US Student Visa Appointment in India - Step by Step Guide
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Students looking to travel to the United States of America to study would require a US Student Visa to enter the country. Students wanting to know the US Visa appointment procedure from India need only follow the steps mentioned below to successfully book a Visa Appointment for the US with the US Embassy to get their pass to the States.
Over the years, the US Student Visa Application process has been made simpler to allow more deserving students to study in the United States of America. The new applicants going to study in USA would require proper knowledge of US visa slot booking, which has been discussed in this article in detail.
US Visa Appointment in India – Step-by-Step Process
Indian applicants looking at applying for an F1 visa or any other visa to study in USA, can follow this step-by-step process to fix an appointment:
- Submission of Application Form DS-160
- Generating the CEAC Barcode
- Payment of US Visa Application Fee
- Scheduling your US Visa Appointment Date
- Check the status of your Visa Appointment for US
US Visa Slot Booking Details
Here is what you'd need to do when you get your I-20 form and DS-160 form upon US university acceptance in the following sections.
Submission of Application Form DS-160
Candidates looking to get entry into the US would first need to schedule a US Visa Appointment date with the embassy/ consulate. Before that, the candidates would be required to submit an online Visa Application Form (DS-160). To complete the online application form, students would be required to keep handy their valid passport and their I-20 Letter (which is a document that validates successful admission to a US University). Candidates would also be required to upload their photographs within the specified guidelines. Applicants are advised to carry copies of the same photograph to the embassy/consulate on the day of the US Visa Interview. While completing the Form candidates should be careful to only provide accurate information on the visa application form. As Form DS-160 is an online application form, candidates are required to save the form often to avoid any loss of data. They should thoroughly go through the entire form before hitting the submit button. All incomplete forms would be rejected at the start.
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Generating the CEAC Barcode
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On the successful submission of Form DS-190, a confirmation sheet would be generated containing the CEAC Barcode. The DS-160 CEAC Barcode confirmation page should be kept safely for future reference. Students would also require the CEAC Barcode during the scheduling of the US Visa booking Appointment date and payment of the US Student Visa Application Fee. Candidates are advised to mail a copy of the completed Form DS-160 along with the CEAC Barcode to their email ID for safekeeping and also take a printout of the same. The Form DS-160 with CEAC Barcode would be in PDF Format and students would require the latest version of the Adobe Reader to view the file correctly.
Payment of US Visa Application Fee
The next important step in the US Visa application procedure from India is to successfully pay your Student Visa Application Fee through the various methods of payment listed on the official website. Students should create a profile and choose the ‘Schedule an Appointment’ option to ensure the proper amount is paid and activated on time. The payment page would provide you with options to make the transaction successful. Students would have to allow the system up to 2 business days to process the payment and generate the receipt for the same. In short, students would have to log into the student portal of the official website, create a Student Profile, schedule a US Visa Appointment Date from the available dates and pay the US Visa Application Fee or SEVIS Fee.
Scheduling your US Visa Appointment Date (visa slot booking)
Once you have successfully paid the US Visa Application Fee, you must schedule your US Visa slot booking appointment date from the available dates. Before choosing the preferred date and time of Visa Appointment for the US, candidates would be required to provide the bank receipt number. All students looking to visit the USA are required to appear in person for the appointment at the designated centres in their city along with the documents mentioned.
Candidates would be required to carry the following documents with them at the US Visa Appointment Centre:
- DS 160 Confirmation page
- I-20 Letter (duly signed)
- Visa Appointment Letter
- Visa Application Fee
- Original Passport
How to Check Your US Visa Appointment Status?
Candidates who are looking to visit the United States of America for further education are required to apply for their US Student Visa well in advance to avoid any unnecessary confusion in the last moments. They would have to successfully submit their Form D-160, pay the visa application fee and choose a day for their Visa Appointment for their US visa appointment biometrics and interview. This is a fairly simple process, however, a lengthy one. Hence, candidates who have applied for their US Visa Appointment can check the status of their US Visa Application Process by visiting the official website and logging in to their account with their credentials. Students are also advised to keep the documents needed for US Visa VAC appointments.
Check: US Student Visa Processing Times
Documents Required for US Visa Appointment from India
Here is a list of important documents that should be kept handy for students looking to undertake the US Visa Procedure from India:
- Original Passport
- I-20 Letter (Duly Signed)
- Bank Statements for the last 6 months
- US Visa Appointment Letter
- US Visa Application Fee
- Education Qualification Documents
- Certificate of excellence in Extra Curricular Activities
- Standardized test scores for:
- ELP Test scores: TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE Academic scores if applicable
- Passport size photograph that was used for Form D-160
- Proof of work experience if any
- Income Tax Returns (Last 3 Years)
Also read:
Often described as the land of dreams, the United States of America with its booming economy is a learner’s treasure trove. The country provides state-of-the-art education, flexible part-time working options and liberal post-study work options for students to benefit from. Students can take maximum advantage of the various scholarships in USA available in the country to study at some of the top universities in the US.
Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Â Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Â What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.
Q: Â How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Â Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Â Is Texas Wesleyan hard to get into?
As per the US News and World Report, Texas Wesleyan University acceptance rate is 58%. This shows that the university's admission process is relatively selective. Therefore, some students may find it harder to get into the university. Also, international students are advised to check the minimum eligibility for their courses before applying. Please note that the data on the acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: Â What is the OHIO Excellence Scholarship?
First-year students who are new to the Athens campus of Ohio University are considered for the OHIO Excellence Scholarship. The factors that are considered to grant this scholarship are academic achievement, financial need, and individual contributions to the incoming first-year class. This is a merit-based scholarship and the award amount for this scholarship varies up to USD 6,500 annually.
US Visa Appointment in India Consular Address
Those applying for US visa appointment in India can apply to five designated US consular offices. These five US consular offices are located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai. The details of each of these US Consular offices located in Indian cities are as follows:
| US Consular Office Location in India | Address & Contact Details |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | U.S. Embassy New Delhi Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi - 110021 Phone: 011-91-11-2419-8000 Fax: 011-91-11-2419-0017 |
| Mumbai | U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad Phone: +91 22 62011000 |
| Kolkata | Consulate General of the United States of America, Suite-26, Cta Contemporary Training Academy, 5/1, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kankaria Estates, Park Street Kolkata, West Bengal 700071 |
| Hyderabad | U.S. Consulate General Mumbai C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex |
| Chennai | U.S. Embassy Chennai Gemini Circle |
Still confused about a VISA Appointment for the US in India, contact our Study Abroad Shiksha Overseas Admission Counseling services, to clear your doubts.
US Student Visa Appointment in India FAQs
Q. How to book student visa slot for US in India?
A. There are five steps that you must follow in order if you're wondering how to book US student visa appointment in India:
Submission of Application Form DS-160: The first and foremost step is to submit an online Visa Application Form (DS-160). To complete the online application form, you should keep handy your valid passport and the I-20 Letter (which is a document that validates successful admission to a US University). You will also have to upload passport sized photographs as per the guidelines. Ensure that you are carrying copies of the same photograph to the embassy/consulate on the day of the US Visa Interview.
Generating the CEAC Barcode: Once you have successfully submitted the Form DS-190, a confirmation sheet will be generated containing the CEAC Barcode. ou must keep the DS-160 CEAC Barcode confirmation page safely for future reference. You will also require the CEAC Barcode during the scheduling the US Visa booking Appointment date and payment of US Student Visa Application Fee. Keep in mind that you will require the latest version of the Adobe Reader to view the file correctly.
Payment of US Visa Application Fee: You will have to log into the student portal of the official website, create a Student Profile, schedule a US Visa Appointment Date from the available dates and pay the US Visa Application Fee.
Scheduling your US Visa Appointment Date: The next big step is to schedule your US Visa Appointment date (visa slot booking) from the available dates. You will have to provide the bank receipt number before you get to choose the preferred date and time of Visa Appointment for the US. Note that if you are looking to visit the USA, you must to appear in person for the appointment at the designated centres in their city along with the documents mentioned. Carry the following documents with you: DS 160 Confirmation page, I-20 Letter (duly signed), Visa Appointment Letter, Visa Application Fee, and Original Passport.
Check the status of your Visa Appointment for US: You can check the status of your US Visa Application Process by visiting the official website and logging in to their personal account with their credentials.
Q. What are the documents required for US Student Visa Appointment from India?
A. We have mentioned below the consolidated list of documents that you will require in order to book student visa slot for US from India:
- Original Passport
- I-20 Letter (Duly Signed)
- Bank Statements for last 6 months
- US Visa Appointment Letter
- US Visa Application Fee
- Education Qualification Documents
- Certificate of excellence in Extra Curricular Activities
- Standardized test scores for:
- ELP Test scores: TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE Academic scores if applicable
- Passport size photograph that was used for Form D-160
- Proof of work experience if any
- Income Tax Returns (Last 3 Years)
Q. How do I schedule an appointment for US visa in India?
A. To schedule US visa appointment in India, firstly you will have to submit the Application Form DS-160, upload relevant photographs, generate the CEAC Barcode, pay the Student Visa Application Fee, and then move on to US visa slot booking. You will have to provide the bank receipt number before you get to choose the preferred date and time of Visa Appointment for the US. Note that if you are looking to visit the USA, you must to appear in person for the appointment at the designated centres in their city along with the documents mentioned. Carry the following documents with you: DS 160 Confirmation page, I-20 Letter (duly signed), Visa Appointment Letter, Visa Application Fee, and Original Passport.
Q. Can I book a F1 visa appointment without an I-20?
A. No, it is not possible to proceed with the US student visa appointment without an I-20. An I-20 Letter is a document that validates successful admission to a US University. Your passport and the I-20 letter are the most important documents that you need to complete the online Visa Application Form (DS-160). Since the submission of the DS-160 visa application form is the foremost step for US visa scheduling India, you must have all the necessary documents.
Q. How much is the SEVIS fee?
A. When applying for an F-1 visa or a J-1 visa, you must pay the SEVIS Fee, which is at present at USD 350 (INR 29.5 K). Ideally, you should pay this fee before you start filling out your Visa Application Form (DS 160), as the receipts of the payments are sent by post and might take up to 15 days to arrive. Also, the original receipt would be required when you submit the documents.
Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 84.42
Q. How long does it take to get F1 visa appointment in India?
A. It can take around 15 days to get F1 visa appoitment in India. However, this timeframe can vary and there can be a longer duration as well. Applicants should submit their student visa applications as soon as they accept their offer so that they can timely make an appointment for their F1 visa interviews.
Q. Are visa appointments open in India for US?
A. Yes, visa appointments are open in India for USA. The visa interview slots can vary per consulate in India, but applicants can still apply for US student visa appointment in India across five different US consulates - New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Q. What is the waiting period for US visa appointment in India?
A. On average, there is a waiting of atleast 180 days for US visa appointment in India. This time may vary based on the number of applications received and the load on the consular officials. This time is not fixed, it may vary from time to time.
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