The United States government offers three student visa types including F, J, and M.

• F Student Visa: for study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at an English language institute
• J Exchange Visa: for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
• M Student Visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States

Before you can apply for an F, J, or M student visa, you must first apply and be accepted by a U.S. institution of higher education that is certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).

Even when an institution is SEVP-certified and able to issue I-20 and DS-2019 forms for use in visa applications, it may not hold national or regional accreditation. The U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation databases list accreditation status for all U.S. institutions. Institutions designated by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to place participants in Academic Exchange programs (J visas) must be accredited. Recognition of course credits and degrees by other institutions and by U.S. and international employers is linked to an institution's accreditation. To learn more about accreditation talk to an EducationUSA Adviser in person or online.

Once accepted at a SEVP-certified school, you will receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the institution's international student office to present when you apply for your student visa. Once you receive your form, visit:

1. U.S. Department of State - Consular Affairs (Student Visas)

2. U.S. Department of State - U.S. Embassies and Consulates

3. U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Study in the States

It is important to note that two separate U.S. government agencies are involved with international student arrival and status while studying in the United States.

The State Department is responsible for the visa application process and issuing the visa. Once a visa holder arrives in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security then takes over as the responsible agency for entry into the country, as well as issuing and enforcing international student regulations. Please read information from all three sources above before applying for a U.S. student visa. The sites address employment, maintaining your status, and other vital topics.

Here is the checklist of basic documents that you need to submit for a US visa application:

• Application as a non-immigrant
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay
• Recent passport-size photographs
• Visa application form DS-160
• I-901 SEVIS payment confirmation pages
• Form I-20
• School mark sheets and standardized test scores required by the US school
• Bank statements that you used at the time of your college application you used to fill out your college application

Next Steps

• Get accepted by a SEVP and collect your I-20: An accredited US university will provide you with an I-20 once it accepts you. It consists of your study plans and offers supporting details about your stay.
• Pay your SEVIS fee: You need to pay a SEVIS fee of $350 as processing and maintenance charges.
• Complete the DS-160 visa application: Indian students applying for an F-1 visa must complete the DS-160 visa application to obtain an F1 visa.
• Schedule your visa interview: Wait time varies by country and can take several months for Indian students. Hence, you must schedule your interview as early as possible.
• Appear in visa interview: This is the final step of a US student visa application. The US embassy or consulate will confirm you as a serious and legitimate student to visit the US for study.

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