USA Study Visa

Educational Requirements to Study in the USA

Higher Study Options	Minimum Educational Requirement	Minimum Required Percentage	IELTS/PTE/TOEFL Score	Backlogs Information	Other Standardized Tests
Bachelors	12 years of education (10+2)	60%	Overall, 6 with 5.5 in each band	Up to 10 backlogs (some private hospital universities may accept more)	The minimum SAT score required is 1350/1600
Masters (MS/MBA)	4-year graduate degree. Very few universities will accept a 3-year bachelor's degree if the university is NAAC accredited A+ or A	60%	Overall, 6.5 with no band less than 6		GRE: 310/GMAT 520 MBA program may require 3–4 years of work experience

Other Benefits for international students include,

Higher Study Options	Part-time work duration allowed	Post-study work permit	Can departments work full-time?	Is schooling free for department children	PR option available for post-study and work
Bachelors	20 Hours per week	STEM profile get 3 years OPT, Non-STEM gets 1 year OPT (Optional Practice Training)	No	No	No
Masters (MS/MBA)	20 Hours per week	STEM profile get 3 years OPT, Non-STEM gets 1 year OPT (Optional Practice Training)	No	No	No

How to apply for a USA Student Visa?

Step 1: Check your eligibility for a US Visa.
Step 2: Get ready with all the required documents.
Step 3: Apply for a USA visa online.
Step 4: Wait for the approval status.
Step 5: Fly to the USA for your education.

USA Student Visa Cost

International students are awarded Study Visa F-1 for full-time courses at Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) accredited universities in the USA. To migrate to the USA for studies, students must apply for an F1 Student Visa. The USA student visa costs approximately $185 to $800, depending on your country of origin. The visa costs may change as per the rules and regulations. So, check the USA Visa fee before applying for studies. Make sure to apply for a USA student visa at least four months before you are planning to move.

Scholarship to Study in the US

The USA encourages international students with many fully funded scholarships, merit scholarships, tuition fee waivers, and other scholarships. USA Student Visa Processing Time

The processing time for a US student visa depends on the visa type you apply for. F-1 student visa processing may take 3-6 weeks but can extend up to 4 months if the submitted documents are inaccurate. Make sure to check all the documents clearly before applying for the US Study Visa. After applying, you can track your visa status on the embassy’s portal.

Expenses in the USA for International Students

Higher Study Options	Average Tuition Fee per Year	Visa Fee	Living Expenses for 1 Year/Proof of funds for 1 year
Bachelors	24,000 USD &Above	185 USD	12000 USD
Masters (MS/MBA)	20,000 USD &Above	185 USD	12000 USD

Eligibility requirements for students in US universities:

Student applicant

Students must be over 18 years of age.
International students can work on campus for up to 20 hours/week or less during the academic terms and full-time during the literary break periods, including the summer time.
Off-campus employment requires some form of written or documented authorization issued by either the USCIS or OISS.
To be eligible for any form of off-campus employment, you must be currently in legal status and have been enrolled as a student on an F-1 student visa in the US for at least one academic year.

After you graduate

F1 Student Visa holders are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT (optional practical training) after graduation. This means they can work for a year after finishing their studies.
It is temporary employment permission allowing students to gain practical experience in their field of study.
After that, you must apply for a work visa to continue working in the US. However, you can remain in the US for up to 60 days after completing a course at a US university, even if you don't have a job offer or haven't applied for OPT.

Student dependent visa

The student-dependent Visa is called the F2 visa. It is a non-immigrant dependent visa for the immediate family members of F1 student visa holders. Dependents include the spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of the individual who is studying in the US.

Eligibility conditions for the F2 visa

Benefits of F2 visa

Extended Visa stays

If the primary F1 student visa holder extends his / her stay, then the F2 visa dependents are also automatically eligible to apply for the extension. Filing Form I-539 and proof of financial status are enough to renew the F2 visa.

Change of visa status

You can enter the US on an F2 visa and subsequently request a change of visa status to F1 by enrolling in a US university or finding an appropriate job.

Getting a Green Card

While you get a Green Card automatically when your primary F1 visa holder receives one, you are also eligible to apply for one on your own. You can change your visa status to one that allows for dual purposes (e.g., an L1 visa) and then apply for a Green Card. If you find employment, you become eligible for a Green Card.

Access to healthcare

F2 visa holders have access to medical services and hospitals in the US. However, buying a health insurance plan makes sense to cover the high healthcare costs if you plan on an extended stay or expect a medical situation.

F2 visa restrictions

No permission to work
Not eligible for Social Security Number
Not allowed to pursue higher education
Cannot enter the US before the F1 student visa holder
You can't get a Social Security Number (SSN) because you are not eligible to work.
You can't get employment in the United States on an F2 visa, but you can do unpaid volunteer work.
You cannot pursue a bachelor's or master's degree program at a US university on an F2 visa, but you are eligible for recreational and vocational training courses. Dependent children on an F2 visa can complete primary, middle, and high school education. To pursue higher studies, you must apply for a visa status change.
It would be best if the primary F1 visa holder accompanied you or flew later after you for first-time travel to the US on an F2 visa. You can't enter the United States before the F1 visa holder. This only applies when first entering the US and not for subsequent travel.

M1 visa – student visa (vocational course)

M1 visas are a type of non-immigrant student visa issued by the USCIS to international students who want to study in the United States. However, not every student receives an M1 visa, primarily intended for those pursuing vocational training in the US.

Students can enter the US with an M1 visa and complete their full-time vocational studies.

What can you do with an M1 visa?

Using the M1 visa, students can obtain a driver’s license, a bank account based in the US, access to health care services, and, under certain restrictions, apply for work.

What you cannot do?

Requirements for student visa application

You cannot apply for non-academic or vocational training courses in the US
You meet the minimum education qualification required for admission into the vocational course.
You were admitted to a U.S.-based educational school and got Form I-20.
You have the appropriate level of proficiency in English
You've shown you've got enough funds to cover your expenses while you're in the US
You have permanent residence in your country of origin
You have no intention of remaining in the US and will leave after your education is complete
The institution is convinced that the education you are receiving will benefit your country of origin

Documents required

Passport valid for at least six months
DS-160 confirmation
Visa appointment letter
Recent photographs
Fee receipts
Educational certificates
Proof of financial stability

Apply for full-time employment outside the campus

Study the full-time course as a part-time operation (which means strict monitoring of attendance)

US Post Study Work Visa

International students can stay in the USA for 60 days after graduation. They can apply for optional practical training (OPT) if they plan to work in non-STEM programs. You can apply for curricular practical training (CPT) during your course period, and OPT can be completed before or after graduation. The country offers a one-year post-study work visa for non-STEM programs and a three-year work visa for STEM programs.