Get your USA Student Visa easier than you imagine!

Want a US degree? Then you need to apply for a student visa in the USA so that you can legally enter, live and study in the country and even work after completing your studies. Being a top study destination and attracting international students from around the world, a US student visa allows only those with the right motive and the capability to enter the country and gain a US education.

According to a report by Statista, in the year 2023-24, over 1.12 million international students had enrolled across the top universities in the USA. Such a high enrolment number shows the demand and high competition among international students alone. Therefore, a timely and good preparation is the only way aspirants can ensure that they will study in the USA this year. On this page, you will learn everything you need to know about student visas in the USA.

Types of Student Visa in USA

For those planning to study in USA this year, it is imperative to understand the different types of student visas in USA. The United States divides its student visas into three categories, viz. F1, J1 and M1 student visas, which are divided based on the type of programme they will be pursuing once in the country. Let’s take a deeper look at these visas and which is more appropriate for your goals.

F1 Student Visa

The most popular non-immigrant student visa in the USA, the F1 visa, is designed to permit international students planning to pursue higher studies at an accredited university/college in the country.

Eligibility Criteria for F1 Visa

• Enrolled in a Certified Course: Candidates should be accepted by a university/college certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Programme (SEVP).
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: All international students are required to display proof of sufficient liquid funds that can cover the tuition fees and living expenses.
• Intention to Return: Being a non-immigrant visa, applicants must display strong ties to their home country, i.e. India, such as property, family or job prospects. This proves the candidate’s intention to return to their home country after gaining their degrees.

M1 Visa

Designed specifically for vocational schools and programmes, the M1 student visa can be applied for by international students planning to study non-academic or vocational programmes in the USA. These courses are designed to offer students hands-on training, unlike the traditional theoretical/research academic programmes. Some examples for which M1 visas can be used include technical and trade programmes, such as mechanics, welding, plumbing, flight school, cosmetology, and culinary programmes.

J1 Student Visa

A programme-specific student visa in the USA, the J1 visa is designed for international students enrolling in student exchange programmes. This is another non-immigrant visa offered to promote educational as well as cultural exchange, allowing foreign nationals to participate in study and work-based visitor exchange programmes. College/university students, research/short-term scholars and interns at universities are some of the individuals who can apply for this visa.

Key Eligibility Criteria

• Be accepted into an exchange programme offered by a US Department of State sponsor.
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: Sufficient funds, as outlined in the DS-2019 form, should be submitted by every candidate wishing to study/work in the US through the exchange programme.
• Intention to Return: Like the F1 visa, students must provide proof of their intention to return home after the completion of the programme by displaying strong ties to their home country.

US Student Visa Fees

As part of the application process, all candidates are required to submit the visa application fee, along with other charges required to complete the US student visa application process. Let’s check out the fees for different student visas offered by the USA. Here are the student visa fees in USA that candidates must pay.

Note: These fees can be paid either by money order or credit card.

Documents Required for Student Visa in USA

Now that we have understood the eligibility and the individual purposes for the different student visas in the USA, we should now look into the documents that need to be submitted to apply for the respective visas. Let’s take a look at the documents required for a student visa in USA for the 2026 academic year.

• A passport which should remain valid for at least 6 months after the completion of the programme.Form DS-160, which is the online Non-immigrant visa application form.
• The fee payment receipt for the visa application, if the candidate is required to submit the payment before their interview.
• The most recent photograph of the candidate should be submitted as per the photograph requirements, along with the DS-160.
• Specific documents for the individual visas:
  • F1 and M1 Visas: Form I-20, which acts as the certificate for non-immigrant student status. This form will be received by the student from the university that selects them for their programme and registers them on the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
  • J1 Student Exchange Visa: DS-2019, the certificate of eligibility for the exchange visitor status. The form will be sent over by the sponsor after entering the details of the candidate.
• All students and exchange visitors are required to register themselves in SEVIS.
• Additional members travelling with the candidate will also receive the I-20 or DS-2019 forms.
• Proof of sufficient funds to show how the candidate will be paying for the study and living expenses while living in the USA.
• Academic Transcripts from their previous academic institutions, along with the valid scores from different standardised tests, including ELP tests such as IELTS, TOEFL or other recognised tests.
• Students must also submit proof of their intention to return to their home country on completion of the programme.

The Step-By-Step USA Student Visa Process

Once the documents have been compiled, it is time to start the student visa application process to receive the appropriate student visa this year.

Step 1: After the university has selected you to be their student this year, they will send the appropriate form, i.e. I-20 or DS-2019, with the university stamp/signature on the form.

Step 2: Complete the form and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to start the US student visa application. Remember to keep a copy of the receipt of the payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Step 3: All students are required to apply for a DS-160 visa, which is the online application form for the non-immigrant visas.

Step 4: Also download the application confirmation page, which should be brought to the student visa interview.

Step 5: Make an appointment for the biometrics and the interview. You will need to show up in person for the Biometric appointment to have your fingerprints scanned and have your photo taken for the visa.

Step 6: The interviewer will question you about your choice, college, finances, and intention to return during the personal interview. If they are convinced, they will retain your passport to stamp the visa.

Note: Check the US Embassy website for the respective locations within the home country, preferably the one closest to you, to get the latest updates and information, including the processes that candidates may need to complete to receive their non-immigrant visas.

It should be noted that the US student visa processing times will vary depending on the workload at the US embassy. Usually, the visa processing times from application to interview can take anywhere from 60-90 days and around 5-10 business days after the interview for the visa to be issued. During peak times of the year, the visa processing can take longer than usual.

How to ACE the US Student Visa Interview?

For many candidates, the interview is the hardest part of the entire student visa application process, as this will determine whether the student will be able to study in the USA. Several tips and tricks can help students ace the US student visa interview, some of which have been outlined below:

• Why do you want to study a particular course at a particular university?: Be thorough with your reasoning behind selecting the course and the university where you have been enrolled.
  • Candidates need to paint a picture in the minds of the officers that shows them that the candidate has planned their studies according to their future academic and professional goals. Here, the tiniest details will provide a greater depth to your answer and their assurance that you are prepared and planned with every step.
• Finances: Your finances and your knowledge of how the payments and expenses will be managed should be on point.
  • Here, candidates must provide a truthful answer regarding the sponsor of their study abroad, i.e. their parents or loans. Proof of the funds through bank statements and other valid financial documents will significantly help reduce doubts within the visa officials' minds.
• Intention to Return: Since student visas, i.e., F, M and J visas are all non-immigrant visas, you must provide a clear intention to return to India after completing your studies abroad.
  • Here, crafting a statement that highlights your plans to work in India or other ties, such as your family and other important ties, is a must.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Practice being interviewed and delivering clear, concise and concrete answers to US student interview questions.
  • Here, a sign of a confident and well-prepared candidate is their ability to respond to even difficult questions without many issues. Short, simple, truthful answers, given with unwavering eye contact and good posture, will go a long way in setting candidates up for success.
• Good Organisational Skills: While the visa officials may or may not choose to see your documents during the interview process, organising all the documents in a defined manner positions you as a well-prepared and motivated candidate.
  • For example, you can compile all the documents in a folder, segregating them by financials, academic transcripts and university application forms and other important documents.
• Seeking Professional Help: Connect with AECC Counsellors and get expert guidance to apply and complete the entire visa application process, including the interview process, with ease.

While these are just a few of the steps to ace the student visa interview process, there are different mistakes to avoid during the student visa application process. Some of these mistakes include choosing the wrong visa type, filling out incorrect/incomplete information in the application form, a lack of proof of sufficient funds to study in USA, being unprepared for the interview and much more.

Acquiring your US Student Visa is one of the most important steps in helping you achieve your dreams of studying abroad. Moreover, it is also one of the more difficult steps to successfully complete the process. Therefore, a timely approach and a good preparation strategy will significantly increase the visa approval chances. And before even starting the preparation process, acquiring the correct and most updated information is even more important.