USA Student Visa Requirements

Experiencing the culture of USA through education is the dream of almost every other student in Pakistan. Owing to its renowned universities, wide range of programs and diversity in its culture, top cream of the student around the globe are attracted towards it to make their career dreams a reality. However, limited information about USA’s study visa makes it a hurdle for students to consider US as their study abroad destination. This writing is aimed at making applying in USA simple and easy to understand for aspirants willing to apply in USA. Applying for a study visa (F-1 visa) to the USA from Pakistan involves multiple steps. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

• Get Accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program Approved School and receive I-20
• Get admission in your desired USA university or College and fulfill all the conditions. Usually academic documents, Letter of recommendations, Passport and other related documents are required for university application. Offer is received. Once all conditions are fulfilled you need to pay I20 deposit and show bank statement to request I20.
• Before you can apply for an F-1 visa, you need to be accepted by a school that is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once accepted, the school will provide you with a Form I- 20.
• Pay the SEVIS Fee
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of 350 USD to the Department of Homeland Security. This fee is required to be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You can pay the fee online at the Department of Homeland Security website.

• Complete the DS-160 Form
• Fill out the DS-160 form online. This is the application form for the non-immigrant visa. You will need your Form I-20 and other personal information to complete this form. Save the confirmation page with the barcode.
• Pay the Visa Application Fee
• Pay the visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) which is 185 USD. This fee can be paid at designated banks in Pakistan or online, depending on the options available on the US Travel Docs website.
• Schedule a Visa Interview
• Schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You will need your DS-160 confirmation number and the receipt for the visa application fee to schedule this appointment. This can be scheduled at U.S. Embassy Islamabad or Karachi - U.S. Embassy & Consulate.

• Prepare Required Documentation
• Gather the necessary documents for your interview, which typically include:
• A valid passport.
• Form I-20.
• DS-160 confirmation page.
• Visa application fee payment receipt.
• SEVIS fee payment receipt.
• Passport-sized photograph that meets U.S. visa photo requirements.
• Academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended.
• Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school (e.g., TOEFL, SAT, GRE).
• Proof of financial support to cover tuition and living expenses in the USA.
• Ties to your home country that demonstrate your intent to return after your studies (e.g., family ties, job offers).

• Attend the Visa Interview
• Attend your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Be prepared to answer questions about your study plans, your choice of school, your academic background, your plans after graduation, and your financial situation. Bring all the required documents.

• Wait for Visa Processing
• After the interview, the consular officer may approve your visa, request additional information, or deny the application. If approved, your passport will be taken for visa stamping and returned to you with the visa attached.

• Travel to the US

Once you receive your visa, you can make travel arrangements. Note that F-1 visa holders can enter the USA up to 30 days before the start date listed on Form I-20.

• Report to Your Institution

Upon arrival in the USA, report to your designated school official at the institution that issued your Form I-20. They will help you complete your SEVIS registration and proceed with course registration and live your dream of studying in the most advanced country.

By following these steps and preparing the required documents, you can successfully apply for a student visa to study in USA. We highly recommend that you ask your HS counselor to guide you through the process, and ensure that everything is done correctly.

Ready to get started? Book a FREE appointment to discuss your study options in USA.