A Simple Guide To Get Student Visa In The United States

 

Introduction

If you are not a US citizen and want to study in the US, you will need to get a student visa first. This can take a while and can be a bit tricky, but studying in the US is definitely worth the time, money, and effort.

Before you can kick off your studies in the US, you have to get a US student visa. This visa lets you live and study in the US for the length of your program at an approved school or program, like a language course or academic exchange. An immigration attorney in Jamaica can guide you through the options.

Getting your visa involves a few steps, including filling out an application and going through an interview at a US embassy or consulate, so it is smart to start the process early. Here is a breakdown of what you need to do to get your international student visa and study in the US.

Forms of student visas available in the US

If you are aiming to earn a degree at a university in the US, you will probably need an F-1 visa. But with the help of an immigration attorney in Jamaica, you can find out other visa options for international students. Here are the three main ones:

  1. F-1 visa.

This is for anyone who wants to study academically in the US. It is the most popular student visa for international students. To keep this visa, you have to take enough classes to be considered a full-time student. With this visa, you can work part-time on campus, but you can't go over 20 hours a week.

  1. J-1 visa.

The J-1 visa is for international students who want to gain practical experience in the US that they can't get in their home country, which is necessary for their studies. You can work with this visa as well, just like with the F-1 visa, but you need permission from your program sponsor. An immigration attorney in Jamaica can help you secure the needed permission.

  1. M-1 visa.

This one is for people studying non-academic or vocational programs. You can't work for pay while studying with this visa, so you need to prove that you have enough money to cover your tuition and living costs before you can get it.

If you are planning to study full-time as an undergrad or grad student, you will most likely need an F-1 visa. But speak with an immigration attorney in Jamaica to know the student visa that meets your needs.

Necessary conditions to get an international student visa

If you want to get an international student visa, there are a few things you need to check off your list. Here are the main ones:

  1. Acceptance to a recognized school.

First off, you need to apply and get accepted to a school that is on the approved list. Your school has to be recognized by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP). An immigration attorney in Jamaica can help you look into this.

Once you are in, you can start the visa application process. You can actually get your visa up to 365 days before your program kicks off, but you will have to wait until 30 days before your program starts to head to the US with your visa.

  1. A valid passport and passport-style photo.

You will need a valid passport that doesn’t expire within six months after your program ends. So, if your program wraps up in four years, your passport should be good for at least four and a half years. If your passport is about to expire, make sure to get a new one before you start the visa process.

When you apply for your visa, you will also need a recent passport-style photo. Check out the US visa website or contact an immigration attorney in Jamaica for guidelines and examples. Your photo should have a white or off-white background, and you can’t wear glasses in it unless there are special circumstances.

  1. Visa fees.

Get ready to pay some fees for your student visa. Here is what you might need to cover:

●      I-901 SEVIS fee: This fee varies depending on whether you are applying for the F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas. If you are in a short-term J-1 program, the fee drops down.

 

●      Application fee: You will need to pay a specific fee to submit your visa application.

 

●      Issuance fee: Depending on where you are from, there might be an extra visa issuance fee, and the amount can vary by country.

 

  1. Proof of funds.

You will probably need to show that you have enough money to live and study in the US. You don’t have to have all the cash for your entire program, but you might need to prove you can support yourself for a year (or show that you plan to take out student loans).

The application process

The steps to apply for a visa can be different for each US embassy or consulate, so make sure to check the website of the one you will be dealing with before you start. Or better still, you can talk with an immigration attorney in Jamaica. Generally, if you are applying for a student visa in the US, here is what you need to do:

●      Get accepted by a school approved by SEVP.

It is super important to make sure the school you pick is SEVP-approved. Only these schools can enrol students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and give you the documents you need for your US student visa. Talking with an immigration attorney in Jamaica is a great start to finding accredited schools. You should do this at least 12 months before your study period starts in the US.

●      Pay the SEVIS fee.

You need to pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before you submit your US visa application. You can do this online or with a paper form from the SEVP website. The fees depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and you can pay with a debit or credit card, cheque, international money order, or Western Union transfer. If someone else is paying for you, there are options for that too. An immigration attorney in Jamaica can guide you through this phase.

●      Fill out a US student visa application.

After you have paid the SEVIS fee, you can set up an appointment with the US consulate or embassy in your country for your student visa application. The official US visa info and appointment services website will help you find the right embassy. It is best to do this as soon as you can because visa processing times can vary, and you can get your visa up to 120 days before you are supposed to enter the US.

To fill out the online DS-160 form for your application, you will need to have this info ready:

●      Your name and date of birth.

●      Your address and phone number.

●      Passport details.

●      Travel plans and any travel buddies.

●      Info about any previous trips to the US.

●      Your contact person in the US.

●      Details about your family, work, and education.

●      Security, background, and health info.

●      Your SEVIS ID and the address of the US school you plan to attend.

●      A recent photo.

 

●      Pay the visa application fee.

This is also called the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee. The payment methods can vary, so check your embassy or consulate’s website before you make any payments.

●      Set up and go to your visa interview.

Your visa interview is a key step in getting your visa. You can schedule your interview at the nearest US embassy or consulate after filling out Form DS-160. There might be a long wait, so try to set up your interview as soon as you can.

The embassy will tell you what to bring, but you might need to have:

●      Your passport.

●      A passport-sized photo.

●      A copy of your DS-160 confirmation page.

●      A copy of your I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation page.

●      A receipt for your visa application fee, if you have already paid it.

●      Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

●      Your high school diploma or college degree.

●      Proof of funds.

●      Proof that you plan to leave the US after your program.

At your interview, you will go through security and give your fingerprints. The interviewer will ask you questions in English about your study plans in the US. Make sure to tell them you plan to return to your home country when your visa ends.

Depending on your country and its agreement with the US, you might need to pay an extra visa fee. You will leave your passport with the embassy and get it back with your new visa once it is approved.

●      Get your student visa.

After you have filled out all the forms, paid the fees, and finished your interview, you just need to wait for your visa to be approved. You might need to pick up your passport with your new visa in person. Some embassies or consulates may send it back to your home address.

Processing times can be different depending on the location. You can check the US visas website for an estimate of how long it will take to set up your interview and receive your visa.

Get help!

Getting a student visa to study in the US is a big deal for lots of international students. It is a complex process, but Gehi and Associates can put everything into perspective for you. You will be better equipped to handle the journey involved in studying in the US once you understand the steps involved in the application process, preparation, and some useful tips. Contact us now for an uncomplicated academic adventure in the US!


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