You are probably seeking admission into an American University, once your admission has been approved, you would need to apply for a student visa at your local Embassy. In this article, we would be showing you everything you need to know about USA student visas.
Even after your admission has been approved does not guarantee the success of your student visa application. There are requirements and a criterion to follow, if these requirements are not met, your student visa application would be denied.
For example, you need to find out if your country is eligible for a student visa application. And preparations need to be made at least 3 months before your scheduled resumption date. This way, you would have enough time to meet all requirements needed.
There are steps to follow and if you follow the right steps, the whole process should be less stressful. Without any further delay, let’s get into the discussion for today.
- Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
- Student and Information System Fee Payment
- USA Student Visa application form
- USA Student Visa interview
Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a program that is established to ascertain the eligibility of universities and colleges in the University.
If a university is not approved by the SEVP, your degree or certificate is in danger of not being valid. So when choosing a university, make sure it is SEVP-approved.
Only approved universities by the SEVP can enroll you in to the SEVIS program. The SEVIS program allows you to be able to apply for a visa.
In order to find out approved universities in the USA by the SEVP, check out some government websites for more information.
Once you find out the approved universities, you can apply for admission, after you have been granted admission; you can then apply for a USA student visa.
After this, a document would be sent to you by the SEVIS, in this form you would be required to fill in the details for your student visa. The next step would be to make payment.
Student and Information System Fee Payment
The SEVIS form would be paid for before you fill it either online or offline. This should be done 3 days after submitting your application.
The SEVIS form cost about $200 and $180 for the M visa and the J visa respectively. Once payment has been made, you need to go back to the website to check your payment status.
Once your payment is notified, you would be sent a document acknowledging your SEVIS payment which should be taken to your local Embassy to complete your visa application.
USA Student Visa application form
The USA student visa application form would be gotten from your local Embassy. It is required you fill the form early once in hand because it could take at least 3 months before your visa can be approved.
One thing to also take note of is making sure your country is on the list of approved countries to apply for a USA student visa.
Some of the information that would be needed during your visa application can be seen below:
- Name and date of birth
- Address and Phone No.
- Your Passport details
- Family, work, and education details
- Security, background, and health information
- Travel details
- Details of previous travels
- Your Contact phone number in the U.S
These details should be gotten in hand before commencing your visa application, once done; you need to submit it by clicking on the Sign Application icon.
A message would be sent in form of a number ID as confirmation of submitting your visa application form. After this, you should prepare to pay the application fee either online or in person. A receipt would be sent to you whom you would take to for your student visa interview.
USA Student Visa interview
The Student visa interview is organized in such a way as to make it comfortable for students. This can be done either online or in person. This is one of the most important stages of your visa application process.
Your visa interviewer or consulate officer has the power to decide whether you should receive a student visa or not based on various criteria.
When going for the interview, below are documents should take along with you:
- Passport
- Signed SEVIS form
- SEVIS receipt
- Transcripts
- Scores from all tests taken (IELTS, GMAT, TOEFL)
- Sponsorship evidence
- DS-160 confirmation page
- MRV fee payment
- A Printed copy of the visa interview appointment letter
During your interview, compose yourself and answer all questions confidently. You might be asked to back up some of the documents you have with you.
Since the documents are valid, you should have no problem backing them up. You might likely be asked for your sponsor’s contact in the USA or the person accommodating you.
It is imperative to always have the contact’s addressed by heart. This shows you are well acquainted with the person.