Study Abroad
Know more about student visa details and tips for international students going for study program in USA, a permit for American education and international study programs in the USA.

Student Visa Details For USA

If a student has been accepted by a higher education centre in the United States of America and is now looking forward to acquiring a student visa, then they must read this article! A student visa, as the name suggests, is a legal permission to live in any country till the end of the course selected. Although, this is not a permanent arrangement. obtaining a student visa for the United States of America is not so complicated, if a step-by-step approach is taken and all the requirements are fulfilled. Being one of the hotspots for academics, an American student visa is of great demand and hence the U.S State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has arranged workshops on 'how to complete the visa application process'. However, it is important to learn about these procedures and requirements well in advance so that process becomes much simpler. Below, you will get a clearer picture on how to apply for a US student visa.

Visa Tips For International Students Going For Study Programs In USA

How To obtain A Student Visa
  • once you are through with the application process and have gotten selected into an educational institution in USA, the university will send you a document called Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This is a web-based information system that keeps track of foreign students and other exchange program participants.
  • After receiving the document, you need to pay a visa fee and the receipt obtained should be kept with you during the time of interview. After making the payment, you need to fix an appointment in the U.S Embassy or the Consulate in your country. The waiting time for a visa may vary.
Types of Visas for Students and Exchange Visitors
Depending upon the educational program which you are part of, the visa requirements may change. The types of US student visa are:
  • F-1 Student Visa: If you want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or other institutes.
  • J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: If you are part of an educational or cultural exchange program.
  • M-1 Student Visa: If you are enrolled in a non-academic or vocational program.
Qualifying for a Student Visa
You can apply for a US student visa if you:
  • Have a residence abroad with no immediate intentions of disposing the same.
  • Intend to depart from the United States immediately after completion of the course.
  • Have a sufficient financial backup to pursue the proposed course of study.
Required Documentation
  • Visa application duly filled.
  • Valid passport.
  • one (1) 2x2 photograph.
  • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.
You may also have to produce:
  • Transcripts from previous institutions.
  • Scores of qualifying examinations like ToEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
  • Bank statement to prove that you can support your education and living expenses, while in the US.
Visa Fees
You may have to pay the non-immigrant visa application processing fee and visa issuance money. In some cases, you might have to pay additional fees called visa issuance reciprocity fee, if applicable. Details of this can be obtained from the Embassy or from the concerned website.

Additional Information
  • The Embassy cannot provide any assurance on issuing the visa in advance and hence it is better not to purchase non-refundable air tickets before the visa is issued.
  • The visa can be used until the expiry date. Therefore, if your passport is outdated, you can use the same visa with a new valid passport. It is important not to detach the two.
  • The F-1 student visa gets an additional 60 days while the M-1 student visa about 30 days. You can refer the USCIS website to know more about the procedure to extend your stay.
If planned out in advance, you can avoid the confusions and hurdles involved in obtaining a student visa for USA.