USA Study Visa

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Study In USA

Why study in USA?

American colleges are still the number one choice for international students and have the highest number of world ranked universities. Studying in the USA gives you the chance to expand your career options, explore a huge and diverse nation, and learn from internationally-renowned teachers and researchers at US colleges and Graduate schools. The choice of universities in the USA is the largest in the world. An American college is usually smaller and offers only undergraduate degrees, while a university also offers graduate degrees. In each US university or college you will find schools (or faculties) that specialise in a subject area like Business. No matter what and where you want to study, there is a course that is right for you. For many of the 500,000 international students who study in USA each year, the freedom to choose and change subjects and schools is also big advantage. You can begin your studies in a smaller US college, complete a two-year associate degree, and then transfer to a larger USA university for further study.

Apart from being the leading destination of choice for international students, studying in USA offers a wide range of attractions and opportunities. Internationally-recognised US courses and prestigious qualifications More than 10,000 US universities, colleges and graduate schools to choose from Broad and flexible choice of US courses, easy to transfer and change schools.

Visa Guide

USA Student Visas

F-1 (Student Visa)

The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic program plus 60 days. F-1 students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form.

Visa Application Procedure

Step 1

All nonimmigrant visa applicants (this includes students) must pay the Application Fee and VFS Service Charge at a designated branch of HDFC bank before applying for a visa. When going to HDFC Bank, please carry with you a photocopy of the 1st page of the applicants passport.

Step 2

You will now be required to schedule an appointment with the US Consulate in India at Mumbai. This can be done online on the usa vfs website, using the barcode number from your HDFC Bank Fee Receipt.

The fee receipt gets activated 2 working days from date of issue. Do not attempt to take an appointment till then.

Step 3

You are then required to submit your forms with one recent photograph and documents as per the checklist to any of the application centres in Mumbai, Pune or Ahmedabad. It is recommended that you forward your documents immediately after scheduling an interview but no later than 4 days prior to the date of interview.

Step 4

Report to the US Embassy or Consulate where your appointment for a visa interview is scheduled. You will need to carry the printed Appointment Letter, the Visa Application Forms, one recent photograph, the original HDFC Bank Fee Receipt with its two barcode stickers. Applications without an original HDFC Bank Receipt or with an incorrect photograph will NOT be accepted. You will also be required to carry all supporting documents (in original).

Step 5

If you are issued a visa, your passport will be returned to you via courier. Optionally, you may collect it across the counter.

Documents Required

  1. Valid Passport: You are recommended to have passport valid for at least six months beyond your interview date
  2. One photograph as per specification
  3. Visa Application Fee: This fee is payable in cash or by DD in the name of US Embassy – Visa Fees. DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted
  4. VFS & Bank Service Charge: This fee is payable in cash or by DD in the name of HDFC Bank a/c VFS. DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted
  5. Original signed Barcode form of DS-160
  6. Valid HDFC Bank visa fee receipt and interview appointment letter
  7. SEVIS generated Form I-20 in original, approved and signed by the University authority
  8. Proof of payment of SEVIS Fee Receipt I-901, if applicable
  9. Evidence of Financial Resources: Proof of liquid assets sufficient to pay for the entire first year of education and living expenses as well as proof of readily available funds to cover the remaining year(s) of studies
  10. Original degree certificates along with mark sheets
  11. Original Bachelor degree transcripts or high school diploma along with mark sheets from previous institutions attended
  12. Relevant Test Scores: e.g. TOEFL and SAT, GRE, GMAT or LSAT

When to Apply

You are encouraged to apply for your non-immigrant student visa at the earliest. To ensure you get an early and timely date you may apply at anytime, however a student visa may be issued no more than 120 days prior to the start date mentioned on your I-20.

Intakes

The following checklist will be helpful while applying to a university in USA…

Fall Semester Intake (September/October)

This is the main intake and almost all programs are offered at this time. More financial aid is also available for this semester.

Spring Semester (January/February)

This is the mid-year intake. However, all courses may not be offered in this intake. Whether or not a University will offer a January / February intake can be found out on the respective university’s website, university brochures or from our counselors.

There is limited financial assistance available for this semester as most universities allocate funds to projects in the Fall semester. Some universities also have a Summer intake around July.

Application Procedure

Though each University specifies its application procedure / requirements, generally one can apply for admissions through us at Take Off Educational Consultants, where by all application, admission and correspondence services will be provided by us. You can give us all necessary supporting academic documents and we will assist you with the entire admission procedure.

Documents Required for Admission

The following checklist will be helpful while applying to a university in USA…

  1. Application Form
  2. Application fee receipt
  3. Photocopy of passport – with all visa stamp pages and travel dates
  4. Resume
  5. Statement of Purpose
  6. GRE / TOEFL / SAT / GMAT score sheets (as applicable)
  7. Transcripts
    • 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th standard for Undergraduate students
    • 10th , 12th and Graduation for Graduate students
  8. True copy of all marksheets – all academic year
  9. Recommendation letters of atleast 3 professors / school teachers
  10. True copy of Experience certificate
  11. True copy of Professional or Vocational courses, if any
  12. Original bank balance certificate and CA report only of liquid assets
  13. Original affidavit of support

The evidence of financial support is required by universities to issue the documents needed for visa application. Although it is a requirement for application, it is usually not taken into consideration into factors that determine admission. Most universities make their admission decisions without regard for the source and amount of financial support.

You would be required to submit documentation of your family’s financial resources to help schools assess your need. Most of the universities have their own financial aid form, which you would have to complete.

You would also be required to submit a bank statement demonstrating your financial capacity to support your education in US. Some US state institutions offer tuition waivers to international students in return for some type of educational contribution.

Study Visa