How to Get a U.S. Student Visa

If you're an international student eager to study in the U.S., you probably have your reasons. Maybe it's the elite universities - or perhaps you have dreams of tailgating before a football game or going to those wild college parties you've seen in Hollywood movies.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to study in the U.S. (we don't judge!), if you do plan to go to America as an international student, you'll definitely need one thing: a U.S. student visa. Read on to learn about the visa application process, so you can get that magic piece of paper that lets you announce, "I'm going to study in the U.S.!"

Eligibility and requirements

Before you can start the visa application process, you'll need to get accepted by a higher education, vocational, or language school that's certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Your school will then issue Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. This is sort of like the Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) issued in the United Kingdom; without it, you can't apply for a student visa.

There are two main types of student visas in the U.S., categories F and M. If you want to study at a college or university, or take part in a language training program, you'll apply for an F-1 visa. In addition to being accepted by a SEVP approved school, you must meet the following eligibility requirements for an F-1 visa:

• Full-time enrollment. You must be enrolled at your SEVP-certified institution on a full-time basis. Your school can testify to your full-time student status, which should be designated on your Form I-20 (don't worry - we'll get into the nitty gritty of that paperwork in the next section).
• Financial means. You must have enough money to support yourself for the full duration of your stay in the U.S. You may be asked to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds, for example, by providing bank statements or, if your parents are still helping you out, your parents' financial records.
• Proof of residence. You must keep a residence in your home country, with no intention to give it up. This could be a copy of a lease back home, for example. If you still live with a parent, that counts too!
• English language proficiency. You must be proficient in English. Alternatively, you may be enrolled in a course that will result in English proficiency. United States Customs and Immigration Services, USCIS, doesn't require a specific language test for proof of proficiency. One commonly accepted option is test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Visa application process

Okay, now let's get to what you're here for - how to actually get your American student visa. First, you want to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements outlined above. And after that? Here's a quick rundown of the process, step by step:

1. Connect with your designated school official (DSO). Once you're admitted to your dream school (yay - congratulations!), you should obtain Form I-20 from your designated school official (DSO). This is the person at the school who is responsible for issuing the I-20 and for updating your status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
2. Confirm the information on Form I-20. Form I-20 covers basic information about you as well as your program of study, like the program degree level and the program start date and end date. Form I-20 also details financials like the estimated cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses, and how those will be covered (for example, via an on-campus job or teaching assistantship).
3. Pay the SEVIS fee. SEVIS is an information system used to monitor SEVP schools and their students. Your DOS should register you with SEVIS and provide a SEVIS identification number when issuing Form I-20. To complete this administrative step, you'll also have to pay the SEVIS fee or I-901 fee and complete form I-901, Remittance for Certain F, J, and M Visa Nonimmigrants.
4. Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application. With Forms I-90 and I-901 taken care of, you can move on to completing the actual visa application paperwork. This is Form DS-160. Complete the application form and print it out; you will be asked to present a copy at your visa application interview.
5. Schedule your visa interview appointment. Schedule a visa application interview at your country's U.S. embassy or consulate. Be aware that waiting times vary depending on details like the location and time of year, so don't delay this step. You can have a new F-1 visa issued up to 365 days before your study program start date.
6. Gather your paperwork for the visa interview. You'll need Form I-20, Form I-901, Form DS-160, a valid passport, a photo for the application, and a means to pay the visa application fees. Note that the means of visa fee payment depend on your nationality - discover your country's requirements. You may also need additional required documents like proof of financial means, such as bank statements, and copies of previous academic diplomas.
7. Attend the visa interview. This part can be a little nerve-wracking but don't worry - we've got you! Make sure you have all the documentation described above prepared, and you should be good to go. We cover the interview process itself, plus some tips to succeed, below.
8. Enter the U.S. You've been granted an F-1 visa - you're one step closer to the dream! BUT be aware: A visa doesn't automatically guarantee entry to the USA. You'll need to enter the country via a port of entry, usually an airport, and present your passport, I-20 form, and F-1 visa to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. They'll approve or deny your entry request. Don't stress. If you've taken care of the above steps, you should be good!

Interview and enrollment

A visa interview can be kind of intimidating if you've never done one before. Knowing what to expect can help keep those nervous jitters at bay.

Once you provide your paperwork, you'll be asked basic questions about your application. Questions usually focus on five core areas: your study plans, your choice of U.S. school, your academic capabilities, your financial status, and your plans after graduation.

You will also have to provide digital fingerprint scans during the interview process. When you enter the U.S., you'll be asked to provide fingerprints again; these will be matched to the fingerprints on record. This ensures that the person who gets the visa and the person who enters the country with that visa are the same!

Types of student visas

There are different types of student visas that you may get to study in the U.S. Here are some of the highlights.

U.S student visa

The primary types of student visas are F and M. An F-1 visa applies if you're studying at a seminary, conservatory, language training program, university, college, or high school. An M-1 visa applies for vocational studies. There is also a J-1 visa, which is exclusively for exchange programs. 

Family members

It is possible to bring children or other dependents with you to the U.S. if you've been awarded a student visa. To bring a spouse or child with you, you'll have to apply for both an F-1 visa and an F-2 visa. Note that you have to do an F-2 visa for each family member you plan to bring.

Additional considerations

Phew. You made it. Now the only thing left to do is to maintain your visa status. That means abiding by the eligibility criteria and rules, like only accepting approved forms of employment. (Psst, we talk about the kinds of jobs international students are allowed to have in this guide!)

Having such a blast in the U.S. that you don't want to leave? There are some ways you can extend an F-1 student visa. USCIS covers the basics of how to extend a student visa.

Your student visa journey

We'll be honest: The U.S. government has some strict stipulations to study in America! If you aren't a U.S. citizen or green card holder, you'll need your student visa. While it might seem like a lot of paperwork, the student visa application isn't too complicated once you break down the process.

Our guide above takes you through all of the visa requirements step by step. For more tips on everything from the college application process to financial aid, visit College Rover.