Over the years, The United State of America, through her Immigration Law has opened up her country to foreign Students who wish to study in the country. The USA boasts some of the best schools in the world, especially Tertiary institutions. Examples are Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Columbia University, Yale University, Princeton University, etc.
These foreign students who want to study in the USA must obtain a visa. This is called the student visa and it will be placed in the passport of such individuals. The Student Visa can only be applied for after the interested student,
Student visas are classified into two types:
- F Student Visa
- M Student Visa
Getting an F visa or an M visa will be determined by your intended course of study and the type of school you plan to attend. This is shown below:
| University or college | F |
| High School | |
| Private elementary school | |
| Another academic institution, Seminary, including a language training program | |
| Vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution,
other than a language training program |
M |
F Student Visa
The F visa is categorized into F1 and F2 visas. F1 visas are given to non-immigrant students for Academic and Language training courses. It is the most common student visa to the US. The F2 visas are issued to people related to the F1 visa holders. Spouse and unmarried, minor children of F1 visa holders fall in this category and are said to be the dependents of the F1 visa holder.
The F-1 visa gives you the option to transfer to a University after you have completed your community vocational program. To know more about F-1 visa, read more from our publication on it (Link).
M Student Visa
The M visa is classified into M1 and M2 visas. M1 visa is used by a person who wishes to do a non-academic or vocational course. The M2 visas are given to the dependents (spouse and unmarried, minor children) of the M1 visa holder.
Students on an M-1 visa may only attend a vocational program for one year and then must return to their home country after completion of their course. M-1 students are not allowed to continue to the University level.
F2 and M2 Visas
If you have any family or children that will need to accompany you during your study time in the US, they will have to apply and be approved for an F2 or M2 visa.
Contact your chosen university or institution before they issue your I-20, and inform them about your dependents. The F2 and M2 applicants are called dependents of F1 or M1 students. You will then be sent their I-20 forms along with your I-20.
Your university may need proof that you can support yourself as well as any dependents before sending you the paperwork. They will leave the United States once the duration of the student’s course is completed. They must meet all the eligibility requirements
Family members who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but wish to visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas.
Spouses and dependents may not work in the United States on a derivative F or M visa. If your spouse/child seeks employment, the spouse must obtain the appropriate work visa.
USA student visa process step by step
Be accepted onto an educational program: Your chosen institution’s international student office will send you an I-20 form. This form needs to be kept safe, as you’ll need it for your visa interview.
Register for SEVIS and pay the fee ($350): This means the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System need to have your fee before the DS-160 is completed.
Complete and pay for an online non-immigrant visa application (DS-160 – $160): You’ll also need to upload a photo of yourself that meets specific requirements, and provide any other requested documents.
Schedule an appointment for a visa interview: This needs to be done at the U.S Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. At this interview, you will be questioned on things such as previous test scores and your finances.
Receive a decision: At your interview, you should receive a decision on your application.
How To Apply for USA student visa
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website. (https://www.usembassy.gov)
Ineligible to study in the U.S:
A foreign student engaged in a distance learning program from a USA school, cannot use any other Visa to study in the U.S campus of the school. To study in the U.S, he or she must obtain a student visa (F or M) to be eligible for studying on such a campus.
If a Foreign national migrate to the U.S on a visitor visa called B visa or, he/she won’t be able to study except they undertake a non-credit course towards a degree or academic certificate. This is known as recreational study and is classified as part of a tourist visit. This is also applicable to those who immigrated to the USA through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).