How To Apply For A USA Student Visa
Apply For A U.S Student Visa From Any Part Of The World
How to apply for a USA student visa is often surfed by U.S student aspirants. The United States continues to be one of the top international student destinations despite recent disputed visa limits. Every year, a sizable number of foreign students seek to study in the US for a full academic year.
However, you need more than just outstanding grades to attend a university in the US; you also need a student visa.
Keep reading to see the listed guidelines on how to apply for a USA student visa from any part of the world.
Why Apply For A U.S Student Visa?
This international student visa enables you to enter the country temporarily in order to enroll in a recognized school, language course, or academic exchange program.
All overseas applicants — those without US citizenship or permanent residency — must first get a US student visa in order to legally attend a school in the US.
Please note that you will be required to demonstrate intention of returning from the U.S after your studies.
Applying For A USA Student Visa
We are here to help because, admittedly, getting a visa can be a challenging process.
I’ll discuss the basics of visas and how to obtain a student visa for the United States in this article. I’ll also provide you some advice and tools to use as you go through the visa application process.
Types Of Student Visa In The United States
Before intending applicant should apply for a student visa you should be aware of the types of visas available and the one that would specifically suit you as an individual
There are three types of student visas in the United States:
Visa Type F-1:
This visa is intended for high school or college/university (including language programs) study in the United States, and it applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
M-1 Visa:
This visa is intended for non-academic or technical schools in the United States. These programs are typically short-term and vocationally. You could, for example, enroll in a cooking school or a healthcare training program.
The J-1 Visa
This visa is intended for transfer guests such as study abroad students, scholars, interns, and au pairs.
In fact, international students need an F-1 visa in order to enroll full-time in undergraduate or graduate programs.
In contrast, you must apply for a J-1 visa if you wish to enroll in a semester or two of study at a US college in order to earn credits that will transfer to your home institution.
Recommended: Tuition Free Scholarships For International Students
How To Apply For A USA Student Visa
1. Apply To An SEVP Institution:
You should choose a school and program as an international student that have been approved by the US government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
It is crucial to get certified in order for your degree to be recognized by other colleges, organizations for professionals, businesses, and governmental agencies all around the world.
Why Apply To An SEVP Institution
Only universities that have received SEVP approval are able to register students in SEVIS and provide you with the paperwork you need to apply for a student visa in the US. Find accredited programs by using the government’s Study in the States webpage.
You must submit separate applications to each college you are interested in. Each college has different requirements for admittance, and you will always need to show proof of sufficient funding.
When a university approves you, the university will register you in the SEVIS system and send you a Form I-20 generated by SEVIS.
2. Complete The Advised SEVIS Fee Payment:
Before requesting a US student visa, applicants must pay the SEVIS fee at least three days in advance. You might need to fill out an online or paper form in order to make a payment.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP website provides access to both. Ensure that you provide the data exactly as it appears on your DS-2019 or I-20 form.
What Is The Application Fee For A US Student Visa?
The application fee for a student visa is $160. You should pay this cost and get a receipt so you can use it later for your interview materials.
Depending on your home country and the US Embassy from which you are applying, you could have to pay additional fees.
You can always see and print a payment confirmation from the website after submitting your payment.
This documentation will be requested at your US student visa interview as proof of fee payment. If you apply for any other US immigration rights or change your non-immigrant status, you might be required to present the verification to the customs officer at the US border crossing of your choice.
3. Apply For Your Student Visa And Complete The Online Visa Application:
You can schedule an appointment to apply for a US student visa with a US consulate or embassy in your country after receiving your SEVIS form and paying the SEVIS fee.
No matter when your program begins, it is preferable to apply as soon as possible because visa processing times can vary.
Your visa can be authorised up to 120 days prior to actually your scheduled arrival in the United States.
Completing Your Online Visa Application(DS-160)
The DS-160 online visa application form must be completed by aspiring U.S student. You must decide which area you want to apply from and ensure that you have the majority of the information and papers needed to complete the application.
Your access to the form’s pages will be determined by the security question you select and your response.
You can find your application ID at the very top. You’ll need this ID to retrieve your form if you do need to abandon the application and return to it later.
Requirement For Completing DS-160 form
When completing the DS-160 form, the following confidential information is required:
- Name and date of birth
- Phone number and address
- Passport information
- Specifics about travel plans and travel companions
- Details about previous trips to the United States.
- Your point of contact in the United States
- Details about family, work, and education
- Information on security, background, and medical health
- SEVIS ID and the address of the US school/program in which you intend to enroll (as printed on the I-20 or DS-2019 form)
- You must digitally sign your DS-160 after completing the visa application form by selecting the “Sign Application” button at the bottom.
A confirmation page containing your application ID number and a QR code will be sent to you after you submit your application; you must print this page and bring it with you to your visa interview session. The entire application need not be printed.
4. Complete the visa application fee payment:
The visa application fee is also known as the Machine Readable Visa Fee, abbreviated as the ‘MRV fee.’ Check the fee payment directions on your embassy or consulate’s website as methods may differ.
How do I pay for U.S Student visa application fee?
There are generally three methods for paying the non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee:
- In-person at a bank that has been approved
- By phone (you will be provided with a fee confirmation number)
- Online (you must print your receipt)
5. Arrange and show up for U.S student visa interview.
Scheduling and attending a visa interview is the last step in getting a student visa for the United States. Contacting the closest US embassy or consulate can be done over the phone or online. In any case, you should pay the MRV fee first because you might be questioned about it.
You must appear for an interview with a consular officer in order for the visa application process to be completed.
Can I Schedule For An Interview At A Different U.S Embassy?
If you must schedule your interview at a US embassy or consulate other than the one where you submitted your visa application, don’t worry about it. The barcode on your DS-160 can be used to get your information at any US embassy.
Documents Needed For A Student Application Visa
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the United States.
- You may also be required to bring all of your present and previous passports.
- SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 (includes the general individual forms for spouse/children) must be signed.
- DS-7002 Form (for J-1 Trainee and Intern visa applicants only)
- DS-160 application affirmation page with barcode and application ID number for SEVIS fee payment
- Receipt for MRV fee payment confirmation.
- 1-2 photographs in the layout specified in the photograph prerequisites.
- Printable copy of visa interview appointment letter. This should be printed on high-quality photo paper.
Required Documents For A U.S Student Visa Interview
Additionally, you need to be prepared to present the following documents at the U.S visa interview:
- Diplomas and transcripts from previous academic institutions attended.
- TOEFL, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, and other standardized test scores required by the academic institution.
- Financial proof demonstrating that you or your sponsor (parents or a government sponsor) have sufficient funds to meet your student fees, travel, and living costs while in the United States.
Getting a student visa application can be quite stressful but if you follow the right tips and guidelines on how to apply for a USA student visa from any part of the world, it can be hassle-free.
Have you ever attempted to apply for a visa? How was the process? Comment below with your answer and we’ll post it.
Also Read: Jobs With Benefits In The U.S For International Students
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