What Are the Requirements for Applying for a Student Visa in the USA?

Studying in the United States is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of this fascinating country, meet students from all over the world, practice the English language, and even later find a job opportunity. In this article, we at Ak Consultancy will tell you the requirements for a student visa in the United States.

How do you process a student visa for the United States?

The first step in processing a North American nonimmigrant visa, including the study visa, is to complete the DS-160 form online. You must know that a student visa for usa can only be obtained if you are enrolled in an academic, vocational course, or exchange program. You need certain documents from the educational institution or authorized agency to complete the visa process. As with all nonimmigrant visas, once you complete and submit the DS-160 form, you can move on to the next steps, such as scheduling your consular interview. Remember that the final say in obtaining a visa rests with consular officials, so you must meet the requirements and ensure you gather the necessary documentation.

American requirements for obtaining a student visa

Next, we at Ak Consultancy talk about the three types of student visas in the USA that exist to enter the United States as a student and their requirements:

F-1 Visa Requirements

This is a visa for an academic student, that is, for those who are going to study full-time (minimum 18 hours per week) at an institute, university, preparatory school, or any program that, upon completion, provides a degree, diploma, or certificate. Additionally, this school must be authorized by the North American government to accept students from other countries.

• Form DS-160
• Be enrolled in a full-time academic program
• English proficient (unless enrolled in a language learning program)
• Valid passport with an expiration date of at least six months after the duration of the program
• Check that you have financial resources to cover expenses
• Maintain a residence abroad
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to the (DHS). For the F student visa fees for usa as of February 2024 is USD 350
• 5 x 5 cm photograph

M-1 Visa Requirements

This visa is for vocational students who study full-time in non-academic programs that do not offer language training. This visa allows a maximum stay of 3 years.

• Form DS-160
• Be enrolled in a full-time vocational program
• English language proficiency
• Valid passport with an expiration date of at least six months after the duration of the program
• Check that you have financial resources to cover expenses
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to DHS. For the M visa, the total cost of this fee as of February 2024 is USD 350
• 5 x 5 cm photograph

J-1 Visa Requirements

This is a visa for exchange programs, whether study or work. The applicant must prove that they have been accepted into an exchange program organized by a sponsoring agency approved by the US Department of State. Although it may vary depending on the program, its maximum duration is usually one year. According to usa student visa consultants in india these are:

• Form DS-160
• Form DS-2019 or Certificate of Eligibility provided by the sponsoring agency
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to DHS. For the J visa, the total cost of this fee as of February 2024 is USD 220
• Form DS-7002
• Passport valid for more than six months after stay in the United States
• 5 x 5 cm photograph

Can you study in the United States with a tourist visa?

Being only a full-time student in a part-time state with a tourist visa is impossible. However, with the tourist visa, you can take short courses of a recreational (non-academic) nature, which do not exceed 18 hours of classes per week (for example, a cooking or painting course twice a week), as long as you do not you exceed the time authorized to stay in the country.

The regulations at 8 CFR § 214.2(b)(7) expressly prohibit studying in the United States while holding B-1 or B-2 status. Failure to do so could result in sanctions for student visa for usa from india misuse, such as revocation or a period of punishment before you can apply for another visa (which will likely be denied). In some cases, changing the B1 and B2 visas for a student visa is possible if you have not violated your nonimmigrant status.

Also Read - When Should I Apply for a Student Visa Usa?