Study in United State of America

Choose Your Course and School

If you're considering studying in the USA, the first step is to research the school or program that best suits your interests. Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program are authorised to admit international students.

Acceptance from the School

Upon receiving acceptance to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified school, your designated school official (DSO) will provide you with a document known as Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status." The Form I-20 serves as a paper record of your details in the SEVIS database. Each school that accepts you will send you a Form I-20. Before applying to pay the I-901 student fee, you must choose one school and utilise that Form I-20 for the fee payment and to apply for the appropriate student visa.

Paying Your Fee

Regulations mandate that all prospective F and M students pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee before the Department of State issues a visa.

Applying for a Visa

After receiving acceptance to an SEVP-certified school and obtaining a receipt for payment of the I-901 fee, you can proceed to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Your Trip to the USA

Before departing for the United States, acquaint yourself with the various types of documents you may require. It's advisable to carry your original documents with you at all times; avoid placing them in checked baggage.

• Passport
• Visa
• Form I-20
• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status

Arriving in USA

Arriving in the United States should be a smooth experience if you have everything ready.

• Form I-94

The Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record” is a critical document. It signifies that you have been legally admitted to the United States, specifies the class of admission, and indicates the authorised period of stay. It is crucial that the information on this record is accurate. Discrepancies between the information on the Form I-94 and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records can jeopardise the success of system interfaces, potentially leading to issues with status verification for Social Security numbers.

You have 30 days to enter the country before your official program start date, as recorded in SEVIS. It is mandatory to report to your school by the program start date listed on the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status” you received. This obligation is one of the terms you agreed to when acquiring your student or exchange visitor status. Failure to adhere to this requirement results in non-compliance with status maintenance.

It is advisable to promptly contact your school upon entering the country to ensure there is no ambiguity regarding your arrival.