How to Apply for a Student Visa outside the US?

Here are the steps to be completed to study in the US, you will need to get a Student Visa.  

There are three types of visas to study in U. S., let’s talk about F1. This visa allows international students to study full-time at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved schools in the United States.

On the F1 visa, you should apply at least three to five months before your course start date.

With an F1 visa, you can work on-campus at your future university, but work hours are limited, and jobs are more difficult to find.

Before applying, be prepared to wait for some months! There are 4 steps to applying for a US student visa, which can be a long process.

What You will need to do:

1. Apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the U.S;

2. Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee;

3. Complete a U.S student visa application along with a recent photo and pay the visa application fee;

4. Schedule a visa interview and wait for decision.

Below you can check details about each step!

How Can I Apply for Student Visa Step by Step?

1. Apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the US:

After being accepted into an educational program you will receive from your chosen institution’s international student office an I-20 form. You must bring the completed and signed I-20 form to your nonimmigrant visa interview.

2. Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee:

Access SEVIS and pay the fee ($350) before the DS-160 is completed, because Student and Exchange Visitor Information System needs this proof.

3. Complete a U.S Student Visa Application

Complete and pay for an online nonimmigrant visa application (DS-160 – $160) and send a photo of yourself that fits specific requirements and provide other requested documents.

Schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview at the U.S Embassy or Consulate in the country where you reside.

At this interview, you will be questioned on things such as ties with your home country, where you will return after completion of your course and your financial conditions.

Your school will need proof that you can support yourself during the duration of your course.

At the end of your interview, you should receive a decision on your visa application, if approved your passport should be ready within 2 weeks after your interview.

Another Information About How to Apply for a Student Visa

If you need US visas for dependents like children, for example, contact the university before they issue your I-20, and inform them of children under 21 or a spouse that will be joining you, they will have to apply and be approved for an F2 visa.

Before you apply, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents.

Check this list of all the documents you may need for your F1 application:

• Certificate of Eligibility for non-immigrant student (I-20);
• Receipt from your SEVIS fee;
• Receipt from the online visa form (DS-160) for a non-immigrant student;
• Passport with a validity date at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S.
• Old passports you may have;
• Documents that prove your financial condition or any financial support during your course of stay.
• Two recent color photos, one physical, one digital.
• Transcripts, test scores, qualifications, or certificates from schools you have attended;

Questions to Expect during your F1 Visa Interview

The F1 visa interview is in English and happens with a visa officer at a US embassy or consulate.

The interview is usually quick and may only last around ten minutes.

The F1 visa interview questions usually concern your chosen program, finances, future expectations, and school choice.

An important tip: you must show you have no plans to remain in the US when you finish your studies.

The time it takes to get your F1 visa can vary, depending on the complexity of your documents and case details.

In general, your application will only take a few days to process, and you get your passport back.

If you are refused for an F1 visa you can apply again, but you will need to start the process from the beginning.

You won’t need to pay the SEVIS fee for a second time, but other fees will need to be paid again.

You’ll be told the motive that you were denied, correct the problem, and have a better opportunity next time.

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