How to get Student Visa?

Once you have decided that you want to attend a boarding school or Univ in the United States, it is necessary to get your government documents in order to enter the U.S. You must get these papers both from your country and from a representative of the U.S. Government. The steps you must take:

1. Apply for a passport. (Allow weeks or even months for this process)
2. Ask what other specific exit documents are required by your country in addition to the passport to allow you to study abroad. These may include:
   -Legal agreements requiring you to return at a specific age, at the completion of your program or for military service.
   -Financial disclosures verifying the amount of money you are taking from the country.
   -Educational agreements.
3. Obtain an I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for student applicants) from the college/school you are going to attend.
4. You will need to go to your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consular Office to apply for an F-1 student visa.(If, your studies will be more than 18 hours per week, you need an F-1 or M-1 student visa. F-1 student visas are granted to academic and language students for the full duration of their studies. M-1 student visas are issued to vocational students for up to 1 year of studies.)
5. In order to apply you will need to complete Form DS-156, an Application for Non-Immigrant Visa as well as DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant. You will be asked to present your I-20 form (which you will receive from the school). You will also need to show that you have financial support for the entire time you plan to study in the U.S.
6. Get an "Affidavit of Support" form from the Embassy or Consulate. Complete this form with information about your sources of financing and submit it along with your other documents. Some schools may also require a copy of your financial support statements.
   Additionally, you MAY be required to show: proof of good health; evidence of competence in English; evidence of educational attainment; a guardianship form; your enrollment contract with the school; photographs; police certificates. You must also show your intent to return home upon completion of your education.
   Your meeting with the consulate office could be very brief. Have the following documents available and fully completed:

Passport in original

I-20 SEVIS approved form
Letter of admission from US university
Entrance test scores (whatever applicable)
Latest marksheets/ degree certificate obtained in India
Statement of future plan in India
Financial statement of self and family showing all assets
Evidence of income-tax paid over the last three years
Bank transactions of your family over the last three years (passbook, not statement)
Form I-134, if your US sponsor is involved with his/ her financial papers
Letter from the Indian company if willing to give you job on your return
Evidence of certificate of marriage, if applicable
Evidence of certificates of birth of children, if applicable

Remember the criteria for a student visa, irrespective of the gender of the applicant, is:

(a)Valid admission in a US university which issues an I 20 form,

(b) Proof of available finance for the entire duration of study.It's important to show funds for the duration of study as you can't work on campus like in the US or it's more difficult finding a job than you think. The source of funds have to be from nationalised banks. Other sources such as details of sponsors, statement of accounts from a savings account and bonds are accepted.

(c) Plan of action on your return to India.

7.You cannot arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before your study start date. If you need to come sooner than this, you must obtain a visitor visa.Also,When you arrive at the port-of-entry, you will provide Form I-20 to the Border Protection official. The official will review your documents and authorize your entry into the U.S. You will be enrolled in the US-VISIT program and an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record will be placed in your passport. DO NOT lose this form, as it is the only record of your arrival in the country.

For details go to http://www.visa-services.com/