How to get a student visa in the United States: personal experience

All about what documents are needed and that it is important to take into account, leaning on a student visa in the United States.

A few months ago I shared a personal experience (in terms of results, it is quite successful) how to find suitable program and a scholarship to study abroad. And this time I want to talk about the highlights of a student visa to the United States.

So, you enrolled in an American college. It would seem that the most difficult thing behind. But in fact, there's one more crucial moment - to get a visa to still get into it. And for this you need to thoroughly prepare.

What need a visa

Student Visa - F1, it was her and you have to get. This type of non-immigrant visas for academic study at a US university or language courses. Under the terms of this visa you are allowed to work on campus no more than 20 hours a week.

If you have a family

If you are married and are planning to go for a long time (for example, for a few years), you have the right to bring your wife / husband / child in the United States. To do this, your family members must apply for a visa F2. Its main feature is the absence of a work permit in the US (ie a family member travels to the status of a dependent).

Once enrolled in a US institution (and only then) can execute documents.

cost of
In addition to the visa fee, you will have to pay another fee SEVIS (the US is a database of all non-residents who come to them). Total visa will cost you $ 360:

• SEVIS— $200;
• consular fee — $160.

Important: SEVIS fee pay only for visa applicants in the F1 (family members - no).

The whole process of obtaining a visa is divided into two stages:

• filling in an online form;
• a personal interview at the Embassy.

In order to make an appointment for an interview, you need to make all of their data in the form, upload a photo and pay the application fee.

Documents that need to bring to the interview:

• the passport;
• I-20 - the main document to apply for F1 visa, which you must send the US institution. If you are traveling with my husband / wife / child, you need to request a separate Form I-20, and for him / her. In this case, he / she can apply for a visa F2;
• confirmation of completion of the questionnaire and write a job interview;
• receipt of payment of consular fee and SEVIS fee;
• proof of solvency (the availability of money to pay for the first year of study and residence, or the availability of scholarships).

If you have done in the short program (eg, monthly English language courses), take a certificate of employment, which confirms that you are running that English is necessary for work, and that your site will be yours for the entire period study. Not superfluous will also be:

• proof of real estate in their home country;
• a marriage certificate or birth certificate, which remains home.

In addition, I recommend to take with supporting documents:

• official invitation from the institution in which you have done;
• information on the project or program (which will learn what to do);
• conversation with the supervisor (if any);
• copies of their diplomas and print estimates, as well as translations into English;
• confirmation exams (TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, etc...);
• if you are traveling to study at Masters or PhD, it is useful to your full CV, which are painted with your professional experience, achievements, etc., including school and work..;
• a list of scientific publications, diplomas;
• a list of countries where you have been before - on a separate sheet indicating the years of visiting.

Since I entered the PhD, I asked half of these documents, including the invitation, project information, a full CV with publications and a list of countries in which to be.

Why do it

Your main task in the interview - to confirm that you are going to learn (like this and look forward to), and also intend after graduation to return home and to use the skills acquired in work or further studies.

To make sure in the first, the consul may request the documents listed above, as well as (this is a point two) ask about your intentions and plans - Why you is education and that plan to do after graduation study. The correct answer - to go home and apply this knowledge in practice :).

If documents are missing

It may happen that you are prompted for the document, which is a no. In this case, your application will be left to add. review and asked to send the necessary papers by e-mail.

Application processing time may be different - from a few days up to 4 weeks. Here you need to just be patient and wait.

Useful resources

An illustrative example of filling profiles presented here.

Questions and advice:

1. Forum "We speak about America '.
2. Forum Gradus.
3. The theme of "VKontakte" "Study (bachelor, master, phd) in the United States. Questions and answers".
4. Vkontakte community" "To act in the US".

I hope this information and tips to help you quickly and easily issue a student visa in the United States, as it turned out at me.

If you have something to supplement the material, share your experience in the comments or ask questions.