How to Apply for a Student Visa from the USA in India|Requirements in 2024

In this blog post, you will find every detail on how to apply for a student visa for USA from India, including the requirements, processes, and more.

Our comprehensive guide will cover how to apply for a student visa to the USA from India, the documentation needed for a US student visa, where you can have your interview, what you need to know before you leave India, and what is necessary once you arrive in the US. If you are an Indian student who also hopes to attend college in the US.

It is not difficult to obtain a student visa for the United States from India, but you must adhere to all regulations and allow enough time to prepare and submit your papers.

You must be admitted to a degree program before applying for an F-1 student visa for the USA from India.

A student who is not an American citizen but wishes to study there must apply for a student visa. Students should prepare thoroughly because applying for a visa to the USA might be a complex process.

Applying for a student visa to the USA entails many steps. Therefore, reading the guidelines on the embassy or consulate’s website is essential.

Even though admissions there are extremely tough, the USA student visa is still the third-most requested visa globally. Similar to admissions, getting a US student visa is challenging. Only 85% of US student visa applications were approved in 2021.

Indian students must exhibit outstanding dedication during the interview process to be granted a visa to study in the United States. The interview for a US visa resembles a job interview in certain ways. The questions frequently asked during the interview for a US student visa are listed below.

In summary, applying for a student visa to the United States may seem a bit complicated due to the limited travel ban policies; also, the rejection rate has increased over the last two years.

On the other hand, the scenario surrounding the Corona pandemic may benefit the students and be a blessing in disguise for many. Therefore, a student will not encounter obstacles and successfully receive a visa for study if he or she properly understands all the procedures and conditions involved.

Depending on the trip’s purpose, the course’s length, and the number of applicants, there are many types of US visas. Depending on the type of program and length of the term, there are three more categories for US student visas. The F, M, and J visas are the three categories for US studies.

Admission to full-time studies at American universities requires an F visa. For Indian students, F-1 visas are valid for up to 5 years. F-1 visa holders who are international students may work part-time on campus for fewer than 20 hours per week. Three subcategories of the F visa are the F-1, F-2, and F-3 visas.

Students enrolling in exchange visiting programs in the USA are given the J visa, a US visa for exchange students. There are two sorts of J visas: J-1 and J-2.

Non-academic students enrolled in vocational programs or training in the USA are granted an M visa. With an M visa, you can stay in the USA for up to a year.

How to Apply for a Student Visa for the USA in India in 2024?

Be sure to read our step-by-step guide to the visa process as well as our F-1 visa interview questions, including interview preparation tips and advice, if you’re interested in learning more about how to apply for a student visa for the USA from India, the documents needed for US student visas, and other F-1 visa requirements.

Here is a basic rundown of the procedures for Indian students applying for visas:

Obtain acceptance and your I-20: An I-20 form will be issued after a US university with academic standing accepts you. This form outlines your intended course of study and offers pertinent details regarding your visit.

Pay your SEVIS fee: The $350 SEVIS cost is a processing and maintenance fee for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Fill out your DS-160 visa application. To be granted an F-1 visa, all prospective international students must submit a DS-160.

Set a time for the visa interview: The length of the wait varies per nation and can be several months. To account for delays, schedule your appointment as early as you can.

Attend your visa interview: At this stage of the F-1 visa application procedure, the US consulate or embassy verifies that you are traveling to the US to pursue your studies as a real, committed student.

US Student Visa Eligibility For Indian Students

India is the second most common place of origin for foreign exchange visitors and students in the US. (The first is China.) About 94,000 Indians applying for student visas to the USA intend to pursue graduate-level education.

Students having an internship on OPT (Optional Practical Training) credentials come in second place; they may still be enrolled in their US institution or have just completed their studies.

Approximately 80% of all Indian students go to the US to study graduate or undergraduate engineering, science, technology, or math (STEM), and 10% study in graduate or undergraduate programs in business.

California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania are the most popular states for international students, each of which is home to more than 50,000 students from various nations.

United States Student Visa Requirements For Indian Students

Before their US visa interview and application, Indian students should arm themselves with various documents. A US student visa requires the following fundamental paperwork:

Passport
a duplicate of the photo you’ll be using for your DS-160 visa and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmation pages
Official exam results that you used on your university application and your I-20 school transcript
Diploma (if appropriate) (if applicable)
using bank statements to complete your college application

How Much Does US Student Visa Cost for Indian Students

Universities in the USA don’t charge extra for applying for visas. The projected cost of their studies in the USA should include the visa application fees.

Government personnel, charitable organizations, and other situations are exempt from paying US visa expenses.

Ph.D.: $28,000 to $55,000 a year Master’s in science: $30,000 to $120,000 (INR 22,50,465 to INR 90,01,860) (INR 20,99,724 – INR 41,24,458) $45,000 to $60,000 for engineering (INR 33,75,968 – INR 45,01,290) $60,000+ annually (INR 45,01,290+): MBA Computer science bachelor’s degree: $30–$80,000. (INR 22,51,029 – INR 60,02, 744)

Building: $42,900 to 58,920 (INR 32,18,971 – INR 44,19,946)

Reasons Why the US Rejects Indian Students’ Visa

The following reasons may cause the US Embassy or Consulate in India to reject USA student visa applications:

Unable to state precisely why one is visiting the US.
Reflecting a covert desire to remain and establish post-study plans in the United States after the program is over.
A visa application may be denied if incorrect or missing documentation is shown.
Unable to provide evidence of having enough money to pay for your trip to the US.
The university or program you have applied to is suspect.
One small factor that could result in your application for a US visa being rejected is the presence of close family members who are already residents of the US.
Another reason for US visa refusal is an application for the incorrect US visa type.

How To Avoid Rejection of US Student Visa for Indian Students

Here are a few tips for clearing a US visa interview on the first try.

1. Dress correctly

Your personality is reflected in what you wear. Since it is a formal function, your clothing selection should make you seem reasonable.

2. Transport all paperwork

Before heading for the interview, double-check all of the necessary paperwork. Bring along all necessary documentation, supporting documents, and items.

3. Stay Away From Banned Items

Avoid bringing food, cell phones, or other objects that can damage your reputation.

4. Offer accurate responses

Be specific rather than fumbling around with your responses. Avoid sounding scripted, and show sincerity and assurance in your responses.

5. Clarify Your Intent

Give precise justifications for selecting a particular UYou’reS university and program.

6. Demonstrate Your Commitment

Justify your decision to study in the US and your long-term goals. Show the interviewer that you genuinely want to come to the US.

7. Improve Your English Fluency

The interviewer will pay particular attention to your language skills because the interview will primarily be in English. However, if you have registered for an English language course in the United States, you can let the person know.

8. Respond to the Interviewer

In the US visa interview, you must be yourself and consider your interviewer’s point of view. Explain in depth if the person appears interested in your responses. Otherwise

US Student Visa Processing Time

Depending on the type of visa you are looking for, the processing period for a US visa varies. The processing of a US visa application can take 3 to 5 weeks.

After processing, the applicant receives approval for their application, and the consulate will deliver the paperwork. A further two working days may pass before the visa is delivered.

Additionally, the processing wait time does not include the time needed to send the applicant’s passport back by local mail or courier services.

Can an Indian Student Visit The USA With a Canadian Student

Depending on his or her country of citizenship, a student may need a U.S. Visitor Visa if they travel to the United States while studying in Canada. However, under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals of some nations could be eligible to travel to the USA without a visa (VWP).

What Else Do Students from India Need to Know Before They Apply for a Visa?

International F-1 visa holders are not legally compelled to have health insurance coverage abroad, but it is always a good idea for peace of mind to obtain health insurance. Furthermore, most US institutions need proof of proper insurance coverage before students enroll in classes.

Can An Indian Student Work in the USA With a Student Visa?

International students are indeed permitted to work, but there are also some limitations. Typically, students on F1 visas can work up to 20 hours a week on campus at their university.

Additionally, on a case-by-case basis, F-1 students may be qualified to work off-campus. The student’s need for special student relief or extreme financial difficulty is considered.

Additionally, he must obtain prior approval from USCIS and the Designated School Official (authorized to operate the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS) for both F1 and M1 students.

Who can Sponsor for Student Visa in the USA?

The student must demonstrate sponsorship from family, the government, and funds from public or private organizations to obtain a student visa for the United States.

A student may have more than one sponsor to show the needed amount. Furthermore, it is crucial to demonstrate that the students can afford to live and study in the United States.

FAQs

Who can sponsor a US student visa?

For a USA student visa, applicants need to display sponsorship from family members, the government, or grants from the government or private organizations.

Can I stay in the USA after my student visa expires?

Yes, you can stay in the USA after the student visa expires as long as you maintain the student status.

Is getting a US student visa difficult?

US student visas have an acceptance rate of 85%. The eligibility criteria and parameters for a US student visa are pretty superior.

Conclusion

We believe the article above has given you a good insight into how to apply for an Indian student visa in America; Getting an American student visa is very rare, so you need to prepare yourself for all involved in this process.

How to Apply for a Student Visa from the USA in India|Requirements