What is the Visa Management Process in the US?

Visa Management Process in the US

For International students aspiring to study in the USA, the United States government offers three types of student visa including F, J and M depending on student status.

• F Student Visa: for full-time study in an academic or language program at an accredited U.S. community college or university or to study English at an English language institute, the student must apply for and receive an F-1 Visa. Full-time study at a college or university means being enrolled for at least 12 credit hours per semester, while full-time study in an ESL (English as a second language program) usually requires at least 18 hours of English language instruction per week. Stay back options for students on F1 visa vary from up to one year and can be extended by another two years depending on the course program. 
• J Exchange Visa: Exchange visitor program for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study.
• M Student Visa: for non-academic, technical or vocational study or training in the United States. Examples of programs that require M1 student visa are certificate and diploma programs in allied health fields, pilot training schools and culinary institutes.

The process of F ,J or M visa  commences when you apply with your application form and the acceptance of the same by an institution of higher education in the US that is  certified by SEVP or Student exchange or Visitor Program. 

The Student Visa application process will commence after the application process when the students receive their offer letter from their respective institute of Higher education. The process involves acceptance of the offer letter and submission of financial documents. The university or school officials will send the form I20 to the Student, who is then required to fill the DS 160 form and pay the SEVIS  Fee for the concerned university. This is followed by a biometric at VFS and the visa interview in the US embassy with the consular officer.

Our Visa team is fully equipped and experienced to guide you through the process. Please connect with our Relationships team and our Visa team, should you need assistance and information with your student Visa. Please make sure you start the process at least 120 days prior to course commencement.