Student Visa for USA From India 2024: Cost, Requirements, Types, Process

The United States remains the most attractive overseas education destination for Indian students. As per the latest reports from the US Embassy and Consulates in India, India records a rise in student visa applications in 2024 compared to the previous year.

While Asians have the highest number of students seeking USA student visas, India remains at the top. In 2023, the number of Indian students in the US surged by 35 percent constituting over 25 percent of the international student population in the country.

International students who are planning to pursue degrees in full-time academic programmes for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral programmes in the USA must obtain a student visa. As far as eligibility requirements are concerned there is no particular age limit for USA student visa and one needs to submit essential documents like proof of funds, academic transcripts, English language proficiency proof, and much more.

This Story also Contains

1. Latest Updates for STEM Students in USA
2. Types of Student Visa for USA
3. F-Type Visa
4. M-Type Visa
5. J-Type Visa
6. USA Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students
7. How to Apply for a USA Student Visa?
8. Where to Apply for USA Student Visa?
9. USA Student Visa Interview
10. US Student Visa Success Rate
11. US Student Visa Processing Time
12. Cost for US Student Visa
13. Working with USA Student Visa
14. Reasons for Rejection of US Student Visa
15. US Student Visa: Points to Remember

The USA offers mainly three types of visas for Indian students to study in USA, namely, F Student Visa, M Student Visa, and J Exchange Visa. Students must first apply and be accepted by a US institution of higher education certified by SEVP before applying for an F, J, or M US student visa.

Nearly 80% of Indian students go to the USA to study STEM courses, and 10% to study business-related programmes. However, many Indian students have rejected USA student visas simply because of wrong application procedures and lack of awareness.

In this article, we have tried to cover all the necessary aspects of getting a USA student visa from India including visa type, application process, fees, requirements, and other significant details. Indian students who are interested in applying for a student visa for USA can read the complete guide to gather necessary insights for the same.

Latest Updates for STEM Students in USA

International students planning to pursue STEM courses in US should be aware of the latest guidelines drafted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) related to eligibility requirements for Optional Practical Training (OPT) as given below:

• International students getting enrolled in STEM courses in USA will gain a 3 year of OPT extension hence, facilitating more work experience.
• STEM students will be allowed to count 3 credits each academic year as a contribution to full-time course study without breaching the policies of F-1 visa.
• The latest update will allow students to transfer school or even educational levels between Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP).
• Another fascinating upgradation launched as per the new policies in USA for international students is that they will be granted a 60-day grace period after completing their Optional Practical Training.

Types of Student Visa for USA

The United States government offers three types of student visas for Indian students including F Student Visa, M Student Visa, and J Exchange Visa. Check the important details for the three types of visa below:

USA Student Visa Types

F-Type Visa

The F-type visa category allows students to enrol in a University or college, High School, Private elementary school, Seminary, Conservatory, or any other academic institution, including a language training programme in USA. The maximum duration of stay is 5 years. They are further classified into F-1 US student visa, F-2, F-3 visas.

Types of F-Category Visas

M-Type Visa

M Category USA student visa is issued for non-academic students to pursue vocational or training courses in USA. The maximum duration of stay allowed by ‘M’ type USA student visa is 1 year.

Types of M-Category Visas

J-Type Visa

The ‘J’ category USA student visa is for students visiting the USA on exchange programmes from across the world. The maximum duration of stay allowed by a “J” type USA student visa is up to 18 months.

Types of J-Category Visas

USA Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students

Applying for a student visa for USA demands a long checklist of documents for international students. Indian students who fail to support their application through authentic documentation are rejected by the US government for study in the country. Therefore, students must prepare a complete checklist of the required documents before applying for a US student visa.

Documents Required for a US Student Visa

Indian students meeting student visa for USA requirements must gather all the necessary documents well in advance, including SOP or LORs. Missing documents are one of the major reasons for F1 visa rejection.

• A valid passport with a validity of 6 months beyond the period of stay in USA.

• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.

• SEVIS Fee Receipt, if required, to be paid before.

• A scanned copy of a photograph not more than six months old, with the following essential requirements:

  • Coloured photo.

  • Plain white or off-white background.

  • A neutral facial expression and both eyes open.

  • No glasses or headsets.

• I-20 Form USA sent by SEVP-approved education provider.

• Receipt of visa fee payment confirmation.

• Original academic transcripts

• Certificates of standardised tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc

• Financial support documents to cover the cost of study in USA for the first year. The following documents serve the purpose.

  • Bank statements for the last three years.

  • Original pay/salary slips and letter of employment (if employed).

  • Tax Returns for the last 3 years (Form 16).

  • Statement from a certified Chartered Accountant.

  • Scholarship letter (If a student received it).

  • Education loan approval letter by the bank or concerned authority.

Also Read: Top Student Loans Providers In India To Study Abroad.

How to Apply for a USA Student Visa?

Applying for a USA student visa (F-1 visa) requires several steps. Scheduling visa interviews can take longer wait times. The steps and application process may vary depending on the US Embassy or Consulate. Applicants must get an I-20 form before applying for a USA student visa.

• Step 1: Complete the online visa application and print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.

• Step 2: Upload your photo while filling out the online Form DS-160 fulfilling all the photo requirements.

• Step 3: Schedule a Biometric appointment and interview with a consular officer. Go in person to get fingerprints scanned and the photograph clicked as part of getting the America student visa.

• Step 4: Pay a non-refundable USA student visa cost of USD 185.

• Step 5: Once the interview answers are convincing, interviewers will keep the passport to issue a visa stamp that will become the USA student visa.

Note: Candidates can pay the SEVIS I-901 fee anytime during the USA student visa application process. But it is better to pay it before filling out the American student VISA application form.

Where to Apply for USA Student Visa?

To apply for an F1 visa USA students need to fill out the SEVIS I-901 Form and DS-160 Visa Application Form. Check the below table to get various locations in India for Biometrics interview and US Embassy and Consulate offices.

USA Student Visa Interview

Indian students who have applied for US student visa are interviewed by a consular officer to evaluate the eligibility of the students. In this interview session, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. However, students are required to fulfill below mentioned conditions as a part of a USA student visa requirements:

• If the candidate is 13 and younger: Generally not required

• If the candidate is 14 - 79: Required (some exceptions for renewals)

• 80 and older: Generally not required

Types of Questions Asked in USA Student Visa Interview

US Student Visa Success Rate

As per the records, the acceptance rate of US student visa from India is generally high, around 65%. To meet this growing demand, the US Embassy and Consulates in India anticipate a continued increase in student visa applicants from India and have expanded the student visa season for 2024.

Indian students with clear intent to study in USA, documentation, and sufficient funding have very high chances of getting an F1 visa USA. Candidates who get enrollment to top universities in USA have a higher success rate of USA student visa.

US Student Visa Processing Time

Though the USA student visa application process is time-consuming, visa processing time for F-1 visa USA is rather less. The major factor is visa appointment wait time, which varies from one location to another.

If the documents and performance in the personal interview are convincing, interview officers will give the result for the USA study visa application on the same day. Otherwise, they will tell the reason for the study visa rejection. If, for some reason,US student visa application result is taking time, patiently wait for it.

F1 Visa Appointment Wait Times

Cost for US Student Visa

For an F1 visa, the student visa for USA from India cost is associated with two different types of fees: SEVIS fee and MRV fee. Study in USA aspirants must also check the cost of living in USA ahead of applying for F1 visa and submit necessary proof of possessing sufficient funds.

USA Student Visa Cost for Indian Students

Mode of Payment

Students can access multiple payment methods to pay the necessary visa fees. Various modes of payment for USA student visa are as follows:

• Visa Fees (F, M, and J)

  • Internet Banking– NEFT | IMPSand

  • By Cash Axis Bank/ Citibank Counters

• Sevis Fees (F, M, and J):

  • Credit Cards

  • Money Order

  • Demand Draft

Working with USA Student Visa

International students with USA student visas can work in off-campus part-time jobs only after the completion of the first year of studies. Until then, they can only take up on-campus jobs on a US student visa. F1 student visa allows students to work only in their field of study, and the Designated School Official must authorise them to do so.

In any case, more than 20 hours/week of work is not allowed during course time. During breaks and holidays, up to 40 hours/week of part-time work is allowed. The same rules apply to F1 and M1 student visas USA from India regarding part-time work in the USA. Know the most popular part-time jobs in USA.

Reasons for Rejection of US Student Visa

Every year, thousands of visa applications from Indian students get rejected by the US government.

The lack of awareness and poor knowledge of student visa for USA from India process are the key reasons for these mass rejection. However, some other significant reasons for rejection of US student visa are listed below:

• Incomplete or inaccurate USA visa application.

• Ambiguity in expressing the purpose of the visit to USA.

• Not fulfilling USA student visa requirements, false documentation, missing documents, or discrepancies in documents.

• Lack of sufficient funding to study in USA.

• Suspicion involved with the university or course applied to.

• Applying for the wrong type of USA student visa.

• Any criminal records in the past have hurt getting a USA student visa.

• Any diplomatic tensions between the USA and a candidate’s home country can also lead to visa refusal. This is not the case with India.

• Past visa refusals and overstays to the USA also impact USA student visas negatively.

US Student Visa: Points to Remember

All international students must consider the following points before applying for a US student visa for higher studies.

• Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.

• While student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days before the start date for a course of study, entry to the US on a student visa will be allowed up to 30 days before the course start date.

• Student (F and M) visas for continuing students may be issued at any time, as long as the student is currently enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution and in SEVIS, and they may enter the United States at any time before classes start.

• It advised to schedule an appointment for a USA student visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in one's home country. Though planning at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate is permitted, it may be more challenging to qualify for a visa outside of one's home country.

• Wait times for visa interview appointments vary by visa category, location, and season. Candidates must know the interview wait time for their nearest US Embassy and apply for a student visa accordingly.

• During the visa interview, a visa officer will ask some questions regarding the course, college, finances, and the intent to come back. To learn about their course details, credit system, course duration, etc. Go through the statement of purpose (SOP) or admission essay submitted while filling out the admission form for US universities and colleges.

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