EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT STUDENT VISA'S FOR THE UNITED STATES
If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may do so on a tourist visa. Otherwise, please read this article for general information on how to apply for an F1 or M1 student visa.
In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. Students should consult Embassy web sites or call for specific application instructions. Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period. Students need to plan ahead to avoid having to make repeat visits to the Embassy. To the extent possible, students should bring the documents suggested below, as well as any other documents that might help establish their ties to the local community. To allow time to overcome any unforeseen problems that might arise, students are encouraged to apply for their visas several weeks before they plan to travel. Students should not apply more than 90 days before the registration date noted on the I-20. It is important to remember that applying early and providing the requested documents does not guarantee that the student will receive a visa. Also, because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two students applying for same visa may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. For that reason, the guidelines that follow are general and can be abridged or expanded by consular officers overseas, depending on each student's situation.
What is Needed to Apply for a Student Visa?
All applicants for a student visa must provide:
1. A Form I-20 obtained from a U.S. college, school or university. Please be sure to give us all four pages of the I-20 form. The form must also be signed by you and by a school official in the appropriate places.
2. A completed nonimmigrant visa application form (OF-156) with photo for each person applying. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. These forms are available at the Embassy at no charge.
3. A passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the United States.
4. A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed.
All applicants should be prepared to provide:
1. Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended.
2. Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE®, GMAT, etc.
3. Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please bring income tax documents and original bank books and/or statements. If you or your sponsor own a business, please bring business registration, licenses, etc., and tax documents, as well as original bank books and/or statements.
Applicants with dependents must also provide:
1. Proof of the student's relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.)
2. It is preferred that families apply for F-1 and F-2 visas at the same time, but if the spouse and children must apply separately at a later time, they should bring a copy of the student visa holder's passport and visa, along with all other required documents.
What Items Does a Returning Student Need?
All applicants applying for renewals must submit:
1. A passport valid for at least six months.
2. A completed and signed application form (OF-156) with photo for each person applying. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. These forms are available at the Embassy at no charge.
3. A receipt for visa processing fee. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed.
4. A new I-20 or an I-20 that has been endorsed on the back by a school official within the past 12 months.
All applicants applying for renewals should be prepared to submit:
1. A certified copy of your grades from the school in which you are enrolled.
2. Financial documents from you or your sponsor, showing your ability to cover the cost of your schooling.
How long may I stay on my F-1 student visa?
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America.
For example, if you have a visa that is valid for five years that will expire on January 1, 2001, and you are admitted into the U.S. for the duration of your studies (often abbreviated in your passport or on your I-94 card as "D/S"), you may stay in the U.S. as long as you are a full time student. Even if January 1, 2001 passes and your visa expires while in America, you will still be in legal student status. However, if you depart the U.S. with an expired visa, you will need to obtain a new one before being able to return to America and resume your studies. A student visa cannot be renewed or re-issued in the United States; it must be done at an Embassy or Consulate abroad.
PLEASE NOTE - VERY IMP: RULES, REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR US VISA'S CHANGE CONSTANTLY. YOUR BEST SOURCES OF INFORMATION ARE OFFICIAL US GOVT WEBSITES. Some links are given below.
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The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, as it is popularly called, is an English Language proficiency test that is required to be taken by non-native students so as to study in countries where the medium of instruction is English. IELTS is accepted by Universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It has become a mandatory test for study in Australia. One cannot be granted an Australian Student Visa without an IELTS Score. All other study destinations require one to appear for either the TOEFL or the IELTS.
The IELTS tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the IELTS is as follows:
Reading (60 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
Reading has 3 passages and 40 items (questions). Each item is worth one mark.
Writing (60 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
Listening (40 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
IELTS Listening has four sections, each with 10 items (or questions). Each item is worth one mark.
Speaking (11-14 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
IELTS Speaking is a one-to-one interaction between the candidate and an examiner.
IELTS is conducted in Dubai by the British Council. For detailed information about IELTS, please refer the official website of IELTS – www.ielts.org
What is TOEFL®?
A Standardized Test, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) assesses the English Proficiency of people, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North American English. Most Educational Institutes in the US and Canada (approximately 2400) ask applicants for their TOEFL® Scores. Institutes in other countries, where the mode and language of instruction is English, also use TOEFL®. Most people take the TOEFL® test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL® scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.
The TOEFL® Internet-based Test (TOEFL® iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the TOEFL® iBT is as follows:
Reading (60-100 min) (36-70 questions) (0-30 scoring scale)
3-5 passages from academic texts; approx 700 word long with 12-14 questions per passage.
Listening (60-90 min) (34-51 questions) (0-30 scoring scale)
4-6 lectures each 3-5 min long; 6 questions each.
2-3 conversations, each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each.
Speaking (20 min) (6 tasks) (0-4 points converted to 0-30 scoring scale)
2 tasks to express an opinion on a a topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to.
Writing (50 min) (2 tasks) (0-5 points converted to 0-30 scoring scale)
1 task to write based on what is read or listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic.
The US-based "Educational Testing Service"(ETS), develops and administers the TOEFL®. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about TOEFL, please refer the official website of TOEFL – www.toefl.org .
TOEFL FAQ'S: CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO 13 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOEFL.
What is SAT®?
Their are two types of SAT Exams:
- SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I
- SAT Subject Test
SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I
A standardized test, SAT I measures Verbal, Mathematical and Writing skills. The test intends to primarily aid Undergrad Schools to assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study. Universities in the US, while inviting applications from prospective students, ask for SAT I scores.
The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is scored on a maximum of 2400. The SAT I score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school - the test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a graduate school he/she desires.
SAT I has three sections – Critical Reading, Maths and Writing. The following is the SAT I test structure.
SAT Subject Test or SAT II
Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure a student’s knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as his ability to apply that knowledge. Students who want to apply to the Top 15-20 universities in the US are required to take SAT Subject Test.
The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is scored on a maximum of 800. SAT® II Subject tests are one-hour tests offered in the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths Level 1, Maths Level 2, English Literature, US History, World History and Languages.
The US-based College Board develops and administers both the SAT I and SAT II. College Board is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about SAT, please refer the official website of SAT: CLICK HERE
A standardized test, the Graduate Record Examination measures Verbal, Mathematical and Analytical Writing skills. The test intends to primarily aid Graduate Schools (of all fields other than business) to assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study. Most universities in the US, while inviting applications from prospective students, ask for GRE® scores.
The examination is entirely a Computer-based Test, and no two students get an identical set of questions. The test is scored on a maximum of 1600. The GRE®Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school - the test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a graduate school he/she desires.
The GRE test has three sections- Quantitative, Verbal and Analytical Writing Assessment. The following is the GRE test structure.
Section | Number of Questions | Time |
| Analytical Writing | 1 Issue Task* | 45 minutes |
| Analytical Writing | 1 Argument Task* | 30 minutes |
| Verbal | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative | 28 | 45 minutes |
| Unscored** | Varies | Varies |
| Research*** | Varies | Varies |
The US-based "Educational Testing Service"(ETS), which works under the direction of the Graduate Record Examination Board, develops and administers the GRE®. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about GRE, please refer the official website of GRE – CLICK HERE
Students who want to pursue higher studies in countries outside Dubai usually need to take some exams. The kind of exam that you would need to take varies according to the program that you want to pursue.
What is the GMATTM?
A standardized test, the Graduate Management Admissions Test measures the Verbal, Mathematical and Analytical skills. The test primarily intends to aid graduate schools of business assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study in business and management. Nearly 1000 management institutes all over the world require GMATTM scores from the applicants.
The GMATTM is different from most other customary examinations. The examination is entirely computer-based, and no two students get identical sets of questions. Also, students cannot skip questions. The test is scored on a maximum of 800. The GMATTM Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school. The test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a Business School he/she desires.
The GMATTM has three sections – Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing Assessment. The following is the GMATTM test structure.
The US-based "Pearson VUE”, which is under the directions of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) develops and administers the GMATTM. Pearson VUE is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about GMATTM, please refer the official website of GMATTM – CLICK HERE
