student visa for usa validity

Every year thousands of student from across the India come to study with us in the U.S.A. Most of them have American dreams and the determination to achieve. It is very easy to get a student visa for Usa and in this article we are going to tell you how you can get one with ease so keep reading and apply for your Usa visa for study today.

If you are planning to visit, study and work in the United States of America, there are certain requirements you have to meet. When applying for a visa at the US embassy or consulate, your application will be reviewed against the United States immigration laws and regulations. The embassy/consulate will want to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for your particular visa type.

The US visa regulations for students is different from other types of visas. International students planning to attend a kindergarten, elementary, middle or high school in the U.S. should contact the school directly to inquire about its international student admissions policies and procedures.

The student visa for USA is valid for one year. It allows you to attend a language school, university or vocational training program.

You can apply for a student visa if you have been accepted by an educational institution in the United States. If your education is provided in English, you do not need to provide proof of proficiency in English language.

To obtain a student visa, you must have enough funds to cover your expenses while studying in the United States and show that you have medical insurance coverage that will cover any medical expenses incurred during your stay in the US.

If you are planning to study in the United States, you will need to apply for a student visa. This is different from the tourist visa or the work visa and you will not be able to stay in the country without it.

The validity of your student visa depends on where you are studying. If you are studying at an accredited school or college within the US, then your student visa will be valid for up to 5 years. If you are taking classes online or through an unaccredited program, then your visa will only be valid for one year.

If your student visa expires while you’re still in the US, it is possible to apply for another one if your course of study still meets the requirements of a student visa (meaning that it’s accredited). However, this is something that should be done before leaving home because applying after arriving in America can take up to six months and cost hundreds of dollars per person!

n F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F1 students must maintain the minimum course load for full-time student status. They can remain in the US up to 60 days beyond the length of time it takes to complete their academic program, unless they have applied and been approved to stay and work for a period of time under the OPT Program.

F1 students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status) which is provided by the US college or university that the student has been accepted to and will attend.

F1 Visa Qualifications

In order to qualify, applicants need to satisfy and prove several strict criteria during an F1 visa interview, including the following:Foreign ResidenceF1 applicants must have a foreign residence and must intend to return there upon the completion of theirstudies.Sponsoring InstitutionWhile on your F1 visa, you may only study at the academic institution through which the visa was granted.Financial SupportApplicants must demonstrate sufficient financial support — the Study USA Financing Guide can help you prepare for this aspect of your time abroad.Ties to Home CountryAll applicants must demonstrate that they have strong ties to their home country.
Strong ties consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

  • A job offer letter upon completion of studies
  • Assets (i.e., house, land, vehicle, etc.)
  • Bank accounts
  • Family

Applying for an F1 Visa

Admission Requirements

Different universities have different admission policies. Your university will tell you what they need to determine if you are academically eligible. Among other requirements, you will need to show the school that you have enough money to support yourself while studying without having to work and you may have to show health insurance in order to cover any medical expenses should you need any medical assistance. Once the university has determined that your application is complete and you are academically eligible, they will issue an I-20 form to enable you to apply for your student visa.

Where to Apply for Your F1 Visa

Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. This will normally be your home country — the country in which you live. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

Help Getting an F1 Visa

The process of obtaining a visa can be difficult. If you’ve decided you need help from an immigration lawyer, explore working with a professional legal firm like F1 Visa Advisors, Inc. Founded by an experienced immigration lawyer in the US, F1 Visa Advisors offers a limited access program that provides students with personalized visa assistance and guidance to help increase their chance of getting approved an F1 visa.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR AN F-1 VISA

Applicants must generally appear in person at an interview appointment at one of the responsible U.S. consulates in the country where the applicant lives. In addition to the general application documents, the F-1 visa pplicant must submit

  • documents about the educational institution,
  • proof of permanent residence in the home country,
  • other proof of intention to return after the end of the program, and
  • proof of financial means for the stay in the USA.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO APPLY FOR AN F-1 VISA?

Applications for F-1 visas can be submitted a maximum of 120 days before the start of your studies. However, the application should be made at least one month before the start of the study program in order to avoid compromising the timely issue of the visa.

Note: International students with F-1 visas can only enter the USA 30 days before the start of their studies at the earliest.

Generally, the waiting time for an interview appointment at a U.S. consulate varies depending on the location and time of year. When applying for an F-1 visa, waiting times of up to two to three weeks may occur. If the appointment is successful, the visa is usually approved immediately and sent by mail in the following three to ten days. The passport will be retained by the consulate for this purpose.

HOW MUCH DOES AN F-1 VISA COST?

Consular fees for F-1 Visa applications must be paid online through a visa service provider, where the applicant must register online in advance. Possible payment methods are online payment via debit card, bank transfer or instant bank transfer. The CGI reference number of the payment transfer should be noted as it is considered proof of payment of the visa fee and must be presented at the U.S. consulate.

FEEAMOUNTWHERE TO PAYNOTE
Consular Fee$ 160CGI StanleyRemember the CGI reference number for submission to the U.S. consulate
SEVIS Fee$ 350SEVISthe SEVIS number required for payment can be found on the I-20 form
Reciprocity Feevariesat the U.S. consulatethis fee varies according to your nationality

How long ist an F-1 visa valid?

An F-1 visa is issued for up to 5 years. However, the residence status in the Unitd States is valid for the entire duration of the study and is noted on the I-20 form. If there is a delay in the duration of study, e.g. due to a change of major or illness, the student can apply for an extension of status at the respective educational institution.

It is also possible to enter the United States with an F-1 visa 30 days before the start of your studies and to stay in the United States for a maximum of 60 days after graduation. During this so-called grace period, traveling in the U.S. is allowed, whereas working is prohibited.

But: If the stay abroad is longer than 5 months and is not related to the studies, the student status and therefore the F-1 visa can be lost.

Conclusion

After you are approved for your F1 visa, you are able to enter the United States as an international student. However, after you arrive, you will need to stay aware of your obligations as an F1 visa holder. If you do not maintain your valid F1 visa status, you will not be allowed to return to re-enter the US if you leave and you will not be eligible for practical training (OPT or CPT) or on-campus employment. Here are some tips to assure you’re in good standing during your study abroad:

Upon Arrival

Make sure you arrive in the US no more than 30 days prior to the first day of classes. Check in with your international advisor as soon as possible before your program begins.

During Your Program

You must remain enrolled full time. Go to class and maintain passing grades. If you are having difficulty in your classes, notify your international advisor. If you are unable to complete your program by the date listed on your Form I-20, your international advisor can help you request a program extension.

Your passport should be valid for at least 6-months in the future. Your country’s consulate or embassy can help you extend your passport if needed. Carry a copy of your passport with you along with your I-94 card for identification purposes.

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