Why are the new US Visa requirements beneficial to Indian students?

The newest executive order on immigration changes issued by President Trump is really excellent news for Indian students studying in the United States, according to University of South Florida (USF) Vice President Roger Brindley.

Foreign students are encouraged to pursue a successful professional path via undergraduate, doctoral, and post-graduate courses offered by USA education programmes. The high academic requirements give students access to a broad spectrum of information, flexibility, and experience.

As a consequence of excellent mentorship and in-depth training, they are able to interact, negotiate, and take advantage of all career chances across many sectors of professional disciplines and combat the fierce competition on a worldwide scale.

Brindley advised Indian students and educators that “the emphasis on the most highly trained employees might actually benefit international graduates of American universities.” Brindley emphasized the importance of overseas students in filling skill shortages in the United States.

The fact is that not enough Americans are earning technical master’s degrees, such as those in computer science and business analytics and information systems (BAIS), he said.

The reasons for this might range from a general lack of interest in math and science to the huge debt burden that most American students bear after four years of a Bachelor’s programme, making employment more tempting than beginning a master’s degree.

3 main types exist:

F1 Student Visa: The most typical entrance visa needed for overseas students to undertake academic courses in the US is the F1 Student Visa. It allows for on-campus or part-time work and offers Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to a year after the academic programme is over.

J1 Student Visa: Similar to the F1 visa, this non-academic and vocational studies visa is given to students who wish to pursue practical training that is not accessible in their home country.

M1 Student Visa: The applicant is not allowed to work while enrolled in school. It will be necessary to demonstrate that there are sufficient finances to cover all living and tuition expenses throughout the projected stay.

Eligibility requirements

Age restrictions for student visas are 14 to 79. Below or above applicants are treated as exceptional instances.

Aspiring students must adhere to the following 6 steps when applying for a US student visa:

• Excellent performance in the general exam and language assessments.
• Apply to and acquire an acceptance letter from US educational institutions that have been granted SEVP (Student Exchange Visitor Program) approval.
• Sevis charge should be paid.
• The visa application process must be finished.
• Pay the visa application fee, then get the receipt and the applicant’s ID.
• Schedule and pass your visa interview.

Documents

• Passport of the applicant (at least 6 months validity beyond the period of intended US stay)
• a letter of acceptance from a school with SEVP accreditation together with a receipt for the Form I-20 SEVIS Application cost
• Application for a Non-Immigration Visa and Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Applicants’ picture in the appropriate format
• academic writing (certificates, diplomas or degrees)
• Financial Justification: I have enough money to cover my expenses while I’m in the US (Bank statements, Financial undertaking by sponsor, Scholarship offer letter etc.)
• Proof that the student left the country after completing the study course (Return Air ticket)

Documents that you must bring with you to the US Study Visa Interview:

copies and originals of all the paperwork you supplied when applying for a visa. (A valid passport, exam results, two color pictures in the required format, academic qualification certificates, a letter from SEVP accepting them as students, financial documentation, a birth or marriage certificate, etc.)

a copy of the visa application and a confirmation of the interview appointment

Forms DS-7002 for J-1 Trainee & Intern Visa, signed SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019, and DS-160 application confirmation page with barcode and ID number

To study in the US, you must pass general examinations and language proficiency tests.

S.No	Test	Approx. Fee in INR
1.	Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)	18,300
2.	Graduate Record Examination (GRE)	15,800
3.	Law School Admission Test (LSAT)	11600
4.	Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)	7000
5.	Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	13,625
6.	International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	14,000
7.	Pearson Test of English (PTE)	13,300

Apply to Institutions with SEVP Approval

The US National Security Investigations Division keeps an eye on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to assess and maintain track of the steady stream of foreign students arriving in the US.

Documentation needed to submit an application for a US student F1 or M1 visa may only be obtained from a SEVP-approved institution. Your degrees and certifications from SEVP certified institutions will always offer you that extra advantage because they are recognised anywhere in the globe.

If you wish to look into several choices and apply to many universities, you must follow the admissions requirements for each institution independently. The US does not have a centralized system for university applications.

You will obtain a Form I-20 prepared by SEVIS once an institution has approved your application for admission and you may provide proof of having enough money to pay for the course costs.

Interested international students can use this “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigration Student Status” as the foundation for their US Student Visa application.

For J1 visas, SEVIS produces Form DS-2019.

Keep in mind that finding the correct university and educational path will be crucial to realizing your ambitions.

Apply well in advance of the admissions deadline, and finish this procedure six to twelve months before you submit your visa application. Make an informed decision about the institution that will be your home for the next few years by taking into account its accessibility to cutting-edge technology, training and research facilities, outreach opportunities, project internship options, flexibility in programmes, and long-term career prospects.

Make careful to present yourself in the best possible light because admission decisions are based on the students’ test results, academic records, and phone interviews.

You can make your final selection and pay your deposit to secure your seat once you get acceptance letters. Tuition expenses for a semester or an entire academic year are often covered by deposits.

Online SEVIS fee payment

You are given permission to proceed with your visa application and verify that you are now a registered member of the monitoring system overseen by the US immigration department by paying the SEVIS fee . Pay at least three days before completing your US visa application, and save your receipt as evidence of payment in case it is required during the visa interview.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP website offers access. Your registration form’s data must exactly match the information on your I-20 or DS-2019 application.

Payment methods accepted include cheques, debit/credit cards, international money transfers, Western Union, Quick Pay, and sponsorship from third parties.

Complete the DS-160 online visa application process.

The visa application fee must be paid.

Obtaining a Visa

Conclusion

In determining the merits of your visa acceptance, the successful verification of your visa application and your interview performance are essential. Even if it could take some time, it might be worthwhile if the applicants carefully adhere to the instructions. If the US embassy or consulate rules in your favor, you will get your newly stamped passport in person or by registered mail.