what do you need for a student visa

^{US Student Visa Application Checklist}

1. Passport Every international student must possess a valid passport issued by his or her home country. ...
2. Passport-Style Photograph As part of your application, you must submit a recent (within the past six months) passport-style photograph. ...
3. Money

Full Answer

How to get a student visa for the USA?

How to Get a Student Visa: 10-Step Guide Step 1: Apply and Get Accepted to a US School Step 2: Receive Form I-20 or DS-2019 From Your School Step 3: Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee Step 4: Find Your Nearest US Embassy or Consulate Step 5: Complete Form DS-160 Online Step 6: Schedule Your Visa Interview Step 7: Pay Your Visa Application Fee

What documents do I need to apply for a student visa?

Additional Documentation May Be Required. A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: Your academic preparation, such as: Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and.

How do I bring my spouse to USA on student visa?

You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview. If your spouse and/or children intend to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, obtain individual Form I-20s from the SEVP-approved school, and apply for a visa (but they do not pay the SEVIS fee).

Do you need a visa to attend school in the US?

But to attend school in the States, you need more than just good grades — you need a US student visa. Unfortunately, the process for obtaining a visa can be complicated, which is why we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of visas and how to get a student visa to the US.

What are the documents required for student visa?

A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US (unless exempt by country specific agreements) Acceptance at a SEVP approved school and your Form I-20. Application fee payment for the SEVIS. Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page.

How much do you need for a student visa?

An F1 visa allows international students to study full time at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved university in the United States. F1 visa costs are around $510 per application, and you should apply at least three months before your course start date.

What is the process for getting a student visa?

Steps to Applying for a U.S. Student VisaApply for—and be admitted to—an American university. ... Obtain a Form I-20 from your college or university. ... Submit the I-901 SEVIS Fee payment. ... Identify the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. ... Complete the Form DS-160 Visa Application.More items...•

How long does it take for student visa to be approved?

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. Waiting times to for your visa appointment vary wildly between countries. You could get it in 3 days or in 3 months, depending on the case.

How long does a student visa last?

How long ist an F-1 visa valid? An F-1 visa is issued for up to 5 years. However, the residence status in the Unitd States is valid for the entire duration of the study and is noted on the I-20 form.

Is student visa easy to get?

Attaining a student visa is not easy. The task is very difficult to get fulfilled in the absence of reliable support. To leverage the best support to meet your life aspirations, connect with the professional team of Aspire Square.

What do visa officers check for student visa?

If you are a prospective student, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific plans or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country.

How long does it take to get visa?

It takes from 3 to 5 weeks for a US visa application to get processed. After the processing, the applicant can get a positive reply on their application, and the consulate will deliver the document. The delivery of the visa can take up to two other workdays.

How much proof of funds do I need for US student visa?

But as a general rule, students should show 1.5 times the amount mentioned in their I-20. For example, the amount mentioned in your I-20 is $25,000 for the first year. Then, show an amount close to $38,000. You can refer to this thread to know more about the questions asked regarding US Student Visa.

What is the minimum bank balance for US visa?

The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration. If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000 in your bank. Is travel insurance compulsory for the US travel visa?

How much bank balance is required for UK student visa?

Money to support yourself ('financial requirement') How much money you need depends on where you will be studying. You'll need either: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London. £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

How much funds do I need to show for f1 visa?

The $40,000 should be shown as your bank balance and the remaining $40,000 can be shown as bonds, fixed deposits, shares, debentures or mutual funds. If the student has lesser funds than what is required, then he/she will have to justify how they will be able to show the balance which will be necessary to study abroad.

How Do I Apply for a Student Visa?

Once a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified college, university, or English language program accepts you, the school will send you an application for an F1 visa, or Form I-20. Exchange students that need J1 visas will get a DS-2019 Form from the U.S. government or the agency sponsoring their visit. This allows them to apply for the J1 visa. The Form I-20 comes in Form I-20A-B for academic students and Form I-20M-N for English language and vocational students. Ideally, you should begin the visa process three to five months before the start of the academic program.

What Is a Student Visa?

A student visa is a government-issued visa that allows international students to study in a foreign country. In the United States, students can get F1, J1, or M1 visas. The F1 and J1 visas allow students to study and work. The M1 visa only allows them to study. However, the F1 and J1 visas only guarantee employment as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or other on-campus work.

How Do I Fund or Prove Financial Support for a Visa?

Applicants must have evidence of current financial resources. Future potential earnings do not qualify. Make sure you've planned for enough money, short-term and long-term, before applying for an M1 visa.

What to do if your passport expires?

If your passport expires during your visa, keep the old passport with the visa page. This allows you to travel freely in the U.S. when you obtain a new passport. Student visa holders should also review other entry requirements regarding agricultural goods, food, and prohibited products, as outlined on the Department of Homeland Security website and the CBP website.

What is an M1 visa?

M1 visas are for students who want nonacademic or vocational schooling. Unlike with the F1 and J1 visas, M1 visa holders cannot be employed during their studies. Because of the lack of a job, M1 visa applicants must prove they have the money to pay for all tuition and living expenses during their stay.

What is a visa interview?

The interview is for a visa officer to determine if you're eligible for a student visa and which one.

How much is the visa fee for a student?

The visa application fee is also known as a Machine Readable Visa Fee, or MRV fee. For F1 and M1 student visas, it's $200. For J1 visas, it's $180.

What are the different types of student visas?

The US offers three main types of student visas: F-1, J-1, and M-1. While these visas share some similarities, they apply to different types of programs and have unique requirements and documentation.

What is the focus of a student visa interview?

A common focus for each interview is proving you have enough funding to cover your stay in the US and your plans to return home after graduation.

How long does it take to schedule a visa interview?

Schedule your appointment as early as you can, as delays in wait times can take weeks or months, depending on where you are applying. The scheduling portal can help you find the ideal time to schedule your visa interview. Payment from your DS-160 will cover the cost of your interview.

What age do you have to be to get a visa interview?

Children ages 13 and younger do not require interviews and individuals aged 14 to 79 will require visa interviews. Individuals older than 80 generally will not require a visa interview.

What is a diploma?

Diploma (if applicable) Bank statements (or other proof of financing) Evidence of your intent to depart the United States after completing your program. You can contact your nearest US embassy or consulate to find more information on US embassy student visa requirements.

What to do when I receive my 2019 DS?

When you receive your I-20 or DS-2019, make sure to check if the information is accurate. Fixing an error on these forms can take a long time and if there is a mistake, you may not be granted access to enter the US. Once you have verified the information, sign the bottom of the first page.

Is there an age limit for F-1 visa?

There are no age restrictions or requirements for submitting your application for F-1 and M-1 student visas.

How to apply for a student visa?

1. Apply for—and be admitted to—an American university. In order to apply for your U.S. student visa, you must first apply to and be accepted by a U.S. college or university.

What are the different types of student visas?

student visas available to international students, each of which is better suited to different unique circumstances: The F-1 visa, the M-1 visa, and the J-1 Visa.

What is the fee for a student visa?

At a cost of $200 for F-1 and M-1 visa applica nts, this fee is required of all student visa applicants and is used to cover the costs of processing each application.

How much does it cost to get a visa after an interview?

If your embassy does require you to pay beforehand, be sure to bring proof of payment to your actual interview. This fee is $160.

What is DS 160?

The Form DS-160 is also known as the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form, and it is something that you must complete in order to apply for your student visa. Your answers on this form must be submitted in English.

Where to start preparation for visa interview?

Since this interview must take place at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country , you should start this preparation by identifying the location that is closest to you. Depending on your country or region, the embassy may be a significant distance from your home, so you should choose a location that you know you will be able to reach for your interview.

What is an I-20 form?

Upon acceptance to a university, international students seeking their F-1 visa will receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (typically referred to as a Form I-20) from their school.

What Is a US Student Visa? Do You Need One?

In order to legally attend school in the US, all international applicants — that is , those without US citizenship or permanent residence — must first obtain a US student visa. This international student visa allows you to reside temporarily in the US in order to attend an approved school, language program, or academic exchange program.

When Should You Apply for a US Student Visa?

You may only apply for a student visa after you’ve applied for and been accepted to an SEVP-approved school. (SEVP stands for the Student Exchange and Visitor Program. All US schools that enroll F-1 and/or M-1 students must be certified by this program.) Once you’ve secured admission to the school you wish to attend, you can begin the visa application process.

What do international students do before applying for a Student visa?

Most international students first research all of their options and choose which universities suit them best, after that they find ways to fund their studies and lastly they complete their application and apply for the Visa.

What are the 6 steps needed to apply for the F2 Visa?

The first step is to get the I-20 Form from the F1 Visa holder, the second step is to submit the DS-160 Form online and upload a picture of yourself . Don’t forget to print it out and bring it with you at the interview! Third, you pay for the Visa fees and save the receipt. Fourth, you Schedule the visa interview and while you wait you gather all the documents you need and lastly you attend the interview at the US embassy or consulate.

What are the restrictions of F2 Visa holders?

Some restrictions are: they can’t be employed in the US with the F2 Visa, pursue a degree there, get a Social Security Number and they are not allowed to enter America before their F1 Visa Holder.

What are the security features of a student credit card?

Security features: Student credit cards may also be equipped with useful protections and features, such as fraud protection or overdraft protection when you set up automatic payments from your debit card or checking account.

What is a student credit card?

A student credit card is a type of credit card designed and marketed towards students and recent graduates by banks and financial institutions. Student credit cards typically have a lower credit limit and sometimes have higher credit approval rates for students with little to no credit history and limited incomes. Student credit cards may require a co-signer if you are under the age of 21.

What are the benefits of a student card?

Student benefits and resources: As a student cardholder, you may be able to participate in special perks for college students, such as exclusive cash back reward programs that reward high GPAs or positive payment habits.

Why is it important to use a credit card before applying?

Before applying and using a student credit card, it's important to understand how the application process works (you may need a co-signer) and how you plan on keeping up with payments to avoid debt. When used responsibly, a credit card can help college students establish and build their credit scores while benefiting from reward programs ...

Why do college students need credit cards?

A student credit card could help college students make convenient purchases and establish credit. Before using your credit card for purchases, it's important to understand how interest works and how long it may take you to pay down your balances.

Do student credit cards waive fees?

Some student credit cards may waive annual fees and may offer reward programs that allow you to earn points and cash back on certain purchases. When researching a student credit card, the best student credit cards may have some of the following features and benefits: