USA Student Visa Requirements, Fees, Program, Apply For Study in USA 2024

Did you apply and get admitted into a prestigious university in the USA? if you want to get USA Student visa, Congratulations, you’re one step closer to your dream in setting foot on the renowned land of America. Before you go for further preparations, you need to know that you can not get into America without a valid student visa in this case. This is why we are here to guide you. Bear with us as we discuss various types of USA student visas and their application procedure along with their eligibility criteria to check which one fits you the best.

USA Student Visa: A Comprehensive Guide for everyone who wants to study in USA, United States is a good destination for everyone, you will get all the facilities, so don’t miss this chance and apply for a USA F1 Visa.

Types of Student Visa for USA

Primarily there are 3 types of student visas for USA, namely:

• F-1 Student Visa
• M-1 Student Visa
• J-1 visa

The F-1 and M-1 Student Visa is for full time students pursuing any sort of study program in America. These two are the most common types. More specifically, the F-1 visa is for full time students aspiring for an academic program in the USA, while the M-1 visa is suitable for those who are planning to attend a vocational or non academic program. The J-1 visa is for exchange students who plan to participate in work-and-study-based exchange programs.

Note that you have the chance of working part time with the  F1 and J1 Visa but the M1 Visa holders are not allowed to work.

For starters, you need to be accepted at a university or school at USA. Once that part is ensured, you need to apply for the appropriate type of student visa from the list above and prepare the necessary documents along the way.

Also Read: USA Scholarships for International Students 2024

USA Students Required Documents:

If you are applying for a USA student visa, you need to have the following documents ready with you-

• A valid passport (Validity up to 6 months after the end of your stay in the USA)
• A form or document of acceptance at any USA-based school or university or other relevant institution
• Payment proof of the application fee
• Non-immigrant visa application form
• Your recent photo( as per the instruction) and phone number

Some additional documents might be required in certain cases, which are-

• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Proof of financial support or funds to sustain the stay in the USA (Can include bank statements, financial statement of the sponsor if relevant, or scholarship documents if received)
• Evidence to leave the country once the study program is over.
• Interview appointment letter

Also Read: How to Apply For Student Loan Forgiveness in the USA?

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for the USA student visa, you need to check if you actually are eligible for the program or not. There are usually three categories of eligibility you need to consider-

• Academic Eligibility: Academic eligibility depends on the school you have been accepted into. Check the website of the institution for more detailed information regarding this matter.
• Financial Stability: You need to show a valid proof of financial resources that can support the cost associated with your stay and study program in the USA.
• Health Insurance: If you have any specific medical conditions, you need to show proof of medical insurance to cover any medical related costs during your stay.

USA Student visa Apply (step-by-step guide)

• The first step is to completely fill out the non immigrant visa application form(DS-160 form).
• After completion of the form, you need to pay the visa application fee.
• In the next step you need to consult the US embassy of your country and schedule an appointment with them. To confirm your appointment, you need to submit your passport number, the receipt number after paying the visa fee and lastly the ten digit barcode number from the visa form.
• On the scheduled date and time, visit the embassy and do not forget to bring the necessary documents listed above. Most importantly, be adequately prepared.

Note: Do not attempt to present any sort of false information. If any signs of misinformation is found within the documents you have presented, you might be at risk for permanent visa ineligibility.

Let’s Check: USA Embassy Requirements

Living within USA with the student visa

There are certain rules you must follow if you want to live in the USA with your student visa. One such obligation is that unless you are awarded with a teaching or research fellowship, you can not work in there. This is because you have to submit a proof of your financial resources and hence can not rely on working to support your stay. The income source must be assured to be stable and should be enough to cover the cost of your first year in there.

Also Know: Where is the USA Visa Number on US Visa?

What to do when the study program is over: f1 visa processing time,

Unfortunately, you can not stay for a much longer time in the USA after you have completed your graduation. According to the US immigration law, students with F1 visa have to leave within 60 days and the ones with the J and M visa are instructed to leave within 30 days after the completion of the program. In case you want to stay for a longer period of time, you may apply for a visa extension.

Change in Visa status

Your visa status may change during the stay due to multiple reasons or change in plan. For example, if a student is away for 5 months , his or her current visa status will be invalid and he or she will have to apply for a new F-1 or M-1 visa unless they are away for reasons that are part of their coursework. If the status is lost, the student will not be able to return to the USA until his/her visa is restored by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS). Thus, if your visa status needs to be changed or you need to apply for a new visa, you have to inform the institution you are enrolled in and complete the formal procedures through USCIS.

Also Check: Top 10 UK Scholarships for International Students in 2024

Closing remarks

We hope we were able to answer all your queries regarding the USA student visa and its application procedure and other necessary aspects. To all the candidates out there, good luck and be well prepared. We wish you all the best.

You can learn more about US visas please visit the official USA gov website here

FAQs about USA Study Visa

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