US Study Visa: Application process, documents required

The latest Open Doors 2024, however, showed that Indians have surpassed the Chinese as the largest cohort of international students in the US. In 2023-24, there were 3.31 lakh Indian students in the US, making up 29.4 per cent of its 11 lakh-strong international student population. It was 25.4 per cent the previous academic year.

However, the rules might get stricter now as some universities such as Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University have initiated a review of documents submitted by other international students on campus and are exploring third-party verification of academic transcripts for undergraduate admissions. This was announced a few months after Aryan Anand, 19, submitted fabricated documents – including academic transcripts, financial statements, and a fake death certificate for his father – to secure a full scholarship at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Therefore, Indian students should be aware about what documents to submit while trying to secure a study visa in the US.

Types of US study visa

There are two types of US study visas — F and M. The ‘F’ category visa is used for university or college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, another academic institution, including a language training programme.

The ‘M’ category visa is used for vocational or other recognised nonacademic institution, other than a language training programme.

Documents required for F-1 visa

Most US universities provide application forms on their official websites, which should be the preferred way for Indian students.

— Transcripts of high school and/or university

— Statement of purpose (SoP)

— Letter of Recommendation (LoR)

— A small CV/ resume, or experience certificates (especially if you have worked in a corporate company)

— Some varsities ask for standardised tests such as GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT.

— Another important document is English requirement tests such as IELTS Academic, PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic, C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced), TOEFL iBT, or Duolingo.

— Sometimes varsities also ask for writing samples, depending on the nature of the course.

— Some varsities will also ask for different documents (writing samples, portfolio, list of patents) as part of the application process.

Applicants should check that with the university they are applying, as the documents can change as per their course requirements

How to apply for F-1 visa

There are several steps to apply for a study visa. The order of these steps and how one completes them may vary by US Embassy or Consulate. First, the student needs to complete the online visa application (online non immigrant visa application), upload the photo and then schedule an interview with the consulate. Visa applicants generally require an interview.

Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days before the start date of a course of study. However, the student will not be allowed to enter the United States on the student visa more than 30 days before the start date. On the other hand, visas for continuing students may be issued at any time, as long as the student is currently enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution and in SEVIS. Continuing students may enter the United States at any time before classes start.