as an Indian applicant!
The United States attracts millions of people across the world into its national workforce on an annual basis. The plethora of lucrative career opportunities and well-paying employment packages makes the United States one of the top countries to live and work in. A US work visa helps you achieve these goals you've always dreamt off.
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2. Education is second only to tourism in the number of people it brings into the United
States. Visa application is an elaborate process and there is a lot that needs to be noted
about how to get a student visa for the USA. Currently, there are more than 2 million
international students in the US. A majority of them are on a US study visa(F-1 visa)
typically awarded to foreigners pursuing college degrees.
In 2019 alone, the number of USA student visa’s issued was 58,905 and the acceptance
rate was also staggeringly high. Which is great news for all of you planning to study in the
US!
Despite some controversy around visa restrictions in recent years, the US remains one of
the most appealing destinations for international studies. In this guide, we've described
the step-by-step guide for applying for a USA student visa.
The United States of
America
Introduction
3. SEVIS fee
Visa application fee
International students can enter the US in the form of an F-1 student visa or the M-1
and J-1 visas. A majority of these students pursue a doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s
degree programs in the United States. There are 2 types of expenses involved with the
US Student visa:
1.
2.
Before you start wondering how to get a student visa for the USA, check which type of
student visa you want to apply for:
F-1 visa:
SEVIS fee: $350
The F-1 visa is the type of student visa for the USA issued to foreign students pursuing
an academic or English Language program. The validity period lasts until the study
program is completed.
J-1 visa:
SEVIS fee: $220
The J-1 visa is issued to exchange students, interns, teachers, professional trainees, or
seasonal workers in the private cultural sector.
M-1 visa:
SEVIS fee: $350
The M-1 visa is issued to international students looking to attend a vocational school or
non-academic program.
Types of student visa
4. Depending on where you are from, there may be certain special conditions to
qualify for an American student visa.
The usual US visa process begins with an application to a university of your choice
in the US and being admitted into it. This is where you get your I-20 form or
Acceptance Letter.
Your I-20 form is an application requirement for F and M visa categories.
As an F1 visa holder, you are eligible to work in the USA for up to 12 months of OPT
(optional practical training) on completion of undergraduate programs or graduate
Non-STEM programs.
If your chosen graduate program falls under the STEM category, then you are
eligible for up to 3 years of OPT after your program completion in the USA.
You can remain in the US up to 60 days after the completion of your course even if
you don’t have a job offer or haven’t applied for OPT.
Spouses and children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany the applicant in
the US for the duration of his or her stay require F2 or M2 visas.
Immunization formalities needs to be completed by a student before joining the
university. This can be completed by any medical practitioner or family doctor.
Important facts
5. For the USA Student Visa application, you will need to bring the following
documents:
1) Original I-20 signed by student and parent if the applicant is under 18.
2) Your valid passport.
3) SEVIS fee payment confirmation
4) Proof of payment of visa fees (if applicable) and your visa interview appointment
letter.
5) Non-immigrant visa application form (DS-160) confirmation page
6) Original financial documents to support your education.
7) Academic certificates, transcripts, and work exp. certificates(if applicable).
8) English language proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) as well as scores
from Standardized tests such as GMAT, SAT, GRE, etc. (whichever is required for
your program).
9) Scholarship or assistantship letters, if applicable
10) Income documents to be provided by the sponsor.
11) University admits/rejection letters
12) Updates resume and 2 passport-sized photographs preferred
Additional documents may be requested depending on your location or the
specific program you have been admitted into.
Documents required
6. SEVIS I-901 Form
DS-160 Visa Application Form
You can register for these aspects of your student visa application completely online-
1.
2.
To apply for a student visa, you need to do a whole lot of homework. In fact, applying
for a visa is one of the last few hurdles you need to cross before you can study abroad.
Although your specific country or embassy may have additional application steps,
requirements and conditions, here is the general process:
Step 1
Apply and get admission into a SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program)
approved institution.
Step 2
After getting an admit from a US institution, you need to show the finances for one
year of tuition and living and upon verifying the same, the university issues an i-20
required for Student Visa. For dependents, the university will issue individual i-20 for
all as F1 category for the main applicant and F2 for dependents.
Step 3
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350) for enrollment into the SEVIS (Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System).
Where should you apply?
How to apply for an
American student visa?
7. Step 4
Pay the non-refundable visa application fee of $160 and fulfill the application
requirements of your specific embassy or consulate.
Step 5
Create an account with ustraveldocs.com. Fill the visa application form DS-160 and
verify all the details before submitting the same. Make sure you print the DS-160 form
which you will take to your F-1 visa interview.
Step 6
Schedule and make preparations for your interview. Your interview is key to whether
you will be awarded an F-1 student visa or not. You can schedule the date but be
aware of the variations in waiting periods for interview appointments which differ with
regards to the visa category, season, or location.
It is, therefore, advisable to make your visa application early enough as US F-1 student
visas can be awarded up to 120 days before the starting date of your study program.
However, you will only be able to use your F-1 visa to travel to the United States within
30 days to the start of your course.
So, there you have it- the entire process for the USA visa applications and everything
else that you should know about it! If you have any more questions about applying for
this visa, be sure to reach out to the counselors at iSchoolConnect or email us at
support@ischoolconnect.com.
Conclusion