Welcome! This is the "Student Visas for Study Abroad" page!

Many students want to know how to get a student visa. That is because in order to study in America, a student may need to apply for a student visa to America, also called student visa USA, US student visa, international student visa, foreign student visa, or students visa.

However, you will usually not require a student visa to USA if your course is for eighteen hours a week or less. This is the new American student visa law that came into effect after September 11, 2001.

International students studying and living in America and applying for a student visa will need to file form I-20 within 120 days prior to their course of study. Students must have the I-20 student visa in their possession each time they enter the United States.

Student visas to US for non-immigrant students are categorized as type F for academic study (often called the F-1 student visa), type M for vocational study, and type J for exchange students (called the J1 student visa). For most applicants, an interview with the immigration authorities is required as part of obtaining a student visa for USA.

The student must keep his or her student visa up to date by using the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS), which is administered as part of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Returning students need to apply for a student visa in USA by using form DS-156 and DS-158 for student visa renewal. If for some reason your application is declined, you may have the right to make a student visa appeal.

In addition, you may also need spouse visas, marriage visas, or travel visas, especially if your family will be coming with you. If a family member wants to work, he or she may also need to look at employment visas or work visas.

For further student visa online information, please see: