According sources, 78,000 F1 USA visas were issued to Indians till July 2022. That means it was a 30% increase in 2021.
Also, 232,851 Indian students went to the USA last year, an increase of 12%.
The USA is a top-rated destination because of its top-of-the-class academic opportunities. It’s an investment in yourself that will help you to pursue your dreams.
But you need a ticket to the good life. F1 visa comes into the picture here, which plays a pivotal role in sailing your boat. Getting an F1 VISA isn’t tedious if you know the exact ways of the application process.
In this blog, we will discuss the quick ways to get an F1 visa. Consider this one as a step-by-step guide that will be conducive for you.
Let’s delve deeper.
What is an F1 visa?
A non-immigrant US visa allows international students to enter the US to pursue higher education in one of the US universities certified by the student and exchange visitor program (SEVP). It’s one of the popular student visas, which helps to study at a college. However, it would be best if you were admitted to an accredited institution from the USA. You need to file an F1 visa application if you want to enter-
- High school
- College/university
- Seminary
- Conservatory
The stay period will depend based on the program you enrol in. The I-20 form provided by the institution will list the date on which the program will expire. Therefore, you can understand the period of your stay in the US. Once you graduate, you can apply for optional practical training (OPT).
Requirements of F1 visa
It would help if you considered various F1 visa rules while filling F1 visa application. Here are the requirements that a student should follow to get their application accepted-
- Full-time enrolment- You should be enrolled as a full-time student at any university/college.
- Institution certification- SEVP or student and exchange visitor program should approve the college or university where you have secured your admission.
- English language proficiency- The English language proficiency level should match your chosen academic program. You can also prove your English language proficiency by taking tests like TOEFL or IELTS.
- A resident of your home country- You should have a residence in your home country for returning once you complete your academic schedule.
A step-by-step guide to applying for an education visa in the USA
Complete the following visa application steps to get your visa.
Step 1: Receive your admission documents from any SEVP institution.
First and foremost, you need to get accepted by a SEVP-certified US university. Afterwards, you can proceed further with the F1 student visa application. Once you’re accepted, the university will provide you with Form I-20. It’s one of the essential documents that consists of your entire study plan. Also, it entails your stay information during your study period.
Step 2: Pay the application fee.
You need to pay the fee for a US student visa to get the receipt for your related interview documents. The amount may differ based on the Embassy and your country of origin. Once your school provides the Form I-20, it will be presented to the consular officer to attend the F1 visa interview.
Step 3: Complete the visa application.
DS-160 is your VISA application. You need to complete the DS-160 application to obtain an F1 visa. An F1 student visa may vary depending on the consulate or US embassy. You may require to pay a non-refundable amount to get the visa application. Complete and print the form for the F1 visa interview.
Step 4: Schedule your interview.
Once you print the form, it’s time to schedule your interview. It’s a mandatory one before your student visa gets issued. To schedule your interview, find your nearest consulate or US Embassy. You will receive an interview letter once you schedule the interview. Schedule at its earliest as it may take some time depending on the previously queued applications.
You must carry the following documents-
- Non-immigrant visa application
- A valid passport
- A passport photo
- Certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant student status
Step 5: Attend the interview.
Whether you will receive the F1 student visa entirely depends on the interview. Rest assured, appropriate documents and meeting all the criteria will help to get the approval of your F1 VISA. The consular officer will either congratulate you or tell you the reason for the Visa denial. However, it would be best if you waited a few days to get a response.
The future is yours!
An F1 student visa is essential to enter a foreign country. You may be stuck somewhere, which will slow down the entire process. Our experts are always there to help you pursue your dreams. May it be a document issue or anything else, UniXperts are ready to save your back with the necessary alternatives. Ready to shoot the moon? Let us help you!
