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USA Study Visa Process

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jan 16,2025 03:32 PM IST

Currently, over 270,000 Indian students are studying in the USA, which is 35% more than the 2022-2023 academic year.
Millions of students worldwide plan to study in the USA, but they only get stuck in the visa application process.
Learn about all the steps required to follow to get your F-1 study visa.

USA Study Visa Process.webp

Once you get the offer letter from your dream American university the only thing left to do is to apply for a study visa. The F-1 study visa is the most common visa used to study academic programs in the USA, holding utmost significance in your study abroad journey as without it you cannot study in the USA. The USA study visa process is not as difficult as you think. There are just simple steps that you need to follow and you are ready to study in America. Stay with us to learn about the types of student visas accepted in the USA.

Types of Student Visa in USA

There are three types of USA student visas as follows:

Types of Student Visa	Description
F-1 Student Visa	An F-1 student visa is a USA visa that allows any foreign individual to pursue an academic program at a US institution.
J Exchange Visa	This visa is for international student who wants to participate in exchange programs in the USA.
M Student Visa	An M student visa allows international students to pursue non-academic and non-degree programs in the USA.

US F1 Student Visa

US F-1 student visa allows an international student to study at educational institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). You can only apply for an F-1 student visa after your application is accepted by any American university. Being an F-1 student the duration of your stay will depend on the type of program you choose. The I-20 form provided by your university will list the expiry date of your program. It is to be noted that you need to complete your program before the visa expires.

Documents Required for US Student Visa

The documents required for an F-1 student visa are as follows:

Academic Transcripts
Test scores
Proof of finance
A valid passport
Acceptance at a SEVP-approved school
Form I-20
Application fee payment for the SEVIS
Non-immigrant visa application
Form DS-160 confirmation page
Passport-size Photograph

Process of Study Visa for USA

Now comes the most important part of this blog which is the USA study visa process. Here is the step-by-step process to apply for an F-1 visa:

Get Accepted into a Program and I-20 form

The first step in the USA study visa process is to get accepted into a program by a SEVP-certified US university. Having a SEVP certification means that your university has the required accreditation and proper resources.

After getting accepted your university will provide you with an I-20 form. The following details are mentioned in your I-20 form:

SEVIS ID number
Program starting and end date
Funding Sources
Program of study
Cost of attendance at your university
Other personal details
Employment authorization
School and student attestations

Once an I-20 form is received, read it carefully and sign at the bottom of the first page. If there is any error, you won’t be allowed to enter the US. So make sure to fix it as soon as possible because it takes time. Keep the I-20 form with you as it will be required in later stages.

Pay SEVIS Fee

In this step, you have to pay the SEVIS fee. The total cost of an F-1 student visa is $510. This includes the SEVIS processing and maintenance fees. The SEVIS fee is $350 and the fee of DS-160 is $160. To pay the fee you have to go to the official payment portal of US immigration. Make sure to keep the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt as it will be required in the visa interview.

Complete Your DS-160 Visa Application

A DS-160 is an official application form, and you must submit it online to get an F-1 student visa. To fill out DS-160 you would require I-20, passport, travel itinerary, and photograph. To apply for it you have to visit the US immigration official website. Once you submit DS-160 you will get a printed confirmation with a barcode on it. Save this, too, for the visa interview.

Schedule Your Visa Interview

After filling DS-160 form the next step is to schedule your visa interview. The waiting time for a visa interview can take months so it's advised to schedule your appointment as early as possible.

Attend Your Visa Interview

The last step is to attend the visa interview. In the interview, you have to prove that you have enough funds to cover living expenses. Also, you will be required to confirm that you plan to return home after completing your studies. After completing your visa interview, you will be granted an F-1 visa. Now you are ready to study in the USA.

During the visa interview, you may be required to show the following documents:

Academic transcripts of schools and colleges
Standardized test scores
Prove that you will leave the USA after completing your studies
Financial Statement to prove that you can pay for living expenses and tuition fees in the USA

Following are the different types of questions you may face in the visa interview:

Why do you want to study in the USA?
Why did you choose this particular university or college?
What is your major or field of study?
How did you find out about this university?
How will you pay for your studies in the USA?
Where will you stay in the USA?
What are your plans after completing your education?
How long do you plan to stay in the USA?
What will you do if your student visa is denied?
What do you know about the city where your university is located?

USA Study Visa Processing Time

One query students often search about is the USA study visa processing time. It makes sense because a student knows the time it will take to process the US study visa. The process of obtaining a USA study visa can take from a week to a couple of months. The processing time also depends on the complexity of the application. The following are the factors that affect the F1 student visa processing time:

DS-160 Application Submission
Scheduling the Visa Interview
Visa Interview
Visa Issuance
Administrative Processing (if needed)

Tips for F-1 Student Visa Interview

The interview is an essential part of your F-1 visa application process. Here are some of the best tips you can use to do well in the visa interview:

Be confident

Sit back and relax, It's just an interview, not an investigation. Make sure you answer all the questions truthfully. Show the interviewer that you are serious about your studies by looking confident.

Show your financial capability

To study in the USA, you must have enough funds to pay for living expenses there. So make sure you have the required documents that can prove that you can pay for your education and other expenses.

Get all documents

This goes without saying. Ensure you have all the required documents that prove your eligibility for an F-1 visa. Having all the documents will show that you are serious.

Practice common questions

It’s true that you cannot predict all the interview questions but you can practice the most common questions. By practicing, you will get familiar with the interview and can attend it confidently.

Conclusion

Understanding the USA study visa process is essential to study in the USA. The process starts with getting accepted into a recognised American university and obtaining an I-20 form. After that, you pay the SEVIS fee and complete the D-160 visa application form. Then, you have to schedule the interview and attend it. There are various tips mentioned above that you can use to do well in the interview. Connect with education abroad consultants at Canam to know more about the US study visa process.

FAQ

How long is the process for a student visa in the USA?

The processing of a student visa in the USA can take between 8 to 13 weeks.

How much is the SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee for an F-1 student visa is $350.

How much does it cost to get a US student visa?

The cost of a US student visa is $510.

How long is the F1 visa valid for?

An F-1 visa remains valid for 5 years.

What is the success rate of a US student visa?

US student visa has an acceptance rate of 85%.

How much can you work on a student visa in the USA?

With an F-1 student visa, you can work in the USA only on campus for 20 hours a week.

Can I stay in the USA after my student visa expired?

Yes, through OPT you can stay in the USA even if your visa expires.

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USA Study Visa Process

Table of Contents

Types of Student Visa in USA

US F1 Student Visa

Documents Required for US Student Visa

Process of Study Visa for USA

Get Accepted into a Program and I-20 form

Pay SEVIS Fee

Complete Your DS-160 Visa Application

Schedule Your Visa Interview

Attend Your Visa Interview

USA Study Visa Processing Time

Tips for F-1 Student Visa Interview

Be confident

Show your financial capability

Get all documents

Practice common questions

Conclusion

FAQ

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