Universities in the United States are reputed for providing high-quality education. Thus, many people from around the world seek to receive higher learning in the country’s most prestigious schools. Foreign nationals are very welcome to study in the U.S., but before they can do so, they need to secure a student visa.


Process of Getting a Student Visa


In order to obtain a student visa, foreign students need to follow a long and difficult immigration process.


Apply to Attend a U.S. College or University

First, the foreign national seeking to study in the U.S. must apply to attend a U.S. college or University. If they get accepted, the school will provide them with an I-20 form, which they can use to contact their local U.S. embassy.


Make an Appointment With the U.S. Embassy

The student then needs to set an appointment in their country’s U.S. embassy and establish their intent to secure a student visa. This is where the tough part of the process begins as there are very specific and strict requirements that need to be met.


2 Important Things to Show at Your Visa Appointment


The student seeking to study in the U.S. must show immigration two important things:

  • That they are financially able to live in the United States without working.
  • That they plan to go home after their studies are completed.

If immigration officers are not satisfied with one or the other, they will not approve the student visa.


Is it Difficult to Get a Student Visa?


In general, it can be quite difficult to secure a student visa. Immigration conducts very intensive background checks on the applicant’s family, job, property ownership, bank accounts, and other financial ties to their home country. If they cannot find any strong ties, they will suspect that the applicant has a chance of not going home after they graduate.

However, the State Department has expressed this year that it will be more reasonable when it comes to approving student visas. They are making the process much easier and are becoming more lenient on the documents that they require.

Although the applicant will still need to prove financial capability and show that they will return home after their studies, immigration has vowed to become less strict to help students obtain their visas and be able to study in the U.S.