Worried about the U.S. student visa process? 10 tips to help you prepare
Everyone has heard a story of a friend, or friend of a friend, who has been denied a student visa to study in the U.S., right? Well, the truth is, yes, prospective students can be turned down at this next to last hurdle to realizing their dream of attending a university in the United States. While this can be a cruel end, it doesn’t have to be. The reality is that over the last 5 years, the global average of students being APPROVED for a U.S. student visa has been over 80%. The good news is with the right preparation, honest answers, and appropriate documentation you can give yourself an excellent chance of being granted a student visa. Here are the steps you will need to take as U.S. consulates and embassies reopen after the pandemic.
1. Got your I-20?
Make sure you have received the I-20 and admission letter from the college/university you plan to attend. You may have been accepted and received I-20s from more than one school. We recommend that you make a decision as to which institution you will attend before starting the visa process.
2. Check your passport
- Make sure your passport will be valid for at least six months after your initial planned entry into the U.S.
- Is your name spelled the same (and in the same order) as is listed on your passport? It has to be!
3. Pay your SEVIS fee
Students can pay this $350 fee online. You will need an e-receipt for next steps in the process.
4. Complete the Visa Application Form
You can do that online DS-160 (non-immigrant visa application). You will need most of the following items to complete this form:
- Passport
- SEVIS ID (from your I-20 form)
- Address of the college you will attend (usually on the I-20)
- Travel itinerary to the U.S. if you have made arrangements already
- Admission letter from the college you will attend
- Proof of funding – bank statements, scholarship award letters, etc.
- Dates of your last 5 visits to the United States (if any)
- Profile names on your social media accounts over the last 5 years.
After completion the online DS-160 application, print off the DS-160 Bar Code page. You will not need to print the entire application.
5. Plan ahead!
You can schedule your visa appointment up to 120 days in advance of the start date listed on your I-20 (when your new school requires you to be on campus). In some countries there may be a substantial wait time to get an appointment, and, more importantly, to process your application. The good news is that student visa applicants are given priority.
6. Schedule your visa appointment
Schedule your visa appointment at the U.S. embassy/consulate nearest you. Using this site you’ll learn whether you can make your appointment online or by telephone. You will also need to pay the visa application fee.
7. Attend a Visa Session
Attend a visa session at an EducationUSA Advising Center in your country. EducationUSA works closely with the U.S. consular officers that conduct the visa interviews. At these sessions they will make it clear what they are expecting from successful student visa applicants, and the kind of questions they will ask.
8. Enjoy the experience
A few years ago our friends at the U.S. Embassy in London put together a great video to help ease your fears, Mission: Possible – Get Your U.S. Student Visa.
9. Talk to your friends
Are any of your former classmates studying in the U.S. now? Ask their advice about their interview experiences and ask for their recommendations. You can also check out how successful students help demystify the student visa process.
10. Breathe, relax, and be honest
You have invested a lot of time, energy, and resources to get to this visa interview. Try not to be too nervous. You are almost there. Answer the visa officer’s questions honestly – Why did you pick the particular college you want to attend? How are you funding your studies? What are your plans after you finish your studies? You may not know the exact answer to this last question, but be thinking about how you might answer that question.
Good luck to you as you take this important next step!