution and, in most cases, provide evidence of adequate financing.
When you are approved by a university, the university will register you in the SEVIS system and send you a SEVIS-generated document called Form I-20.
2. SEVIS Fee Payment:
Individuals must pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before applying for a US visa. To make a payment, you must submit perhaps an online or paper form.
Both are accessible via the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP website. Make sure to enter the information precisely as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
The student visa application fee is $160. You should pay this fee and obtain a receipt, which you will need for your interview documents later.
You may be required to pay additional costs depending on your home country and the US Embassy from which you are applying.
After completing your payment, you can access and print a payment confirmation from the website at any time.
This proof will be required as evidence of fee payment at your US student visa interview. If you alter your non-immigrant status or apply for any other US immigration rights, you may be forced to show the verification to the customs officer at your chosen US Border checkpoint.
3. Get Your Student Visa Application And Complete:
After receiving your SEVIS form and paying the SEVIS fee, you can book an appointment with a US consulate or embassy in your country to apply for a US student visa.
It’s better to apply as fast as possible, irrespective of when your program commences because visa timeframes can differ.
Your visa can be approved up to 120 days before your scheduled arrival in the United States.
Online Visa Application(DS-160)
You must fill out the DS-160 online visa application form. You must choose the area from which you wish to apply and make sure that you have most of the necessary documents and information to complete the application.
After choosing and responding to a security question, you will be directed to the form’s pages.
Your application ID can be located at the top. If you do need to leave the application and come back to it later, you’ll need to have this ID to recover your form.
The following private details are requested to fill the DS-160 form:
- Name and date of birth
- Phone number and address
- Passport information
- Specifics about travel plans and travel companions
- Details about previous trips to the United States.
- Your point of contact in the United States
- Details about family, work, and education
- Information on security, background, and medical health
- SEVIS ID and the address of the US school/program in which you intend to enroll (as printed on the I-20 or DS-2019 form)
Once you’ve completed the visa application form, you’ll need to digitally log your DS-160 by clicking the “Sign Application” button at the bottom.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation page with a QR code number, and your application ID number, which you must print and bring with you to your visa interview appointment. It is not essential to print the entire application.
4. Make the visa application fee payment:
The visa application fee is also known as the Machine Readable Visa Fee, abbreviated as the ‘MRV fee.’ Check the fee payment directions on your embassy or consulate’s website as methods may differ. Moreover, there are three ways to pay the non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee in general:
- In-person at a bank that has been approved
- By phone (you will be provided with a fee confirmation number)
- Online (you must print your receipt)
5. Plan and attend a student visa interview in the United States.
The final step in obtaining a student visa in the United States is to schedule and attend a visa interview. You can do this online or by phone by contacting your nearest US embassy or consulate. In any case, you should pay the MRV fee first, as you may be asked for your MRV fee number.
The visa application procedure will not be finalized unless you attend an interview with a consular officer. Don’t be concerned if you need to arrange your interview at a different US embassy or consulate than the one where you applied for your visa. Your DS-160’s barcode can be used to recover your details at any US embassy.
Documents Needed For A Student Application Visa.
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the United States. If your passport includes more than one person, each individual who requires a visa must offer up a separate application.
You may also be required to bring all of your present and previous passports.
- SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 (includes the general individual forms for spouse/children) must be signed.
- DS-7002 Form (for J-1 Trainee and Intern visa applicants only)
- DS-160 application affirmation page with barcode and application ID number for SEVIS fee payment
- Receipt for MRV fee payment confirmation.
- 1-2 photographs in the layout specified in the photograph prerequisites. Printable copy of visa interview appointment letter It should be published on high-quality photo paper.
In addition, you should be ready to provide the following documents during the visa interview:
- Diplomas and transcripts from previous academic institutions attended.
- TOEFL, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, and other standardized test scores required by the academic institution.
- Financial proof demonstrating that you or your sponsor (parents or a government sponsor) have sufficient funds to meet your student fees, travel, and living costs while in the United States.
Getting a student visa application can be quite stressful but if you follow the right tips and guidelines, it can be hassle-free.
Have you tried applying for a visa before, how was the experience? Tell us in the comment section below.