A Beginner’s Guide to Getting a U.S. Student Visa
Before you can start your education in the United States, you’ll need to obtain a U.S. student visa. Your visa allows you to live and study in the U.S. throughout the duration of your program at an approved university or program, such as a language or academic exchange program.
The process of getting your visa has several steps, including an application and interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, so it’s a good idea to start early. Here’s a closer look at the steps you need to take to get your international student visa so you can study in the U.S.
Types of U.S. Student Visas
If you’re planning to earn your degree at a U.S. university, chances are you’ll need an F-1 visa. That’s not the only type of visa available for international students, though. Here are the three types:
- F-1 visa: This visa is designed for students planning to attend undergraduate and graduate programs in the U.S. It’s also available for high school and college students attending English language programs.
- J-1 visa: This visa is for temporary exchange visitors planning to study abroad. It also applies to visiting scholars, interns, and au pairs.
- M-1 visa: This visa allows you to attend a non-academic or vocational program in the U.S., usually one that’s short-term and focused on a specific career outcome.
If you’re planning to study full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student, you’ll probably need an F-1 visa.
Four Requirements to Get Your International Student Visa
There are a few requirements you’ll need to meet to be eligible for an international student visa. Here are the main ones:
Acceptance to an approved school
Before you can apply for your student visa, you’ll need to apply for and get accepted to an approved school. Specifically, your school must be approved by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
Once you’ve gained admission, you can start applying for your visa. It’s possible to receive your visa up to 365 days before your program starts. However, you’ll have to wait until 30 days before your program starts to travel to the U.S. on your visa.
Valid passport and passport-style photo
You’ll also need a valid passport with an expiration date more than six months out from the end date of your program. If your program ends in four years, for instance, your passport can’t expire within four and a half years. If your passport is set to expire soon, apply for a new one before you start pursuing your visa.
When you apply for your visa, you’ll also need a recent passport-style photograph. You can find instructions and examples on the U.S. visa website. Your photograph will need to have a white or off-white background. You also can’t wear glasses in your visa photograph, except in rare circumstances.
Visa fees
Be prepared to pay for the fees associated with getting a student visa. These fees include:
- I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee: This fee is US$350 for F-1 and M-1 visas and US$220 for J-1 visas. For short-term J-1 programs, the fee goes down to US$35.
- Application fee: It costs US$160 to submit your visa application.
- Issuance fee: Depending on your home country, you may have to pay an additional visa issuance fee. The cost varies by country.
Proof of funds
You’ll likely need to show that you have enough funds to live and study in the U.S. You don’t necessarily need money to cover your entire program, but you may have to show you have enough on hand to support yourself for an academic year (or plan to take student loans).
How to Get a U.S. Student Visa: 7 Steps
When you’re ready to pursue an international student visa, these are the seven steps you’ll need to take.
1. Get accepted to an SEVP-approved school
First, you’ll need to apply and get accepted to an SEVP-approved school in the U.S. You can confirm that your school is SEVP-approved using this search tool.
Most U.S. colleges have application deadlines in December or January and send out admissions decisions the following spring.
If you’re a J-1 exchange student, you might apply for your study abroad program through your home institution or a designated sponsor organization.
2. Receive form I-20 or DS-2019
After you’ve been accepted, your school will send you the form you need to get your visa. F-1 and M-1 students will receive Form I-20, while J-1 students will get Form DS-2019.
Your form will contain important information, such as your school’s address and your SEVIS ID. Make sure to hold onto this form, since you’ll need it for your visa interview.
3. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee
After receiving your I-20 or DS-2019 form, your next step is to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. As mentioned, this fee may be US$35, US$220, or US$350 depending on the visa type. For F-1 students, the fee is US$350.
Students from most countries can pay this fee online on the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement website. However, students from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Gambia have to pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank.
Make sure to save a copy of your payment confirmation, since you’ll need to bring it to your visa interview.
4. Submit Form DS-160 online
Once you’ve paid the I-901 SEVIS fee, you can complete Form DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application. This may take about 90 minutes to complete. Before you start, gather the following documents and information:
- Your passport
- A visa photograph
- Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Your travel itinerary, if available
- Dates of international travel you’ve done in the last five years
- Your resume
You’ll also select the U.S. embassy or consulate at which you plan to interview for your visa. After submitting Form DS-160, save your confirmation page so you can bring it to your visa interview.
5. Pay your visa application fee
At this point, you may need to pay your visa application fee of US$160. The timing of when you have to pay this fee varies by location. Some embassies require you to pay it before your interview, whereas others may ask you to bring payment to your interview. You can check with your local U.S. embassy or consulate for specific instructions.
6. Set up and attend your visa interview
Your visa interview is an important part of the visa application process. You can set up your interview at your closest U.S. embassy or consulate after you’ve submitted Form DS-160. There could be a lengthy wait time, so set up your interview as soon as you’re eligible.
The embassy can give you specific instructions on what to bring, but you may need to provide the following:
- Your passport
- A passport-style photograph
- A copy of your DS-160 confirmation page
- A copy of your I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation page
- A receipt of your visa application fee, if you already paid it
- Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
- Your high school diploma or college degrees
- Proof of funds
- Proof that you intend to leave the U.S. at the end of your program
During your interview, you’ll have to go through a security check and provide digital fingerprints. Your interviewer will ask you some questions in English about your study plans in the U.S. Make sure your interviewer knows you intend to return to your home country when your visa expires.
Depending on your home country and its reciprocity agreement with the U.S., you may have to pay an additional visa issuance fee. You’ll leave your passport with the embassy and get it back with your new visa after your visa is approved.
7. Receive your student visa
Once you’ve submitted all the forms, paid the fees, and completed your interview, you simply need to wait for your visa to be approved. You may have to pick up your passport with your new visa in person. Some embassies or consulates may be willing to mail it back to your home address.
The processing times vary by location. You can check out the U.S. visas website for an estimate of how long it will take to set up your interview and get your visa.
Start the Visa Application Process Early
The international student visa application has a lot of moving parts, but you can help it go smoothly by starting the process early and keeping a copy of all your documents along the way.
Make sure to hold on to all your important forms, including:
- Form I-20 or DS-2019
- A copy of your DS-160 confirmation page
- Receipts of any visa application fees you paid
Since the application process can vary by location, it’s a good idea to contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate for step-by-step instructions. Your school’s office for international students will also be a useful resource as you apply for your international student visa and prepare for your education in the U.S.
