The process for obtaining an F-1 visa to study in the US has undergone changes in visa regulations. Under the new guidelines, students must first schedule an appointment for bio metrics, which includes photo and fingerprints, at the visa Application Center. Afterwards, they must schedule an appointment for the visa interview.If you’re seeking information on how to apply for a US study visa, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with all the details you need, including the fees for the USA student visa, how to book an F-1 visa slot, and more. Keep reading to learn more!
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What is an F-1 Student Visa?
The F-1 student visa is granted to non-immigrants who wish to study in the United States. Once an applicant has received an acceptance letter from a US university, they can apply for an F-1 visa. This visa allows students to remain in the US for the duration of their course and pursue their academic goals.
How to Get an F-1 Student Visa for USA?
Moving on to the most asked question . How to get a student visa for USA? Let us list out the steps to start your US student visa application process:
- Fill in the I-20
- Pay the SEVIS fee
- Fill in the DS-160online application form
- Pay the visa registration fee
- Book your US Embassy visa appointment
Step 1: Fill in the I-20 Application Form
When applying for an F-1 visa, the I-20 form is crucial and will be provided by your university. Those applying for a J-1 visa, however, will receive a DS-2019 form instead. Your university will also send you your SEVIS ID along with the I-20 form.
Step 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee
Once you have completed the I-20 form through the US visa consulate in your home country, the next step is to pay the SEVIS fee which is required for the F-1 visa. The cost of the SEVIS fee is 350 USD, making it a crucial component of the total USA student visa fees.
Step 3: Fill in the DS-160 Online Application Form
The DS-160 Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronics Application is an all-inclusive web-based form that serves as a means to gather all essential details from individuals who wish to obtain a non-immigrant visa for short-term travel to the US. Upon completion of the form, a DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet can be generated and printed using a laser printer. Additionally, one can send a backup copy of the confirmation page to their email account for safekeeping.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Registration Fee
The cost for applying for an F1 student visa at the US embassy includes a fee of USD 160 along with additional charges for VFS services and bank fees, which totals to around 11,200 INR. Payment can be made in cash or via DD/ Cheque at either Axis Bank or Citibank. Upon payment, the bank will provide you with a visa fee receipt in duplicate that features a 10-digit barcode number. This barcode number is necessary to schedule your visa interview appointment and will become active within two days.
Step 5: Book Your US Embassy Visa Appointment
To secure your US embassy visa appointment, utilize your barcode and fee receipt. Upon successful booking of your US student visa appointment, it is necessary to initiate F-1 visa slot booking for VAC. This involves providing bio metrics such as a photograph and fingerprint, and should be done at least one day prior to your scheduled interview.
Step 6: Attend the Visa Interview
After your US student visa appointment is booked, and you are done with your bio metrics, you will need to attend the F-1 US student visa interview. The US student visa interview is a personal interview wherein you will be asked about your intent of studying in the US, along with other things like your academic background, financial capability, etc.,
Documents Required for the F-1 Student Visa Process
Let us move forward to discuss the documents required at each step of the F-1 visa application.
Following are the documents required while booking your VAC appointment:
- Your passport number
- The date you paid your fee
- The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
On VAC day you need to get the following documents:
- A passport valid for travel to the US with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)
- Your DS-160 confirmation page
- Your appointment confirmation page
Given below are the documents required for the visa interview
- A printed copy of your appointment letter
- Your DS-160 confirmation page and one photograph taken within the last six months
- Your current and all old passports
- Original visa fee payment receipt
Frequently Asked Questions about F-1 Student Visa Process
- Ques. How much bank balance is required for USA student visa?
Ans. Your bank balance should cover at least one year tuition fees and living costs in the US. - Ques. Who can sponsor for student visa in the USA?
Ans. Your parents, family and friends can sponsor your student visa in the US. You can also get hold of an education loan; or get your visa sponsored by a combination of both the ways stated above. - Ques. How many IELTS band required for USA student visa?
Ans. A minimum of 5.0-6.0 band is required to get a US student visa. - Ques. Which exam is required for a USA student visa?
Ans. You should have one of the standardized test scores among GRE & GMAT or ACT & along with an English proficiency test score among IELTS & TOEFL. - Ques. What is the age limit for student visa in USA?
Ans. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a US student visa.