Study in USA: Apply Now for the USA F-1 Student Visa

• Form I-20: This is a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status issued by your SEVP-approved academic institution. You will need to provide the original Form I-20 to the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply for your visa.

• SEVIS fee receipt: You will need to provide proof of payment of the SEVIS fee, which is a fee that supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

• Passport: You will need to have a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.

• DS-160 form confirmation page: This is the online nonimmigrant visa application form that you will need to complete and submit. You will need to bring a printed copy of the confirmation page to your visa interview.

• Photograph: You will need to provide a photograph that meets the U.S. visa photo requirements.

• Financial documentation: You will need to provide documentation of your financial support, such as bank statements or scholarship awards, to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the United States.

• Academic qualifications: You may need to provide documentation of your academic qualifications and prerequisites for the academic program you are applying to, such as transcripts or diplomas.

• English language proficiency: You may need to provide documentation of your English language proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS scores, depending on the requirements of your SEVP-approved academic institution.

Documents needed for the interview

• Valid passport: You will need to bring your original passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.

• DS-160 confirmation page: You will need to bring a printed copy of the confirmation page for your DS-160 form, which you completed and submitted online.

• Form I-20 or Form DS-2019: You will need to bring the original Form I-20 (for F-1 or M-1 visas) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visas) that was issued to you by your SEVP-approved academic institution or sponsoring organization.

• SEVIS fee payment receipt: You will need to bring a copy of your SEVIS fee payment receipt, which you received after paying the SEVIS fee online or by mail.

• Financial documentation: You will need to provide documentation of your financial support to demonstrate that you have the resources to cover your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the United States. This may include bank statements, scholarship awards, or other forms of financial documentation.

• Additional documentation: You may need to provide additional documentation depending on your specific circumstances, such as proof of ties to your home country or a letter of admission from your academic institution."

To be eligible for an F-1 student visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Enrollment in a SEVP-approved academic program: You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student in a SEVP-approved academic program in the United States. This can include undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate academic programs.

• Sufficient financial support: You must have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the United States, without the need to work off-campus. You may need to provide documentation of your financial support, such as bank statements or scholarship awards.

• Nonimmigrant intent: You must have a residence abroad that you have no intention of abandoning. You must demonstrate that you intend to return to your home country upon completion of your studies in the United States.

• Valid passport: You must have a valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.

• English language proficiency: You must be proficient in the English language or be enrolled in an English language program.

• Academic qualifications: You must meet the academic qualifications and prerequisites for the academic program you are applying to.

• Good moral character: You must be of good moral character and not have a criminal record or history of immigration violations.

How To apply?

The process for applying for an F-1 student visa involves several steps:

• Apply to a SEVP-approved academic institution: Before you can apply for an F-1 visa, you must first be accepted into a SEVP-approved academic program in the United States. This can include undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate academic programs.

• Obtain a Form I-20: Once you have been accepted into an academic program, the school will issue you a Form I-20, which is a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status. You will need to submit the Form I-20 with your visa application.

• Pay the SEVIS fee: You will need to pay the SEVIS fee, which is a fee that supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). You can pay the fee online or by mail, and you will need to provide the SEVIS fee receipt with your visa application.

• Complete the DS-160 form: You will need to complete the DS-160 form, which is the online nonimmigrant visa application form. You will need to upload a photograph that meets the U.S. visa photo requirements.

• Schedule a visa interview: You will need to schedule a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Wait times for visa interviews can vary depending on the location and time of year, so it's best to schedule your interview as early as possible.

• Attend the visa interview: On the day of your visa interview, you will need to bring your passport, Form I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, and other necessary documents. You will be asked questions about your academic program, financial support, and intentions to return to your home country after completing your studies in the United States.

• Receive your visa: If your visa application is approved, you will receive your F-1 visa and can make plans to travel to the United States to begin your academic program. The F-1 visa will indicate the dates and duration of your authorized stay in the United States.