Imagine holding an acceptance letter from your dream US university, but then realizing the biggest hurdle is yet to be crossed; the US student visa. 

For many Indian students, going through the visa process feels like that final exam you cannot prepare enough for. Endless paperwork, ever-changing rules and clause, burgeoning visa application fees for US universities, and rehearsing the “right” answer for the student visa interview. 

However, the truth is that qualifying for a US student visa does not really have to be a nightmare experience. With the right paperwork, honest answers, and a persuasive application that shows you will study and return to India, you can convert that acceptance into a boarding pass. 

GlobalGrads has helped hundreds of students from India to achieve their dream of pursuing a degree in the US by helping them qualify for a US student visa. In this article, we will tell you the step-by-step method and process that is required to make you easily qualify for your flight to the US as a student. 

The first thing that you need is getting accepted by a SEVP-certified school. Once you get admitted, the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) issues Form I-20, which is the official certificate proving that you are eligible to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa. Remember that this document is very critical to your dream to study in the US as you will have to present it at your US student visa interview and on entry to the US. So, better not lose it. 

After you get your form I-20, you need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee (commonly $350 for F-1 applicants) online from the official SEVIS payment site and print the receipt. This receipt is another document that you will have to show during your US student visa interview and when you travel to US for degree program. 

Next comes the DS-160 form that you will have to fill online, accurately, which generally includes information such as your personal details, education history, and social media handles. After submission, pay the student visa application fee for the US and, schedule your biometric and visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in India. Expect to upload or present original documents at the interview.

It’s now time for you to prepare the entire file consisting all the important documents that you will have to show to the consular officers at the US embassy. In our years of experience, we understand that the consular basically looks for three things: genuine admission, sufficient funds, and non-immigrant intent (you plan to return home after studies). Make sure you are carrying:

• A valid passport (with at least 6+ months of validity remaining)
• Passport size photos
• Signed Form I-20 and admission letter
• I-901 SEVIS payment receipt
• DS-160 confirmation and visa fee receipt 
• Proof of funds: bank statements, sponsor affidavit, scholarship/loan letters (match amounts on your I-20)
• Academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and any employment proof
• If requested: social media handles (list of usernames for past 5 years). 

During a typical student US visa interview, the interviewer usually asks about your course choice, career plans, finances, and ties to India (family, relatives). So to make things smooth be prepared by practicing short yet truthful answers to some of the common questions such as: 

• “Why this program?” 
• “How will you fund it?” 
• “What are your career plans after graduation?” 

Show that this study abroad program in US is essential to your goals and that you plan to return. Given recent policy shifts, many applicants must attend in-person interviews, so treat this like a professional conversation. 

Qualifying for a US student visa isn’t about luck. It’s about knowing the rules, being prepared, and presenting your case with confidence. From securing your I-20 to acing the consular interview, every step matters. 

The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.

At GlobalGrads, we have helped countless Indian students navigate this maze with personalized checklists, document reviews, and mock student interviews for US visa that boost confidence and success rates.

Your acceptance letter to study abroad in a US university was the first big win. Now, let GlobalGrads help you turn it into a US student visa approval.

If you’re ready for hands-on support, schedule a 1:1 session with a GlobalGrads advisor today and move one step closer to your American dream.