How to apply for a study visa in the US

As is known, the United States of America (USA) remains one of the top choices to study. Many international citizens who want to study abroad are always looking forward to studying in the US. as a foreigner, you will first need to obtain a U.S. study visa.

A U.S. study visa is a major requirement to study in the U.S. Also, getting this study visa can be a bit complicated. You have nothing to worry about as I will instruct you on how to obtain your U.S. study visa, stating requirements and other checklists.

Before going straight through the U.S. student visa application process, I want to briefly highlight the type of U.S. student visa you should know. This will let you know the exact type of U.S. student visa you are applying for.

Types of Study Visas in the United States

There are three (3) main types of student visas in the U.S. and this includes,

1. F1 student visa: This type of visa is recommended for individuals who wish to achieve a bachelor’s or master’s degree. In other words, both college/university students and high school students can apply for this type of study visa in the U.S. i.e. graduates and graduate students.
2. J-1 exchange visa: This is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to research scholars, professors, and exchange visitors who participate in programs that promote cultural exchange, especially to receive medical or business training within the U.S.
3. M-1 student visa: This type of student visa in the USA is for professional or non-academic students who wish to study in the US in the very short term for career-focused purposes. One example is the follow-up of medical training. So, if you want to study abroad for professional or non-academic purposes, then I advise you to apply for the M1 study visa. It’s slightly similar to the F1 study visa, but you can see the difference.

Now that you’re aware of the different types of study visas for America, the next question that revolves around you in your mind might include how to apply for a study visa for America. How to pay for a visa application? What are the requirements for student visas in the UNITED STATES? Don’t worry, I’ll explain it all in a few sentences.

How to apply for a study visa in the UNITED STATES

Before applying for a U.S. student visa, there are a few requirements you need to prepare for. These are the main checklists.

1. Your international passport is a major requirement. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end date of your program. So, if you have a passport, check how long it remains valid along with the duration of the program. If less, then you should apply for a new passport.
2. A passport photo is also required. This would eventually become your visa photo that would be submitted during the application.

Once you have the above requirements, then you can;

1. Apply for an APPROVED SEVP institution. What this means is that the institution you apply for has already been approved by the U.S. government’s Student Visitors and Exchange Program. This has become an accredited institution to be recognized by professionals, employers, government ministries, and companies worldwide. Once you’ve gone through this process, then you can move on to the next step
2. Once you are admitted to the chosen school, you will need to obtain Form 1-20 or Form DS-2019 from the school. These are different forms, for applicants by type of F1 and M1 student visas; You must take Form 1-20. Individuals under the J-1 visa exchange program must receive Form DS-2019. In the form, you will see every important detail including your SEVIS ID, school address, and other important information about your program.
3. Now that you have received your form, the next step you need to do is go online to make payment for the I-901 SEVIS Tariff. The amount of the fee depends on the type of student visa you are going for. After you make the payment online, you will then need to print the confirmation page.
4. After that, you must fill out form DS-160 Is an online application for a nonimmigrant visa. To complete the form, you need the following checklist;
   1. Your international passport
   2. Passport photography
   3. Form 1-20 or Form DS-2019 (this depends on the type of visa you originally filled out; remember I detailed you in Step 2).
   4. A CV or CV if necessary and any other additional information. Don’t hesitate to visit these official FAQ pages.
5. After you’re done with the process above, then print the confirmation page, and find your nearest US embassy to schedule your visa interview.
6. After the visa interview, you can make the payment for the visa application. It usually costs $160. Note that in some countries, you are instructed to pay the visa application fee before the visa interview, so visit your embassy so they can instruct you on what to do.
7. During the interview, you are asked to submit the original copy of Form 1-20 or Form DS-2019, the printed confirmation page of Form DS-160, the I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation page, the payment of the visa application fee for the invoice, international passport and also passport photographs.
8. After the interview, you do your biometric verification and other security checks
9. Once you have followed any of the above procedures, you should then be granted a study visa for America.

compilation

During the interview process, you will be asked a range of questions about your study abroad, why you want to study abroad, and so on. Remember to tell them that you don’t intend to stay in the States after your study period. However, once your program and you want to work in the US, you will need to apply for a U.S. work visa.