How many years does a U.S. study visa last? How to apply for a U.S. study visa?

The process of applying for a visa to study in the United States is also very critical. How many years does a study visa in the United States last? How to apply for a US study visa? Let’s follow along to learn about the U.S. student visa!

1. Validity period of U.S. study visa

Validity period of F-1 student visa

Holding the U.S. study visa F1 entry visa allows the holder to legally enter the United States. If the holder does not leave the United States, he or she can maintain legal international student status as long as he or she remains a full-time student. In other words, you can stay in the United States legally. During this period, you can defer, transfer, or continue studying for a different degree, etc. However, it must be within the validity period on the I-20 application form. If you lose your valid international student status, you must leave the United States and you will no longer be able to legally stay in the United States even if your entry visa is still valid.

Validity period of M-1 student visa

Students with M-1 student visa can stay for up to 30 additional days, so students must complete their studies within the specified time. The entire study The term shall not exceed one year. As long as the student completes all courses and remains a student, he or she will be allowed an additional 30 days to prepare for departure from the United States. Certain M visa students may be granted an extension of stay of up to 3 years to complete their entire study programme.

2. U.S. student visa application process

1 Payment:

After receiving the school offer, you need to carefully check the information inside. If the information is correct and accept the offer, you must Pay before the specified date. Generally, if the result is received before May Day, the fee must be paid before May Day. If the result is received after May Day, the fee should be paid within two weeks of receiving the offer. The specific payment amount and deadline are subject to the regulations on the school's offer. .

2 Apply for I-20:

International students need to apply for I-20 before studying in the United States. Each school takes different time to process the I-20, from two weeks to two It can take months, so students need to apply as soon as possible. When applying for I-20, you need to provide proof of deposit. The school generally requires a full deposit within three months. It is recommended to apply for a time deposit of RMB 600,000, which can be unfrozen after being signed.

3 Prepare visa materials:

After getting the I-20, you need to check the information again. If it is correct, you can prepare various materials according to the visa application list. Note: All information in DS160 must be accurate.

4 Appointment for interview:

After preparing the materials, you need to select the visa center and complete the payment before you can choose the date and specific time for the interview. When making an appointment for a visa interview, you need to choose how to collect your passport. You can choose to have it sent to your home or pick it up at a designated CITIC Bank.

5 On-site interview:

Bring the materials and go to the visa center on the agreed date to complete the interview.

6. Visa application:

After the interview, the interviewer will take away the applicant’s passport. After the visa is affixed, the passport will be sent back to the applicant according to the previously selected method.

7 Pre-departure preparations:

After obtaining the visa, you can start booking air tickets and make preparations for entry according to the pre-departure guidance document.

3. Suggestions for applying for a student visa in the United States

1. Applicants must first be admitted to a school or program in the United States before they can apply for a student visa. Once admitted, U.S. educational institutions provide each applicant with the approval documents needed to apply for a student visa.

2. Non-immigrant visa applicants must apply at least three months before travel. NOTE: Apply early!

3. The embassy visa office does not allow food and any liquids, including drinks. No electronic devices including mobile phones are allowed, so it is recommended not to bring anything with you except keys, wallets and visa application folders.

4. The entire visa section of the U.S. Embassy is under the surveillance of the U.S. government. Pay attention to your words and deeds. All your actions are under camera surveillance and are very likely to affect your visa results. .

5. It is very important to be honest during the interview. Misleading, lying/or presenting relevant false materials may lead to permanent visa rejection. Applying for a U.S. study visa is not an easy task. This requires applicants to be extra careful in every step of the application process, not to be careless, and to patiently answer the questions raised by the visa officer. When filling out the form, special attention should be paid to the neatness of the format and handwriting. Students are particularly reminded that they must not show their tendency to immigrate, otherwise they will be refused by the visa officer without any reason.

IV. Precautions for the US study visa interview

1. The visa and visa photos must be taken properly. Before the visa officer meets you in person, the first impression of you can be obtained from the photos, which to a certain extent will affect the visa officer's initial view of you.

2. During the interview, you must pay attention to your appearance, temperament and attitude. Dress appropriately and students should fully display their identity in their clothing. Men should look capable and not slick; women should be as ladylike as possible, not too avant-garde, and their makeup should not be too beautiful and dazzling. Americans appreciate mature and rational people. When waiting, you should be neither humble nor arrogant, wait quietly and show your temperament.

3. Smile and show confidence. Of course, confidence is based on your careful preparation for various visa issues, but the expression on the spot is also very important. A smile can shorten the distance between people, make people feel relaxed, and infect the emotions of the visa officer.

4. When speaking, the voice should be clear and the speaking speed should be slow. A clear voice means you speak with confidence and weight, showing your confidence. Speak slowly. For people who are not very good at speaking English, you can let the visa officer understand what you want to express clearly, and you can also give yourself time to think about the visa officer's questions.

5. The mentality must be calm. Don't be affected by the current situation. No matter how many people have signed in front of you, it has nothing to do with you. All you have to do is maintain a normal mentality to face the interview.

6. Don’t take chances. Sometimes, due to subjective factors, the visa officer will pass more applicants than he interviews, which is called "letting go". But it’s not enough to just rely on the visa officer to release the visa, because you can never predict the window and time for release. Only by carefully preparing for the visa and conducting mock interview training according to the most stringent model.