Visa Guide: India to United States

Overview

Required Documents

• •Valid Indian passport (6 months validity beyond intended stay)(Required)
• •Form I-20(Required)
• •SEVIS I-901 fee receipt(Required)
• •DS-160 confirmation page(Required)
• •MRV fee payment receipt(Required)
• •Visa interview appointment confirmation(Required)
• •Recent passport-size photo (2x2 inch, white background)(Required)
• •University admission letter(Required)
• •Academic transcripts (Class 10, Class 12, undergraduate degree)(Required)
• •Standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS as applicable)Required only if your university required them for admission
• •Family savings proof (FD certificates, bank statements, mutual fund statements)(Required)Last 6 months
• •Sponsor's IT returns for last 3 years(Required)
• •Sponsor's salary slips and employment letter(Required)If sponsor is salaried
• •Sponsor's CA-certified balance sheet and IT returnsIf sponsor is self-employed or business owner
• •Education loan sanction letterIf you are funding partly through a loan
• •Scholarship or assistantship award letter
• •PAN card of sponsorOften requested with IT returns

Work Rights

On-campus employment is permitted up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during official breaks, with no separate authorization needed. Off-campus work requires Curricular Practical Training (CPT, available after one academic year if integral to your program) or Optional Practical Training (OPT, up to 12 months post-graduation, extendable by 24 months for STEM degrees with an E-Verify employer). Indian STEM graduates are the largest users of the STEM OPT extension; prepare your CPT/OPT paperwork well in advance.

Quick reference

Processing Time

End-to-end timeline is 6 to 14 weeks from I-20 receipt during off-peak months and 12 to 20 weeks during April-to-July peak. Pay SEVIS and complete DS-160 in week 1, secure an interview slot, and target a interview date 4 to 8 weeks before your program start. After approval, passport return via Blue Dart or VFS courier takes 3 to 5 working days.

Application fee

SEVIS I-901: USD 350. MRV visa application fee: USD 185. Both paid in INR equivalent at the prevailing rate. Courier return is included. Approximate; verify current amounts on ustraveldocs.com/in and FMJfee.com.

Financial Proof

You must demonstrate liquid and accessible funds covering tuition plus living expenses for at least the first academic year, matching your I-20 figures. The Consulate accepts a combination of family savings (six months of bank statements, FDs, mutual funds), salaried income (three years of IT returns plus current salary slips), education loans with formal sanction letters, and scholarships or assistantships in writing. Last-minute lump-sum deposits without a clear source are scrutinised. If a parent's stated income on IT returns cannot plausibly support the savings shown, expect probing questions or a 214(b) refusal. Educational loans from HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, ICICI, SBI, and similar institutions are well-recognised; bring the sanction letter to the interview.

Health Insurance

Most US universities require enrollment in their student health plan or proof of comparable private coverage. Budget USD 1,500 to USD 4,500 per academic year. Plans cover emergencies, primary care, and prescriptions but typically exclude dental and vision. Some universities allow waivers for private plans like ISO or PSI; check your DSO's instructions. The federal F-1 visa itself does not mandate insurance, but failing to enrol in a school-required plan can lead to registration holds.

SEVIS Fee & Registration

The SEVIS I-901 fee (USD 350 for F-1) must be paid before the visa interview and at least 3 business days before for the receipt to appear in the Consulate's system. Pay at FMJfee.com via credit card or Western Union Quick Pay if your card does not support international transactions. Print the receipt and bring it to the interview. Your SEVIS ID (starts with N00...) is at the top right of your I-20.