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Being accepted to your dream college is only the beginning of your study abroad journey. The USA student visa application is the most important step of the process and can be a prolonged endeavor. Despite the extra effort, it is absolutely worth it because the USA is one of the most popular locations for students from all over the world, which makes the F1 visa application process more competitive compared to other countries.
The USA remains the most preferred destination for students wishing to pursue their studies in a foreign country. After getting admission in a US university of your choice, the next step to fulfilling your dream is to apply for F1 visa. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the various types of visas available and a detailed process of applying for the F1 Student Visa for those seeking to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in the US.
Students who want to pursue their studies in the United States must be informed about the steps to apply for the F-1 student visa. Presently, more than a million foreign students are studying in the US and with the right preparation and direction, you can be one of them. To assist you, we have prepared this step-by-step guide to US visas to help you comprehend what an F-1 visa is, the regulations pertaining to it and the requirements to obtain it.
The US offers three different kinds of student visas:
This particular US student visa is quite popular, fitting for almost any academic program that needs more than 18 hours of attendance each week. It applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Family members who come along with a person who already has an F1 visa will need an F2 visa. It should be mentioned that companions of the F-1 visa holder are not allowed to be employed but can still travel to the U.S. with them and/or apply for their own visa in order to study or work.
The J-1 visa is suitable for those seeking a short-term program to study or work in the United States, such as students, scholars, and working professionals. This visa is also valid for those individuals visiting the US to participate in exchange programs.
The J1 visa is generally requested by someone who is employed and visits the United States for an exchange program, thus being called the Exchange Visitor Visa. This could comprise of a period of 10-month vocational training or even a study fellowship, etc. Whatever the situation may be, the applicants will be alerted to it by their respective organizations.
A J-2 Visa will be required for any family members who are accompanying a person who holds a J-1 Visa. It is important to remember that by obtaining permission beforehand, the spouse is able to gain the ability to work.
The M1 visa is a form of student visa specifically designed for those attending vocational and technical schools. Although the application process between the F1 visa and M1 visa is quite alike, the main distinction lies in the fact that when entering the country, M1 visas are allocated with a predetermined expiry date, and those who hold them cannot stay past the designated time.
The US Government offers three different student visa types:
Types of student visa | Description |
F-1 Student Visa | To gain knowledge at a recognized American college or university or to learn English from an English language school. |
J Exchange Visa | For taking part in a student exchange program, whether in high school or college, |
M Student Visa | For non-academic or vocational training in the United States |
If you intend to apply for an F-1 student visa, there are several F1 visa rules to keep in mind. For your application to be approved, you must fulfil the following requirements:
Institution status: In order to enroll in a college or university, SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement must give its approval.
Full-time enrollment - In order to be eligible, you must be registered as a full-time student at the university while classes are being held.
English language proficiency - In order to be accepted into the institution, one must have achieved the necessary level of English language proficiency, or be taking classes to help them build up their English proficiency.
Sufficient funding - It is essential for you to demonstrate that you possess the financial resources to cover the cost of your education and daily living costs while in America.
Valid passport - The expiration date of your passport must be no less than six months after the end of your program in the United States.
Home country residency - After finishing your degree, you must possess a home that is located in your nation of origin.
During their first year of study, students are barred from taking up any off-campus jobs. They are only allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week. However, during holiday and vacation times, they can work for a maximum of 40 hours a week. It is possible for them to work for a commercial business that has a connection to their college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria.
Now that we understand the specifications needed to apply for a United States student visa, let us take a look at the associated cost. The expenses associated with acquiring a USA student visa can be separated into two sections, the SEVIS fee and the visa application payment.
There are two costs related to an F1 visa fees for the United States.
The following list outlines the expenses associated with each variety of student visa in the United States:
Type of Fee | F-1 Visa Type | J-1 Visa Type | M-1 Visa Type |
SEVIS Fee | 350 USD | 220 USD | 350 USD |
Visa Application Fee | 160 USD | 160 USD | 160 USD |
When applying for a student visa, it is essential that you have all necessary documents, as well as financial and academic records, to present. Therefore, ensure to go through this list of paperwork before visiting the consulate for the visa interview. Check out the F1 visa requirements:
In order for USA students to gain admission, they must demonstrate evidence of sufficient funds to cover the total costs of their first year of study, including tuition, living expenses and miscellaneous items such as textbooks. Additionally, they must also provide proof that they have the financial resources to sustain them throughout the entirety of their educational program.
For a USA Study Visa, there are several steps to follow:
Those who are interested in studying abroad usually go for the F-1 Student Visa. The process of applying for this visa consists of three main steps, which are:
Step 1 | SEVIS fee and I-20 form collection | After paying the SEVIS fee, you will receive an I-20 form from your academic institution. You must complete the form correctly and bring it to the F-1 visa interview. |
Step 2 | VISA fee and form collection | Make your visa payment at a bank or through NEFT and get the visa application form. Complete the form carefully and bring it with you for the interview. |
Step 3 | D-160 Form | Make sure to complete the D-160 form accurately and bring the confirmation and necessary paperwork to the visa appointment. |
Step 4 | VISA interview | The US embassy will be in touch with you to give back the passport with the visa stamp. You should attend the interview with the visa officer no less than 120 days prior to the beginning of your program. |
You need to apply for the student visa on the US Embassy and Consulates India website electronically. Make sure you submit the application no later than four months prior to the commencement of your program. You need to pay the visa fee and SEVIS fee to secure a date for your appointment and finish all the paperwork for the visa.
Generally, the amount of time it takes to process a USA student visa is approximately 3-5 weeks. Depending on the type of visa applied for, the processing time could be even longer, lasting up to two or three months. For F1 visa processing time will typically be shorter than other visa types.
The typical wait time for applicants to receive their visa hard copy after receiving a favourable response from the US visa consulate is two to three days. Additionally, F-1 visas are granted before 120 days have passed since the start of your US academic programs.
An interview with a US visa officer is the final stage of the visa application process for Indian learners. A successful conversation with the visa official can lead to the immediate granting of a student visa once the discussion is over!
The interview for a US student visa from India is not the longest part of the whole process, and typically only lasts for 4-5 minutes. When you arrive for your interview, it is essential to bring all the required documents, which should be sorted and organized in one folder.
During the interview for a US visa, the questions are typically related to your motivation to come back home and your knowledge of the course, college, and finances. When the questioning is finished, the visa officer will take your passport to issue the visa.
A F1 student visa allows people to remain in the United States for up to five years, but the length of their residency status is recorded on the I-20 form and is effective until the completion of their studies.
It is only possible to renew an F-1 visa by visiting a U.S. embassy or consular office located outside of the U.S. The individual should contact the U.S. embassy/consulate in their home country to arrange a meeting. The amount of time it will take to receive the appointment and the visa issuance may differ.
To get your F-1 visa renewed, you will have to go through the same process as when you initially applied for it.
After you have made a request for an extension of your F-1 visa, you must remain in the country from which you sent the application until the procedure is completed and you are not allowed to travel to the US. In the event that your application for an extension is denied, you will have to go back to your own country.
It is suggested that you should apply for a renewal of your F-1 visa from your own country of residence as this will make the application process simpler for both you and the embassy/consulate.
To maintain your valid non-immigrant F1 visa status, you must have:
For Indian students, the application procedure for a US visa can be relatively straightforward and smooth as long as all of the necessary documents and data are accurate. Doing well in the interview can open up a lot of opportunities for you! If you are still unsure about how to apply for an US student visa, you can get in contact with our Edmissions specialists at edmissions.com for assistance!
For a quick overview related to study abroad, click here
The F-1 visa provides the authorization for an international student to remain in the U.S. for an allotted duration while they are attending an educational institution such as a college, university, theological school, or music conservatory.
F1 students have to take a certain amount of classes to be considered full-time, and they are allowed to stay in the US for up to 60 days after their program ends unless they have applied to extend their stay and work through the OPT Program.
It is best to begin the F1 Visa application as soon as possible since it can take some time to complete. Depending on the availability of dates, it may take anywhere from two weeks to two months. Additionally, make sure that the school you are applying to has been acknowledged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Obtaining a student visa for the United States from India is not a complicated process, yet, you must meet all the student visa necessities from India and provide yourself ample time to fill out and submit your documents.
A US student visa will cost you 510 USD in total.
An F1 student who wants to stay in the country permanently and pursue their education can apply for a Green Card. There are several ways to obtain permanent residency. An individual currently in possession of an F-1 visa can submit an application for an EB-5 visa, which is a US immigrant investor visa that provides a pathway to obtaining a Green Card.
In general, F1 visa holders are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week on university campuses.
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Est:1963 | Students:71948+
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