How to Apply for a Student Visa in USA: Full Guide

If you’re an international student, your woes aren’t finished once you get that coveted acceptance letter. To arrive and live in the United States, you’ll probably need a student visa.

At EssayHub, we often help international students navigate their enrollment into U.S. colleges and universities. In this article, let’s talk about student visas.

What Is a Student Visa, Exactly?

A student visa is a document that authorizes foreign nationals to enter and stay in a foreign country for the duration of their studies. As the name suggests, you need to submit proof that you’ve been accepted to an accredited U.S. institution to prove eligibility for a student visa.

Student visas fall into the non-immigrant category, meaning you can stay only for the duration of your studies. That is, you’ll have to leave the U.S. or obtain another type of residence permit after your studies are over.

How Many Types of Student Visa in USA Are There?

There are three types of student visa in USA: F-1, J-1, and M-1. The type of student visa you need to apply for depends on the purpose and period you plan to stay in the United States:

F-1 Visa

If you’ve been accepted into a full-time academic program, you’ll need an F1 student visa in USA. (Be warned: part-time students aren’t eligible for it!) That can mean coming to the U.S. to attend:

• College or university
• High school
• Seminary
• Conservatory
• Any other academic institution, including for participating in a full-time language training program

Your academic institution has to be SEVP-approved.

M-1 Visa

M-1 visas allow you to pursue vocational studies in the United States full-time. Much like the F-1 visa, your vocational or non-academic institution has to be SEVP-approved. Unlike the F-1 visa holders, however, M-1 visa holders can’t work until the end of their studies. (Students under an F-1 visa can work a limited range of jobs and have to obtain permission.)

If you’re unsure about the differences between F-1 and J-1 visas, check out this comparison infographic from the U.S. State Department.

J-1 Visa

The J-1 visa is awarded to participants of specific work-and-study and exchange programs. Those include:

• Au pair and EduCare participants
• Interns and trainees
• Professors and research scholars
• Summer Work Travel participants
• Secondary school students participating in an international exchange
• Short-term scholars
• College and university students participating in an internship or a full-time non-degree program that lasts up to 24 months

What Are the Requirements for Student Visa Applications?

F-1 Visa Requirements

To be eligible for the F-1 visa, you’ll need to meet the following USA student visa requirements:

• Admission to an accredited institution. This database contains a list of all SEVP-certified schools in the U.S. You’ll need to show proof of your enrollment in one. Part-time students or students accepted to non-degree programs aren’t eligible for the F-1 visa.
• English proficiency. You must either be proficient in English or be accepted to a program that will help you gain it.
• Sufficient funds. You’ll need to show you have enough funds to finance your studies yourself or via grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance programs.
• Intent to return. You may need to demonstrate you have substantial ties to your home country to prove you’re going to return to it after your studies are over.

To apply for the F-1 visa, you’ll need to submit:

• A valid passport
• Form DS-160 application (completed online) with a photo
• Form I-20 from your academic institution
• Fee payment confirmation
• Additional documents: proof of sufficient funds, academic preparation (transcripts, standardized test scores), intent to leave the U.S.

M-1 Visa Requirements

If you’re planning to apply for an M-1 visa, make sure you meet the following requirements:

• Purpose of stay. You must be admitted to a full-time vocational or non-academic program at a SEVP-accredited institution.
• English proficiency. You’ll have to demonstrate your proficiency in English, unless you travel to the U.S. to participate in English-language classes.
• Sufficient funds. You should be able to sustain yourself financially for the duration of your stay, either with your own funds or financing from government, non-profits, etc.

The list of required and additional documents is largely the same as for F-1 visas:

• A valid passport
• Form DS-160 application (completed online) with a photo
• Form I-20 from your institution
• Fee payment confirmation
• Additional documents: proof of sufficient funds and intent to leave the U.S.

J-1 Visa Requirements

The exact requirements depend heavily on the category. In general, J-1 applicants have to fulfill these criteria:

• Purpose of stay. Requirements depend on the category. For example, both students pursuing an internship and research scholars intending to train U.S. students are eligible.
• Intent to depart. J-1 visa holders are generally required to return to their native country for 2 years following their stay in the U.S. Some countries are exempt from the rule, however.
• English proficiency. You can either submit language test results or show that you passed an interview with the host organization sponsoring your application.
• Insurance coverage. You’ll need to show that you have the medical coverage or that your sponsor will provide it for you.

As for the list of documents to gather, they generally include:

• A valid passport
• Form DS-160 application (completed online)
• Form DS-2019 from your sponsor
• Form DS-7002 (Trainee/Intern categories only)
• Fee payment confirmation
• Proof of sufficient funds

That said, you should verify the list of documents to gather for your specific J-1 category on the website of the U.S. embassy in your country.

USA Student Visa Application Process: Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. Verify Your Passport Is Valid

Your passport is considered valid if its expiration date is no sooner than half a year after the end of your planned stay in the U.S. For example, if your studies finish on May 31, 2027, your passport should be valid at least until December 1, 2027. If it expires sooner, you’ll have to acquire a new one before applying for a visa.

That is the general rule, however. Some countries have signed bilateral agreements with the U.S. to exempt their citizens from this validity rule.

2. Fill Out the Application Form

Whether you’re applying for the F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa, you’ll need to fill out the DS-160 form (also known as the Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application form) online.

While you’re at it, answer every question on the form. If you leave any blank fields, your application will be viewed as incomplete. You will also need to attach a photo that meets certain requirements.

Once you complete your DS-160 form, make a printed copy of the confirmation page with a barcode. You’ll need it for your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

3. Prepare Supporting Documents

The visa interview is not obligatory only for applicants under 13 or over 80 years old. You’ll need to present several documents during it, such as:

• The confirmation of your DS-160 submission with a barcode
• Form I-20 from your institution (for F-1 and M-1 visas)
• Form DS-2019 from your sponsor (for J-1 visas) and Form DS-7002 (for Trainee/Intern J-1 visa categories)
• Your passport, valid for travel to the U.S.

You may also be required to bring extra documents, such as:

• Your academic transcripts, diplomas, and certifications
• One photo that complies with official Photograph Requirements (required by some embassies and consulates)
• Your sponsor’s letter (for J-1 visas)
• Standardized test results required by your institution
• Documents proving you can afford the costs of travel and your living expenses during your stay
• Documents supporting your intent to go back to your native country
• Fee payment confirmation (more on that below)

4. Schedule an Interview

You’re responsible for scheduling a visa interview appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Go to the website of the embassy or consulate in your country to find out how to do it. You can find the official websites here.

Keep in mind that you need to complete the interview in the country where you currently reside. For example, if you’re a French citizen, you need to attend the visa interview at the U.S. embassy in France. Some exceptions can be made, but rarely.

5. Pay the Visa Fee & Complete the Interview

You may be asked to pay the visa application fee before your interview and bring the confirmation, or pay it on the spot, depending on your country.

Note: If you have to pay the fee at the embassy or consulate, verify you have the appropriate payment method with you. You may be limited to using only a debit/credit card or cash/checks.

During the interview, the consular officer will review your supporting documents and pose questions to determine whether you’re eligible for the visa. You’ll also have to be ready for a fingerprint scan.

If your application needs further processing, you’ll get notified by the officer.

6. Get Your Passport with the Visa

Once you’re approved for the visa, you’ll get an email or a call. You may have to schedule another appointment at the embassy or consulate to get your passport with the visa in it. You’ll also have to pay a visa integrity fee and possibly a visa issuance fee before getting your visa.

What Are the Documents Required for Student Visa Applications?

In all cases, the documents required for student visa for USA include a valid passport and a confirmation of your completed DS-160 form. Then, F-1 and M-1 applicants will need to submit the I-20 form from their institution, while J-1 applicants will need the DS-2019 form, plus the DS-7002 if they apply as a Trainee or Intern.

Finally, you may be asked to provide your transcripts, English proficiency test results, a printed photo, proof of sufficient funds, or confirmation that you paid your application fee.

Note: Verify the list of required documents on the website of your local U.S. embassy or consulate; it may vary from country to country.

Getting a Student Visa: Timeline & Costs

Applying for a visa isn’t free by any stretch of imagination, and the application fees are non-refundable. On top of that, there are some implicit costs to consider, like travel expenses for the visa interview.

So, how much does a student visa cost? Well, that depends on your country, as well as the visa type you apply for:

As for the timeline, the earliest you can get your F-1 and M-1 visa is 365 days before your program starts. That said, you can enter the U.S. territory only within 30 days before the start date if you’re a new student.

The application processing times can take between two and eight weeks, but they vary from country to country. How fast you can get your visa also depends on interview appointment availability, which you can estimate using the official visa wait times tool.

Why You May Be Denied a Student Visa

You can be denied the student visa if:

• The barcode number on your DS-160 application form doesn’t match the number entered when scheduling the interview appointment
• You don’t provide all the required supporting documents on time (they typically have to be uploaded 72 hours before the interview)
• Your application is incomplete; in this case, you’ll receive a letter stating the visa denial under INA section 221(g)
• You couldn’t prove that you have strong ties to your home country (e.g., your home, your relationships with family or friends)

That said, even if your application is immaculate, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your visa. So, don’t make any travel arrangements (e.g., pay for airplane tickets, etc.) before you have the passport with the visa in your hands!

A Word on Keeping Your Student Visa for USA

Once you get your visa, you can’t just forget about your status as a foreign student until it’s time to return to your home country. You’ll need to abide by several rules to maintain your student visa in USA:

• Contact your institution’s Designated School Official (DSO) right after you enter the U.S. territory
• Check in with the DSO once you get to your college/university, before or on the program’s start date
• Request an extension if you can’t finish your studies before your visa expires
• Take a break only after finishing at least one year of studies
• Complete the required paperwork if you want to transfer to another SEVP-accredited school
• Go back to your native country within 60 days after your studies are done

You should also:

• Attend your classes, maintain a good GPA, and remain a full-time student
• Discuss any academic difficulties with your DSO as soon as possible
• Check in with the DSO if you want to withdraw from or change classes