F-1 Visa Slot Booking: How to Get US Embassy Visa Appointment?

How to Get an F-1 Student Visa for USA? 

Moving on to the most asked question- “How to get a student visa for USA?”. Let us list out the steps to start your US student visa application process: 

• Fill in the I-20 application form

• Pay the SEVIS fee

• Fill in the DS-160 online application form 

• Pay the visa registration fee 

• Book your US Embassy visa appointment

• Attend the visa interview 

Let us now move on to discuss each of these steps individually:  

Step 1: Fill in the I-20 Application Form 

To apply for F-1 visa slot booking, the I-20 form is the most essential form. Your university will send you an I-20 form if you apply for an F-1 visa. The J-1 visa applicants, on the other hand, receive a DS-2019 form. Along with the I-20 form, you will also receive your SEVIS ID. 

Suggested: What is the Difference between a J-1 and F-1 Visa? 

Step 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee

After filling the I-20 form through the US visa consulate at your home country, you have to pay the SEVIS fee for the F-1 visa which costs 350 USD. Therefore, it is safe to say that the USA student visa fees pertaining to the SEVIS fee is 350 USD. 

Check Out: Increase in Student Visa Fees due to Inflation? 

Step 3: Fill in the DS-160 Online Application Form 

The DS-160, Online Non-immigrant Visa Electronics Application, is a fully integrated online application form that is used to collect the necessary application information from a person seeking a nonimmigrant visa for temporary travel to the US. After filling the form you can print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser printer, and email the confirmation page to yourself so you have a backup copy.

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Step 4: Pay the Visa Registration Fee 

The US embassy fees for student visa application of F1 visa is USD 160 + VFS service charge + bank charges which make it a total of approximately 11,200 INR. The amount can be payable by cash or DD/Cheque at Axis Bank or CitiBank.

The bank will issue you a visa fee receipt in duplicate which will have a 10 digit barcode number affixed on it. You require this barcode number to schedule your visa interview appointment. It takes two days for the barcode to get activated.

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Step 5: Book Your US Embassy Visa Appointment

You can book your US embassy visa appointment using your barcode and fee receipt. Once you are done with booking your US student visa appointment, you need to start with an F-1 visa slot booking for the VAC (biometrics: photograph + fingerprint) at least a day before the interview. 

Check Out: List of Financial Documents Required for F-1 Student Visa

Step 6: Attend the Visa Interview 

After your US student visa appointment is booked, and you are done with your biometrics, you will need to attend the F-1 US student visa interview. The US student visa interview is a personal interview wherein you will be asked about your intent of studying in the US, along with other things like your academic background, financial capability, etc. 

Documents Required for the F-1 Student Visa Process 

Let us move forward to discuss the documents required at each step of the F-1 visa application. 

Following are the documents required while booking your VAC appointment:

• Your passport number
• The date you paid your fee
• The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

On VAC day, you need to get the following documents: 

• A passport valid for travel to the US with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)
• Your DS-160 confirmation page
• Your appointment confirmation page

Given below are the documents required for the visa interview: 

• A printed copy of your appointment letter
• Your DS-160 confirmation page, and one photograph taken within the last six months
• Your current and all old passports, and
• Original visa fee payment receipt

Note: If you were denied visa previously, please complete a new Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. 

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“How to apply for a US study visa?”, is a very common question asked n=by numerous study abroad applicants. The process of applying for an F-1 student visa for the US is not that tedious if you have all the required documents asked for. Moreover, it becomes even easier to ace the visa interview, if you are clear about your intent, and have no false documentation that creates curiosity among the visa officials! You can even connect with our Yocket Counsellors to know more about how to get F-1 visa. 

Frequently Asked Questions about F-1 Student Visa Process 

Ques. How much bank balance is required for USA student visa? 

Ans. Your bank balance should cover at least one year tuition fees and living costs in the US. 

Ques. Who can sponsor for student visa in the USA? 

Ans. Your parents, family, and friends can sponsor your student visa in the US. you can also get hold of an education loan, or get your visa sponsored by a combination of both the ways stated above. 

Ques. How many IELTS band required for USA student visa? 

Ans. A minimum of 5.0-6.0 band is required to get a US student visa. 

Ques. Which exam is required for a USA student visa? 

Ans. You should have one of the standardised test scores among GRE, GMAT, SAT or ACT, along with an English proficiency test score among  IELTS, PTE, TOEFL. 

Ques. What is the age limit for student visa in USA? 

Ans. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a US student visa.