F-1 and J-1 US Student Visa Process guide

Every year, the USA receives over 90,000 applications for student visa (both F1 and J1) from students all over India. For an Indian student to gain entry into the US, they need to fulfil all the criteria for application, the most important of which is the documentation submission.

Latest Update: Students applying for US visas will have to pay $185 instead of $160 starting May 30, 2023, according to the latest announcement by the US Department of State.

There are 3 categories of student visa basically: F1, J1, and M1 visa. But in this article, we're gonna look into the details of the procuring processes of the former two only.

1. 
   F1 Visa: The first one, and the most sought after is the F1 visa. This is for all students wishing to pursue either of the two- undergraduate or post-graduate studies in the USA. (These students tend to require more than eighteen hrs of education in one week)

1. 
   J1 Visa: On the other hand, the second visa - J1 is aptly designed for education seekers who would be traveling to the USA for an exchange program. Whereas the third kind of student visa has been designed for students planning to attend skill-specific training or industrial schools, which are quite the same as F1 visa, but these visas are constrained to a limited time period only.

Read more about: US Visa Types and Its Importance

Read on to find the detailed processes for applying for F1 and J1 visas.

What is the Process of Getting an F1 Visa?

1. Enrolling into the SEVP List:

Just an admit to any university, won't make you eligible to enter the USA. It is mandatory that the University you are admitted into should be under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) list. This SEVP list is the list of all institutions, which are recognized and authorized under the govt of the USA and only these institutes can provide all the necessary documents that are absolutely required for the Student Visa process.

And when you're finally accepted by any of these institutes, you are onboard the Sevis System and you will receive the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students), also called as the I-20 form. Here is where your next step begins!

2. Clearing your  SEVIS I-901 Dues:

The fee for the SEVIS I-901 form is $200. It is mandatory that you input all your required details exactly as they are present on your Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status-For Academic and Language Students.

3. Fill the DS-160 Visa Form:

Right after you've been acknowledged for the SEVIS I-901 form (you'll receive a receipt), and then you are eligible to fill up the DS-160 form. The DS-160 is actually an online F1 visa application form. It is highly recommended that you start out with this application right away without wasting any time.

Don't leave it to the last minute. Although the visa will most probably be issued at max 120 days precedent for your arriving date to the US, you cannot make an entry till at least 30 days precedent to when your course commences... This process is fairly simple, and you just have to go through the instructions very carefully. Just remember to jot down the application's identity number, which is essential if you leave the process of filling midway.

Include the below-given facts in the DS-160 form:

1. 
   Your name as per the birth certificate and your DOB.
2. 
   Permanent residential address and valid phone number.
3. 
   Correct passport details.
4. 
   Valid photograph fulfilling all necessary requirements.
5. 
   All relevant facts about your travel journey plans, and the travel buddies accompanying you.
6. 
   All true facts of previous US travel, if any at all. 
7. 
   The person that can be contacted or linked with you, residing in the US. 
8. 
   Factual and exhaustive compilation of your Family, work and academic background.  
9. 
   All correct, valid, up-to-date collateral, backing and medical reports.
10. 
    In the rare case that you are unable to upload your photo onto the site, you can always take a hardcopy of it along with you on your student visa the day of the interview.

4. Clearing your MRV Dues:

MRV fee needs to be now cleared by you in order to move ahead. The amount is about 185 USD.

5. Finalize Your Day of Interview & Biometric Appointment:

When you finally arrive on the day of your interview, make sure all the above steps have been cross-checked by you successfully. All fee dues should be cleared, documents should be ready and verified, xerox copies, photographs should be at your immediate disposal, and everything has to be doubly checked off your list. Go through the common interview questions and patterns and make sure you're prepped up accordingly. Be organized and reach early that day to exude that extra confidence!

What is the Process of Getting a J-1 Visa?

J-1 visa status is supposedly useful for students in very precise educational exchange programs such as the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP), Fulbright, LASPAU, DAAD, AmidEast, amongst other programs. It can very well be utilized by the University for their students pursuing some degree programs.

Also, another important thing for a student's eligibility for the J1 visa is that they must be receiving a major portion of their monetary support from sources other than personal funds. Thus we see, money is a huge difference between J1 and F1. Read carefully about all the benefits and restrictions of the J-1 student status (as specified by the Government). Apart from these points, specialised health insurance coverage is also a must for students for the J1 visa.

The Eligibility of a Student for J1 Visa Depends on the following Criteria as Given Below 

• They must necessarily have an adequate amount of monetary support in totality for all of their school and living expenses, including additional financial support for any dependents that are in your company throughout your stay. 
• Another significant point here is that an aggregate of a whopping 51% of your entire financial support must be directed from an institutional or government sponsor in the form of scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, stipend with you being the intern, tuition waiver, or other direct support provided specifically for the educational program. Individual/ family funds and borrowed loans or support from family or friends will not qualify under this point.

Steps Involved:

STEP 1. Get a Sponsor: Keeping in mind the financial aspects of this visa that have been understood as above, if you are applying for J1 visa, you must definitely need to get yourself a sponsor first.

STEP 2. Apply for the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchanger Visitor J1 status also referred to as the DS-2019: This form gives you a detailed analysis of things like your term period of the exchange program you are going to attend as well as the monetary compensation you might have to produce.

STEP 3. Clear the Dues:  The SEVIS 1-901 fee is to be cleared by you at this stage and make sure you have the receipt of the payment. Also pay the Visa Services fee, which is approximately $185.

STEP 4. The Interview: Y ou nee d to arrive with all the documents ( DS-2019 Form, DS-7002 form, Form DS-160, a valid passport, photograph) to the US Embassy and be prepared to ace the interview. Go through all the common questions and be confident.

What are the Common Tips to Keep in Mind for both F1 and J1 Visa interviews?

1. 
   Be up-to-date with your preparation.
2. 
   Crosscheck and verify whether all documents are with you.
3. 
   Dress impeccably. First impressions are important.
4. 
   Try to calm your nervousness as it can be seen as a sign of weakness or dishonesty.
5. 
   Pay heed to your body language and personality.
6. 
   Be as thorough and compulsive as possible, avoid callousness. 
7. 
   Do not provide for any documents that are not required for.
8. 
   Do not enter the venue of interview even a minute late. It shows great carelessness.

How Can GyanDhan Help You With a Visa?

If you are looking for assistance in getting a study visa, contact us right away! We provide visa counselling services at the most minimal rates to students who wish to study in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, Canada, Germany,etc., for their higher education.

If you are particularly looking for a visa for the USA, we have an amazing deal for you. We can offer you help in preparing you for the visa interview process through ex-US visa counsellors. Once you get in touch with us, we can arrange a 30-minute call for you with the consultants who have worked in US visa counsels and embassies around the world and have taken thousands of real visa interviews themselves. They will address all your doubts you have regarding the US study visa and will also let you know your shortcomings and expert tips & tricks.

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