By now, those eager to start their studies at their top-choice US university should have received their admissions letter. US universities have started sending admission letters to students for the Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 intakes. International students who have been admitted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school will be issued a Form I-20 by their designated school official (DSO). All F and M students studying in the United States require a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.
For students to fly to America for their education, the next step is to apply for a student visa.
U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad issued an update on the holding of the Student Visa Interview. X handle of the Consulate General Hyderabad states – ” We’ve extended StudentVisaSeason by two weeks to ensure that the students who interview later in the season will arrive in time for their scheduled program to start. StudentVisa interviews will now go on till the end of August.”
Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days in advance of the start date for a course of study, and students can travel within 30 days from the start date on the Form I-20.
Applying for your student visa begins with paying the Form I-901 SEVIS fee. The Form I-901 is used to remit payment of the I-901 Fee for prospective nonimmigrants seeking F-1, F-3, M-1, M-3, and J-1 visa status. One need not pay for a dependent child or spouse who is on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa.
There is no I-901 SEVIS fee due for a dependent child or spouse for these visa types. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is the web-based system that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information regarding Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools and F-1 and M-1 students studying in the United States (and their F-2 and M-2 dependents).
Steps to Apply for the Student Visa
You will need SEVIS ID as it appears on your Form I-20 or DS-2019
Step 1: SEVIS FEE
After you finalize your institution and receive your I-20, your first step is to pay the SEVIS Fee.
Pay the SEVIS Fee online at fmjfee website.
Step 2: CREATE ACCOUNT AND FILL OUT DS-160
Visit ustraveldocs website
Select the region and country and then create a user account.
Complete the DS-160 (visa application) form at Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC website)
Step 3: PAY VISA APPLICATION FEE
Pay the application fees – via National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) or mobile phone.
Step 4: SCHEDULE YOUR VISA APPOINTMENT
Schedule your first appointment for biometrics collection at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and your second appointment for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Applicants for U.S. visas are required to appear in person for an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You must schedule the VAC appointment at least one day before the interview appointment date.
Visa applicants who were previously issued a U.S. visa and who fulfill certain eligibility criteria, or who meet certain age requirements, may be eligible to schedule an interview waiver appointment.
Documents: Bring the following mandatory documents for your visa appointments
For your Visa Application Center visit:
- A valid passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation page
For your visa interview:
- Your passport
- A printed copy of your appointment confirmation letter
- Your DS-160 confirmation page stamped at VAC
- SEVIS fee receipt.
- The Form I-20 (for F and M applicants) or the DS-2019 (for J applicants) issued by the U.S.
institution or program sponsor
DS-160 (visa application) form takes approximately 90 minutes to be completed. Under U.S. law you must electronically sign and submit your own application unless you qualify for an exemption. Students should write down the Application ID displayed on the top right hand corner of the page as it will be required to log into the accoutn later.
The DS-160 charge is $185, which includes the cost of submitting your DS-160 F-1 visa application to the US government. This price is different from the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee that you pay to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Over the next few days, EducationUSA India is holding Student Visa Information Sessions 2024. At this session, a Consular Visa Officer from the U.S. Embassy or Consulates are guiding students through the procedures for applying for a U.S. student visa.
