study visa for usa requirements

Visiting the USA is a dream for many people. A well known fact that to visit the USA, you need a Visa. First of all it is always necessary to check if you need a visa to travel in the US or not. After getting your answer, you can choose the type of visa depending on your country of residence and purpose.

  Studying in the United States is a chance to get an education from one of the best schools available. But, in order to study in the states you must qualify for a visa . One company experienced this and knew that it was time to find safer and more affordable ways for their daughter to study abroad.

This is a comprehensive guide that covers visa requirements and application processes to study in the United States. It will also provide you with a helpful checklist, tips and insights on what questions to ask, and what you need to begin your application process.

Study visa for USA requirements

The United States is a popular study destination for international students. In fact, over one million foreign students were enrolled in schools in the U.S. in 2015-2016, according to data from the Institute of International Education (IIE).

If you’re planning on studying abroad in the U.S., you’ll need to be aware of the different types of visas available. Before you apply for one, make sure that your school accepts international students and that it’s accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or has been certified by an approved accrediting agency outside the U.S., such as ANAB or EQUIS. You should also make sure that your coursework will be accepted by any institution at which you plan to transfer credits or apply for graduation after finishing your studies at your current school (this may mean taking courses at community colleges).

Once you’ve found a school that meets these criteria and have researched whether or not they offer financial aid (which is generally required), then it’s time to start thinking about applying for a student visa with U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Study visa requirements for the USA

To study in the United States, you must be accepted by an accredited institution. You must also meet certain academic and financial requirements.

Academic requirements:

You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent (for example, GED) and be able to prove English proficiency if your first language is not English.

Financial requirements:

You must have enough money to pay for your education, living expenses and return trip home.

Other requirements:

If you are applying from outside of the US, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your arrival date (or longer if studying abroad).

USA student visa process step by step

1. Be accepted onto an educational program: Your chosen institution’s international student office will send you an I-20 form. This form needs to be kept safe, as you’ll need it for your visa interview.
2. Register for SEVIS and pay the fee ($350): This means the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System need to have your fee before the DS-160 is completed.
3. Complete and pay for an online non-immigrant visa application (DS-160 – $160): You’ll also need to upload a photo of yourself that meets specific requirements, and provide any other requested documents.
4. Schedule an appointment for a visa interview: This needs to be done at the U.S Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. At this interview you will be questioned on things such as previous test scores and your finances.
5. Receive a decision: At your interview you should receive a decision on your application.

F1 Visa Requirements

Here are the documents required to apply for an F1 Visa:

• Your valid passport.
• Form DS-160 for non-immigrant visa applications.
• Two photographs meeting the US Visa Photo Requirements.
• Proof of paid F1 visa fee.
• Form I-20. Your Form I-20 states the amount of funds you need to finance your education and living in the US. You must submit documents which prove you have that amount readily available. This can be done by submitting various documents, such as:
  • Bank statements for the last 3 years
  • Tax records for the last 3 years
  • Pay stubs of previous employment
  • If you have received a scholarship, you also need to submit proof of it
  • Paying a semester’s or a year’s worth of tuition is also a good idea, but not mandatory
  • If you are supported or sponsored by someone else in the US, you will need to submit Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and bank statements for the last three years of that person.
  • If you are funding your US education through a loan, you must also show proof of the approved loan
• Documents that prove your previous education and current qualifications:
  • Original transcripts
  • Standardized test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, etc.)
  • Acceptance letters from the educational institution which accepted you
  • Previous degree diplomas
• Proof of purchased health insurance for international students.

How to Apply for an F1 Visa?

To application process for the F1 visa goes through the following steps:

1. Get your admissions documents from the SEVP institution.
2. Apply online through the DS-160 form.
3. Pay the application fee.
4. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
5. Schedule your F1 visa interview.
6. Submit the file with the F1 visa required documents.
7. Attend the student visa interview.

What to do if you are declined for an F1 visa

If you are declined for an F1 visa you are usually able to apply again, but you will need to start the process from the beginning. You won’t need to pay the SEVIS fee again, but any application fees will need to be paid a second time.

You’ll be told the reason that you were denied, and if you can amend any issues, you may have a better chance next time around. Common issues for a rejected application include:

• Lack of financial proof to support yourself while in the US
• Missing or incorrect documents
• Lack of proof that you intend to return to your home country after graduating
• Failed background check
• Failure to explain your answers during your interview

You can re-apply three times in a year, but if you are struggling to get your application accepted then you should speak to consular officers about your situation before applying again.

Conclusion

It is the demand of the hour for those who are looking for a travel permit for the USA to study. The Touriago.com service has been set up to cater to the needs of such people by making it easy to obtain and manage Canadian student visa online as a foreigner while they apply for an F1 visa.