Student visas range from four-year visas to universities, seminaries, elementary schools, and language training programs. The school or institute to which you are applying must also be eligible by the US government to take international students. In this article, we will discuss all about getting a student visa for the USA, its categories, eligibility criteria, and the application process.
Categories of Student Visa for USA
There are different categories of student visas depending upon the course of your study, and the type of school you are planning to attend. You will select a Visa according to your requirements.
Generally, three types of student visas are:
- F Type
- J Type
- M Type
This visa guide will cover the complete details about J-1 and M-1 visa types Eligibility criteria, Requirements, and Procedure for application.
J-1 Visa Guide
J-1 Visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa issued to a foreign national student to participate in the approved exchange visitor visa program in the USA. This visa is specifically for those who live outside the USA and want to participate in a study or work-related program in the USA J-1 Visa has around 15 categories
When you apply for a J-1 Visa under the college or university student program, you can study in that college or university and stay in the USA for the duration of your program’s completion. This duration can vary from months or over the summer to years in the case of the research scholar program.
Student Visa for USA Requirements
Passport
This passport has at least 6 months of validity after you depart from the country
Photograph
Photographs are according to the guidelines. You are required to upload a photo online but for any reason if you are unable to upload a photo then bring a physical copy for an interview
Nonimmigrant visa application form
This is form DS-160 which you can fill out online and bring the confirmation page to the embassy or consulate in which you will be applying for that visa
Visa Fee Receipt
- This is required to pay before the visa interview
Form DS-2019
It shows that you are accepted into the exchange program, and after your acceptance into the program, your sponsor registers you into the SEVIS ( Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), and afterwards, you will receive the DS-2019 form. You may be required to pay a fee for this but make sure to check with your sponsor since they might be covering those expenses
Form DS-7002
- This is required only if you have participated in the J-1 trainees or intern category
J-1 Visa Health Insurance
- You need to pay for your health insurance in the USA because a single visit to the doctor can cost you thousands of dollars so it’s better to get your health insurance done
Be aware that these are some general requirements. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may require more documents.
You can also check
Student Visa for USA Application Procedure
This is a multi-step procedure. Given below are the steps, but remember these steps can vary depending on your program and sponsor. You can also take the help of an immigration lawyer to get through the process
- Find a J1 visa sponsor
- Apply for the form DS-2019
- Complete the form DS-160
- Set up an interview with the embassy or consulate
- Pay the application fee
- Prepare your required documents
- Attend your visa interview
- Enter the United States
1:Find a J1 Visa Sponsor
You can apply for the exchange program ( study or work) through an assigned sponsor in the USA once you get accepted into that exchange program you can then apply for the J-1 Visa
2: Complete the form DS-2019 and DS_7002 Form
Once you receive an approval email from your exchange program you can now Download and complete your DS-2019 form. This DS-2019 is not a Visa application form or a J-1 Visa instead it certifies your credibility and allows you to apply for J-1 Visa
After entering your information, download the form and print it as this is required throughout your visa procedure, and the embassy doesn’t accept the digital form.
Take special care while filling in the information, such as your name, dates, etc., in the form, as incorrect information can lead to visa denial. Once printed, sign your name at the bottom of the DS-2019 Form under Exchange Visitor Certification on the first page. Your signature is an explicit acceptance of the terms and conditions of the program listed on page 2 of the form. Your DS-7002 was signed electronically and does not need another signature.
Please inform InterExchange Career Training USA immediately if you discover any errors
3: Receive your SEVIS ID and Print your SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
All applicants must pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to cover the SEVIS administration costs. You will receive a SEVIS ID number. Keep that number safe to retrieve your form InterExchange will submit payment on your behalf, and it is non-refundable once payment has been submitted. The fee is $220, and this is already included in your program fees.
Please be sure to print the SEVIS fee payment receipt as you will be required to show this at the embassy. As an exchange visitor, you are required to pay the SEVIS fee. However, if you are bringing any dependents, they do not have to pay a separate SEVIS fee.
4: Complete the Form DS-160
DS-160 is an online nonimmigrant visa application form. You are required to submit all your social media handles on the form DS-160. It includes all social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or others if you have any. Carefully enter all the information as any incorrect information can lead to visa denial during an interview
5: Set up an Interview with the USA Embassy or Consulate
After you finish filling out the DS-160 visa application, the next step is to book an appointment at the embassy. How to do this can vary depending on which embassy or consulate you plan to visit. To make it easier, here are the typical steps:
- Check the application instructions on the embassy’s website for nonimmigrant visas.
- Go to the embassy’s appointment scheduling website. You can usually find these websites on the Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service site or USTravelDocs.
- Pay the necessary visa application fee.
- Set up your appointment.
- Make sure to look at the current wait times for visa interviews and processing at the embassy.
Please note that this process might differ slightly from one embassy to another, so always double-check the specific instructions on the embassy’s website where you intend to apply for your visa.
6: Prepare Required Documents and Attend a Visa Interview
You are required to complete and print all the documents that will be required in an interview and attend the visa interview. Keep yourself calm, carry all the required documents, and wear formal clothes to the interview.
7: Enter the United States
After your visa is approved, you may enter the United States, but not more than 30 days prior to the start of your program. Entering before this time frame is not permitted.
M Type Visa
M-1 visa shares many similarities with the F-1 Visa however in terms of eligibility criteria, and the process of application there are some differences due to the nature of the programs they cover
Here we will cover those differences.
Differences Between M-1 and F-1 Visa
| F-1 Visa | M-1 Visa |
| Required for academic programs including degrees at colleges universities and language institutes | M-1 applicants will receive I-20A-B as a certificate of eligibility from their vocational institute |
| M-1 VISA costs approximately $160 and it is nonrefundable. There could be additional charges depending on the embassy | M-1 applicants will receive for I-20A-B as a certificate of eligibility from their vocational institute |
| Duration of stay for F-1 VISA is from few months to years | F-1 Visa costs approximately $510 and it’s nonrefundable. There could be additional charges depending on the embassy |
| F-1 visa holders have more extensive opportunities for on-campus and off-campus employment, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). | M-1 visa holders have limited work options and must primarily focus on their vocational training. |
| F-1 Visa Allows for dependents (F-2 visa) to accompany the student, including spouses and children, who may be eligible for certain benefits. | The duration of stay for an M-1 Visa is shorter often ranging from a few months to 2 years |
| Institutions hosting F-1 students must be accredited by appropriate accreditation bodies. | Institutions hosting M-1 students must be SEVP-certified but may not necessarily require academic accreditation. |
| F-1 Visa costs approximately $510 and it’s nonrefundable. There could be additional charges depending on the embassy | F-1 Visa costs approximately $510 and it’s nonrefundable. There could be additional charges depending on the embassy |
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How difficult is it to get a Student Visa?
Ans: It’s not that difficult if you have all the necessary documents and meet all the requirements as stated above
2)How to prepare for a USA visa?
Here are some tips to assist you in getting ready for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your home country.
1. Ties to Home Country
2. English
3. Speak for Yourself
4. Know the Program and How it Fits Your Career Plans
5. Be Concise
6. Supplemental Documentation
7. Not All Countries Are Equal
8. Employment
9. Dependents Remaining at Home
10. Maintain a Positive Attitude