There are three basic requirements to be eligible for a student visa in the USA: academic eligibility, financial stability, and health insurance. [1] X Research source Academic eligibility means you have been accepted to a school in the United States. Eligibility requirements for US schools vary by school and the best way to get a sense of whether you meet standards is to browse that school’s website. [2] X Research source Financial stability means showing you have the means to sustain yourself while in the US. You will need to be able to make a living without having to work unless you have a work visa, and you can do this via student loans, scholarships, or grants. [3] X Research source Health insurance means showing proof of medical insurance to cover any health problems you have while in the United States. [4] X Research source
When you’re enrolled in your new school, you will be entered into their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. You will have to pay a fee known as the SEVIS 1-901 Fee, the amount of which depends on your school. [5] X Research source The school will give you a form called the Form I-20 that you will take to your visa interview. It basically confirms your enrollment in the program. If you’re taking a child or spouse with you overseas, they will need individual Form I-20s. There may be fees associated with multiple requests. [6] X Research source
F1 visas are the most common form of academic visas. They are for students who are coming to the US for academic studies or for an English Language Program. F1 visas allow students to work part time while in school and may allow students to stay in the country one year after the visa expires to gain experience. F1 visas state that students have until the end of the expiration date listed on their visa to complete their studies. [7] X Research source JI visas are for students coming to the US to obtain practical training in a field not offered in their country. Part time employment is permissible with a JI visa as long as the exchange visitor program permits it. [8] X Research source An M1 visa is for students attending a non-academic vocational program. M1 vista holders are not permitted to work in the US, so it’s particularly important that they provide evidence they’re able to support themselves throughout their studies. [9] X Research source
The online visa application, found on the US Department of State website, must be completed and submitted online. You must also print out a copy and bring it to your interview. The online application will ask basic questions about you, such as contact information and your full name. It will also ask brief questions about your field of study and reasons for attending school abroad. While submitting the online application, you’ll be ask to upload a photo of yourself. The photo needs to be a color full face photo, taken within 6 months against a white background. Any devices you normally wear, like glasses or hearing aids, need to be worn in the photo but you should not wear anything like a hat or a scarf that might cover your face. However, religious headgear is exempt from these regulations. You should have neutral expression and your head should be between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height. [10] X Research source
Applicants under the age of 13 and over the age of 80 are not required to interview. Apply early, as wait times for interviews vary. You want to make sure you have your visa secured before you have to begin school.
You will need a passport that is valid until six months after your period of stay in the US ends. You will need your printed immigration visa. You will need the payment receipt from your application fee. You will need all the forms issued to you by your school. You will need a copy of the photo you uploaded while completing the online form.
A consular will conduct the interview. She will start by asking you basic questions to make sure you meet all legal requirements to receive a visa. You will also be asked questions about how you intend to support yourself in the US, your field of study, and your knowledge of the English language. During your interview, you will be required to submit an ink-free digital fingerprint scan as part of a routine background check.
The study abroad website, travel. state. gov, can help you locate country-specific information about applying for your visa. You can also talk to an adviser in your school’s study abroad department to find out specifics on the forms you’ll need to apply.
A valid passport Your birth certificate Your social security card Transcripts from any previous higher learning institutions you attended
