How to Apply for a US Student Visa

Deciding to pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in the United States is the first of many steps toward becoming an international Student. Once students are admitted to a US university, they must apply for a student visa.

Such a visa allows a student to enter the country for study and stay for a certain period of time. The types of student visas are:

F-1 Visa: For students continuing their studies at an accredited university.

J-1 Visa: For students participating in high school, college, or other exchange programs.

M-1 Visa: For students studying or training for non-academic reasons.

Ideally, students applying for an F-1 visa should start gathering relevant information well before applying to colleges, said Adam Nguyen, founder of education and admissions consulting firm Ivy Link. I am.

"This means students need to research the specific universities they plan to apply to and be aware of each school's policies for international students. They are not all the same," Nguyen says. . “We recommend that students begin enrollment at least one year before the application deadline.”

Before applying, make sure your chosen university is accredited by the Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Please make sure that it is. This is a prerequisite for visa issuance.

Also Read:Are You Looking for Scholarships for International Students,Here is a Guide

Starting early will help speed up the visa process. Here's what international students need to know:

When the visa process begins "The university is complete," said Lelila Slogoff, CEO of education and admissions consulting firm Atomic Mind.

Most schools will contact admitted international students in early summer to gather visa information.

"Make sure to respond to their emails and provide the requested information in a timely manner, or your visa documents may be delayed," says Strogoff.

How to Apply for a US Student Visa

1. Register with SEVIS and Pay the Fee

After you've confirmed your acceptance to an SEVP-certified U.S. university, the university will begin the visa process by registering you into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which is a web-based system that the Department of Homeland Security uses to keep track of F-1 visa students who come to the U.S. for higher education.

Students must pay a fee of $350 to be registered into the SEVIS system. This is in addition to other visa application and insurance fees.

"The total cost for an F-1 visa can vary widely depending on the institution a student has been accepted to, and the country they are currently living in. That said, most students should be prepared to spend several hundred dollars, and most likely more," says Nguyen.

2. Receive your I-20 form and complete your visa application.

The student will then receive her I-20 form from the Designated School Official (DSO) of the institution to which she wishes to enroll. You must present this form to the consular official when attending your visa interview, Strogoff

3. Schedule your interview.

students must schedule an interview at the U.S. embassy or nearest consulate in their country of residence. We recommend that students apply for their visa as soon as possible, as interview waiting times may vary depending on the situation.

"Delays are not beneficial when applying for a student visa," says Edwards.

For students who are unable to make a visa appointment before the start of the academic year, Edwards recommends making an appointment as soon as possible. Then, depending on the consulate, students can try to make an early emergency appointment.

"Most educational institutions in the United States do not allow tardiness, so working with the appropriate school officials is critical," Edwards says.

4. Prepare for and attend interviews.

Students should prepare for the visa interview by gathering the necessary documents. This includes a passport valid for at least six months in the future, all three pages of her I-20, SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, DS-160 confirmation page, and proof of ability to fund education . Edwards says.

"As a reminder, F-1 status requires nonimmigrant intent, so you should also consider how you will answer questions from the visa officer," Edwards said. says. The interview is an opportunity for students to confirm their intention to study in the United States and return to their home country after graduation.