Obtaining a student visa in the USA
Admission to the university is a difficult and responsible process, but do not forget that after receiving the cherished invitation, you will have an equally important procedure for applying for a student visa.To avoid complications, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of this process in advance.We suggest that you figure out together how you get a visa to the United States, and what expenses await you.
Visa process
The US student visa is issued in categories F and M, depending on the institution.Category F includes universities and colleges, private institutions, seminaries, conservatories and other educational institutions, including language course programs.Category M is represented by non-academic recognized organizations.
Requirements
The main requirement for obtaining a student visa is that you must apply and enroll in one of the institutions approved by Student and Exchange Visitor Program .When you are accepted for training, your data will be automatically entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).This is followed by the payment of an I-901 fee of $ 200.Also, the educational institution will provide an I-20 form, which must be presented during the interview at the visa center.If you are traveling to the United States with family members, they also need to get an I-20, but they do not need to pay the fee again.
Filling out the application form online
If you meet the main requirement and have already paid the fee, then the first step in obtaining a visa is filling out the application form (form DS-160) on the US Department of State website, uploading a photo that fits all requirements, and paying a $ 160 consular fee.There are no other fees for Russian citizens anymore, however additional fees may apply in other countries.Be sure to print the questionnaire after completing it in order to present the document at the interview along with the Form I-20.
Interview inembassy
The next stage is the interview.During the interview, the consular representative must make sure that you are eligible for a US visa and meet all requirements.It is mandatory for all candidates between the ages of 14 and 79.
You must apply for an interview through the embassy or consulate, where it will be more convenient for you to pass the interview.As waiting times may vary depending on location, visa category and season, please apply in advance.
In Russia, you can apply for a US student visa in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok.After reducing staff in 2017, for several months, a visa could only be obtained in Moscow, however, since December, consulates in other cities have again begun accepting applications for nonimmigrant visas, including student visas.For students whose academic semester begins within 60 days, there is an expedited interview.
Although consulates are reviewing applications again, it should be borne in mind that waiting times may increase due to the prevailing circumstances.Russian citizens can be interviewed in other countries, but then additional fees are possible depending on the country.
To pass the interview, you must have the following documents with you:
passport;
hard copy visa application (Form DS-160);
Form I-20 that you get from your school.confirmation of filling out the questionnaire and scheduling an interview;
receipts for payment of fees;
confirmation of the availability of money for tuition fees or scholarships
You may also be asked for additional documents that confirm your plans and intentionsstudy: a certificate of knowledge of the English language, a resume, an official invitation from the university, diplomas, confirmation of the presence of real estate in the home country and other documents.
During the interview, you must show that you really want to study in the United States and are interested in it, and plan to return home after graduation.
Obtaining a visa
After completing the main stages, all that remains is to be patient and wait for the result.You can obtain an F and M student visa up to 120 days before the start date of the courses.However, it is prohibited to enter the country earlier than 30 days before the start of training.
Most applications are approved, but keep in mind the likelihood that a visa may be refused, so it is better to postpone the purchase of tickets in the United States until it is received.
Refusal to issue a visa
The grounds for refusal to issue a visa can be various reasons, including fraud in order to obtain a document, delay in the United Statesduring past trips, incomplete information about the applicant or lack of necessary documents, guilt in the commission of a crime and other reasons.A complete list of grounds for refusal can be seen on the websiteof the US Department of State Consular Bureau .If you cancel, the fees you paid are not refundable.If you are rejected, you can reapply, but in most cases, fees must be paid again.
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