US Study VISA Application Process 2024-2025
A large number of students from all over the world come to study in the United States and so go through the US Study Visa application procedure. A US Student visa is an official document that permits its holder to enter the USA for academic studies.
All American student visa candidates must be recognized and authorized by their school or program. Once approved, US educational institutions will issue each candidate with the approved admission letter, scholarship offer letter, and VISA application papers needed to apply for a USA student visa.
Summary of Short Procedure to obtain US Study VISA:
- First, check to see whether you require a visa.
- Select the type of U.S. visa for which you will apply.
- Fill out the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form.
- Make your application fee payment
- Plan a visa interview.
- Complete the document file compilation.
- Participate in the visa interview.
- Allow time for processing.
Types of US Study VISA:
F-1 Visa
For those who are unaware, the F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits overseas students to study at schools recognized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program in the United States (S.E.V.P.). It is the most common form of student visa for students wishing to study at a U.S. university or college, and you may only apply for your F-1 student visa if your application is accepted by an eligible U.S. school. The length of your stay as an F-1 student will vary depending on the program in which you enroll. The expiry date of your degree program will be shown on the I-20 form issued by the university you plan to attend.
M-1 Visa
An M1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows you to pursue non-academic or vocational education. After you have been approved to study at a community or junior college, post-secondary vocational school, or post-secondary business school for at least 12 semester or quarter hours, the U.S. Department of State will give you a visa.
Steps of US Study VISA Application and Preparation:
There are five basic steps of US Study Visa preparation. When applying for a U.S. student visa, interested students will generally go through five stages:
- Apply and get accepted at the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (S.E.V.P.)-approved school in the United States (six to twelve months prior to studying in the United States);
- Pay the S.E.V.I.S. (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) charge.
- Submit a U.S. student visa application with recent photo(s);
- Make payment for the US Study visa application cost.
- Arrange for and attend a US Student visa interview.
S.E.V.P. school application:
The foreign student is suggested to find out US Schools, Universities, or Colleges and then choose any accredited degree program their which will be offered under US (S.E.V.P). The Universities and schools approved by SEVP can give admissions to students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (S.E.V.I.S.) and provide you with the paperwork needed to US Study VISA Application. If you are accepted by a university, the university will enroll you in the S.E.V.I.S. system and send you a SEVIS-generated document known as Form I-20 if you are qualified for an F or M visa.
S.E.V.I.S. fees:
The fees of SEVIS is needed to be submitted before 3 days of filing an application for US Study VISA. Both the online and paper applications of SEVIS will be completed after depositing their application fees. The I-901 cost is $200 for F/M visa holders and $180 for J student visa holders at the time of writing. It is possible to pay by debit or credit card, cheque, foreign money order, or Western Union Quick Pay. Please print out the payment confirmation receipt as well. This confirmation will be required as proof of fee payment during your U.S. student visa interview.
DS-160 online visa application:
In all situations, applicants of US Study VISA must submit an online application of the DS-160. The following personal information is necessary to complete the DS-160 form:
- DOB with name information
- Details of contact, email, and address
- Details on Travel plans within US with your history of previous US Visits; if any
- Passport information page copy
- Your point of contact in the U.S.
- Family, employment, and school details
- Security, background, and medical health information.
You must also upload a current photo of yourself in the format specified in the photos criteria. Once the US VISA Application is complete, consider signing the DS-160 form electronically as well.
US Study Visa Application fees:
The visa application cost is also known as the M.R.V. fee (Machine Readable Visa Fee). You should also check the fee payment instructions as available on the local US conculate office or their website since methods may differ. Don’t be concerned if you come across the term ‘visa issuance fee based on reciprocity’ during your study; this does not apply to F1, F2, M1, M2, J1, and J2 visa applicants.
Documents required to apply for American Study VISA:
To apply for an F or M US Study visa, applicant must provide the following documents:
- Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Form (DS-160).
- Your passport must have over 6 months of validty in order to apply for US Study VISA
- One (1) recent 2″x2″ (5cmx5cm) picture
- Documentation demonstrating payment of your non-refundable US$160 nonimmigrant visa application processing cost in local currency. More information on paying this charge may be found on this website. If you are granted a visa, you may be charged an extra visa issuance reciprocity cost, depending on your nationality. The Department of State’s website can assist you in determining if you must pay a visa issuance fee. Depending on your nationality, there may be a cost. The Department of State’s website can tell you if you have to pay a visa issuance reciprocity charge and how much it costs.
- A Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program that has been authorized.
- 10-year travel record
- Siblings and children’s names
US Study VISA Embassy Interview Preps:
The last step in obtaining a US Study student visa is to schedule and appear for a US Student visa interview. Applicant of US Study VISA cannot finish the US Student visa application method until you have a meeting with US embassy consulate employe.
- Applicant passport must have atleast six months of validity.
- S.E.V.I.S. Form I-20 or DS-2019 (Having separate forms for spouse/children) signed (for J-1 Trainee and Intern visa applicants only)
- M.R.V. fee payment confirmation receipt
- S.E.V.I.S. fee receipt
- DS-160 application confirmation sheet with scan code or barcode
- A confirmation receipt for the M.R.V. fee payment
- A copy of US student VISA interview appointment schedule letter
- 1-2 pictures in the format specified in the photograph criteria. It should be printed on picture paper.
Guidance on Getting Ready to Apply for US Study VISA
- Arrive in time to appear for US Student VISA interview.
- Get ready to be asked about your native country, reason for your interest to study in US, English language proficiency, and degree program you chosed in US. You may also be asked to discuss your goals for when you finish your education.
- Before the interview, one idea is to practice English conversation with a native speaker.
- If you are unwilling to speak on your own behalf, you generally are giving an unfavorable image and impact. As a result, talk for yourself. Speak for yourself
- You should also be able to describe how your studies in the USA can help you advance in your professional career in your native country.
- Because a large number of applications are submitted, all consular officials are under significant time constraints to conduct a timely and effective interview. As a result, what you say immediately and the first impressionist make are crucial to your success. Answer the officer’s inquiries succinctly and concisely.
- Applicants from economically challenged nations or from countries where many students have remained in the Immigrants from the United States will have a more difficult time obtaining visas. According to statistics, candidates from such nations are more likely to be questioned about career changes in their home countries following their studies in the United States.
- Be confident yet humble.
Final:
Following your interview, the consular officer will inform you if your application requires further administrative processing, which may result in you having to wait longer for your visa. F-1 and M-1 visas can be issued up to 120 days before the commencement of your studies.
