Student Visa for the USA- Fee & Application Process

published on 13 January 2023
Student Visa for the USA- Fee & Application Process
Student Visa for the USA- Fee & Application Process

This article will provide you with the information about Student Visa for the USA- Fee & Application Process.

The most preferred location for international students is the United States. Some of the top universities in the world are located in the USA, and it has a long history of inviting international students.

Anyone planning to study in the United States may be granted one of three types of visas: F1 Visa, J1 Visa, or M1 Visa.

The US Student Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows International students to pursue academic studies, language training programs, or other types of vocational or technical training.

Keep on reading this article, to know more about Student Visa for the USA - Fee & Application Process!

Student Visa for the USA- Types

  • F-1 Visa for the USA -  To study at a recognized university or college in the USA or to study the English language at an English language institute.
  • J exchange Visa - To participate in a student exchange program at a university or high school level
  • M student Visa - To study non-academic courses or vocational training in the USA.

Student Visa for the USA - Terms and Conditions 

  • The minimum age requirement for students is 18.
  • International students are permitted to work on campus up to 20 hours per week or less during the academic year and full-time during the summer and other academic break periods.
  • Off-campus employment must have some sort of written or official authorization from the OISS or USCIS.
  • To be eligible for any type of off-campus job, you must currently have legal status and have been enrolled as a student in the USA on an F-1 student visa for at least one academic year.

Student Visa for the USA - Fees

There are two fees associated with obtaining a student visa in the United States. The SEVIS fee is one, and the visa application fee is another.

F-1 visa for the USA - SEVIS Fee: $350 (28k-30k)- Visa Application Fee: $160 (13k-14k)

J student visa - SEVIS Fee: $220 (17k-18k) - Visa Application Fee: $160 (13k-14k)

M student visa - SEVIS Fee: $350 (28k-30k) - Visa Application Fee:  $160 (13k-14k)

Important Note:  Spouses and children do not have to pay the SEVIS fee if they are going to the USA on F-2 visa or J-2 visa.

Student Visa for the USA - Documents Requirement

A valid passport.

Recent Passport size Photograph

A copy of DS-160, the online application form.

SEVIS Fee Receipt.

Form I-20 sent by your Education Provider in the USA.

Visa fee payment confirmation receipt.

Original mark sheets/provisional certificates.

Certificates of standardized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.

Bank statements for three years show enough funds to pay tuition fees and living costs in the USA.

Original pay/salary slips and letter of employment (if employed).

Tax Returns for the past 3 years (Form 16).

Scholarship letter (If a student received it).

The loan approval letter by the bank or concerned authority.

Student Visa for the USA - Application Procedure

Get accepted into a US University

Get the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fees

Locate a US Embassy in Your Area

Fill out the online DS-160 form

Book a visa interview

Make payment for your visa application fee

Attend your visa interview

Pay the visa issuance fee

Important Note: Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) for F-1 and M-1 students and Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) for J-1 students.

A personal interview for a student visa for the USA generally takes around 5 minutes. The visa officer will ask some questions regarding your course, college, finances, and your intent of coming back. To answer these questions, you must read about your course details, credit system, and course duration. Also, go through your statement of purpose (SOP) or admission essay which you have submitted while filling out the admission form for USA universities and colleges.

Student Visa for the USA - Processing Time

During your visa interview, your student visa application is generally approved or denied. If your student visa is approved, you will receive your passport and US student visa within 7 to 10 working days. However, most interviewers will not inform you whether your application was approved or rejected, and you will have to wait until you receive your passport.

Student Visa for the USA- Stay-back options

As per US immigration law, students with F visas must leave the US within 60 days after the program end date that is listed on Form I-20. Students with J and M visa status must leave the US within 30 days after the program end date that is listed on Form I-20.

Important Note: if you wish to extend your stay in the US, you may request a visa extension through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Conclusion

A very important step in getting ready to study abroad is completing the USA student visa application procedure.

If the interview committee is satisfied with your documents and interview for a US student visa, they will most likely approve your visa request.

In this article, We have tried to cover everything related to Student Visas for the USA- Fee & Application Procedure. We hope you like this article!

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