USA Student Visa

Student Visa of the United States of America from Bangladesh

It is important that Bangladeshi students who plan to study full-time in the United States for a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree should apply for the Bangladesh USA student visa. The exact type of US student visa required in Bangladesh depends on your field of study and the institution you wish to attend.

Oftentimes, when you want to travel to the United States, you must first apply for a visa, either an immigrant long-stay visa or a nonimmigrant short-stay visa. We know that processing can be too difficult and confusing, so let’s do it the details to help you choose a suitable student visa for the United States.

The US government offers all Bangladeshi students the opportunity to study in the US, but you must first apply for a student visa. The visa required depends on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the United States. Below is a summary of the many types of study visas and associated application requirements:

How long does it take to get a USA visa?

Allow enough time to apply for a visa. You can begin applying for a US F-1 student visa once you are accepted and enrolled at the college of your choice. You must apply at least three months before the start of your studies. After
submitting the application, you have to wait around 5 days for a decision.

Latest updates for Bangladesh

visa rules and regulations are constantly updated and should be monitored. We will inform you briefly about any updates
on this. All non-citizens and non-immigrants traveling to the United States must receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The issuing of visas remains unaffected by this; On the other hand, the entry of unvaccinated non-immigrants, including students, will be suspended. According to the panel’s medical records, persons traveling on an immigrant visa are subject to various medical screening and vaccination criteria

Types of US student visas for Bangladeshi students

F visa
There are three types of F visas, the best being US student visas;

F-2 visas for dependents of F-1 visa holders
F-3 cross-border visas
F-1 visa for full time students

Let’s move on to the F visa which most students want to choose and use. Students with an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours per week on campus. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can also issue Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permits for a total of twelve months, excluding 90 days of unemployment. Students who wish to work away from home for longer periods must obtain this
permit in advance. Visa

M – Visa
The second type of US student visa is for international students who wish to pursue non-academic or professional education or training at a US institution.

There are three types of M visas:

M-1 visa for professional or non-college students.
M-2 visas for dependents of M-1 visa holders (same as F-2 visas).
M-3 “frontier” visas like F-3 visas but for professional or non-academic study.

M-1 students will be admitted to the United States for a limited time spanning the duration of their apprenticeship program plus optional on-the-job training. Except for medical reasons, they cannot stay in the United States for more than one year.M-1 visa holders cannot work on or off campus while studying and cannot change their status to F-1. Visa

J-Visa
Finally, this third type of US student visa is for international visitors participating in cultural exchange programs in the United States. Whether pursuing medical, business, or other training, all applicants must meet the program’s eligibility criteria and be sponsored by a government or private sector program. J visa holders usually only stay in the United States for a short time, maybe a semester or two. There are two types of J visas:

J-1 visas for exchange students within the respective exchange program.
J-2 visas for dependents of J-1 visa holders (same as F-2 visas)

How to apply for US student visa for Bangladeshi students?

The first step is to apply to a school in the United States that is SEVP accredited. You will find them in the information system for students and exchange visitors (SEVIS) and you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee once the SEVP-approved school accepts your application. The SEVP-approved school issues a Form I-20. You can apply for a student visa (F or M) at a US embassy or consulate after receiving Form I-20 and registering with SEVIS. When you go to your visa interview, you will need to present Form I-20 to the consular officer. There are several steps involved in applying for a visa. The order of these steps and how they are performed may vary by U.S. embassy or consulate.

Complete the online visa application Online.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160: Learn more about completing the DS-160.
You upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
Your photo must conform to the format specified in the photo requirements.
Schedule an interview Interviews are generally required for visa applicants.

You must schedule your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You can schedule your interview at another US embassy or consulate, but remember that obtaining a visa outside of your home country may be more difficult.

Waiting time for an appointment : The student visa to USA from Bangladesh can be issued to new students up to 120 days before the start of their studies. Continuing Students: The US student visa can be issued at any time as long as the student is enrolled in a SEVP-approved school or institution and is registered with SEVIS.

Interview Preparation Fees: Pay the required non-refundable visa application fees before your interview. Depending on your nationality, you may be required to pay a visa issuance fee if your US student visa is approved.

Registration Fees : $160 Valid passport required for travel to the United States: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the United States (unless exempted by country-specific agreements).

Non-Immigrant Students: Your school will mail you a Form I-20 once your information has been entered into the SEVIS database. Both you and a school official must sign the Form I-20. All students must register with the student and exchange visitor system (SEVIS) to register. If you intend to reside in the United States with your spouse and/or minor children, you will each receive a separate Form I-20.

English Language Requirements for a US Student Visa

If you plan to study abroad or start your academic journey, you need to take the following exams. It is important to take them with you even when applying for a visa. So before you apply to your universities, fill this out.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): In the US it is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). If you require a Tier 4 visa, you must achieve an overall score of at least 80* and subtests of at least 18 in Reading, 17 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking.0 for each of the four subtests (speaking, listening, reading and writing) or 5.5 for each of the subtests.

(Pearson Test of English): Pearson is the administrator of this. You must have an overall score of at least 55* and minimum scores of 46 or 51 in each of the four subtests if you need a Tier 4 visa (speaking, listening, reading, and writing).

IELTS (The International English Language Testing System): If you need a Tier 4 visa, you must have an overall band score of at least 6.0* and minimum scores of 5.0 or 5.5 in each of the four subtests (speaking, listening, reading, and writing).

How do I apply for a USA Student Visa from Bangladesh?

The US student visa is a hassle-free process if you have all the appropriate documents. The steps to apply for an F1 visa are as follows:

Obtain your registration documents from the SEVP organization.
Submit Form DS-160 online.
Be sure to pay tuition.
Enter the SEVIS fee I-901.
Set a date for the F1 visa interview.
Submit the file including the required documentation for an F1 visa.
Attend the interview for the student visa.

US Visa Interview Questions for Bangladeshi Students

You must go through a visa interview to find out if you are eligible for an F1 student visa. It would be best if you were willing to answer personal questions about your decision to study in the United States and bring all necessary paperwork and receipts with you to the interview. Here is a cheat sheet to prepare for the interview as the questions may not be the same but have the same gist.

Sample Interview Questions for F1 Visa

Why did you choose to study in the United States rather than take a job in your home country?
Why is this the best school for you and why did you choose it?
As a student in the past, how have you fared overall on test scores (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS), GPA, and other factors?
How do you pay for tuition, room and board, transportation and all other expenses during your education?
Will you leave the United States to return home after graduation?
Although your officer may ask these questions in a variety of ways, they are all aimed at determining whether you are eligible for an F1 visa.

Study Visa Process

In order for IASS to process an I-20 for international students who will be studying at UTRGV for the first time and need to apply for an F-1 visa, the following documentation must be provided:

Questionnaire for Immigration
Financial Capability Evidence (bank statements, assistantships, scholarships, etc)
photocopy of a passport
submitting the first I-20 application.

You must use your I-20 in one of two ways to obtain F-1 status after receiving it:

Use the I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate, and then enter the US with the F-1 visa and I-20 to be admitted to F-1 status by DHS at the port-of-entry.
If you are already in the United States as a nonimmigrant in another category, use the I-20 to apply to USCIS for a change of status from one nonimmigrant category to F-1 status.
F-1 visas are processed at a US consular office.

Prepare the following require documents:

The passport must be valid outside the United States for at least six months.
DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form Confirmation Page Learn more about completing the DS-160.
You must apply for a visa online using the DS-160 form.
To take it to the interview, print out the application confirmation page. Photo – You upload your photo when you fill out Form DS-160 online.
Confirmation of registration fee payment Form I-20 – After submitting all required documents, the UTRGV will send you a Form I-20 generated by SEVIS.
SEVIS I-901 Receiving Royalties.

Examine the visa application instructions on the website of the embassy or consulate where you intend to apply. Additional documentation to prove your qualifications may be required. Additional documents may include, for example, evidence of your academic preparation, such as:

Admission requires transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from previous schools, as well as standardized test scores.
Your intention to leave the United States once your studies are finished.
Financial support documentation, as shown on the I-20.
University Admissions Letter

What are the reasons for visa rejection in the United States?

Disappointed that your visa was denied? Keep your hopes up, because the F1 visa application will be denied under US immigration law. If you are denied, your paperwork will include the reason for the denial as well as the section of the law under which you were denied. Some applications are rejected because the applicant failed to provide the necessary information or supporting documentation. You may, however, be found ineligible for other reasons.

Of course, you will be deemed ineligible if you do not meet the F1 Visa Qualifications listed above. For example, under INA section 214(b), Visa Qualifications and Immigrant Intent, you will be denied if you fail to demonstrate that your strong ties to your home country will compel you to return home after your stay in the US.

Common reasons for denial include fraud or misrepresentation, unlawful presence in the United States, health-related grounds, criminal-related grounds, or security-related grounds. The website of the United States Department of State is an excellent resource for learning more about visa denials and determining whether you are eligible for a waiver or to reapply.

What does it mean by a dependent visa in the USA

An international student or scholar may be accompanied to the United States by a dependent at any time (s).

Dependents include spouses and/or unmarried minor children.
As dependents of international students or scholars, children over the age of 21 are not permitted to enter.
If you want to bring a dependent to the United States, please use the Add a New Dependent e-Form to notify our office.

Dependents may apply for visas concurrently with the student/scholar or at a later date.
If the visa is granted, they may enter the US at the same time as the international student/scholar or later. They will apply for a visa in the same way that a student or scholar would. It is critical to determine whether you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents. The amount varies according to your visa type.

Dependents listed on Form F-2
An F-2 could stay in service for as long as an F-1. If the F-1 student loses status, so does the F-2, because his or her visa status is a derivative of the F-1. F-2 dependents, like F-1 students, must keep their passports valid for at least six months.
Education and Employment of J-2 Dependents. If your dependents are accompanying or joining you in the United States, they can use Form DS-2019 to obtain visas and admission to the country alongside you.

An additional 500 dollar per month is required for the spouse.
An additional 250 dollar per month is required for each child.

Only the spouse and unmarried minor children are eligible for dependent entry into the United States (under the age of 21). International students and scholars frequently wish to bring their parents or other family members to the United States to attend graduation or to visit. If the parents or other family members of an international student or scholar, including children over the age of 21, wish to visit the United States temporarily, they may do so on a B-2 tourist visa.

FAQ About Student Visa in the USA

1. Can a student with a Canadian student visa travel to the United States?

The United States does not accept Canadian student visas or temporary resident visas
2. How long does it take to obtain a student visa to the United States from Bangladesh?

Schedule a visa interview at the US embassy in your country. The waiting period may differ depending on the type of visa. If you pass the interview, only then you will receive your visa 120 days in advance. Relocation to the United States is permitted only 30 days before the start of your program.
3. What is the minimum bank balance required for a US student visa?

Despite the fact that there are no regulations requiring a minimum bank balance to apply for an F-1 student visa to the United States, make sure to keep the entire semester tuition fee.
4. In the United States, who can sponsor a student visa?

Parents and family members can serve as sponsors for students who want to study in the United States. Candidates may also consider student loans to help finance their studies in the United States. Employers may sponsor an F-1 visa in some cases if they intend to hire individuals after their international studies.
5. What is the minimum age to apply for a US study visa?

14 - 79 years. Below or above, applicants are treated as special instances. The US Consulate will decide what is required for the interview. Good results in the general exam and language tests.