USA STUDY VISA FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

The US Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country but for that they are required to obtain a Student visa before going to the Country.

Here are some important application guidelines for Indian students who are planning to study in The USA and applying for their USA study visa.

TYPES OF USA STUDY VISA

Visa applicants don’t have to select the visa type, it is the university or the sponsoring institute who will define the USA visa type based on their application profile for a specific course.

Mentioned below are the different types of USA student visa:

• F-1 Student Visa
  International students applying for a full-time study in USA institution/university which is recognized by DHS (Department of Homeland Security) will get an F-1 Student Visa.
• F-2 Dependent of an F-1 Student
  This study visa is offered to dependents of an F-1 student visa holder and they cannot study in the USA with this visa. Children of F-2 dependent visa can study in the USA at the K-12 level.
• M-1 Vocational Student Visa
  An international student enrolled in a vocational program in the USA will get an M-1 visa. An international student must continue a full course of study and part-time study is only allowed if approved by the Designated School Official (DSO).
• M-2 Dependent of M-1 Student
  This study visa is offered to dependents of an M-1 Vocational Student Visa holder and they cannot study in the USA with this visa. Children of M-2 Dependent visa can study in the USA at the K-12 level.
• J-1 Exchange Student Visa
  J-1 visa holders must maintain a full course of study and they can reduce the course duration if approved by Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by a Responsible Officer (RO)/Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) of the designated program sponsor, by Department of State (DOS) regulations.
• J-1 Exchange Student Intern Visa
  This visa is given to international students who are presently registered and studying a degree at a post-secondary academic institution outside the US.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor: Professor, Researcher, Specialist, Trainee, Physician, Intern
  Professor, Researcher, Specialist, Trainee, Physician, Intern
  International students who are visiting researchers, short-term scholars, professors, specialists, physicians, trainees, interns, under the sponsorship of an exchange visitor program approved by the DOS.
• J-2 Dependent of a J-1 Exchange Visitor
  It is offered to dependents of a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa holder and they can study full or part-time in the USA with this visa.

STEPS INVOLVED IN THE USA STUDENT VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

The visa application process starts with the receipt of an I-20.

• Pay your SEVIS fee (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)
• Complete online visa application form
• Pay US visa fee at the nominated bank
• Book your visa interview appointment
• Attend your visa interview

Post-study work right/work opportunities along with the studies

F-1 Student Visa

A foreign student must maintain a full course of study and part-time study is only allowed with the approval of the DSO (Designated School Official) as per the rules and regulations.

The F-1 student visa allows international students to work 20 hours per week during weekdays and 40 hours per week during off-days.

To become eligible for OPT, the international student must have completed 1 academic year of their degree. Those who have completed a degree in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) courses may be eligible for a 24-month extension of OPT (36 months total).

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training is a prospect for F-1 students to attain work experience along with their academic program and their work must be related to their major area of study like:

• Actuarial Science
• Engineering Technologies
• Science Technologies
• Medical Scientist
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Computer Science (excluding data entry/microcomputer applications)
• Engineering
• Physical Sciences

For 24-month extension, the organization which is providing the job must be registered with the E-Verify Employment Verification Programme regulated by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

J-1 Exchange Student Visa

The J-1 student visa allows international students to work on campus for maximum 20 hours per week during weekdays and full-time during off-days only with prior permission from the Responsible Officers (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO) of their designated program.

J-1 visa holders are allowed 18 months of Practical Academic Training (up to 36 months for post-doctoral training).

USA Student Visa Processing Time

The USA student visa processing time for Indian students usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. However, it is important to start the student non- immigrant visa process 120 days before the program start date. It is advised not to stay for too long after you receive your acceptance letter from the college or institution because it can take several months to complete the USA student visa process from India. To get an estimate of the current processing time for student visas, it’s recommended to visit the website of the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. embassy or consulate in India.

Check Visa Status(USA Govt. Website): https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

What’s Next?

We at Global Opportunities help students throughout with free counseling on their study abroad queries. With our 15 offices operating across India, we are nearer to every student.

Global Education Fair is being organized every year where hundreds of International Universities mark their presence where our education experts, counselors and other officials like ex-visa officers, travel advisors provide students free detailing on the courses, universities, places and numerous available options that fulfill their dream of studying abroad.

Students can get their Visa queries resolved on Toll-Free 1800-111-119 by fixing an appointment with our Ex-Visa Officials.

Contact Global Opportunities and speak to a counselor today.