What is a F1 Student Visa?

  An F1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to international students who wish to attend educational institutions like university, college, high school, and any language-training program in the USA.

F1 Visa Qualifications required

  Acceptance from Education Institution, If the candidate has received acceptance from education institution through which the visa was granted, then he/she can apply for F1 visa.

  International Student home residence, The student must have a relationship with his/her home country and have their family, bank accounts in their home country. And must intend to return there on the completion of the course.

  Financial Support, The International student must prove that he/she has enough finances to support his/her studies and demonstrate their stay in the US.

  Note: Only the US Embassies and USA consulates outside the US have the authority to issue F-1 Visas. No other governing body or agencies can issue F-1 visas.

  Note: However, When you enter the USA through your approved visa, you are required to complete the given duration of your stay. However, for extensions in stay or change in the status of the applicant can be done within the US through legitimate agencies.

  Spouse and Children: Your spouse and/or children, who intend to reside with you during your study, may apply and get the dependent’s F2 Visa.

  Note:The F2 Visa holders are not permitted to join any form of employment although the children are allowed to attend public schools. School will issue an individual form I-20, which is required to apply for their visa, you must provide a copy of your F1 visa and provide proof of relationship.

When you need to Apply for F1 Visa?

  Once student receive the acceptance letter from your preferred University from USA, you will be registered with the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) and have to pay the one-time application fee (SEVIS). (It transfer the student SEVIS records to registered institution).

  Once you make the payment and all dues are clear, (The SEVP-approved School will issue you a Form I-20 that you will receive from the university/institution. The I-20 form will act as a supporting document to prove that you have enough funds for your duration of stay. (Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,”)

  This form will also serve as the medium to apply for F1 Visa and to schedule an appointment for your interview with the local US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Note: There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa. Below are the resources to fill out your forms

  SEVIS I-901 Form: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html

  DS-160 Visa Application Form: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/ & https://ceac.state.gov/genniv

How to Apply for Visa?

  Complete the Online Visa Application: Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160. (A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form). Important Notice: Take care to answer all questions on the DS-160 accurately and completely; otherwise, you may have to correct your application and reschedule your visa interview appointment. And pay the required application fee and submit the following:

• Your valid passport with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions).
• Your One Photograph taken within the last six months, Size of (1) 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) This web page has information about the required photo format.
• If a visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee, depending on your nationality. The Department of State’s website can help you find out if you must pay a visa issuance reciprocity fee and what the fee amount.
• An approved original signed Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.

  In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

 Note: Once you have electronically submitted your DS-160 online application, you must contact the embassy or consulate at which you wish to apply to confirm whether you need to be interviewed by a consular officer, and to schedule an interview.

  You can find a list of U.S. embassies and consulates here, with links to their websites where you can find information about scheduling a visa interview appointment. If the embassy or consulate at which you apply informs that you must have a visa interview, the visa application process cannot be completed until you appear for an interview with a consular officer.

Additional Information

  F-1 visas allow students to enroll in academic and degree bearing education, such as a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree. They also give the freedom to students to transfer to any school at any time as well as work on practical training outside of campus. Students with an F-1 visa can also enroll in language courses, while M1 students cannot.

  For interview Location in India you need to visit:

• Delhi –S – 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110019
• Mumbai – Trade Center, Ground Floor, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai – 400051
• Chennai – No 3, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600018
• Hyderabad – 1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P.Road, Begumpet, Secunderabad – 500003
• Kolkata – Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata – 700017

  US Embassy and Consulates Addresses in India:

• The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021 • The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
• The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006
• The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071
• The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003

Admission Checklist for M1 visa:

What is a M1 Student Visa?

  The M1 Non-Academic Student Visa for international students who wish to pursue a course of study that is not principally academic in nature at an established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution such as a post secondary vocational or business school. M-1 visa holders for technical and vocational programs are not permitted to work during the course of their studies.

  The M-1 student visa applicants must have evidence that sufficient funds are immediately available to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of intended stay. M1 Student Visa Requirements Not everyone can apply and be eligible for the M1 visa to get a vocational degree. To be allowed to apply for an M1 visa and to qualify for it, these conditions need to be met. M1 students have to be accepted at an SEVP institution You might have a list of preferred schools you would like to go to, but before you apply, make sure that they qualify to make you eligible for the M1 visa.

  To be eligible to apply for the M1 visa, you need to apply and get admission at one of these institutions. After you get accepted, the school will register you into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and give you a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. English proficiency for International Students International students should have a good comprehension of the language. Their English level should be high enough to allow them to understand and speak as required by educational institutions. They should understand lectures and be able to discuss class concepts.

  English proficiency test as the TOEFL or the IELTS is required. Strong ties to your home residence/country With the M1 visa student are supposed to return back to your home country after you complete your education. That is why you should prove your strong ties through property deeds, Bank details, residence country address, and family information. And must intend to return there on the completion of the course.

  Finance support to your education and stay in the U.S M1 visa student must prove that he/she has enough finances to support his/her studies and demonstrate their stay in the US. Your I-20 form contains an estimate of the expenses for one year, so you should submit financial documents that prove you have that amount readily available. If your dependents are also joining you in the U.S, your financial situation should be even better, proving that you can also finance their stay in the country.

M1 Application Process

  The application process for the M1 visa is quite similar to the application process of the F-1 visa. These are the necessary steps you should take if you want to study in a vocational school in the U.S with an M1 visa.

  Get your I-20 Form After you are accepted into the vocational school of your choice, they will give you the I-20 form. With that form, you can initiate the application process.

  Submit DS-160 form online Your DS-160 form is the first form that you have to submit online.

  You should fill in all the necessary information, which are relevant to your background, objectives in the U.S and your program of study. At the end when you submit the form, you will get a confirmation code and page which you will need later on for the interview and document file.

  Pay the visa application fee The visa application fee for the M1 visa is $160. This is a non-refundable fee, which means that even if you don’t get the visa, you will not get the money back.

  Besides this fee, there might be additional fees depending on the Embassy that you are applying in. If you are from specific countries, you might also have to pay a visa issuance or reciprocity fee, which is determined by the U.S Embassy. Keep the receipts, which prove you have paid all fees.

  Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee Since all international students in the U.S are registered in SEVIS, there is also a fee, which needs to be paid. The SEVIS I-901 fee for the M1 visa is $200. You should pay and keep the receipt, as you will need it later.

  Schedule your interview You will have to schedule an interview for your visa appointment. Try to do this as early as possible, since U.S Embassies have a high workload and it might take a while for them find you an appointment.

  After you schedule the interview, you will get your interview appointment letter, which you need to attach to your documents file. Compile your document file Your document file should be completed with all necessary forms.

  You should have it with you when you go to your visa appointment. The file should contain the following:

• A valid passport for 6 more months after the expiration of your visa.
• Your DS-160 confirmation page.
• Your visa appointment letter.
• One US Visa photograph.
• Receipts, which prove you, have paid your fees.
• Your original I-20 form and one copy.
• Proof of your educational qualifications such as: • Degrees and diplomas.
• Transcripts.
• Standardized test scores, etc. Proof of your financial stability, such as: • Bank statement for the last 3 years.
• Tax information for the last 3 years.
• Loans to finance your stay in the U.S (if applicable).

  Scholarship for your education in the U.S, provide all relevant information (if applicable). If an individual in the U.S will support you, submit Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and the person’s bank and tax return information for the last 3 years. Attend your interview.

 Finally, attend your visa interview. Have all of your documents ready and be prepared to answer the interview questions. The M1 visa interview questions will revolve around your intentions for going to the U.S, your financial situation, and the ties to your home country. If you are bringing dependents, such as a spouse or children, you will also be asked to prove the relationship to them.

Additional Information Difference between M1 and F1 visa

• Non-immigrant students use F1 visas for Academic and Language training Courses.
• M visa is classified into M1 and M2 visas.
• A person who wishes to do non-academic or vocational course uses M1 visa.
• M2 visas are given to the dependents (spouse and unmarried, minor children) of the M1 visa holder.
• The M1 visa is valid for only one year. Students may apply for extensions for up to three years.

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