The United States of America is a country that comes in dreams for international individuals in many ways. Here we are talking about international students who eye on ivy league schools every year. Getting a student visa for the US is as difficult as getting into the top schools of America. Student visas are required for both short courses and long courses in the US.
The US visas are of different types which fulfill different criteria differently. Here this blog covers the different purposes of different visas in the US for international students.
Types of USA study Visa
- F 1 visa
- J1 exchange visitor visa
- M1 vocational/non-academic visa
1. F1 visa
F1 visas are non-immigrant student visas that permit international students to study in the US. This is applicable to all kinds of programs of different levels which include English-taught programs too. Courses like MS, MBA, etc. are included in this type of visa. To obtain F1 visa students need to maintain a minimum score to pursue a full-time program in the US. It also allows a student to work part-time (20 hours) per week while studying with on-campus employment.
Students can work on optional practical training (OPT) for up to one year. On this visa, students are expected to complete their program before the expiration date of the I-20 form (certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status).
There are 3 types F visas:
- F1 visa is issued to international students who are in a full-time course
- F-2 visas are for spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old who are dependents of F-1 visa holders. They can include homosexual couples.
- The F-3 visa is for border commuters – Mexican and Canadian citizens who stay in their home country while attending part-time or full-time school in the US.
2. J1 Exchange Visitor Visa
The J-1 visa is a type of visa which is issued to international visitors participating in programs in the US that promote cultural exchange programs. Applicants for programs to obtain medical, business, or other training must satisfy the eligibility requirements and be sponsored by either the private sector or the government. The J1 visa holders stay in the US for a short period i.e. for 1-2 semesters.
The J-1 visa is of 2 types:
- J-1 visas are available to exchange students participating in relevant exchange programs.
- J-2 visas for dependents of J-1 visa holders (as for F-2 visas).
3. M1 Vocational/Non-Academic Visa
M1 visa is a visa that is on the second number for international students who want to pursue non-academic or vocational programs at an institute located in the US. This visa does not allow students to work when they are enrolled in a technical or vocational program. Students must have sufficient funds to sustain themselves in the country when coming on an M1 visa. Students cannot overstay their visit when on this visa.
There are 3 types of M visas:
- M-1 visa for students who are in non-academic courses or engaged in vocational programs.
- M-2 visa is for the dependents who are on M-1 visa (as in F-2 visa).
- M-3 visa is for ‘border commuters’ like in F-3 visas but only for non-academic and vocational studies.
How to get US student visas?
There are several ways of applying for a US study visa mentioned below:
- Students are required to fill out the application form of I-20 from their chosen college. They have to pay the SEVIS fee with the application. It is strongly recommended that you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before you start your US visa application.
- After receiving the paid SEVIS fee receipt students can apply for DS-160 visa form.
- Get a printed application form to come to the interview step.
- Pay the visa fee through NEFT or at authorized AXIS bank/Citi bank locations.
- Schedule an interview appointment and Biometric appointment.
- The biometric appointment will include your fingerprint scanning and your photograph will get clicked.
- In the interview appointment, the interviewer will ask questions related to your courses, college, funds, and intent of coming back.
- If your answers are approved then your passport will be kept with them for the stamping process.
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