Posted on: Sep 5, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How to Apply for a USA Student Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

USA Student Visa Guide

If you want to study in the USA, you should know about the F-1 student visa and its application process. Currently, over 1 million international students are learning in the USA. By preparing yourself properly, you can easily join them and become part of the community. Therefore, this step-by-step guide on the USA student visa will help you understand what the visa is about, its rules, and requirements.

Before travelling, it is also essential to secure USA travel insurance or student travel insurance to ensure protection against unforeseen medical and travel-related emergencies during your stay.

USA Student Visa Guide

Any international student who wants to pursue a full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree should have a valid US student visa. The type of school you wish to attend and the course of study will decide the exact visa you will need. Therefore, you must work with the educational advisers to know which visa you need to apply for.

Types of Student Visas for the USA

The US government offers three different kinds of student visas. Listed below are the same:

1. An F student visa

This student visa is given to study at an accredited college or university in the USA. You can also apply for this visa if you want to study English at an English language institute. Make sure you have student travel insurance that covers your entire stay, especially if your program includes medical or lab-based coursework.

2. J exchange visa

You will need this visa if you are participating in any exchange program, including university and high school studies.

3. An M student visa

This visa is given for vocational or non-academic study or training in the USA.

Eligibility Criteria for USA Study Visa

Only those who fulfil the following requirements may apply for a student visa to the United States:

1. You must be enrolled in a language-training program, an academic educational program, or a vocational program.

2. The school, college, or university must be approved by SEVP - the Student and Exchange Visitors Program and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

3. You must apply and be enrolled in a full-time course.

4. You must be enrolled in English proficiency courses or be proficient in English.

5. You should have sufficient funds to manage your finances while you stay in the USA.

6. You must have a residence in your country that you are not willing to give up.

Additional Requirements for a USA Student Visa

To apply for your student visa, here are some additional requirements that you are supposed to submit:

1. A passport that is currently valid and expires six months after the planned stay.

2. The DS-160 confirmation pages.

3. Recent passport-size photo.

4. Form I-20 given by the university.

5. A filled-out application form as a non-immigrant.

6. SEVIS application fee payment receipt.

Besides the above, your university may also ask you for any additional documents. In addition, it is a good idea to purchase travel insurance online to secure your journey and stay in the USA. You can find more details on the page attached.

Application Process for a USA Student Visa

Listed below are the steps to take for your USA visa process, irrespective of the type of visa you are applying for:

1. You must be accepted by a SEVP-certified university, college, or institute in the USA before you apply. After you are accepted, you will receive the I-20, which you will need to apply for the visa.

2. Make the SEVIS payment.

3. Complete your DS-160 visa application formalities.

4. Schedule your student visa interview.

5. As per the scheduled interview date, attend your student visa interview.

While you are applying for the USA visa, ensure you also purchase international travel insurance before you travel. There are many benefits of buying one, which are mentioned on the link.

USA Student Visa Required Documents

You need to prepare the following documents for your US student visa:

1. Passport

2. Printed and signed form I-20

3. Confirmation receipt of I-90 SEVIS fee

4. DS-160 application confirmation page

5. Appointment booking confirmation and MRV fee payment receipt

6. USA visa size photo

Your visa interviewer may ask for additional documents during the interview, so ensure you also have them handy with you:

1. Financial documents, such as financial and bank statements, to prove that you can pay for your educational, travel, and living expenses.

2. Diplomas or transcripts from the schools you attended.

3. Standardised test scores, as requested by the university.

4. Offer or acceptance letter from the university.

5. Documentation that links you back to your country.

Best Time to Apply for a USA Student Visa

You must apply for your US student visa well in advance, as it can take weeks or even longer than that to get the visa. You have up to 365 days before the commencement of your course to apply for a student visa, according to the US Department of State. To ensure complete protection during your trip and while you are there, you should buy your student travel insurance before you go.

To know everything related to student insurance, check this link.

Conclusion

The most crucial step in your education journey abroad is securing your US student visa. This is a complicated procedure that can be easily streamlined with careful planning and execution. The first step is selecting the correct visa type, followed by arranging the required documents and acing your visa interview.

All the necessary information for your US student visa application is mentioned in this article. While you apply for the visa, remember to purchase USA travel insurance for your peace of mind. Purchasing the same will ensure you do not face any unexpected financial burden while you stay and study in the US. You can find more details on the page.

FAQs

1. Can I stay beyond the visa allowed in the US?

Once your visa expires, you get 60 days to depart for your country. You must apply for a new visa if your current one does not cover the whole time you will be attending the institution or school. The extensions are approved if you can prove that you will complete the course in the US and that you will return once it is finished.

2. Will I be allowed to work as an international student in the USA?

With an F-1 visa, you can work for short periods only, as it is a student visa and not a work visa. You can work part-time on your campus while you are studying and full-time during university breaks. If you want to work outside the campus, there are two options. If you get a job that requires a visa other than an F-1, you can apply for a status change on your visa. Second, you need to work on the instructions of your employer, petitioner, or the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

3. Can I apply for permanent residency with an F-1 visa?

Yes, you can use an F-1 visa to apply for a green card even if you have proof of strong ties to your native country.


Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.


RELATED ARTICLES

Law & Ethics: Knowing USA Better

Currency in the USA: Decoding The Dollar

Famous Sights in the USA

Tips to Follow When Buying Travel Insurance for USA

A Tour Guide for A Digital Nomad and Remote Workers


Blog