Go through this article to find all information that will help you in obtaining a student visa for study in USA.

Student Visa for USA

The United States of America provides a wide variety of learning opportunities to millions of people from around the world. Several people dream of flying far-off to a US city, getting admission in a reputed university, studying their choice of course, and attaining recruitment in a top-most US company. However, not everyone is successful at fulfilling their dreams, as education in US follows a list of certain rules and guidelines, which, when fulfilled, will only help you get a step closer towards your goal. To study at a college or university in the United States, you must first apply and obtain a US student visa. So whether you desire to study English at an ESL school or obtain a degree from a distinguished US university, you have to acquire an F-1 student visa. By applying for a US visa, you are opening yourself to a wealth of opportunities to undertake a course of academic study on a temporary basis in one of the largest economies of the world. However, seeking a student visa to the US is not a simple process. You have to follow a number of procedures and guidelines, apart from completing and admitting the required documents, within a specified time period. To cut things short, read on further as we guide you towards obtaining a student visa to the US.

First Step

Before you apply for a student visa to the US, you must first secure admission to a college or university in America. For this, you should determine which amongst the thousands of colleges and universities you wish to attend. You can consider factors, like school size, location, type, or tuition costs. This process should start 18 months before you arrive in the United States. This is the same time when you should register for exams or tests required for college admissions, such as TOEFL or SAT. After the completion of the tests, you should then narrow down your list and start requesting information from the colleges and universities, about 12-15 months before your arrival. Assemble your documents, like your application essay, transcripts, and references, and send them to the schools of your choice, 10 months prior to your arrival. Thereafter, the schools will review your application and send you a reply indicating whether or not you have been accepted by the institution. Once you are accepted by a university, the process for applying for your US student visa begins three months prior to your arrival in the United States.

Eligibility Criteria

You should be accepted in a course of study at a recognized US educational institution before you apply for an F-1 student visa. By getting yourself admitted to a university, you will be able to provide documentation indicating your enrolment status. Furthermore, you will be required to show other documentation, such as a valid passport, photographs, and an affidavit of financial support. You should also be able to demonstrate your English language abilities and convince the consulate that you intend to return to your home country on completion of the course and expiry of your US student visa. For this, you can exhibit your ties with your home country through documentations, like family ties through a marriage certificate, employment obligations through a contract, or evidence of prior trips to the US. Though F-1 visas are granted only for the duration of the course, but candidates can be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days after completion of the course.

Meeting with Consulate

After you have received admission to a study course in a US university, you first have to make an appointment with the consulate for your student visa for your US education. To make an appointment, visit http://www.usembassy.gov/, choose your country of origin and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest US Embassy or consulate and do the needful.

Payment of Fees

After you have taken appointment from the consulate but before heading towards the meeting, you should pay the following two fees.

Student Visa Fee: All students traveling to US are required to pay this fee in order to secure a US student visa. This fee can be paid at a local bank and a receipt of the payment should be obtained.
SEVIS Fees: Pay this fee online with a credit card for a fast recipient, or through cheque or money order drawn from a US bank. Through this method, you will receive the receipt after certain days.

Documents Required

All international students wishing to apply for a US student visa should submit the following completed documents.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) I-20 or SEVIS DS-2019, issued by a U.S. college, school, or university
Application form DS-156
Contact information and work history form DS-0158M
Males between the ages of 16 and 45 must complete form DS-0157
A passport valid for at least six months after entry into the United States
One photograph
A receipt for visa processing fee, information available from the consulate or at the specific consulate website
SEVIS fee receipt. If you pay by cheque, it will take several days to get the receipt.
Financial documentation supporting study in the United States, as indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019
Letter of admission, evidence of applicant’s TOEFL test score, diplomas or transcripts from previous study-may not be required but a consular officer may request this information

Student Visa for USA

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