US Student Visa Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Students

Note: This is just an overview of the documents needed for the USA student visa; for detailed information, read further:

Mandatory Documents

Getting a USA student visa (F-1 visa) requires careful preparation and ensuring you have all the necessary documents. Here are the mandatory documents you’ll need to submit to complete the USA student visa process:

• Interview Appointment Letter: Upon scheduling your visa interview, retain a copy of the confirmation letter for your reference.
• DS-160 Confirmation Barcode Printout: After completing the online DS-160 visa application form, print and keep the confirmation page displaying the unique barcode.
• Original, Valid Visa Fee Receipt: The original payment receipt from a designated bank (e.g., Axis or Citi Bank) confirming your visa application fee payment.
• Original I-20 Form: This form, issued by your university, verifies your enrolment details and must be signed by both you and the university official.
• SEVIS Fee Receipt: Proof of payment for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee.
• Valid Passport: A valid passport that remains useful for at least six months beyond the completion date of your academic program.

Additional Documents:

• Birth Certificate: Including your birth certificate will ease the verification process.

Academic Documentation

You have to give academic documents along with the other necessary documents. Here are the educational documents you might need to submit to complete the USA student visa process:

Educational Qualifications:

• Original Degree Certificates and Transcripts (Bachelor’s/Master’s): Provide the original certificates awarded for any Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees. If you haven’t received the final degree certificate yet, a provisional certificate issued by your university is acceptable.

• Original Mark Sheets: Submit the original mark sheets for your entire academic history, typically including:
  • Secondary School (10th and 12th Standard)
  • First Year of Bachelor’s Degree (and subsequent years if completed)
  • Any pending results (submit a provisional mark sheet)

• Diploma Documentation: (Applicable if you hold a diploma instead of a degree)
  • Original Diploma Mark Sheets and certificates
  • Original Transcripts (stamped and sealed by the issuing institution)

Additional Supporting Documents:

• Co-Curricular and Curricular Activity Certificates: Include any original certificates showcasing your participation in relevant extracurricular or curricular activities during your studies.
• Scholarship Certificates and Awards: If you received any scholarships or awards, submit the original certificates as proof of your academic achievements.
• Professional Certificates and Marksheets: If you’ve completed any professional courses or examinations, provide the original certificates and accompanying mark sheets.
• Research Work/Project Copies: Include copies of any research work or projects you’ve undertaken during your studies.
• Standardised Test Scores: If required by your chosen university, submit original copies of your scores for relevant standardised tests like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, or LSAT.
• Bonafide Certificate (if applicable): If you’re awaiting your final degree certificate, a bona fide certificate issued by your college verifying your enrolment can be helpful.
• Resume:  A well-crafted resume highlighting your academic achievements and skills can strengthen your application.
• Letter of Recommendation 
• Statement of Purpose

Documents for Financial Proof

You must have sufficient financial resources to cover your educational and living expenses throughout your studies. To follow the USA student visa process, you must demonstrate sufficient funds by presenting a bank statement that covers one year of tuition fees and living expenses for international students studying in the USA. Although not explicitly stated, a minimum of 10,000 USD must be shown for US F1 visa applications for students. 

Commonly, it is recommended to have a bank balance of 1.5 times the figure stated in your I-20 form or a minimum of 10,000 USD to meet the requirements for the F1 visa. Here’s a breakdown of the financial documents you might be required to present during your visa interview:

Proof of Sponsorship:

• Original Affidavit of Support: A current (dated within 4-5 days of your interview) signed document from your sponsor(s) guaranteeing their financial support for your education.
• Sponsor’s Chartered Accountant (CA) Statement: An original statement from your sponsor’s CA, dated within 4-5 days of your interview, summarizing their fixed and liquid assets.
• Valuation Documents for Assets: Original documentation proving the value of each asset listed in your sponsor’s CA statement.

Financial Resources:

• Evidence of Liquid Assets: Original documentation (dated within 3-4 days of your interview) demonstrating sufficient liquid assets to cover your first year of tuition and living expenses, along with available funds for subsequent years (as specified in your I-20 form).
• Sponsor’s Bank Statements: Original bank statements from your sponsor(s) for the past six months (savings account) or original passbooks, dated within 4-5 days of your interview.
• Sponsor’s Income Tax Documents: Original income tax returns from your sponsor(s) for the three years preceding your visa interview date.
• Sponsor’s Proof of Income: Original documents verifying your sponsor’s income, such as an appointment letter, payslips, or salary certificates for the past six months preceding your interview.

Detailed Asset Documentation (if applicable):

• Business Balance Sheets: If your sponsor owns a business, original balance sheets for the past three years preceding your interview date are required.
• Liquid Asset Proofs: Original documentation for all declared liquid assets in the CA statement, including fixed deposits, shares, Public Provident Fund (PPF), investments, etc.
• Redeemable Value Proof: Original documents dated within 4-5 days of your interview demonstrating the amount withdrawable from various liquid assets (shares, life insurance policies, provident funds, etc.).
• Original Letters: Original letters from relevant authorities, dated within 4-5 days of your interview, confirming the liquidity of assets like mutual funds, shares, PPF, provident funds, etc. (verifying they can be redeemed before maturity).
• Asset Ownership Proof: Original documents proving ownership of all fixed assets declared in the CA statement (e.g., sale agreements and share certificates).
• Property Valuation Certificates: Original valuation certificates from a chartered engineer for every declared property in the CA statement.

Other Admissions/Rejections

While your primary focus is securing admission to your university in the USA, it’s important to maintain records of applications submitted to other institutions. Here are the documents you might need regarding other admissions and rejections for your F-1 visa application:

University Application Records:

• Original Acceptance and Rejection Letters: Retain the original acceptance and rejection letters from all universities you applied.
• Original Scholarship/Financial Aid Documents: If you received any scholarship or financial aid offers from other universities, then keep the original documentation.

Application Materials for Your University:

• Complete Application Copy: While the original application materials will likely remain with the university, it’s advisable to have a full copy of everything you submitted. This could include:
  • Application Forms
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Financial Documents
  • Any other documents submitted during your application process

Essential Documents from Your University:

• Original Admission Letter: This is a crucial document proving your acceptance to the university.
• Original Financial Aid Offer Letter (if applicable): If you received financial aid from the university, keep the original offer letter.
• Original Receipt of Advance Payment (if applicable): If you made any advance tuition payments, retain the original receipt.

Optional Documentation:

• Copies of Correspondence Emails from Any Professor (if applicable): While not mandatory, copies of any email with professors at your chosen university can showcase your genuine interest in the program.

Work Experience Documents

Here’s a breakdown of the documents you might need to demonstrate your professional background:

For Employed Students:

• Original Employment Verification Documents:
  • Work experience letters from your current or past employers outlining your employment dates, position held, and responsibilities.
  • Recommendation letters from supervisors or colleagues validate your work ethic and skills.
  • Original payslips or salary certificates for the past six months verify your income.
  • Income tax returns (IT Returns) for the last three years, if applicable in your country.
  • Original appointment letters for any previous or current positions.

• Documentation of Accomplishments:
  • Consider including original documents that showcase the kind of work you’ve accomplished during your employment. This could consist of project reports, publications (if applicable), awards or recognition received.

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV):
  • A well-crafted resume or CV highlighting your relevant work experience, skills, and achievements can enhance your application.