how to apply f1 visa from india

How to Apply for an F1 Visa?

• Get your admissions documents from the SEVP institution. ...
• Apply online through the DS-160 form. ...
• Pay the application fee. ...
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. ...
• Schedule your F1 visa interview. ...
• Submit the file with the required documents. ...
• Attend the student visa interview. ...

Full Answer

How do I apply for an F1 student visa?

Applying for the F1 student visa may vary depending on the U.S. embassy or consulate you are dealing with. You will be required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee. There is an online visa application available, which allows you to complete and print the Form DS-160 to take to your F1 visa interview.

What is an F-1 visa and how does it work?

What Is a F-1 Visa? The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

How do I schedule my F-1 visa interview?

You can schedule your F-1 visa interview with the U.S. embassy or consulate. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. An F-1 student visa for the USA can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date.

Can I transfer F1 visa appointment to another consulate in India?

Transfer F1 appointment from one location to other : They said that you cannot transfer F1 Visa appointments from one consulate/ embassy to other consulates in India. You can only attend an interview at the location where you got the interview.

See 4 key topics from this page & related content

See 7 key topics from this page & related content

How much does F1 visa cost in India?

Student Visa USA CostVisa typeDescriptionFee amount in rupeesFStudents (academic)Rs. 11520.00JExchange visitorsRs. 11520.00MStudents (Vocational)Rs. 11520.00

How long does it take to get F1 visa in India?

The F1 Visa process is time-consuming, so, it is suggested to start this process as early as possible. At times it can be wrapped up in 15 days or it can also take up to 2 months depending on the availability of the dates. Also, make sure that the college you are applying must be recognized by SEVP.

Is F1 visa appointment available in India?

More F1 visa appointment slots are open as the focus is on Spring 2022 students. All US consulates in India continue to operate in limited fashion with limited number of appointments. Regular operations are not yet open.

What are the steps to apply for F1 visa?

To application process for the F1 visa goes through the following steps:Get your admissions documents from the SEVP institution.Apply online through the DS-160 form.Pay the application fee.Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.Schedule your F1 visa interview.Submit the file with the F1 visa required documents.More items...

Is getting F1 visa difficult?

The F1 Visa is an easy enough visa to apply for, however, it is a very lengthy process and it can throw-up all sorts of complications, the best thing for you to do, is to be honest in your application, make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork and as with everything in life, don't lie, especially when you' ...

Why is F1 visa rejected?

Common Reasons behind Student Visa Rejection Lack of sufficient financial funds or proofs to support foreign education. The inability of confirming a necessary return to India after completion of education. Incorrect or false documents. Inadequate language or communication skills.

How can I get US visa appointment faster in India?

Applying for an Expedited Appointment Pay the visa application fee. Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. If the Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online.

What is the best time to book US visa appointment in India?

We strongly recommend that applicants begin the application process approximately three months before the scheduled travel date, as appointments are usually filled 1-2 months in advance. Besides, visa applications are now subject to a higher degree of scrutiny than in the past.

How do I book f1 visa slot?

0:4318:47HOW TO BOOK USA F1 VISA SLOT? STEP BY STEP GUIDE 2022YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn order to book the visa slot the documents you need are your passport i20 and the ds 160MoreIn order to book the visa slot the documents you need are your passport i20 and the ds 160 confirmation.

Who can be sponsor for F1 visa?

For students willing to study in the US, parents and relatives can very well be accommodated as sponsors. Applicants can also look for education loans to sponsor their study in the US. In some cases employers can also sponsor F-1 visa provided they are ready to employ applicants post their study abroad.

How long is F1 visa interview?

about 3 to 4 minutesIn fact, on average, the US Visa Interview would last about 3 to 4 minutes (sometimes even lesser). And contrary to the normal beliefs, the Visa Officer would not scrutinize all your documents.

Does F1 visa require interview?

An F1 visa interview will be required to determine whether or not you are qualified to receive an F1 student visa. You should arrive at the interview with all of the required documents and receipts, and you should be prepared ahead of time to answer personal questions about your decision to study in the US.

How long does it take for an f1 visa to be approved?

Please see “Administrative Processing” for further information. If you were advised at the interview that a waiver of ineligibility is required before the visa can be issued, you can expect your application to take up to 8 months to process from the date of the interview.

How long does f-1 visa take to process?

Overall, between your I-20 and consular interview, you should allow for a minimum of five to six weeks for your F-1 processing time. Contact your school, your U.S. consulate, and your immigration attorney to get a better idea of what you can expect.

What is the wait time for f1 visa?

As per the US Department of State travel Travel.State.Gov website, the appointment for visitor visa in the US consulate at New Delhi is 582 calendar days and 471 days for student visas.

How long does it take to process F-1 visa?

Processing with USCIS can take 6 – 8 months plus mailing time or longer depending on USCIS processing times. While the application is pending you may not leave the United States.

How to apply for an F-1 visa?

Before you begin your F-1 visa application, you must take the following steps: Get accepted by a SEVP-certified institution before submitting your visa application. When you are accepted, you will receive your I-20 form, which you will need to apply for your F-1 visa. Pay your SEVIS fee.

What is the process of getting an F-1 visa?

The F-1 student visa process starts when you get accepted to a SEVP-certified US university. SEVP certification is the US government’s way of proving that your university is accredited and has the proper resources to provide you with an education.

What are the requirements for an F-1 student visa?

You must meet these requirements for your application to be accepted: Institution certification —The college or the university where you plan to study needs to be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

How old do you have to be to get a visa interview?

Attending your visa interview in person is required, though there are a few rare exceptions (e.g., if you are younger than 14 or older than 80 years of age, or if you meet certain visa renewal requirements). Cost: Your DS-160 payment covers the cost. Where to apply: Scheduling portal for your visa interview.

When will Shorelight update the F-1 visa?

advice for students. By Shorelight Team. Last updated on April 15, 2021. Get ready to study abroad in America with our step-by-step guide to F-1 visa rules. Students wishing to study in the United States need to learn about the F-1 student visa application process.

What is an F-1 student visa?

The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US university or college, and you can only apply for your F-1 visa after an accredited US institution accepts your application.

How long can I stay in the US with an F-1?

As a F-1 student, the duration of your stay will vary based on the program in which you enroll. The I-20 form provided by the university you wish to attend will list the expiration date of your program. You will need to earn your degree before the listed expiration date, and this will give you an outline of how long you will be able to remain in the US.

What determines what type of visa is required?

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.

How long is a visa application valid for?

There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law.

How to request an expedited appointment?

How to Request an Expedited Appointment: Applicants can request an expedited appointment through our online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/expedited-appointment.html. You must already have a confirmed interview appointment date in order to request an expedited appointment. If your expedited appointment request is approved, you will be notified with instructions via email. You should not cancel your existing appointment unless you receive a confirmation that your request for an expedited appointment has been approved. If you have not yet received an approval or denial, your request is still under consideration.

When did Biden suspend travel to India?

On April 30, President Biden signed Presidential Proclamation 10199 suspending most nonimmigrant travel from India. In light of the travel suspension and due to the current pandemic situation in India, most other routine nonimmigrant visa and VAC appointments at U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, ...

Is there a drop box for visa renewal in India?

Drop Box Appointments: Consular sections across India are now accepting a limited number of drop box applications for renewals of H, L, C1/D, O, I, F, M, and J visas at our Visa Application Centers. Please visit our website to determine whether you are eligible for drop box processing and schedule an appointment for document drop-off. A list of drop-off locations is available on our website.

What is an F1 visa?

The F1 visa is a student visa that is given to international students who want to attend educational institutions in the United States. It covers levels from elementary school to university and graduate school, including other degrees. If one of these institutions accepts you, then you apply for the F1 visa.

How much does it cost to get a student visa?

The application fee for the student visa is $160. You must pay this fee and get the receipt, which you will need later for your interview documents. You might have to pay additional fees based on your country of origin and the US Embassy you are applying from.

Can I Stay Longer Than My Visa Allows?

After your visa expires, you have a 60 day grace period to prepare for your departure to your home country. If your visa doesn’t cover the whole time that you will be in school in the US, you will have to apply for renewal or extensions. The extensions are approved only if you can prove you will be completing your degree in the US and you intend to return as soon as it is over.

Can F1 Students Apply for Permanent Residence?

Even though you have proved that you have strong ties to your home country, if you want to apply for a Green Card, you are allowed to do so on an F1 visa. It is a complicated procedure, though. You must either self-petition as a person with extraordinary abilities, get married in the US or prove that you will invest $500,000 in the US economy.

How much does it cost to get a SEVIS I-901?

To have full registration, there is a SEVIS I-901 fee. For the F1 visa, this fee is $200.

What to do after filing DS-160?

After filing the DS-160 form and paying the fees, you will need to schedule your interview. The F1 Visa interview is a mandatory step before you get your student visa. Try to schedule it as early as possible, since there might be delays due to the heavy workload of the US Embassy. When you schedule it, you will receive an interview appointment letter which you will need later on in the application process.

What is the form I-20?

Your Form I-20 states the amount of funds you need to finance your education and living in the US. You must submit documents which prove you have that amount readily available. This can be done by submitting various documents, such as: Bank statements for the last 3 years. Tax records for the last 3 years.

Where to schedule a visa interview?

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.

What is an EAD for F-1?

Students who are authorized Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have a Form I-20 endorsed for OPT, and apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student's area of study.

What happens after a visa interview?

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required.

How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: 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 ).

What is a B visa?

After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.

How far in advance can you get a student visa?

New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.

What is the purpose of a consular interview?

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.