The United States has long been a popular destination for Indian students seeking higher education. In the summer of 2023, the US issued half a million visas to Indian students, surpassing its target of one million visas by the end of the year. This increase in visa issuance is due in part to the US government’s decision to slash visa interview wait times for Indian students by 50%.
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Prior to the visa interview wait time reduction, about 199,812 Indian students studied in the United States in 2022. This number is expected to grow even further by the end of 2023, as more Indian students take advantage of the shorter visa interview wait times.
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- Student Visas in the USA
- F1 Student Visa
- M-1 Vocational / Non-Academic Student Visa
- J1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Student Visas in the USA
There are three main types of student visas available to Indian students: F-1, M-1, and J-1.
F1 Student Visa
The F1 visa is granted to international students who are enrolled in academic or English Language Programs at US colleges or universities. It is also applicable for attendance at public high schools (grades 9 to 12) if the program demands more than 18 hours of weekly study.
It’s important to mention that dependents of F-1 visa holders, such as spouses and children, travel on F-2 visas. While spouses on F-2 visas are not permitted to work, they can accompany the visa holder or apply for their own visa to pursue work or studies in the US.
M-1 Vocational / Non-Academic Student Visa
Similar to the F1 visa, the M-1 visa is designated for students pursuing vocational and technical education. The application process is similar to that of the F1 visa. However, a key distinction is that M-1 visas are time-stamped upon entry, and students must adhere to their designated duration of stay.
J1 Exchange Visitor Visa
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa facilitates Indian nationals’ involvement in exchange programs involving work and study in the US. These programs foster cultural exchange between the US and other nations.
J-1 visa recipients typically include professionals participating in training, research, or teaching endeavours. Some common programs are Fulbright scholarships, summer study abroad initiatives, and research fellowships, each tailored to specific durations. Applicants are informed of their program duration by the respective institutions.
In cases of J-1 visa approval, spouses and children may be eligible for J-2 visas, enabling them to accompany the visa holder. While J-2 visa holders cannot work in the US, certain educational and training opportunities might be available to them.
