Applying for a U.S. Student Visa. Your Key to Success!

Here we’re, applying to pursue your American dream, to study on the land of equal opportunities, i.e. the USA. For most of the countries, to study in the USA, a student has to attain an American student visa. Since the USA is the country of equal opportunities, getting a student visa is more than possible; you just need to submit everything correctly.

In most cases, it’s the F-1 or M-1 visa received. It can be the J-1 visa if you’re going to study in the USA as part of an academic exchange. Aplic will describe here, step by step the process you have to follow for getting your Student Visa at the key.

🔘 Every step is important, so make sure to read carefully this article and share it with friends, who plan to study in the USA.

Step 1: Be admitted to a recognized establishment and obtain form I-20

Before applying for a student visa at the American immigration service, you must have been admitted to a recognized institution: a university, liberal art college or community college that’s authorized to host international students.

You can find and apply to a suitable university or college, on Aplic.

As soon as you are admitted, you’ll receive the I-20 form or the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The I-20 form is completed with your personal information and will serve you to :

Pay the fees;

Apply for a visa at the USA consulate;

Entering the USA;

Applying for a driver’s license or social security in the United States.

Step 2: Pay the costs

I-20 is needed to pay the SEVIS fee, this payment is required for all students. There’s a unique number named SEVIS identification number, required when completing the payment procedure.

These fees are known as ”fees I-901 SEVIS” (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). They amount to $ 200 for the F-1 and M-1 visas.

You can make your payment online (PayPal, American Express, Visa, Maestro, MasterCard). There’s also the possibility of paying by other means like Western Union.

The procedure for online payment of student visa fees is done on the website Fmjfee.com. simply follow the steps page after page. You’ll have to complete the Form I-901. The information you’ll enter should correspond to the information on your passport.

🔘 Be sure to print out the receipt proving payment of fees! It’ll be essential for you to apply for a visa at the US consulate. I-20 must be provided at the embassy. For the embassy, you need to prepare the original and a photocopy. A photocopy remains with the visa officer, you take the original with you.

Step 3: Applying for the American student visa

You must refer to the process provided by the U.S. embassy in your country or in the country where you reside officially in.

To apply for your U.S Student Visa, Generally, you have to:

Complete the DS-160 online form which you can find here and print the confirmation page

Register on this site and pay the fee ($160)

Provide the U.S. consulate with your passport, a valid passport photo, the confirmation of your DS-160, the original I-20 form and the receipt confirming your payment of the SEVIS fee.

Other documentation may be required to prove your eligibility for an F-1 student visa, including transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates. Results of tests such as TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT may also be required, as well as proof of your intention to leave the United States after your program is completed and proof of your financial means.

In Step 2 above, you’ll register for an appointment at the embassy. The time limit for obtaining a visa normally varies from one week to one month depending on how the U.S embassy in your country works.

F-1 and M-1 visas can be issued up to 120 days before your course start date. However, you won’t be allowed to enter U.S. territory until 30 days before the official beginning of your classes.

4. Interview at the embassy

It’s neither your desire for freedom nor the money in your pig that decide on your departure at first, but the American authorities. Your appearance, pure heart won’t be enough to get a U.S student visa! ✊🏾 Let’s face it.

Firstly, it’ll be short, about 10-15 minutes in most cases.

The U.S. embassy expects you to answer questions alone. The conversation will be in English, so make sure that you have good spoken English.

Thirdly, you’ll be entitled to a series of questions determining whether you are a legitimate student who won’t pose a security risk once you are there, and you are planning to return to your home country after your studies.

🔘 Questions usually asked during the interview:

Why have you chosen to study in the U.S?

Which universities did you apply to and which accepted you?

How do you expect to pay for your university fees?

As well as your on-site expenses?

Where are you going to live during your studies in the USA?

If you have a family, what are they gonna do there?

What are you planning to do with the diploma you’re preparing?

Each interview is different, and these questions are just there to give you a general idea. The biggest evidence that proves that you’re a legitimate student is to have a career plan corresponding to the degree prepared. If you’re preparing a business degree and say you want to go to medicine, 🤦🏾‍♂️ you have a good chance of staying in your country for the next year… Don’t forget to dress decently and simply 😉.

🔘 To make sure you don’t say anything wrong, give short, clear answers without going into details. If the counselor wants to know more, he/she’ll ask you again.

🔘 If your visa is refused, you can apply again.

Good luck!!! 🤞🍀