What is the process for applying to study in the United States?

The first step is to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved school. (Reuters)

To study in the United States, you need a student visa. Whether you need the F visa or M visa depends on your course of study and the kind of school you intend to attend. Foreign nationals need a student visa to study in the US, not visitor visas or the Visa Waiver Program, except for non-credit recreational study during tourist visits.

Even for a brief period of time, studying toward a degree or certificate granted by the United States cannot be done while on a visiting (B) visa. For instance, before traveling to the United States, a student enrolled in a distance learning program that necessitates spending time on the school’s campus in the United States must apply for a student visa (F or M).

F-1 visa is for international students enrolling in an academic program at a university, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory or another academic institution, including an English language program.

International students enrolling in a technical program at a vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than a language training program would require a M-1 visa.

The first step is to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school in the United States. After the SEVP-approved institution approves your enrollment, you will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

The SEVP-approved school will give you a Form I-20. After receiving the Form I-20 and registering in SEVIS, you can apply for a student visa (F or M) at a US Embassy or Consulate. When you go for your visa interview, you must give the Form I-20 to the consular officer.

If your spouse or children plan to live with you in the United States while you study, they must also enroll in SEVIS, receive individual Form I-20s from a SEVP-approved institution, and apply for a visa (but do not pay the SEVIS fee).