US Student Visas - Learning All About Them

Students, who wish to study in the United States, needof the year. In denial of a specific visa, you have a right
to apply for U.S. student visa with the U.S Consulate orto ask to know the reason for denial from the U.S.
Embassy. You may fill up the application for your visaconsulate.
after receiving the I-20 form. The I-20 form is aFundamental Requirements:
confirmation of your acceptance as a student given1. It is important that the University accept your
by the university. The form confirms your admissionadmission as a student. You need to submit the I-20
too.form, which is a confirmation by the institution. You
Three Types of U.S. Student Visas:need to sign the form and present it along with a visa
F-1 - This is the most common type of U.S. studentapplication.
visa. Students make use of this visa for academic2. It is mandatory for you to know English language for
studies in the United States. This type of visa isundergoing a course in a particular institution in the
designed for students, who want to enroll for anUnited States. You need to provide proof of the
educational program with a college or University in theknowledge of English language in the I-20 form. You
United States. It is also used to study English languagemay give the Test of English as a Foreign Language
at an Institute or at a foreign language Institute to study(TOEFL) passing certificate as a proof.
English.3. The applicant has to provide a financial proof to
M-1- This type of visa is for people who enroll fordetermine that he/she has enough funds to meet the
vocational training or study or for non-academiceducational expenses. An applicant may show funds
activities at an American Institute.from his/her sponsor, who is taking care of the
J-1- This is also known as Exchange visitor visa and iseducational expenses.
useful in cultural and educational programs in the UnitedIf the financial support is obtained from a financial
States.institution such as a scholarship, mention it on the I-20
When to apply for a U.S. student visa?form. If the finances are coming from the home
You may apply for a U.S. student visa 90 days beforecountry, applicants need to produce proofs such as
the date of registration given on the I-20 form. If thebank statements. The U.S. Embassy gives maximum
date of registration has expired or if you are not ableimportance to proofs submitted in an affidavit, as they
to arrive at the institution on the date of registration,are legal and documents bound by law.
obtain an extension form informing them the date ofFinal Step:
your arrival.You need to submit proof to the consulate that your
Students generally get their visa within few days orpurpose of visit is solely for educational purpose. After
hours after they submit the application form.the completion of all these above formalities, the
Sometimes, the procedure takes a long timeconsulate affixes visa stamp on your passport.
depending on factors such as consulate and the time