The number of international students looking to study in the United States continues to grow as more and more universities also look to welcome these students onto their campuses.
For example, University of Bridgeport welcomed three hundred additional new enrollees in spring 2022, and approximately twenty percent of our student population is comprised of international students.
Yet, there are crucial tasks and requirements international students must fulfill before being able to study in the US, such as obtaining a US student visa.
Let’s look at a student study visa and how international students can be deemed eligible and apply for a student visa, with a particular focus on the process at University of Bridgeport.
What is the US student visa?
Generally speaking, any citizen of a foreign country, including aspiring international students, who wishes to enter the US must first obtain a visa.
The US offers international students a non-immigrant student visa, known as an F-1 visa, which allows them to enter the US and study full-time at US institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This is the most popular type of student visa that students will apply for once they meet the requirements, apply, and are accepted into an accredited US college or university.
The duration of an F-1 visa will vary depending on the degree program an international student enrolls in, and this date will be provided on the I-20 form by the college or university. I-20 form requirements will also vary depending on the institution.
For example, at University of Bridgeport, all international students must demonstrate financial ability to support the cost of attendance for one year of studies by providing a financial statement for international students (FSIS) or an affidavit of support by a notary or bank official and a bank statement or bank letter demonstrating a minimum balance to cover the cost of the program in liquid funds within six months of the I-20 being issued.
There are additional visa options available to international students, such as an F-2 visa, which allows holders to study part-time if they have dependents. That said, the F-1 visa is still the most robust and popular option for international students.
Please note that students should always discuss the process and whether it is legal to study at their desired school with the school’s international admissions office to ensure that they adhere to all the laws and regulations and fulfill all requirements.
Ready to get started? Learn more about UB’s international admission process today!
How to apply for a USA study visa?
For full-time international students planning to apply for an F-1 student visa, there are many rules and requirements you must follow and meet.
Step 1: Apply and be accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Institution
Students must apply and be accepted to a US student and exchange visitor program (SVEP)-approved school that will, in turn, provide the student with their I-20 form, which is needed to make their visa appointment with their embassy.
International student admission requirements will vary depending on the college or university as well as specific degree program. In addition to the proof of funding requirement mentioned above, interested international students at University of Bridgeport must submit:
- Completed application (with no application fee)
- Academic records, including all official, notarized, certified, or attested copies of all senior secondary/high school records (Std C (SSC), Std XII (HSC), O Levels, A Levels, WAEC, CXC, IB, etc.)
- Proof of English proficiency dated within the last two years (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and PTE)
- At least one letter of recommendation from professors or employers
- Personal statement or essay
- Copy of a current passport biographical page
Step 2: Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee and make a visa interview appointment
When an international student is accepted into their desired school and obtains their I-20 form, they are ready to pay the student and exchange visitor information system fee (SEVIS).
Next, students will need to fill out the online non-immigrant visa application form DS-160 as well as upload a photo on the DS-160 form.
Then, students will be ready to schedule and attend their visa interview at the US Embassy in the country in which they reside. Interview appointment times will vary by location, season, and visa category, so students should do this as soon as possible.
Step 3: Prepare and attend your visa interview
By looking at required documents and interviewing candidates, interviewers will determine if the applicant is a bona fide student, is financially capable, and wants to return home after completing their degree. They will not want to stay in the US permanently.
Best practices for your interview include:
- Projecting an image of maturity and independence.
- Looking the interviewer in the eye.
- Speaking professionally.
- Explain clearly why you enrolled in your particular program and why you need to do it in the US.
- State your plans upon graduation and returning home (even if you do not know).
Step 4: Be approved, attend school, and maintain your status as a F-1 student visa holder
Ideally, after your interview, you will be approved, pay a visa insurance fee, and be ready to go through a US port-of-entry to study at your chosen college or university.
Maintaining one’s student visa status is equally important. Ensure you keep your passport, I-94 card, and I-20 form valid at all times, always register as a full-time student, and do not accept any employment without specific authorization from the International Center for Students and Scholars.
University of Bridgeport boasts a global character that creates an environment where international students can learn and live in an environment that is reflective of the real world and be the place to foster lifelong relationships and personal growth.
Join the University of Bridgeport community by starting your application today. Or contact us for more information.
It’s time to take the next steps toward your future!