student visa for usa requirements
If you are planning a trip to the United States, it is far from certain that you will be able to enter. The best scenario would be if you had a pre-existing visa or whether an American consulate issued you one. However, there are times when it might be necessary to obtain a student visa for the US without having an ESTA or an American embassy visa in hand. In such cases, people are forced to do their homework and find other creative alternatives for obtaining visas for traveling to the United States.
Before you embark on a quest to study in the US, make sure you know what the student visa for usa requirements are. It is important that you thoroughly understand everything there is about student visas so that you do not have to make trips back and forth, end up losing money, or possibly getting arrested.
The U.S. Department of State is the federal government agency that oversees all matters relating to visas, such as student visas and travel visas. If you are in need of a student visa or a travel visa, it is important that you follow the required steps with the right documents and information in order to avoid any delays.
Student Visa for USA Requirements:
The student visa requirements for going to the US are quite strict. You need to provide proof of your ability to pay for your education and also show that you will return home after completing your studies. You must also show that you have enough money for living expenses while studying in the United States. In addition to these requirements, there are several other factors which determine whether or not you qualify for a student visa.
The main requirement to get a student visa is that you must have been accepted by an accredited institution in the United States which has offered you a place on one of their courses or programmes. You must also have enough money to pay for this course and any other costs associated with it such as accommodation and food. If you are applying from outside the United States then this can be difficult because most banks do not accept international bank drafts unless they are from an American bank or if they come from another country but only if they have been converted into dollars first (which means more paperwork). Therefore, if you are applying from outside then it is best to bring cash with you when traveling because some airlines will not allow travellers carrying excess baggage onto flights without paying extra fees at check-in counters
Student Visa for US Requirements
The United States is the world’s most popular study destination, and the number of international students in the country has been rising steadily over the last few decades. The United States offers many options for higher education, from community colleges to research universities, public or private. For example, Princeton University, one of America’s top-ranked colleges, charges international students $53,000 per year in tuition alone.
If you’re interested in studying in the U.S., you’ll need to apply for a student visa. These are different from tourist visas: they allow you to attend an educational institution in the U.S., but only if it is accredited by the government. Other requirements include proof of financial resources (like bank statements), health insurance coverage and proof that your home country will allow you back into their borders after your studies are complete.
College visits can help you find out more about what each school has to offer and determine whether it’s a good fit for you—but be sure not to spend too much time on campus before applying for a student visa! Once your application has been approved, you can start planning for your move and all those new classes ahead!
If you’re planning to study in the United States, you’ll need to apply for a student visa. The process can be confusing and intimidating, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
First, you’ll need to decide where you want to study. Once you’ve decided on your school, they will provide information about the specific requirements for their particular program. These requirements may vary depending on what state or city your school is located in, so make sure you check with them before applying for a student visa.
Once you know which school and program (and state) you want to study in, it’s time to start filling out forms! You’ll need two copies of Form I-20C-1/DS-2019 (Certification of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status), one copy for yourself and one for your spouse if applicable; two passport photos; a medical examination report; proof of financial support; and an application fee waiver form if applicable. After completing all necessary forms and submitting them with your supporting documents via mail or courier service (if possible), expect some waiting time while they are processed by the government. After this period has passed—usually around three weeks or less—you can
The US Government offers three different student visa types:
| S.No. | Types of student visa | Description |
| 1 | F-1 Student Visa | to study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute |
| 2 | J Exchange Visa | for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study |
| 3 | M Student Visa | for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US |
*For detailed information, please visit the US Government’s Department of State website.
As a primary step, you must first apply and be accepted by a US school or university that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once accepted, you will receive a Form I-20 from the institution’s international student office, which is a paper record of your information in the database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Documents required for a US student visa
When applying for your student visa for the US, you will generally need:
- A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US (unless exempt by country specific agreements)
- Acceptance at a SEVP approved school and your Form I-20
- Application fee payment for the SEVIS
- Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Your photograph in the requested format, and number
Some additional documents that might be required include:
- Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain your living expenses throughout the period of your stay in the US. This may include:
- Bank statements
- Financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs
- A scholarship program
- Evidence that you will leave the US once you have completed your course of study. This can be in the form of an air ticket out of the US to your home country
You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the US embassy or consulate.
*Please note that these are the basic requirements, speak with your IDP counsellor for a detailed list of documents required for visa processing
F-1 Student visa
Most students who wish to pursue their studies overseas opt for the F-1 Student Visa. There are three major steps to its procedure, being:
| Step 1 | SEVIS fee and I-20 form collection | Once you pay the SEVIS fee, you are given an I-20 form from your new school or college. Duly fill the form and bring along for your F-1 interview. |
| Step 2 | VISA fee and form collection | Pay your visa fee at the designated bank and collect the visa form. Duly fill the form and bring along for your interview. |
| Step 3 | VISA interview | Schedule a visa interview with the US embassy in your country. The waiting time may vary depending on the visa type. Once you complete the interview successfully, you’ll receive your visa 120 days in advance. |
P.S: You can move to the US only 30 days before the start date of your program.
Applying for your visa online
You’ll have to apply for your student visa application online using the US Embassy and Consulates India website. You can apply up to 120 days before your intended date of program’s start date. Remember, your application date is the date when your application fee is paid.
How can IDP help with visa applications?
If you’re an IDP student with an offer letter from any of our partner institutions in the US, we can advise you on how to go about the entire process. We’ll make sure you are fully informed on the latest visa requirements and conditions; also help you prepare the right documents for your submission.
Our team of experts will direct you to the official websites and to authorised immigration representatives to ensure you have the latest applications forms and guidance. To reduce the hassle, we can also help to certify, translate and courier your documents.
Visa fee
As an applicant from outside the US, you will have to pay US$160 as an application visa fee (do check the latest fee when applying here).
There is now a US$350 SEVIS fee on F and M visa applications and US$220 on most of the J Visa applications, this includes the cost of the computer system which is used to record your stay in the United States (SEVIS).
English language requirements
To gain your US student visa, you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work and migration, with more than three million tests taken in the past year. The IELTS results are recognised by more than 10,000 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 140 countries around the world.
US educational institutions require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 band.
When you first arrive in the US, you must:
- Contact your designated school official on a priority basis
- Contact your designated school official again, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20
Making sure your visa remains valid
Once you get your visa, there are several things you need to do to ensure it remains valid, including:
- Fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued the visa
- Following the regulations associated with that purpose
While studying in the US, you will need to observe the following rules:
- You must attend and pass all of your classes. If you are finding your studies too difficult, you should speak with your designated school official (DSO) immediately
- If you think you will be unable to complete your program by the end date listed on your Form I-20, you must talk to your DSO about requesting a possible program extension
- You must take a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO immediately
- You cannot drop below a full course of study without consulting with your DSO
Conclusion
You can always contact us for a free counselling session and we can guide you on how to go about the entire visa application process.