by: Sumit Gurg
Types of Student Visa
F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language
program. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic
program plus 60 days. F-1 students must maintain a full-time course load and
complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form. Students
should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa
120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date. If you
apply for your visa more than 120 days prior to your start date or registration
date as provided on the Form I-20, the Embassy or Consulate will hold your
application until it is able to issue the visa. Consular officials will use
that extra time to accomplish any of the necessary special clearances or other
processes that may be required.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
The J-1 visa is issued for students needing practical training that is not
available in their home country to complete their academic program. The
training must be directly related to the academic program. The J-1 visa
obligates the student to return to their home country for a minimum of two
years after the end of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply
for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.
What Documents are needed to Apply for a Student Visa to Study in USA?
1.Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student
Status-For Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of
Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students. You
will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, I-20, which was provided to you by
your school.You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. All students,
as well as their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and
Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an Internet-based system that
maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and
exchange visitors and their dependents (F/M-2 visa holders). Your school is
responsible for entering your information for the I-20 student visa form into
SEVIS. Students will also have to pay an SEVIS I-901 fee for each program of
study. Questions regarding your exchange program should be directly to your
program sponsor.
2.A completed application, Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant, Form DS-156, together
with a Form DS-158. Both forms must be completed and signed. Some applicants
will also be required to complete and sign Form DS-157. A separate form is
needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. The
DS-156 must be the March 2006 date, electronic "e-form application." Select
Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-156 to access the electronic version of
the form DS-156.
3.An interview at the embassy consular section is required for almost all visa
applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can
vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. During the visa
interview, an ink-free, digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken, as well
as a digital photo. Some applicants will need additional screening, and will be
notified when they apply.
4.A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at
least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United
States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than
one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must
complete an application.
5.One (1) 2x2 photograph.
6.A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee, a visa
issuance fee if applicable and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. While all
F-visa applicants must pay the MRV fee, including dependents, only the F-1
principal applicants must pay the SEVIS fee.
7.Students who are authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have
an I-20 endorsed for OPT, and provide a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization
Document (EAD).
All applicants should be prepared to provide:
1.Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended
2.scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such
as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.
3.financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have
sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of
your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried
employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or
statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business
registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books
and/or statements.
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
1.Proof of the student’s relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g.,
marriage and birth certificates.)
2.it is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time,
but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they
should bring a copy of the student visa holder’s passport and visa, along with
all other required documents.
About The Author
Sumit Gurg provides information about education in India,study usa, study uk
and study Australia. for more details, visit at:http://www.studytimes.com
Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1815.shtml
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What are the Documents Required
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