To pursue higher education in US, you need to apply to universities that offer the course that you want to do. Once an educational institution approves your application and accepts you as a student, you have to start applying for a US student visa. For this, you will require some approval documentation from the educational institution of USA. You need to apply for the visa about 120 days before the starting date of the I-20 and you need to travel within a month from this date.
I-20: Form I-20 is the “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status” that you will receive from the US institute that has accepted your application. It is a very important form as without an I-20, you can’t apply for your visa, or enter the USA, or apply for a driver’s license or social security number.
There are 3 types of student visas (all 3 are non-immigrant types) you can apply as an Indian/ international student, if you want to study in US.
Here’s a step-by-step process to apply for a student visa to study in the US:
With your passport, DS-160 confirmation page and appointment confirmation page, you should be ready for your visa interview. You may also need some supporting documents to suggest that you can support yourself financially for your stay and studies in the US (Also read: List of documents to carry for your US visa interview). If you have a financial sponsor, you may need a proof of your relationship and the bank book, fixed deposit certificates and latest tax forms of your sponsor.
List of Sponsors: