The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles’ Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.

The US Government offers three different student visa types:
S.No.
Types of student visa
Description
1
F-1 Student Visa
to study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute
2
J Exchange Visa
for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
3
M Student Visa
for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US
Documents required for a US student visa
When applying for your student visa for the US, you will generally need:
  • A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US (unless exempt by country-specific agreements)
  • Acceptance at a SEVP approved school and your Form I-20
  • Application fee payment for the SEVIS 
  • Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page
  • Your photograph in the requested format, and number
  • If you are opting for Optional Practical Training (OPT), then in addition to the Form I-20, you must apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
 Some additional documents that might be required include:
  • Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates
  • Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain your living expenses throughout the period of your stay in the US. This may include:
    1. Bank statements
    2. Financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs
    3. A scholarship program
  • Evidence that you will leave the US once you have completed your course of study. This can be in the form of an air ticket out of the US to your home country
 You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the US embassy or consulate. 
F-1 Student visa
Most students who wish to pursue their studies overseas opt for the F-1 Student Visa. There are three major steps to its procedure, being:
Step 1
SEVIS fee and I-20 form collection
Once you pay the SEVIS fee, you are given an I-20 form from your new school or college. Duly fill out the form and bring it along for your F-1 interview.
Step 2
VISA fee and form collection
Pay your visa fee at the designated bank or NEFT and collect the visa form. Duly fill out the form and bring it along for your interview.
Step 3
D-160 Form
Duly fill out the D-160 form and submit the confirmation along with the documents for the visa interview.
Step 4
VISA interview

You will be contacted by the US embassy to return the stamped passport. You can appear before the visa officer for an interview 120 days before the start of your program.

Applying for your US student visa online

You’ll have to apply for your student visa application online using the US Embassy and Consulates India website. You can apply up to 120 days before your intended date of the program’s start date. Remember to pay your visa fee and SEVIS fee to schedule your appointment and complete your visa documents respectively.