USA - FAQ's

Non Immigration Visa - Student VISA

Student Visa

There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The F visa is for academic studies, and the M visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies.

A student with an F-1 visa may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study; however, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. No permission is required for on-campus employment. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment.

A spouse and unmarried, minor children may also receive nonimmigrant visas to accompany or follow the student. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence of sufficient funds for support and that they will depart the U.S. when the student's program ends. Spouses and children of students may not accept employment at any time.
   

Requirements for a Student Visa

Applicants must have successfully completed a course of study normally required for enrollment, should be sufficiently proficient in English to pursue the intended course of study, should have been accepted for a full course of study by an approved educational institution, and be able to prove that sufficient funds are or will be available to defray all living and school expenses during the entire period of anticipated study in the United States.
They should also be able to establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in India which they have no intention of abandoning and that they will return to India when they have completed their studies.

Applicants must also submit the following
documents :

• completed application form.

• passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.

• one colored photograph 1 and 1/2 inches square (37 x 37mm) for each applicant, showing a full face, without head covering, against a light background.

• for F visa applicants, a completed Form I-20A-B (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Academic and Language Students) from the institution where admission has been obtained, and for M visa applicants, a completed Form I-20M-N, (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for Vocational Students) from the institution that the applicant will be attending.