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In order to study at colleges and universities in the United States, international students must first apply for a U.S. student visa. To do so, a number of procedures and guidelines must be followed, and the required documents must be completed and admitted, each within a specified time frame.
U.S. Education Guides provides American student assistance to those planning to study abroad in the U.S.A. Learn how to plan appropriately for your study tour in America, and discover the ideal timeline for applying for your U.S. student visa.
Before Applying for a U.S. Student Visa
Prior to applying for a U.S. student visa, international students must first determine which of the thousands of colleges and universities in America they would like to attend. The process of searching for American universities and colleges can consist of a number of factors, including school size, location, type or tuition costs, and should begin 18 months prior to your arrival in the United States. This is also the time when you should register for tests or exams required for college admission, such as the TOEFL test or SAT.
Following the completion of these required tests, the next step in the college application timeline is to begin narrowing down your list of, and requesting information from, ideal colleges and universities in the United States, which should begin 12 to 15 months prior to arrival. All required documents, including your application essay, transcripts and references, should be assembled during this time period as well, then sent to your schools of choice 10 months prior to arrival.
Once sent, schools will review your application and send you a letter informing you as to whether or not you have been accepted into the institution. Following acceptance, international students should begin the process of applying for their U.S. student visa 3 months prior to arrival in the United States.
Student Visa - U.S.A. Procedures & Guidelines
International students must comply with a number of procedures and guidelines when applying for a U.S. student visa:
- Appointment with Consulate - following admission, the first step international students should take is to make an appointment with the consulate for a student visa for their U.S.A. education. This can be done by visiting the consulate's Web site, choosing your country of origin, and following the instructions for making an appointment.
- Pay Fees - before going to your appointment with the U.S. consulate, the following two fees should be paid:
- Student Visa Fee - students traveling to the U.S.A. are required to pay this fee in order to obtain a U.S. student visa, which can be paid at a local bank. You should receive a receipt for paying this fee.
- SEVIS Fee - this fee can be paid online with a credit card for a fast receipt, or by check or money order drawn from a U.S. bank, which will result in a lapse of several days before receiving your receipt.
- Assemble Documents - as the majority of applicants are required to participate in a personal interview, international students should assemble all required documents for a U.S. student visa and make an appointment well in advance of their first semester in the United States.
Work and Study in the U.S.A.
In addition to studying at colleges in the United States, many international students plan on working during their study tour in America. The desire for employment not only exists to help supplement the cost of tuition, but to also gain valuable experience which will help to increase the amount of job prospects following completion of a higher education.
In order to work and study in the U.S.A., students must meet certain criteria. U.S. student visas are granted with the intention that students will maintain status during the tenure of their study tour, which means that students are required to attend school full-time each semester. This is the primary condition international students must fulfill in order to work and study in the U.S.A.; however, students should always check with the DSO or foreign student advisor before seeking work in the United States.
More Information from U.S. Education Guides
In addition to providing information and resources on how to work and study in the U.S.A., as well as procedures and guidelines for obtaining a U.S. student visa, U.S. Education Guides also provides a wide range of additional information to help you prepare for your study tour in America:
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