The USA is among the top choices of every student who looks forward to pursuing higher education from a prestigious school or university. According to the QS World University Ranking 2020, half of the top 10 best universities in the world are located in the US. From MIT and Harvard to Stanford and Caltech, the USA is home to hundreds of prestigious universities and colleges. In the USA, you will not only meet students from around the world but also experience and be a part of the rich culture they bring with them. To study in the USA, you will need to apply for a US student visa. In this article, we shall let you know everything you need to know before applying for the US student visa.
Eligibility:
You may apply to the US student visa depending on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the US. The US Government offers three different students visa types which are as follows:
1. F-1 Student Visa: It is the general student visa offered to study at an accredited US college or university.
2- J Exchange Visa: It is for the students who are coming to the USA to participate in an exchange program.
3. M Student Visa: It is for students who are pursuing a non-academic or training program in the United States.
Other eligibility criteria for the US student visa are as follows:
- You must have a valid passport as evidence of your identity & travel requirement.
- You have been accepted at a SEVP-approved school or university.
- You have been issued the Form I-20 by your school or university where you have been accepted.
- You have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses & pay for your tuition fees.
- You have taken an English Language Test to prove your command over the English language.
- You do not have any criminal charges against you.
- You have your photograph in the requested format.
- You can prove to the visa officers that you will leave the country once your program ends.
- You must convince the visa officer that you will obey all the rules & regulations that are applicable to you.
Documents Required:
You will need the following documents to apply for the US student visa:
1. Evidence of Identity
2. Evidence of Financial Support
3. English Proficiency Tests
4. Evidence of Enrollment
5. DS-160 Form
6. Receipt of SEVIS Application Fee
7. Other Documents
The details of all these documents are given below:
1. Evidence of Identity: You and any family member who accompanies you must have a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States. Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
2. Evidence of Financial Support:
You will have to provide evidence that you have sufficient money to cover your living expenses and pay for your tuition fees to apply for the US student visa. You can prove this by showing any of the following:
- Bank statement
- Financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs
- A scholarship program
3. English Proficiency Test score:
To prove your command over the English language, you will have to submit evidence of your English language test score. You can take IELTS, TOEFL, or any other test as instructed by the US visa department.
4. Evidence of Enrollment:
It is the most important document to apply for a US student visa. You will need to prove that you have been accepted by a SEVP-approved school or university. The school will issue you a Form I-20 that you must present to the consular officer as evidence of your acceptance into a program in the United States.
5. DS-160 Form:
Form DS-160, otherwise known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is for foreign nationals who plan to travel to the United States on a temporary visa. It is to be filled & submitted electronically. Make sure that you provide accurate & genuine information while filling the form.
6. Receipt of SEVIS Application Fee:
After your acceptance into a SEVP-approved school or university, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and you must pay the SEVIS fee.
7. Other Documents:
You may also be asked by the visa officers to provide a character certificate, medical exam document, standardized test scores, or any other documents. We recommend you to keep these documents handy before you apply for the US student visa.
How to apply?
Before you apply for the US student visa, make sure you have all the required documents that are mentioned above. You must also ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements.
Step 1: You can complete the visa application online. The application form will guide you to fill the necessary information & attach the required documents. Just follow the instructions thoroughly.
Step 2: Once completed, submit the application and pay a non-refundable application fee of $160.
Step 3: Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
What happens after you apply?
Once you submit your application for the US student visa, you will be required to appear for an interview with the US consular officer. Make sure that you pass all the eligibility criteria & carry all the required documents with you. You can visit the US consulate office in major cities around you. In India, the offices are located in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, & Hyderabad.
After the interview, the consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa or not. You will also be required to give your biometric details such as digital fingerprint & digital photograph. It is usually taken during the interview, but sometimes it varies based on the location.
Once satisfied, the consular officer will approve your visa. You may also need to pay a visa insurance fee (if applicable) and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.
Your application for the US student visa may also be rejected if the consular officer does not receive all the required documents or if any documents are found to be false.
Please note that if you are found to have made any willful misrepresentation or any fraudulent activities in your documents, you may be permanently banned to enter the United States in the future.
Arriving in the USA:
Please note that a visa doesn’t guarantee entry into the United States. A visa will only allow you to travel to a US port of entry (generally an airport) where you will request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection officials will screen you & check your documents to decide whether to permit or deny your admission to the United States.
You must carry all the documents in hard copy format in your carry-on baggage. The officers may ask your passport, visa, Form I-20, or any other documents as per their requirements. Once satisfied, they will stamp your passport and allow you to enter the United States. The United States is the world’s most popular destination for international students. Last year in 2019, the USA welcomed a record of 1,095,299 international students from around the world. If you are planning to aim for the USA as your next study destination, go for it. It will be the best decision of your life.
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