Student visa requirements for the USA
The USA Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first. The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the USA. Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
The USA Government offers three different student visa types:
| S.No. | Types of student visa | Description |
| 1 | F-1 Student Visa | to study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute |
| 2 | J Exchange Visa | for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study |
| 3 | M Student Visa | for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US |
F-1 Student visa
Most students who wish to pursue their studies overseas opt for the F-1 Student Visa. There are three major steps to its procedure, being:
| Step 1 | SEVIS fee and I-20 form collection | Once you pay the SEVIS fee, you are given an I-20 form from your new school or college. Duly fill the form and bring along for your F-1 interview. |
| Step 2 | VISA fee and form collection | Pay your visa fee at the designated bank and collect the visa form. Duly fill the form and bring along for your interview. |
| Step 3 | VISA interview | Schedule a visa interview with the US embassy in your country. The waiting time may vary depending on the visa type. Once you complete the interview successfully, you’ll receive your visa 120 days in advance. |
Documents Required
When applying for your student visa for the US, you will generally need:
- A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US (unless exempt by country specific agreements)
- Acceptance at a SEVP approved school and your Form I-20
- Application fee payment for the SEVIS
- Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Your photograph in the requested format, and number Some additional documents that might be required include:
- Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates