The United States of America (USA) hosts the most international students worldwide. Quality education, a unique curriculum, a multicultural environment, and abundant opportunities are reasons many International students want to study in the US.
What is a Student Visa:
A student visa is a kind of official document issued to students to help them enter different countries and pursue education. It is a non-immigrant visa, and any prospective student who wants to pursue higher education in another country should get a student visa for that country. A student visa is a must to study aboard.
It is a multiple-entry visa and remains valid till the time of completion of your study abroad.
Student Visa Eligibility:
The eligibility conditions for US student visas differ from country to country. Besides, the same country may set a slightly different set of eligibility conditions for different nations. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine the exact type of visa you need. Besides, it needs to be approved by your academic institution abroad.
The following eligibility conditions apply when you apply for a Student Visa:
- Visa applications should be accepted and approved by the school authority.
- You need to prove that you have enough money to pay for your tuition fees and bear the cost of living for yourself and any family members who accompany you to a particular destination.
- Having an excellent past academic record and history
- Must be able to qualify the character requirements.
- You fulfill health requirements set by the destination country and your ability to purchase health insurance coverage if needed.
Documents required for a U.S Student Visa:
- A Valid Passport with six more months of validity beyond your stay.
- Form I-20, given by your University or College.
- Payment receipt of SEVIS I-901.
- Recent Passport size photographs.
- Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 students.
- Certificate of Eligibility for M-1 students.
- Academic Transcripts such as diplomas, degrees, and school mark certificates.
- Score certificates of English proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Your intent to depart the United States after completing your study.
- Proof of funds to bear your educational, living, and travel costs.
USA Student Visa Process Step by Step:
We are explaining the process to get a US Student Visa step by step.
- International Students should start by applying to SEVP-approved US Colleges and Universities.
- They have to wait till they receive the confirmation of acceptance letter from their University.
- Once they receive their enrollment acceptance, they will be registered in the—student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- When they are informed of being registered in the SEVIS by their college or university, students must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- After paying the SEVIS fee, they will receive a form called I-20 from their University.
- Students must present this form to the Consular Officer during the Visa interview.
- If a Student’s Spouse or Children want to live in the US, they will also be enrolled in the SEVIS and receive separate I-20 forms from the university.
- Students can either apply Online or Offline for US Student Visas.
- Online, students must fill out the form DS-160, the Online Non-Immigrant Visa application form.
- Students should print the application form confirmation page and bring it to the interview.
- Offline, students should visit the US Embassy and Consulate office in their area and fill out the DS-160 application form.
- Students should pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Get all the documents ready for the visa interview.
- Schedule your visa interview.
- Attend your visa interview.
Student Visa USA Processing Time:
Students who are newly applying for the US Student Visa, both F, and M, will get it 120 days before the start of their course study. The Stats say that students can get their US Student Visa within three days to 3 weeks to 3 months.
How to Apply for the USA Student Visa:
Students from other parts of the globe can follow the step-by-step guide to apply for and successfully receive a US Student Visa.
How much does it take to apply for a US Visa?
As we have mentioned before, the charge to apply for a US Visa depends on your educational goal. Students can look up the Student US Visas cost section and know the charge separately for each type of Student Visa. Also, sometimes the charges vary from one country to another and from one consulate to another. Therefore your country can determine the amount charged for the USA student visa.
What is an Online Student Visa Application for the USA?
In the Online method, Students have to fill out the Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form DS-160. To successfully apply, students must pay the application fee and print the application confirmation page to bring to their interview. Then they should upload their photo while completing Form DS-160.
Students Dependents Visa USA:
The international student’s (holding an F1 visa) dependants coming to the United States to stay with them must get an F2 Visa. In short, the international student’s dependants’ visa is called F2 Visa. The F2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa allowing the immediate family members of the F1 international student to enter and stay in the United States. The dependants can be the student’s spouse and children below the age of 21.
Eligible Conditions for Getting the F2 Visa:
For you to be eligible for the F2 student visa, the applicant must possess a few of these documents:
- Must be the spouse of the F1 Visa holder.
- Must be the child (below 21 and unmarried) of the F1 Visa holder.
- The F2 visa applicants must show enough funds to take care of themselves to stay in the US.
F2 Visa Requirements:
Below are the requirements for an F2 US visa:
- Passport (Original and Photocopies).
- F2 Visa application confirmation (DS-160).
- Recent Passport Size Photographs (As per US Visa rules).
- Birth Certificate for Children.
- Marriage Certificate for Spouse.
- Visa Payment Receipt.
- Dependent’s 1-20 Form.
- F1 Visa holder’s 1-20 Form.
- F2 Visa applicant’s bank statements, tax records, and employment documents as .proofs of financial stability.
Post Study Work Permit in USA:
F1 visa students need to get Post Study Work Permit in the USA to continue their stay and work in the US. A Post Study Work Permit in the USA allows international students studying in the US to take up work in the United States legally.
To get Post Study Work Permit in the US, F1 Visa students should:
- Request Your Designated School Official (DSO) to enter an Optional Practical. Training (OPT) request in SEVIS.
- Sign the Form I-20 provided by your DSO.
- Fill in the application for Employment Authorization.
- Please submit the application form, pay the OPT extension fee and provide the .supporting documents by uploading them online or through the mail.
- Submit evidence if asked by USCIS.
- Receive approval.
How Can AECC Global Help with Visa Applications?
AECC Global is committed to assisting and guiding students in their study abroad education dream. Therefore, we leave no stone unturned in the process. Right from the University Admission process to the Visa application, we profoundly help students to achieve their goal of experiencing international education. We have expert counselors with extensive knowledge of the abroad education proceedings.
Student Visa Extension:
You can apply for an extension of your student visa if your visa expires before you complete your studies in a particular country. You must know your study permit’s expiry date and apply pretty ahead of your visa expiry date. For example, if you are studying in Australia and your visa is about to expire before the completion of your studies, you can apply for a visa extension directly.
The five primary Reasons why studying in U.S.A
There may be other reasons why people study in the country, but here are the five most important reasons you should study there.
1. Academic excellence:
The US boasts of some of the finest universities, many of which consistently rank in the world university rankings. American institutions are also known to have high academic standards, follow rigorous practices to maintain quality, and are well-supported to offer an excellent education to their students. As per the QS World Ranking 2019. 33 of the top 100 universities are from the US. Similarly, Times Higher Education Ranking has ranked seven of the American universities in its top 10 list.
2. Flexible education system:
American universities and colleges offer a myriad of courses and programs to choose from. You have the freedom to select not only the course content but also the structure. At the undergraduate level, you can pursue different courses before you declare your major at the end of the second year. This helps to explore your subject interest and then decide without much hurry. Similarly, for your graduate studies, you can choose your preference, and when you progress with your dissertation, you can focus on the ideas you want to emphasize.
3. Excellent support system for international students:
American universities understand international students’ struggles and conduct regular orientation programs, workshops and training to offer assistance. The international student office helps students like you get accustomed to a new lifestyle. Whether it is an academic query, cultural or social, the staff will assist you round the clock.
4. Cultural diversity:
The US is a melting pot of different cultures, races, and ethnicities. Its diverse environment ensures acceptance among all communities, and there is no room for discrimination. You’ll learn with students from different regions, making it a rich and stimulating educational experience. Growing in the midst of diversity will provide you with strong personality traits and skills that will be valuable in the international market. These days employers prefer students with a multicultural background, which you would get a great taste of in the US. A one-of-a-kind international exposure, the US will help you explore a variety of cuisines, customs, festivals, and art too.
5. Lively and vibrant campus life:
It’s a known fact that campus life in the US is matchless. Irrespective of the university you study in, you will find yourself in the midst of new cultural experiences and the American way of life. Embrace it and open yourself up to new ideas and new people.
Bottom Lines:
The US students’ visa and its requirements is an article that unveiled the difficulties in knowing the documents needed for admission to higher institutions in the country.
The article further explains the meaning of student’s visa, the eligibility for the visa, the requirements for the visa, how it takes to apply for the visa, the student’s dependent’s visa, the eligibility for the dependent visa, the post-study work in the USA, student’s visa extension, and the reasons why you should study in USA.
