USA Student Visa Guide - Study in USA
USA Student Visa Guide
Student VISA Guide - Study in USA
The united states government provides endless opportunities for students to study in US universities and schools. As a pre-requisite, obtaining a student visa is a must. The student visa one needs depends on the course of study, the program you are applying to, and the age of the applicant. The US has a large number of international students every year. The visa structure apart from being an immigration regulation is designed in a way that it also encourages:
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- Students to choose the USA for higher studies
- Universities to recruit international students.
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The United States has differentiated the student visa into the following 3 categories:
1. F-1 Student Visa - This visa allows students to study 2 /3/ 4 /5 years of Bachelor’s Master’s and Ph.D. level program at an accredited institution in the USA. One can also learn an English language course with this visa.
2. J Exchange Visa - Individuals who want to participate in an exchange program including university and high school exchange programs must apply for this visa
3. M-1 Visa - Anyone who wants to visit the USA and attend or take vocational training or non-academic training for a short period of time will be required to obtain this visa.
The first step while you decide to study in the USA and subsequently apply for a visa is that you need to obtain an acceptance letter from a SEVP (student and exchange visitor program) certified university or school in the US. With the proof of acceptance, your institution will issue you Form-I-20. Form-I-20 is issued from the institution’s student office which contains your information is stored in the database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). It is a paper record pertaining to all your identification details as a prospective international student in the USA.
Let us see what documentation is required for the USA student visa application:
The general list of documents is given below, however, one should remember that the requirement of documents may change over time as new regulations and immigration policies are introduced. The list may differ depending on the profile and case of every student. The USCIS (The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and the US consulates regularly update their websites with respect to student’s visas.
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- A valid passport
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- Proof of your acceptance at a SEVP certified school or institution in the USA along with Form I-20
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- Evidence that you will leave the USA when your student’s visa expires unless you are retained by another valid visa document.
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- Evidence that you have adequate funds to support your stay and living expenses while studying in the USA. For this purpose, you can submit the following proofs such as
A scholarship program
- A sponsor’s financial undertaking to provide for your accommodation living expenses in the USA
Bank statements
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- Academic documents such as transcripts, certificates, experience letters
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- Form DS-160 confirmation copy as the Non-immigrant visa application
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- Recent photographs in the required format
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- English language proficiency certificate
Once the documentation ordeal is done, you may be asked to attend an interview at the embassy office in your home country.
The 3 most important steps to obtain an F-1 visa.
After paying the SEVIS fees your school will issue you the Form-I-20. You have to fill the form. At a designated bank you are then required to pay the visa fees and receive your visa form. Both the Form-I-20 and duly filled visa form must be carried to the visa interview. One you are set to attend the interview, you have to schedule an interview slot (the waiting time varies depending on the rush of applications). After attending the interview, you will receive the visa at the earliest in 120 days advance, only if it is approved by the immigration authorities.
How do we help you with your visa applications?
If you are a Whizstorm student, and you are being recruited by any university or college for your higher education abroad, our experts will provide you with the latest information and at all times keep you updated about your visa application process and status. They will help you locate and gather all the documents required by the authorities. They will assist you to prepare for the visa interview and make you feel confident before you take the interview. You can take a mock interview that takes away all the nervousness about the interview. Whizstorm experts will ensure that your visa process is hassle-free and eliminate the risk of any complications.
In order to demonstrate the English language proficiency students must take the IELTS or any other English language test as accepted by their school or university. The certificate is a must at the time of the visa application unless you fall into the exceptional categories.
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Once you arrive in the USA, you must immediately contact your Designated School Official (DSO) before the program starts. Also, contact the DSO again, when you arrive at the university campus. DSO will then register you to the SEVIS. All SEVP schools have a DSO who will be your biggest resource of any information related to your student status in the USA. They can guide you through the following situations:
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- Working while studying
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- Obtaining a driver’s license
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- Obtaining a Social Security number (SSN)
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- Traveling outside the United States
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- Requesting a program extension
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- Changing your program, major, level
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- Transferring to a new school/university
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- Not able to attend classes
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- Taking a vacation break
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- Changing name
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- Moving to a new address
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- Changing your education level
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You should fulfill the purpose of coming to the USA and follow all the regulations and rules set out in this regard.
F1 visa holders are not permitted to work off-campus in the first year of their studies. The USCIS may allow students to work off-campus after 1 year of studies. For on-campus employment F1 visa holders do not require permission from the USCIS. M1 visa students are not allowed to work or accept any job offer unless it is for the purpose of practical training. J1 -Exchange visitors are also not allowed to work in the US unless it is deeply associated with and is an integral part of their program.
Spouses of F1, M1, J1 student visa holders i.e. F2/ M2/ J2 visa holders are not allowed to work at all.
On-campus employment:
During the regular school sessions, the student can work for not more than 20 hours/ week. In holidays and summer breaks they can take up full-time jobs and work for 40 business hours per week. Students usually work with firms that have contracts with the university to provide bookstore or cafeteria services.
Working off-campus is considered as working on-campus by the USCIS only when the employee is part of an assistantship, scholarship, fellowship, or post-doctoral appointment. There should be an educational relationship between the workplace and the school. Also, a job at a place that is educationally affiliated with the school is considered an on-campus job.
Off-campus employment is permitted and recommended by the DSO only in cases where if the student does not accept the job he may have to face extreme financial hardship under unfortunate situations and unavoidable circumstances. The DSO recommends the facts to the USCIS, upon which the authorization comes from the USCIS permitting that particular student to work off-campus.
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