USA STUDY VISA

Types of US Student Visa

F Visa

This type of US student visa is for international students who want to earn a university degree at an accredited US college or university, or study English at an English-language intensive university or institute. There are three types of F visas:

F-1 visas for full-time students.
F-2 visas for dependents of F-1 visa holders (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21). This includes same-sex married couples.
F-3 visas for ‘border commuters’ – Mexican and Canadian students who reside in their country of origin while attending part- or full-time school in the US.

Students with F-1 visas may work on campus for 20 hours per week or less. Students wishing to work overtime and off campus must obtain prior authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They can also provide work authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) for a total of twelve months, without accumulating more than 90 days of unemployment.

M Visa

The second category of US student visas is for international students who wish to pursue non-academic or professional study or training at an institution in the United States. There are three types of M visas:

M-1 visas for students engaging in vocational or non-academic studies.
M-2 visas for dependents of M-1 visa holders (as in F-2 visas).
M-3 visas for ‘border commuters’ as in F-3 visas, but for vocational or non-academic studies.

M-1 students are admitted to the United States for a specific period of time, which corresponds to the duration of their training program plus any optional practical training. You must not stay in the United States for more than one year, unless it is extended for medical reasons. M-1 visa holders are not permitted to work on or off campus while studying and cannot change their status to F-1

J Visa

Finally, this third type of American student visa is intended for international visitors who participate in programs in the United States that promote cultural exchange. Whether seeking medical, business or other training, all applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of the program in question and be sponsored by a private sector or government program. J visa holders are usually in the US for a short time, perhaps a semester or two. There are two types of J visas:

J-1 visas for exchange students on a relevant exchange program.
J-2 visas for dependents of J-1 visa holders (as for F-2 visas)

J-1 visa holders will be subject to a two-year physical presence requirement in their home country (stay abroad) if they are part of a government-sponsored exchange program, if is pursuing advanced medical training, or if his training is listed. on the exchange visitor skills list (ie, the J-1 visa holder’s home country has deemed their area of specialized knowledge or skills necessary for the development of the country). This requirement means that J-1 visa holders must return to their home country for at least two years after the end of their exchange visitor program.

Cost of US Student Visa

Now that we know the US student visa application requirements, let's talk about the US student visa cost. US student visa fees can be divided into two parts, namely SEVIS fees and visa application fees. Below is the full breakdown of US student visa costs for different types of visas:

Type of Fee	F-1 Visa Type	J-1 Visa Type	M-1 Visa Type
SERVIS Fee	350 USD	220 USD	350 USD
Visa Application Fee	160 USD	160 USD	160 USD

Requirements for US Student Visa

Once you have been accepted to an SEVP-approved school and received your Form I-20, the next step is to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. After completing the DS-160, you can schedule your visa interview. Don’t forget to prepare your documents before going to your visa interview.

Here are the documents you need for a student visa in the USA:

1. A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the USA (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
2. Acceptance at a SEVP-approved school and your Form I-20
3. Application fee payment for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
4. Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page
5. One or two photographs in the requested format

During the interview additional documentation may also be required

1. Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates
2. Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain your living expenses throughout the period of your stay in the USA. This may include bank statements, a financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs or a scholarship program.
3. Evidence that you will leave the USA once you have completed your course of study. This can be in the form of an airline ticket out of the USA to your home country.

US Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a US student visa can be on average 3 to 5 weeks, or even 2 to 3 months, depending on your application and the type of visa. F-1 visa applicants can expect a shorter processing time than other visa types. After receiving a positive response from the US visa consulate, applicants can usually expect to receive their paper copy of the visa in about 2-3 days. Also, F-1 visas are issued no earlier than 120 days after the start of your stay.

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USA STUDY VISA

Types of US Student Visa

F Visa

F Visa

F Visa

F Visa

M Visa

J Visa

Cost of US Student Visa

Requirements for US Student Visa

Here are the documents you need for a student visa in the USA:

During the interview additional documentation may also be required

US Student Visa Processing Time

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