Usa Student Visa Guide

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USA Student Visa Guide
When you dream to study overseas, it comes with a lot of challenges. Finding the right college, the application process, the GRE, and, most crucial of all, the VISA application. The US is a popular overseas education destination; which makes the process of getting a US student visa much harder than in other countries.

Just getting accepted at your desired university is not enough to study in abroad. Applying for a student visa in the United States from scratch can be a time-consuming process, but it is well worth the wait! If you are willing to apply for a US student visa, this guide is surely a boon for you!

Get your application letter within 4–5 weeks of applying. Enrol now with ORIENT SPECTRA.

After they receive their university acceptance letter, students are suggested to apply for their visas as soon as possible, so that there is enough time for the visa processing. Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation, which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start or report ...
... date as shown on the Form I-20. NOTE: Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.

Application Process
Before you apply for a student visa, you must first apply to and get accepted by a U.S. institution of higher education that is part of the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
Once accepted at a SEVP-certified school, you will receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the institution. Your university will send you an I-20 form if you apply for an F-1 visa. The J-1 visa applicants, on the other hand, receive a DS-2019 form. The I-20 form is the most essential document. Along with the I-20 form, you will also receive your SEVIS ID.
After filling out the I-20 form through the US visa consulate in your home country, you have to pay the SEVIS fee for the F-1 visa. Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee before starting your USA student visa process.
Get the SEVIS fee receipt, and fill out the DS-160 visa form. The DS-160 is a fully integrated online application form that collects the necessary application information from a person seeking a nonimmigrant visa for temporary travel to the US. After filling out the form you can print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser printer, and email the confirmation page to yourself so you have a backup copy.
The amount can be paid by cash or DD/Cheque at Axis Bank or CitiBank. The bank will issue you a visa fee receipt in duplicate, which will have a 10-digit barcode number affixed to it. You require this barcode number to schedule your visa interview appointment. It takes two days for the barcode to get activated.
Pay the visa application fee. You can book your US embassy visa appointment using your barcode and fee receipt. Once you are done with booking your US student visa appointment, you need to start with an F-1 visa slot booking for the VAC (biometrics: photograph + fingerprint) at least a day before the interview.
After your US student visa appointment is booked, and you are done with your biometrics, you will need to attend the F-1 US student visa interview. The US student visa interview is personal, wherein you will be asked about your intention to study in USA, along with other things like your academic background, financial capability, etc.

US Embassy and Consulates

The US student visa application for the F-1 visa is entirely online. To complete their USA student visa application, applicants must visit biometric and US visa interview centres in India.

Here is a list of the US Embassy and Consulate addresses to complete the US student visa process for Indian students:

US Consulate General in Hyderabad, Paigah Palace, 1–8–323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003
US Embassy in New Delhi, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021
US Consulate General in Mumbai, C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
US Consulate General in Chennai, 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006
US Consulate General in Kolkata, 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071
TIP: Most students take some time before continuing their masters education after their undergraduate. If you’ve had a year’s gap post-undergraduate education and have done absolutely nothing in this period, make sure you’ve got sufficient reasons to tackle the questions during the interview.

Types of Student Visa

Many colleges offer different courses, and the term varies for each of them. That’s why there are different visas for international students to fit their needs.

F-1 Student Visa: This is one of the most common types of US student visas. It is suitable for programs requiring more than 18 hours of attendance per week. This visa type includes both UG and PG programs.
J-1 Exchange Student Visa: The J-1 visa is preferable for students, scholars, and working professionals looking for a short-term program to study in the US. The visa best fits students visiting the US for exchange programs.
M-1 Vocational/ Non-Academic Visa: This particular type of visa is required for vocational programs and technical schools. This visa does not allow students to overstay in the US.
Documents Required

Let’s talk about the documents you need for each step of the F-1 visa application process. Listed below are the documents you need to prepare for your application:

Academic Documents

Academic transcripts from high school
Bachelor’s degree (if required)
University Acceptance letter
English language proficiency proof (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE)
ACT, SAT, GMAT, GRE scores
Provisional certificates
LORs, SOPs
Work experience proof
Financial Documents

Bank statements (I-20 proof of funds)
Salary slips and letter of employment
Sponsorship letter (if available)
Tax returns from past 3 years
Loan approval letter (if required)
Statement from CA
Scholarship letter (if available)
Visa Documents

Valid passport
Printed copy of DS-160 form
Interview appointment letter (original and copy)
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee receipt
I-20 form (given by your university/college)
Visa fee payment confirmation slip
Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
Visa Processing Time

The average processing time for a student visa in the United States is 3–5 weeks, but it can take up to 2–3 months depending on your application and visa type. F-1 visa applicants can expect the processing time to be shorter than other visa types. After receiving a positive response from the US visa consulate, applicants can usually expect their visa hard copy in around 2–3 days.

Interview Process

The US student visa interview is the last step of the US visa process for Indian students. Mostly, it’s all about you explaining in your interview why a particular university in USA and course make sense to you. A positive interview response can help you get a student visa as soon as your interview ends!

The US student visa interview usually lasts for 4–5 minutes. At the time of your interview, you are supposed to have all of your US study visa interview documents neatly catalogued in a file.

Questions asked during the US visa interview usually focus on your intent of coming back and your awareness of your programme, university, finances, etc. If these questions are answered in a satisfactory manner, the consulate officer can approve your application. At the end of your interview, you can expect the visa officer to ask for your passport to get it stamped for a USA visa!

The US visa process for Indian students can be simple and hassle-free, provided all documents and information are appropriate. Now that you have received your visa, march ahead and achieve your dreams!

If you are still confused about how to apply for a student visa for the USA, you can connect with our study abroad consultants in Hyderabad at ORIENT SPECTRA !! ABROAD EDUCATION SIMPLIFIED!

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