One of the most popular places for international students to study is the United States. You can study in America for up to 30 months with the help of a student visa, which is a permit given by the American government. You can apply for this visa online or at your home country’s embassy or consulate. A valid passport and an International Student Identification Number (ISIN) are required before applying for a student visa. If you don’t already have one, see our post on how to get one!
Numerous colleges in the United States provide top-notch academic programs, first-rate facilities, and a variety of chances for studying abroad. As per a recent survey conducted by EducationUSA, more than 1 million Indian students are studying in the USA on F1/M1 visas each year, which makes it among India’s top five favorite countries for higher studies.
Types of USA student visa
There are two kinds: F-1 visas and M-1 visas; both let students who are abroad, as well as those who were born here but did not obtain citizenship until later in life, attend college without constraints like residency requirements or having to pay tuition directly from abroad rather than through their parents’ bank accounts, which results in less money spent overall!
F- Visa
The F visa is for academic programs (e.g., undergraduates) and allows them to stay in America for up to 5 years. It’s crucial to remember that while this visa allows you to work lawfully while you’re in the US, it does not provide you with access to public benefits or welfare systems like those provided by the social security system.
M- Visa
The M visa is for vocational or nonacademic programs (such as vocational schools), but it doesn’t have any limitations on how long your stay will be like how long someone would get under an F classification because as long as they meet certain requirements, then they’re able to remain here indefinitely without any restrictions whatsoever!
Check these before applying for a US student visa:
- Before you apply for a U.S. student visa, you must have an admissions letter or I-20 form in hand from an institution or college that has received SEVP certification.
- Additionally, you must meet a number of baseline standards and provide sufficient documentation of your financial ability to cover your living and educational costs throughout your stay in the United States.
U.S. Student Visa Requirements – Academic Programmes (F-1)
To apply for a student visa to study in the US, you need an I-20 form from an organization that has been SEVP-certified.
This form certifies that the student is pursuing an academic program in the U.S. and is not working as a non-immigrant. The student must also possess a valid passport or travel document issued by their home country before applying for this visa. Planning to apply for a US visa? LeapScholar offers individualized visa counseling that is designed around your goals and interests.
U.S. Student Visa Requirements – Vocational/Non-Academic Programs (M-1)
If you are a non-academic student looking to study in the U.S., you will need to apply for an M-1 visa. This is generally limited to those who have been offered admission by an institution of higher learning, but it can also be extended if accepted into an internship program or other type of employment.
To qualify for an M-1 visa:
- Be enrolled in a vocational or nonacademic program in the United States
- Be eligible for permanent residency based on having made a good moral character
- No criminal history that would prevent him/her from entering this country permanently.
Eligibility Criteria for applying for a U.S. student visa:
- When you apply for your visa, you must be under the age of 18.
- If you have a valid passport with at least six months of validity left on it, you will have to renew it before applying for any new travel documents like visas or stamps.
- Proof of financial support from parents or other relatives/relatives who live next door (in case your parents cannot afford money for living expenses). The amount that they have been able to commit should not exceed $30000 USD per year, but this amount can vary depending upon how much money is available in their bank account, so make sure that there is enough money left after paying all bills each month.
What documents are required for biometric appointments for a U.S. visa?
- A printed copy of your appointment letter is required to be brought.
- Confirmation page for DS-160
- One image from the last six months
- Both your current passport and the passport you used to get your U.S. visa.
Conclusion
This is the final part of our article series on U.S. student visa requirements. You might be wondering, “How do I get a U.S. student visa?” Well, we hope we’ve answered that question by explaining all these requirements. But before you start filling out forms, remember first to check whether your program has been accredited by SEVP, which means that it meets the minimum standards required for admission to U.S. universities and colleges! LeapScholar links you up with the greatest counselors in the business who can provide you with the necessary information. LeapScholar has so far accepted 5000+ students with a 97% success rate. Join industry professionals as you take a giant step toward your study abroad experience.