USA Student Visa
Here we have provided a step-by-step process for Visa Appointment booking, depending on your locality in India. You will also find the details of how to track your booking, the cancellation procedure and date exchange procedures.
There are several steps for the Visa process. The order of these procedures and how you complete them vary according to the U.S Embassy or Consulate. Kindly refer the respective websites for more information on the instructions to be followed.
1. Complete the Online Visa Application
You need to complete the online nonimmigrant visa application, the DS160 form and print the application from the confirmation page to be brought during your interview. After you have completed the form, print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. You shall also attach your photo in this step. Follow the format explained on their website.
- Information regarding the DS-160.
- Form DS160
- Photograph Requirements
2. Schedule the Visa Interview Appointment
The U.S Embassy/ Consulate will not book an appointment for you. It is your responsibility to schedule an interview. Schedule an interview at the country you live in.
- List of U.S Embassy and Consulates
- The wait times for the interview appointments vary by the location, season, and the visa category, so you should apply for a visa early. Check the appointment wait time on the link
3. Payment of Application Fees
The Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee would be around $160. Check their website to see the exact amount you need to pay, as per your application requirements.
4. Gather required documents
Gather and keep all the following documents ready before your Visa interview.
- Passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Application fee payment receipt, if you need to pay before your interview.
- Photograph, which might be required in case the one you applied online has not been accepted.
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - Your University/ College will send you a Form I-20 once they have entered your details in the SEVIS database. You and your University/College officials must sign the Form I-20. All students to be enrolled must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
You might also be required to provide other additional documents.
- Previous academic information and Standardized Tests Proof
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates of your previous education; and o Standardised test scores required by your U.S. University/College;
- Your intent to depart from the United States of America upon completion of the course of study; and
- Financial resources to pay for the living, travel and education.
5. Schedule the Appointments
You are required to schedule two appointments – one for the Visa Application Center (VAC) and one for the Visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Firstly, schedule your appointment at a Visa Application Center. Here, you need to visit one of the five Visa Application Center locations and have your fingerprints and photograph taken. This appointment must be scheduled at least a day before your visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
Second, schedule the Visa Interview Appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
While scheduling your appointment, you will have to give complete information about the type of visa required, your personal information, dependents, location of appointment centre, etc.
6. Attend the Visa Interview
Take all the required documents and records along with you while going for both the interviews. At the Visa Application Centre, your digital fingerprints and photograph will be taken. After this, you will have to visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate on your interview date. You will be interviewed by a Consular office to determine if you should receive the U.S. Student Visa or not. You should provide all clear documents and answer them well to show that you are well established to obtain the Student Visa.
7. Pay fees
After the visa is issued, you will have to pay the Visa Issuance Fee and make the necessary measures for the return of your passport and visa back to you.
