Comprehensive Guide to U.S. Student Visa Requirements
For foreign nationals aspiring to pursue education in the United States, securing a student visa is a crucial initial step. Generally, these individuals must first obtain a visa, whether it is a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. This article provides a detailed overview of the requirements, application process, and other essential information related to obtaining a student visa for studying in the U.S.
Types of Student Visas: F-1, M-1, and B Visas
To study in the United States, you must obtain a student visa, specifically an F or M visa. It is generally not permissible to study on a visitor (B) visa, unless you are eligible for and have obtained a change of status from USCIS, or through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), except to undertake recreational (non-credit) study as part of a tourist visit.
- F-1 Visa: This visa is designed for academic students who wish to pursue full-time education at a U.S. educational institution, including accredited colleges, universities, conservatories, or other academic institutions. An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for education, lasts a maximum of 60 months (or the length of your degree), and is for non-US citizens or residents who aren’t in the US when they’re applying.
- M-1 Visa: This visa is intended for students pursuing vocational or non-academic programs, such as mechanical, cosmetology, or cooking classes.
- B Visa: A visitor (B) visa permits enrollment in a short recreational course of study, which is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. Conferring a degree or certificate is not permitted on a visitor (B) visa, even if it is for a short duration. A B-1 Visitor Visa is used by persons who wish to enter the United States temporarily for tourism or business purposes. Generally, B-1 visitor visas do not enable a person to begin postgraduate studies and only in certain circumstances enable travelers to enroll in a recreational short course.
If you’re ready to begin your postgraduate studies with either a masters or MBA programme in the US, you’ll need to apply for an F-1 visa.
Initial Steps Before Applying for a Student Visa
The first step to studying in the United States is apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States. Before you can apply for your student visa, you’ll need to apply for and get accepted to an approved school.
- Apply and Get Accepted to a SEVP-Approved School: The first step is to apply to and gain acceptance into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the U.S.
- SEVIS Registration and Fee Payment: If the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This fee is US$350 for F-1 and M-1 visas and US$220 for J-1 visas.
- Receive Form I-20: After you’ve been accepted, your school will send you the form you need to get your visa. Your form will contain important information, such as your school’s address and your SEVIS ID. Your school will send you a Form I-20 once they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign the Form I-20. All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
Detailed Steps to Apply for a Student Visa
There are several steps to apply for a visa.
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Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160: Learn more about completing the DS-160. This may take about 90 minutes to complete. You’ll also need a valid passport with an expiration date more than six months out from the end date of your program. If your program ends in four years, for instance, your passport can’t expire within four and a half years. To complete the DS-160 form, you’ll be required to submit the following information:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your address and phone number
- Your passport details
- Details of your travel plans, and travel companions
- Details of previous US travel
- Your point of contact in the US
- Your family, work and education details
- Your background and medical health information
- The SEVIS ID and address of the US school/program you intend to enroll in.
When you begin your application, you’ll want to write down your provided Application ID displayed on the top right hand corner of the page - you’ll need it to sign in again. Save your application frequently, as you’ll need it to either continue your application or sign in again later.
Pay the Visa Application Fee: At this point, you may need to pay your visa application fee of US$160. The timing of when you have to pay this fee varies by location. Some embassies require you to pay it before your interview, whereas others may ask you to bring payment to your interview. Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, if you are required to pay it before your interview.
Schedule and Attend the Visa Interview: Your visa interview is an important part of the visa application process. Schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Schedule your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate after you’ve submitted Form DS-160. During your interview, you’ll have to go through a security check and provide digital fingerprints. A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process.
Submit Required Documents:
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- Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
- Photo - You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. When you apply for your visa, you’ll also need a recent passport-style photograph. Your photograph will need to have a white or off-white background.
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students, Form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students, Form I-20 - Your school will send you a Form I-20 once they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign the Form I-20.
- Financial Certificate: This is purely to collect information we need to generate your I-20 form and a means for you to acknowledge UNCG’s required minimum budget for F-1 visa application purposes. It provides a detailed accounting of the total cost of attendance for your first academic year of study at UNCG.
- Bank Statement or Official Letter: Current original bank statement(s) OR official bank letter confirming the current available balance in the account. Funds must be available for immediate withdrawal (e.g., checking or savings accounts preferred).
- Affidavit of Support: If the bank accounts submitted are not in your name, each statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Support for all parties named on the account. You will have your sponsor complete and sign this form. If you are being supported by an account in a company or organization’s name, the Affidavit of Support must be signed by the company or organization’s authorized financial signatory and be accompanied by the company or organization’s stamp/seal.
Additional Considerations and Requirements
Visa Issuance Fee: If your visa is approved, you may also pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. After your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.
Administrative Processing: After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing.
Entering the U.S.: A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. You must still seek permission to enter the U.S. from a Customs and Border Protection officer at a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States.
Passport Validity: Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
Financial Resources: Financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover all costs of tuition plus expenses. Letter from another financial sponsor stating the amount they will give you, plus supporting financial documents such as bank statements. Evidence of financial support. Your proof of support needs to match the year of expenses listed on your I-20/DS-2019. Research Assistants (RA’s) or Teaching Assistants (TA’s) should obtain a letter from their department for the annual amount of the RA or TA award. Funds from your sponsor or personal account should be verified with a current bank statement. It is recommended that the bank statement is no more than two months old.
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Interview Preparation: Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English, not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview. Do not bring parents or family members with you to the interview. The Consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. Keep your answers to the officer’s questions short and to the point. Due to the volume of the applications received, all Consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct quick and effective interviews. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute or two of the interview. It should be clear to the Consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy written explanations cannot be quickly read and evaluated.
F-1 Visa Interview Questions: To prepare for your interview, you can expect to be asked questions such as:
- Why did you choose to study in the US instead of joining the workforce in your home country?
- Why did you choose this school and why is it the best school for you?
- What are your test scores (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS), your GPA, and your overall performance as a student in the past?
- How are you funding the entire duration of your education, including tuition, room and board, transportation, and all other expenses?
- After you graduate, will you return home or will you stay in the United States?
Optional Practical Training (OPT): Students who are authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have a Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and must apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student's area of study.
Dependents: Your spouse and unmarried, minor children who intend to reside with you during your study may apply for F-2 or M-2 visas. Although SEVIS fee payment is not required, your school must issue them an individual Form I-20, which is required to apply for their visas.
Visa Validity: Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. A visa in an expired passport is still valid.
Entry Timeline: Students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program.
Change of Status: If you wish to enter earlier than 30 days before your start date, you must separately apply and qualify for a visitor (B) visa. You may also depart the United States and re-enter on your student (F or M) visa. You may not begin your course of study until the change of status is approved, and you may encounter lengthy processing times.
Reapplying for a Visa: You may reapply if you believe you have additional evidence of your qualifications for a student (F or M) visa, or you believe your circumstances have changed.
Visa Refusal: There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa.
Important Considerations During Your Stay
- Maintaining Status: Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future in certain cases.
- Change of Status within the U.S.: While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa.
- On-Campus Employment: As an international student in the US on an F-1 visa, you cannot work off-campus. You can surely be part of any on-campus programs or work opportunities, but you cannot find employment outside of this.
- Staying After Program Completion: You can stay in the US for up to 60 days after the program end date as mentioned in the I-20 form.
F-1 Visa: Renewal and Reapplication
No, whether you are applying for the first time, or re-applying for the renewal of your F-1 visa, the process remains the same. You can work on building a stronger application, and re-apply again if you have additional evidence or better prospects for the new application.
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