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  • Student VISA GUIDE FOR USA |J-1 AND M-1 VISA

    Student VISA GUIDE FOR USA |J-1 AND M-1 VISA

    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:

    1. F Type
    2. J Type
    3. 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
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    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

    1. Find a J1 visa sponsor
    2. Apply for the form DS-2019
    3. Complete the form DS-160
    4. Set up an interview with the embassy or consulate
    5. Pay the application fee
    6. Prepare your required documents
    7. Attend your visa interview
    8. 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:

    1. Check the application instructions on the embassy’s website for nonimmigrant visas.
    2. 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.
    3. Pay the necessary visa application fee.
    4. Set up your appointment. 
    5. 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

  • VISA GUIDE FOR USA | F-1 VISA GUIDE

    VISA GUIDE FOR USA | F-1 VISA GUIDE

    If you wish to study in the USA and are struggling for a visa, this Visa guide for the USA will help you understand and select the appropriate visa.

    Any citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the US must require a Visa. The visas for the USA are of two types:

    • Immigrant visa ( for temporary stay in the USA)
    • Non-immigrant visa ( for permanent stay in the USA)

    There are many types of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, but this visa guide for the USA will mainly focus on the Student Study Visa, a nonimmigrant visa type.

    USA Visa Guide

    Study Visa for the USA

    Study visas range from four-year visas to universities, seminaries, elementary schools, and language training programs. The school or institute you are applying to must also be eligible by the US government to take international students. This blog will provide complete details about the F-1 Visa type; another blog will discuss the rest separately.

    Categories of Student VISA

    There are different categories of student visas depending on the course of your study and the type of school you plan to attend. You will select a Visa according to your requirements.

    Generally, three types of student visas are:

    1. F Type
    2. J Type
    3. M Type

    F type VISA

    An F-1 visa, also known as a student visa, requires students to study at an accredited college or university in the USA or to study English at an English language institute.

    J type VISA

    It’s a type of exchange visa. High school and university studies are a must to participate in an exchange program.

    M type VISA

    An M-type visa is required for academic or vocational study or training in the USA. It is a time-stamped visa, and you can not overstay your visit.

    Note

    Students cannot travel on a Visa waiver program or with a visitor visa, that is, if they belong to a VISA waiver country that doesn’t require a traditional visa to enter the USA. They can stay and enter the USA on a B-type visa, but you cannot study on this.

    However, you can enroll in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. You must require an F or M visa to study even if you are a citizen of visa waiver program eligible countries(a list of such countries will be given at the end of this article)

    Eligibility Requirements for F-1 Visa

    Get admitted to SEVP Institute

      The college or institute you wish to study in must be approved by the student and exchange visitor program ( SEVP) and customs enforcement.

    Be Enrolled as a Full-time Student

    To get an F1 study visa, you must be enrolled in your institution as a full-time student.

    Have Strong Ties to Your Home Country

    To get an F1 visa, you need to show strong ties to your home country. It proves that you intend to go home after completing your program or degree.

    Proof of your Financial Sufficiency

    You need to prove that you have sufficient bank balance to cover the expenses of study, food, and accommodation in the USA. To lower your financial burden, you can also apply for a scholarship.

    Be Proficient in English

    Students aiming to study in the USA must prove their English proficiency. For this purpose, they can take different English language proficiency tests, such as IELTS or TOEFL.

    Home Country Residency

    You must have residency in your home country to prove to them that you will return to your home country as soon as your program or degree finishes.

    F1 VISA Requirements

    1. A passport valid for at least 6 months
    2. Form DS-160 for non-immigrant visa application
    3. 2 photographs meeting the US visa photo requirement
    4. Proof of paid F1 visa fee
    5. Form I- 20
    6. Documents that prove your previous education and current qualifications

    You Can Also Check:

    Step-by-Step Guide to Complete the Process

    Most students find the visa application process tiring, but by carefully following the steps below, you will complete it smoothly.

    Step 1: Clear the Required Exams

    Clear your required exam, e.g., IELTS, TOFEL, or sometimes the GRE is required.

    Step 2: Search out the University

    Research out the university that matches your exam scores ( every university has different criteria) you can shortlist certain universities based on your chances of getting into that university.

    Step 3: Receive your I-20 Form

    Once you are selected by any of the universities you have applied to, you will receive an approval letter from the university. This approval letter is called an I-20. The number of I-20S you get depends on the number of universities you were selected by. The I-20 is proof that your admission is confirmed.

    Step 4: Complete Form DS-160

    When you get your I-20, it’s time to book your visa appointment. Now, you need to start with your DS-160 (an electronic application form in which you are required to fill in your details, passport, travel info, and a previous trip to the USA, if any). This form will also contain questions related to security and ask you to upload your facial image.

    Fill out the form carefully with no discrepancy compared to the original documents.

    If you do not want to complete the entire DS-160 form in one go, you can exit the form after saving the details. You have 30 days to return and complete your application.

    Important

    You will get a unique ID at the beginning of the form that you will require to access your form each time, so make sure to keep that ID safe!

    Step 5: Complete the SEVIS form and pay the SEVIS Application Fee

    Once you have completed the DS-160, the next step is to fill out the SEVIS form and pay the SEVIS fee. At the beginning of the form, the system will issue you a unique ID that you will need to access your form each time, so make sure to keep that ID safe!

    For this, you need to go to the website fmjfe.com. This website will tell you that you can pay your I 901 SEVIS fee, which is the same thing. On this website, enter your SEVIS ID and start with the form. As soon as you submit the form, it will take you to the payment page.

    However, the fee is $ 350 for someone going for an F1 visa. You can pay this fee via credit card.

    While making the payment, you will be asked for the following information:

    • SEVIS ID (find it on your I-20 form’s top right corner)
    • Your first and last name.
    • Country of Birth
    • Date of Birth
    • E-mail address
    • Country of citizenship
    • School code (printed on I-20)

    Step 6: Set up an Interview with the USA Embassy or Consulate

    After the SEVIS fee next step is to start the appointment booking. Go to the website US.travel docs and click on the Schedule My Appointment page. By clicking this, you can schedule your appointment, and then you can go ahead and start with the login process. You can also go for the emergency appointment, but for that, you can only book an appointment before 60 days from the start of your program, you can’t book an appointment before.

    Step 7: Attend the Interview

    The next step is your finances and visa interview. You have to show the visa interviewer your liquid funds, which can be withdrawn at any time you like. You can’t show anything whose value fluctuates daily. Moreover, you can’t show anything that you can’t withdraw yourself from your bank today. Keep calm, carry all the required documents, and wear formal interview attire.

    Step 8: Show Strong Ties with your Home Country

    When you’ve shown enough funds, the next step is to prove to the visa officer in the interview that you are going to come back to your country as soon as your program finishes. You must prove this verbally, so you must practice and prepare answers for your mock interview.

    Step 9: Wait for Visa Approval

    After the visa interview, wait for visa approval. If your visa is approved, it will be stamped in your passport. However, if your visa was rejected, don’t worry. You can again appear for the visa interview after 15 days.

    Step 10: Travel to the United States

    You can now travel to the USA. However, make sure to carry all the required documents for your arrival.

    Maintain F-1 Status

     After arriving in the U.S., you must maintain your F-1 student status by following the rules and regulations, including full-time enrollment, reporting changes to your school, and not working without proper authorization.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Who can apply for admission into a US university or college?

      Anyone who meets the following requirements can apply for admission:

      • A consistently good academic record
      • Sufficient financial support
      • Proficiency in English
      • If you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree, you must have completed 12 years of formal education.
      • If you’re applying for a master’s degree, you must have completed 16 years of formal education.

      Q: Are scholarships available??

        Yes, various scholarships, grants, and prizes are available for students.

        Q: Can I work while staying in the USA?

          Getting a job as a foreign student in the USA is difficult, especially at the undergraduate level. You cannot rely on employment to pay for your education in the U.S. Working off-campus is illegal and can lead to deportation from the USA.

          An administrative position can pay between $1000 and $2000 a year, enough to pay for books, clothing, and personal expenses. However, this will not be enough to pay your tuition, fees, or living expenses in the USA. Moreover, the International Students’ Office, Housing Services, Catering Services, the Library, etc., offer jobs on university campuses.

          Q: Is it very difficult to get a Student visa?

            It is very simple if you possess all the necessary documents, meet the abovementioned requirements, and can convince the consular officer that you have well-laid-out career plans upon returning to Pakistan.

            How difficult is it to get a Student Visa?

              It’s not difficult if you have all the necessary documents and meet the above-mentioned requirements.

              Q: When should I start the Application Process?

                You should start the process at least 12 months in advance since the application and admission review process takes around 12 months.

                However, if you’re applying for financial aid, apply even earlier than this.