Documents Required to Start a US Student Visa File

What are the types of Student Visa to study in the USA?

There are mainly two categories of Student Visas to study in the USA:

1) F-Visa

It is required to attend:

a) University or College

b) High School

c) Private Elementary School

d) Seminary

e) Conservatory

f) Another Academic Institution, including a language training program

2) M-Visa

It is required to attend:

a) Vocational or other recognised non-academic institution, other than a language training program

There are mainly two categories of Student Visas to study in the USA:

1) F-Visa

It is required to attend:

a) University or College

b) High School

c) Private Elementary School

d) Seminary

e) Conservatory

f) Another Academic Institution, including a language training program

2) M-Visa

It is required to attend:

a) Vocational or other recognised non-academic institution, other than a language training program

What is the major first step to apply for a student visa for the USA?

1) First, you should apply to a SEVP-approved School in the USA.

SEVP stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

2) If the school accepts your application, you will be registered for SEVIS.

3) You need to pay the SEVIS-I-901 Fee, which is approximately $350.

4) Then, the SEVP-certified school will provide you with a Form I-20.

5) Once you have completed all of the above 4 steps, you can apply to a US Embassy or Consulate for your student visa.

What are the subsequent steps to apply for a student visa for the USA?

1. Fill out the online non-immigrant visa application, Form DS-160.

2) Press Print Confirmation Page to take with you when you go for your interview

3. You will need to upload your photo in the application form. The details regarding photograph requirements are given here:

4) Make an appointment for your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

5) The application fee for a non-immigrant visa is $185, which is non-refundable.

List of Additional Documents Required for a Student Visa for the USA

1) Passport

2) Form DS-160 confirmation page

3) Application Fee Payment Receipt

4) Photo

5) Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status- For Academic and Language students, I-20

Or

Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status- For Vocational students, I-20

List of Additional Documents that may be Required

1) Academic Transcripts, degrees, certificates from previous schools.

2) Standardised Test Scores required by the US Schools.

3) Proof of how you will pay for your education, living and travel expenses.

4) Proof that you will depart the USA after completion of your studies.

Note: The visa application process and study-abroad arena are ever dynamic. New changes are proposed every few months.

For the USA Student Visa Application Process, the trusted site is linked below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the main types of US student visas?
The two main types are F-Visa for academic studies and M-Visa for vocational or non-academic programs.

2. Who needs an F-1 student visa?
Students enrolling in universities, colleges, schools, seminaries, conservatories, or language training programs need an F-1 visa.

3. Who should apply for an M-1 student visa?

Students attending vocational or other recognised non-academic institutions must apply for an M-1 visa.

4. What is SEVIS, and why is it important?

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) registers international students and is mandatory for visa processing.

5. What is the US student visa application fee?

The non-immigrant visa application fee is $185 and is non-refundable.