Visa Appointment. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Well, not gonna lie, It is scary because this is when you’re being evaluated if you are suitable to move to a country or not. The scarier part is that the government is going to evaluate your candidacy. If you’re planning to move to the US for higher education, the first thing you do is get your laptop and book your F1 visa appointment on the official website.
Do you know that since August 2012, the visa norms have changed from US embassy visa appointment to F-1 visa slot booking? In the new procedure, students have to book an appointment for the visa Application Centre, i.e., biometrics (photo + fingerprints), followed by booking an appointment for the visa interview.
If you are looking for answers to - “How to apply for a US study visa,” you are at the right place! Keep reading, as this blog will tell you all about how to apply for a US student visa along with other details like USA student visa fees, F-1 visa booking, etc.!
Still trying to figure out how to proceed with your visa application? No worries about that. You can join Yocket Premium to get expert opinions from counselors on slot booking and the rest of your visa application process.
What is an F-1 Student Visa?
An F-1 visa is a type of student visa in the US issued to non-immigrants willing to study in the US. if an applicant has applied to any US university and has received an acceptance letter, he/she is eligible to apply for an F-1 student visa to study in the US. The F-1 visa helps applicants to stay and study in the US, according to their course duration.
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How to Get an F-1 Student Visa for USA?
Moving on to the most asked question- “How do you get a student visa for the USA?”. Let us list out the steps to start your US student visa application process:
- Fill in the I-20 application form
- Pay the SEVIS fee
- Fill in the DS-160 online application form
- Pay the visa registration fee
- Book your US Embassy visa appointment
- Attend the visa interview
Let us now move on to discuss each of these steps individually:
Step 1: Fill in the I-20 Application Form
To apply for F-1 visa slot booking, the I-20 form is the most essential. Your university will send you an I-20 form if you apply for an F-1 visa. The J-1 visa applicants, on the other hand, receive a DS-2019 form. Along with the I-20 form, you will also receive your SEVIS ID.
Step 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee
After filling out the I-20 form through the US visa consulate in your home country, you must pay the SEVIS fee for the F-1 visa, which costs 350 USD. Therefore, the USA student visa fee for the SEVIS fee is 350 USD.
Step 3: Fill in the DS-160 Online Application Form
The DS-160, Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronics Application, is a fully integrated online application form that collects the necessary application information from a person seeking a nonimmigrant visa for temporary travel to the US. After filling out the form, you can print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser printer and email the confirmation page to yourself so you have a backup copy.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Registration Fee
The US embassy fees for a student visa application F1 visa is USD 160 + VFS service charge + bank charges, which is approximately 11,200 INR. The amount can be payable by cash or DD/Cheque at Axis Bank or CitiBank.
The bank will issue you a visa fee receipt in duplicate, which will have a 10-digit barcode number affixed to it. You require this barcode number to schedule your visa interview appointment. It takes two days for the barcode to get activated.
Also, note that this fee is non-refundable, and you must appear for a US visa interview within 1 year (365 days) from the date you purchased your fee receipt. It will no longer be valid if you do not appear for an interview within one year after purchasing your fee receipt.
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Step 5: Book Your US Embassy Visa Appointment
You can book your US embassy visa appointment using your barcode and fee receipt. Once you are done with booking your US student visa appointment, you need to start with an F-1 visa slot booking for the VAC (biometrics: photograph + fingerprint) at least a day before the interview.
Step 6: Attend the Visa Interview
After booking your US student visa appointment and completing your biometrics, you must attend the F-1 US student visa interview. The US student visa interview is a personal interview wherein you will be asked about your intent to study in the US and other things like your academic background, financial capability, etc.
Documents Required for the F-1 Student Visa Process
Let us discuss the documents required at each step of the F-1 visa application.
Following are the documents required while booking your VAC appointment:
- Your passport number
- The date you paid your fee
- The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page
On VAC day, you need to get the following documents:
- A passport valid for travel to the US with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)
- Your DS-160 confirmation page
- Your appointment confirmation page
Below are the documents required for the visa interview:
- A printed copy of your appointment letter
- Your DS-160 confirmation page and one photograph taken within the last six months
- Your current and all old passports, and
- Original visa fee payment receipt
Note: If you were denied a visa previously, please complete a new Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
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From the desk of Yocket
The USA is one of the top student destinations for Indians looking to pursue specialized degrees. The handsome salary packages, the standard of living, and the American Dream are only a few reasons why International students choose to study in the US. But getting there is not easy, isn’t it? You may have your student admit, scholarship papers, and even a loan sanction - but if your Visa is approved, all of the efforts go down the drain.
At Yocket, we don’t let that happen. We invest in your future and want to see you do well. As Indians, that’s our pride. Sign up on Yocket Premium to understand the entire process of applying for an F-1 student visa, and get a clear idea about documentation that creates an impact on the visa officials! We will help you approve your worth as a suitable candidate, and make sure that you reach your dream institute in the US.
So, take your time, think about it, and when you’re ready, Click Here.
