VisaFor USA!
What are the Visa types in the US?
There are three types of student visa to the USA.
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F-1 Student Visa
- Students applying for a program which requires more than 18 hours of study in a week require an F1 visa. This includes all undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs like MS, MBA, etc.
- Spouses or children accompanying F-1 visa recipients will travel on an F-2 visa. Please note that spouses are not able to work but may accompany and/or apply for their own visa to the U.S. to work or study.
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J-1 or Exchange visitor visa
- The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is for students, visiting scholars or lecturers pursuing an exchange program. For example, Fulbright scholars and many students on short-term study abroad programs from Indian universities will travel to the U.S. on a J-1 visa.
- J1 visa is usually sought by working professional who goes to America on an exchange program, hence the name Exchange Visitor Visa. These may include a 10-month vocational training or some research fellowship, etc. Whichever be the case, the applicants would be notified for the same by the respective institutions.
- Spouses or children accompanying J-1 Visa recipients will travel on a J-2 Visa. Please note that spouses are able to work when permission is obtained in advance.
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M-1 Vocational/ Non-Academic Student Visa
- The M1 visa is a type of student visa reserved for vocational and technical schools. While the process remains similar to an F1 visa, the difference is that on entering, the M1 visas are time stamped and students cannot overstay their visit.
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Visa for spouse
The spouse or children of the student get a F2 visa, which is a dependent visa.
A spouse on F-2 status may not enroll for a full course of study but can take classes that are vocational or recreational in nature like pursuing a hobby or interest, such as cooking or tennis. A child on F2 status is allowed to attend elementary, middle, or high school as a full-time student. They may not enroll in a full-time course of study at a college or university.
The spouse and children of students cannot accept employment at any time.
What are the requirements for Student Visa in the US?
The VISA Requirements for a US Student Visa include the following. If you want to attend a university or college in the US you will need a student visa called F1 visa. And requirements for a US Student Visa include
- Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US.
- Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Application fee payment receipt, as you are required to pay before your interview
- Photo – The US consulate will upload your photo, and for the same purpose you will have to fix an appointment with the consulate. You will have to visit the Consulate center. A digital photograph of yours will be taken and along with that, all your fingerprints will be scanned. You’ll have to carry an approval receipt given by the consulate after successfully taking your photograph and finger scan.
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – Your school will send you a SEVIS-generated 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, their spouse, and minor children if they intend to reside in the United States with the student, must be registered with the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
Note: Additional documentation may be required. During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status. These include:
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
- Scores from tests that your US school required, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
- Your intent to depart from the United States upon completion of the course of study
- How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs
How to get a US Student Visa?
There are several steps to apply for a visa. These include
- Complete the online Visa Application Form DS-160
- After completing the online visa application, you will be required to pay the non-refundable visa application fee. You are required to pay for it before your interview. It can be paid online or through a bank transaction as well.
- Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Schedule a biometric appointment and Interview appointment.
- For the Biometric appointment, you will be required to appear in person to get your photograph clicked for the visa and get your fingerprints scanned.
- At the Personal interview, the interviewer will ask you questions about your choice, of course, college, finances, and intent of coming back. If s/he is convinced, they will keep your passport with them to get the visa stamped.
- F-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days before the starting date of your course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on F-1 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.
