The United States is home to the world’s largest number of international students, offering over 5,000 universities and colleges across 50 states. The US is known for Ivy League schools, cutting-edge research facilities, and diverse academic opportunities. International students benefit from flexible education pathways, Optional Practical Training (OPT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and long-term career opportunities. The country hosts over 1 million international students each year, especially in fields such as Engineering, Business, Computer Science, and Medical Sciences.
English (official academic and government language)
Spanish widely spoken in certain states
F-1 Student Visa (academic studies, most common)
M-1 Student Visa (vocational studies)
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa (research, cultural exchange, internships)
H-1B Work Visa (after graduation, for skilled workers)
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (tourism, short-term study)
International students must be admitted to a SEVP-approved school before applying for a US student visa. F-1 students can work on-campus (20 hrs/week) but need OPT/CPT authorization for off-campus jobs. Overstaying or working illegally can lead to visa cancellation and bans. Students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment, valid health insurance, and report changes of address or school to SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).
Receive admission and Form I-20 from a SEVP-approved institution.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online.
Fill the DS-160 visa application form and pay visa application fee.
Schedule and attend a biometric appointment and US Embassy interview.
Prepare for the visa interview: SOP, proof of funds, ties to home country.
Upon approval, receive F-1 visa stamped in passport.
Travel to the US up to 30 days before program start date.
Valid passport (at least 6 months beyond stay).
Form I-20 issued by SEVP-approved school.
SEVIS fee payment receipt.
DS-160 confirmation page.
Visa application fee receipt.
Proof of funds (bank statements, affidavits, sponsor letter).
Academic transcripts and test scores (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS if applicable).
Passport-sized photographs (per US specifications).
Statement of Purpose (SOP) and intent to return.
Health insurance (mandatory for most institutions).
US immigration requires students to: • Enroll full-time in an approved program. • Work only with valid authorization (OPT, CPT, or on-campus). • Report address changes to DSO (Designated School Official). • Leave the country within 60 days of program completion (unless applying for OPT/H-1B). • Maintain valid visa and passport throughout stay.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship
AAUW International Fellowships
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
University-specific scholarships (Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, etc.)
Average yearly tuition: USD 20,000 – 50,000 (depending on university). Living costs: USD 10,000 – 18,000 per year (housing, food, transport). Health insurance: USD 1,500 – 2,500 per year. Visa application fee: USD 185 (DS-160 fee). SEVIS fee: USD 350 (I-901 fee).
Filling the DS-160 form incorrectly or inconsistently with SOP/university documents.
Not paying SEVIS fee or missing confirmation receipt.
Insufficient proof of funds or vague financial statements.
Weak answers during visa interviews (failing to justify study choice or ties to home country).
Using fraudulent documents or misrepresentation, leading to permanent bans.
Relying on tourist visas for study attempts (illegal and risky).
Detailed DS-160 and SEVIS guidance to ensure accurate submissions.
One-on-one visa interview preparation sessions with mock Q&A.
Financial proof preparation — affidavit of support, CA statements, sponsor planning.
SOP and essay editing to align with university expectations.
Counseling on OPT, CPT, and H-1B transitions post-study.
Strict compliance guidance to prevent misrepresentation or bans.
3–6 weeks on average after the interview, depending on embassy workload.
USA
F-1 Visa
OPT
SEVIS
Student Visa
Immigration
Work Study
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