One of the many reasons you should study in the U.S. is that it ranks number one on the list of countries with the best educational systems. You will find some of the world’s best universities in America.
Also, it has a lot of benefits for international students aspiring to study there. From having a unique curriculum to a multicultural environment and countless opportunities for international students.
Below are a few reasons you should study in the U.S;
Benefits Of Studying In The U.S
- Access to a wide range of resources: If you are from a developing country, America is the place to help you connect with a wide range of resources that makes learning an incredibly attractive experience. You get to learn, grow and gain access to tools that set your learning path apart from what you gain in your home country.
- Gaining international experience that boosts your resume: The experience you gain professionally in the U.S. is always going to your resume or CV apart from that of someone with a comparable educational experience. Traveling to study in the US helps you develop courage, curiosity, flexibility, and innovation.
- Improve your language skills: Studying in the US helps you become proficient with the English language. As with any kind of program, the demands of developing your fluency are high, but so is the level of support for learning as you go.
- Opens the door to future international opportunities: With the network you build, degrees you earn, roles you hold, or places you get to visit while studying in the U.S., you are building the pathway to all kinds of future opportunities.
- Experience a rich diversity of food and culture: American cultural history is largely influenced by both indigenous and immigrant cultures. College towns tend to have a reputation for being places where diversity is evident. When you study in the US, you will enjoy the music, museums, pub conversation, and a lot more that improve your social life and enhance your learning opportunities.
Here are just a few benefits amongst many, but then you can not study in the U.S. without a student visa. Applying for a US student visa can be a long process, so it is advisable you start the application early, at least three to five months before your program is due to start.
Below are steps to take to acquire a US student visa, but note that these steps vary at each US embassy or consulate. So it is important to consult the instructions on the website of the embassy or consulate before applying.
Steps to Applying for a US Student Visa
Apply To An SEVP-Approved Institution
As an international student choosing an institution and program accredited by the US government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is important to ensure your degree is recognized by other universities, professional associations, employers, and government ministries worldwide.
Only SEVP-approved institutions can enroll students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide you with the necessary documents needed to apply for a US student visa.
After being accepted by a SEVP-approved institution, the university will enroll you in the SEVIS system and you will be sent a SEVIS-generated document called Form I-20 if you are eligible for an F or M visa, or Form DS-2019 if you are eligible for a J visa.
Pay The SEVIS Fee
SEVIS fee must be paid at least three days before submission of your visa application. To pay the fees, you will need to fill out either an online paper form. Bothe you can access the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP website. Ensure you feel the required details as shown in your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
After paying the SEVIS fee, ensure you print a receipt from the website as you will need it as proof of payment at your US visa interview. You might also be required to show the customs officer at your chosen US port of entry, if you ever change your non-immigrant status or when you apply for any other US immigration benefits.
Complete A U.S Student Visa Application
When you receive your SEVIS form and pay the fee, you can make an appointment with a U.S. consulate or embassy in your country for a U.S. student visa application. It is advisable to apply early regardless of when your program is due to start, as visa processing can take time, so your visa can be issued 120 days before you are due to enter the U.S. To apply, visit the U.S. embassy or consult in your country using the U.S. embassy website.
In cases, when you need to fill out an online visa application form; DS-160, you will need to select the location from which you wish to apply and ensure you have the documents you need to fill in the application. After selecting and filling in the necessary details, you will be taken to a page where you will find your ID at the top. Ensure to have this ID noted down as you will need it to sign in to the site whenever you log out.
Below are the required details needed to complete your DS-160 form;
- Name and date of birth
- Address and phone number
- Passport details
- Details of travel plans and travel companions
- Details of previous U.S visit.
- Your point of contact in the U.S
- Family, work, and education details
- Security, background, and medical health information
- SEVIS ID and address of the U.S. school you intend to enroll in as written on your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
- Upload a passport photograph of yourself according to the size requirement on the website. If this fails, ensure to take a printed photograph according to the requirements stated for your visa interview.
Once your application is done, you will be sent a confirmation page and your application ID number which you will need to print out and take to your visa interview appointment.
Pay The Visa Application Fee
The visa application fee is also known as Machine Readable Visa Fee or ‘MRV Fee.’ Ensure you review the fee payment instructions available at your embassy or consulate website as methods for different countries may vary.
There are three ways to pay for visa application fees in general;
- In-person at an approved bank
- Through your phone (You will receive a confirmation number)
- Online (You will have to print the receipt)
You will be asked for the receipt when you get to your visa interview appointment. Some J visa applicants will not need to pay application processing fees if participating in a US Agency for International Development (USAID) program or federally funded educational and cultural exchange program with serial numbers beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7.
Schedule & Attend a US Student Visa Interview
The final step to getting a U.S. student visa is to arrange and attend a visa interview. You can do this either online or using the phone by calling your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In either case, you must have paid your MRV fees as you may have to provide your MRV fee number.
Although the visa application process is not completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer. Do not worry if you have to schedule an interview appointment at a different U.S. embassy or consulate from the one used to apply for your visa. You can always retrieve your information through your DS-160 barcode. However, note that it may be difficult if you apply outside your place of permanent residence.
Document Required For Your Visa Interview
Below are the documents generally required for the U.S visa application, but always ensure to check the embassy or consulate website where you apply to make sure you don’t leave out any document.
- A valid passport for at least six months of your stay in the US.
- Signed SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019
- Form DS-7002 (for J-1 trainee and intern visa applicants only)
- SEVIS fee receipt
- DS-160 application confirmation page with barcode and ID number
- MRV fee payment confirmation receipt
- A printed copy of the Visa interview appointment letter
- 1 or 2 photographs in a format explained in the photograph requirement.
- Transcript and diploma certificates
- Scores from standardized tests required by educational institutions (eg TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, GRE, etc)
- Proof of funds
Any derivative visa application could require;
- A copy of the marriage certificate for proof of relationship
- A copy of the principal applicant’s visa (F-1, M-1, J-1) or official documentation from USCIS confirming the principal applicant’s status
- A copy of the personal data page from the applicant’s passport.
Final Thoughts
After reading this, you should be thinking of the best way to apply for a student visa in the U.S. or even in the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, and other European countries. Book a consultation call today, to talk with an expert who will guide you through these steps.
Also, gain access to our monthly webinars and updates on scholarships by joining our community on Telegram. You can also join our scholarship mentorship with Mundus where you can get your documents reviewed, access document samples, a step-by-step guide to getting a scholarship approved, links to scholarship registration, and a lot more.
To join our scholarship mentorship program, contact us through the mail; at office@mundusconsult.com or call 07069537752.