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Students and Exchange Visitors

Student Visas to the United States

Thank you for your interest in pursuing higher education in the United States. The U.S. is home to thousands of accredited institutions which offer programs to qualified students in every imaginable discipline. Over 90,000 Indians are currently studying in the United States, more than any other country in the world. 

Applying for a visa to study in the United States requires planning, and this section of our website is intended to inform and prepare you for that process. You will find information here on the types of visas you can apply for, how to apply and what fees to pay, as well as what to expect during your visa interview. We also provide links to organizations that can help you select a university or college. And finally, we provide guidance about what not to do—and how to avoid pitfalls in the process.

The following is a brief description of each student visa category. Follow the links for further information.

F-1 Visas: F-1 visas are for students pursuing a full course of study, such as a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree.

J-1 Visas: J-1 visas are for exchange visitors and research scholars.

M-1 visas: M-1 Visas are for non-academic or vocational study or training. 

Vasanth’s Story

Vasanth Balaramudu








Vasanth Balaramudu, a native of India and a graduate student at Iowa State University, applies a henna temporary tattoo to the hand of Ada Rubin, Saturday, Oct. 10, during the 5th annual FACES multicultural festival outside of the city hall in Ames, Iowa. FACES stands for Familes of Ames Celebrating Ethnicities

Namaste Study USA

Namaste Study USA