US Student Visa: Everything you need to know

Many students dream of pursuing higher education in the United States. Several universities there offer the world's best quality education and help students in building a successful career. But there are several mandatory requirements to study in the US, and one of them is an F1 visa or the US student visa.

Many students dream of pursuing higher education in the United States. Several universities there offer the world’s best quality education and help students in building a successful career. But there are several mandatory requirements to study in the US, and one of them is an F1 visa or the US student visa. 

The visa permits international students to study in the United States. It also gives an additional 60 days beyond the time taken to complete the program to stay there. The US student visa is provided by the US embassy, and the process is executed in several places in India. 

Step-by-step procedure to get F1 or US student visa 

• Apply to the college/university and get accepted

  The first step is applying to the college or university you wish to study at. You must have all the documents ready within the specified deadline. If you get accepted and get an offer letter from the university, it is time to apply for the visa. This step is crucial for US student visa applications. 

You might also be interested in reading: How to prepare for your F1 visa interview?

• Payment of fees to Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS):

  Once you get the offer letter, it is time to pay fees to the SEVIS I-901 for obtaining the I-20 form. The fee to enrol in the SEVIS system is USD 350. Once you enrol, your university will send you an I-20 form. 

• F1 visa application form completion:

  To complete the F1 visa application form, the student has to pay a non-refundable application fee of USD 160. This application is also available online, and the student needs to complete and print this form. This is the DS 160 form for the visa interview. 

• The F1 visa interview:

  After completion of your application form, you will have to give an interview. This is arranged with the US embassy or consulate. The availability of a meeting slot usually varies according to the season and the category of your visa. The visa is issued four months in advance before your academic year begins. This visa allows you to enter the United States only 30 days before your joining date.

Requirements for US student visa application interview

1. A valid passport 
2. Fee payment receipt of your application 
3. Passport size photos of 2-by-2 inches (ca. 5 cm) taken in the last six months
4. The DS 160 form 
5. I-20 form
6. The certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant students status form 
7. Academic transcript, diploma and certificates
8. Degree certificates, test scores of the applicable exam (TOEFL/GRE/GMAT) depending on your university’s requirements
9. Financial stability proof 
10. Interview appointment letter
11. Supporting documents.

Approval and getting the F1 visa

If your interview proceeds well and you are eligible, you will obtain an F1 visa. Now you need a complete set of documents and all the paperwork to meet all the visa requirements. Your visa request will then be approved by the consular officer. There will also be digital scans that will be taken for your finger records. Your passport needs to be submitted for completion of the visa procedure. You will receive it by mail, or you will be told when you need to pick it up.

The US student visa eligibility period for Indians is usually 60 months, and there is no visa issuance fee for Indians. All F1 student visa holders can apply for a work visa if they wish to continue working in the US. 

The application procedure for a US visa for students is quite simple once you have all the documents. Preparing well for your US visa interview is important. This will help you get the visa application approved, and you can then study in your dream college. 

Get to know all details for US visa for studying overseas at The WorldGrad.

Author: Deepak Shukla