International students most frequently choose the United States as their location for further education. This article covers all the USA study visa requirements and steps for Pakistani students that are required to be met.
Types of USA Study Visa
There are two sorts of visas available, and students must select which visa they require. The following is the description of both visas:
F-1 Visa
F-1 Visa is the most common sort of student visa. It is obtained if one wants to pursue academic studies in the United States at a reputable institution or college or if one wishes to participate in an approved English Language Program. Furthermore, if the applicant has to study for more than eighteen hours per week, an F-1 visa is required. An F-1 visa is generally valid for the entire duration of your degree programme, which might be anywhere from two to five years. You can stay in the United States for up to 60 days after completing your degree programme.
As an international student from Pakistan, you must first be admitted to a USA college or university recognized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before applying for an F-1 visa. You can use School Search to see if your university or college qualifies for the F-1 visa.
M-1 Visa
The M-1 visa is required if the applicant intends to pursue vocational training or a course at any US institution.
Documents Required for Pakistani Students for Study Visa
The following is a list of documents that Pakistani students must submit to obtain an American visa.
- An application for a nonimmigrant visa.
- A valid passport for at least six months from the start date of the student’s studies.
- One passport-sized photo taken within the last six months.
- A receipt confirming the payment of the non-refundable visa processing cost of US$160.
- A Form 1-20 that has been approved by the United States School or the programme that the student is enrolled in.
- The applicant’s ten-year travel history
How to Apply for a Student Visa for the USA from Pakistan?
The following is a step-by-step guide to obtaining an American visa from Pakistan.
Register for Program at a USA University or College and Obtain I-20 form
Once you’ve been accepted to your university or college, they’ll send you an I-20 form, which you’ll require for the duration of your F-1 visa application. This includes your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) ID, your academic program’s start and end dates, and your financing source. Before signing the I-20 form, make sure you have double-checked all of the information.
You must pay the SEVIS fee ($350, or approximate PKR rupees) before continuing to the next step of the F-1 visa application procedure. Make a copy of your receipt because you’ll need it for the immigration interview!
Complete DS-160 Application form
You must submit your information for the DS-160 application online using the application portal. Pay the visa fees ($160, or approximate PKR rupees) after completing the DS-160 form and receiving a confirmation page with a barcode. For the interview, you will need to print this page.
Arrange for an Interview
After completing and filing the I-20 and DS-160 papers, locate the nearest US embassy or consulate and schedule an interview.
A list of US embassies and consulates in Pakistan may be found here:
- Embassy of the United States of America in Islamabad
- General Consulate of the United States of America in Karachi
You can check the US Department of State website to see how long you’ll have to wait for an interview. You can prepare ahead by keeping an eye on available dates and wait times for US visa appointments.
Preparation of Visa interview
Make a list of all the documents you’ll need for the final phase in the F-1 visa application process: the interview. This includes the following:
- Your travel document
- Forms I-20 and DS-160, as well as the I-20 payment receipt and the DS-160 confirmation page
- A photo as per the standard required size
- Any documents proving your intention to return to Pakistan after graduation
Additional Visa Requirements for Pakistani Students
- The applicant must show that they have strong financial, social, and familial ties to their native country, which will encourage them to return after completing their studies in the United States.
- The candidate must provide financial records to show that they have sufficient finances to invest in their first year of education as well as cover their daily living expenses in the city.
- Transcripts, O and A Level certificates, and SAT and TOEFL test results are examples of academic documents.
- If the candidate has any diploma credentials, they should be submitted as well.
What Happens If My Visa Is Rejected?
If your F-1 visa application is denied, you will not be able to appeal. This does not rule out the possibility of reapplying! It’s critical to determine why the US embassy denied your visa application. It is easier to reapply for the student visa with any additional documentation required once you know the cause.