How to go to the USA to study from India?
The USA is one of the preferred destinations for Indian students to attain quality education. Being a diverse nation, it is free from racism and the safest place for international students. In 2022, approximately 82,000 students migrated to the USA to study at top-notch universities in order to make a flourishing future.
If you are also among those students who are aspiring to land in the USA and are looking for the right procedure of how to go to the USA to study from India, then consider reading this blog till the end as it will be fruitful for you. In this blog, we have mentioned every information from the USA visa application to the things you must know before moving to the USA. So, without any further ado, let’s dig into the blog.
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1. Steps to Apply for USA Study Visa 1.1 Apply and Get accepted by Institution 1.2 I-20 or DS-2019 form from Institution 1.6 Fix Visa Interview Appointment 2.1 Choose Suitable Study Program 2.4 Use the Subway 3. FAQ 4. Conclusion |
Here are the steps to apply for a USA study visa:
1. Apply for the US institution and get accepted
The first step is to choose an institution that is approved by SEVP and provides quality education and assistance to the students. To know whether the institution you are going to apply to is SEVP approved or not, you can choose some reliable online tools. One thing you have to keep in mind is to submit your application before December or January. After submitting your application, wait for the approval.
2. I-20 form or DS-2019 form from an institution
Once you get accepted by the institution, you will receive a form on the given email address. J-1 students will receive the DS-2019 form, whereas F-1 and M-1 students will receive an I-20 form from an institution. This form comprises your SEVIS ID, the institution’s address and a lot of other crucial information regarding your study program.
3. Pay the SEVIS Fee
After receiving I-20 or DS-2019 form from the institution, you need to go online to pay the SEVIS fee. For F-1 and M-1 students, the SEVIS fee is around 350 USD and for J-1 students, the fee is nearly 200 USD. Some people correlate the SEVIS fee with the visa application fee, but both are different. You have to pay the visa application fee as well after paying the SEVIS fee. You can pay this fee online and don’t forget to take a printout of the confirmation page as it is essential for the visa interview.
4. Find the nearest embassy
You can seek the nearest embassy to apply for a student visa. Let us tell you that different embassies have slightly different processes for visa application, so no need to worry about it. For instance, some embassies ask you for additional documents, while some do not.
5. Complete DS-160 Form
Now comes the part to complete the DS-160 form through online mode. Let us tell you that you have to fill in every single detail asked in this form in English only except the details which are clearly specified to fill in your native language. This form will also allow you to choose a US embassy where you have to appear for the visa interview. Here are some crucial things you must have in your hand to fill out the DS-160 form:
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A valid passport
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Photograph
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I-20 form or DS-2019 form
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A resume or CV
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Your purpose for moving to the US
6. Fix an appointment for a visa interview
After submitting the DS-160 form, make sure to contact the embassy to fix an appointment for a visa interview. Note that you have to keep the fixed date and time in your mind in order to appear for the interview timely.
7. Pay the visa application fee
Once you fix an appointment for the visa interview, you have to pay the visa application fee which will be around 160 USD. Note that the process of paying visa application fees may differ for different embassies. For example, some embassies instruct the students to pay a fee before the interview, while some require it to be done after the interview. In case you are paying the fee before the interview, make sure to take a fee receipt as proof of payment because it is required in the interview.
8. Appear for the interview
At this step, you have to appear for the visa interview in the US embassy along with the documents mentioned below:
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A valid passport
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A copy of the visa photograph if you haven’t uploaded it to your online visa application.
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One printout of the DS-160 confirmation page.
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One printout of the SEVIS fee confirmation page.
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Receipt of visa application fee as proof.
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I-20 form or DS-2019 form
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Receive your visa
The interview part will decide whether you will get a USA student visa or not. So, after appearing for the interview, wait for approval. If you have received visa approval, you will get your passport back with a US student visa on it.
"Hii Manbir Singh Here founder & CEO of IBT Overseas, Holds 10+ years of immigration experience. We are an emerging team of UK student visa consultants sucessfully stamped 1000+ UK Visa. Moreover, IBT Overseas recently bagged the “Best in the market” award in the immigration field by the leading national media."
Tips you must know before going to study in the USA
Here we have enlisted some crucial things you must be aware of before studying in the USA:
Choose a suitable study program
Make sure to choose a study program that can help you accomplish your future goals and most importantly, that suits your educational background. This way, everything will seem easy to learn and you can do really well in the exams. On the contrary, if you choose a study program as per the suggestions given by others, it will risk your career.
Boost language skills
As you know that the official language of the US is English, so to ensure a smooth stay in the US, make sure to boost your English language abilities. Speak English in your everyday life for better results. Never miss a chance to learn something new everyday. With regular practice, you can become proficient in English and can involve yourself in debates, discussions and simple conversations while studying abroad.
Weather and Clothes
The weather and climate in the USA will be entirely different from that in India. So, you have to pack your clothes accordingly to bear the harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, keep warm as well as clothes in your bag to wear a set of clothes that suits the weather there.
Use the subway
The majority of students worry about travel expenses. Don’t worry! You can easily go for the subway instead of the cab because it is a cost-saving option. Not only is it affordable but it will also help you reach the desired location in minimum time.
Prepare yourself mentally
In your own country, various tasks are divided among your family. However, while studying in the USA, you are the one to manage everything from cooking and studying to even earning. So, prepare yourself mentally to handle each task perfectly with a cinch. The mental preparedness will allow you to stay courageous even though the situations are not in your hands.
FAQs
Ques 1) What would be the application fee for the USA study visa?
Ans) The application fee for the USA study visa will be around 150 USD.
Ques 2) Will there be any interview to get the USA study visa?
Ans) Yes, you have to schedule an appointment for the interview and must appear in the interview as it is the deciding factor for your USA study visa.
Ques 3) Is my passport required while appearing for the US study visa interview?
Ans) Yes, you need to carry your passport along with other essential documents while appearing for the US study visa interview.
Ques 4) How much is the SEVIS fee?
Ans) For F-1 and M-1 students, the SEVIS fee is around 350 USD and for J-1 students, the fee is nearly 200 USD
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Final Thoughts
Now, you have got every information regarding how to go to the USA to study from India. We hope this complete guide will help you apply for the USA study visa easily and you will get your visa for sure.
