How to Get a US Study Visa from India (2026)

Fees, timelines and rules in this guide are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Tourist, business and work visas are covered in our US visa guide for Indians.

What does a US student visa cost an Indian student?

The U.S. Embassy set the consular exchange rate at INR 98 per US dollar from 25 May 2026, up from INR 96. The rate changes with the market, so check the payment page on the day you pay. You can pay by NEFT, UPI, debit or credit card, or in cash at DRUK Bank, AXIS Bank and Citibank. A fee receipt stays valid for 365 days for scheduling an appointment.

Reciprocity (issuance) fees for Indian nationals could not be verified for this guide, so check the State Department's reciprocity page for your visa class before your interview.

What are the steps from admission to visa?

1. Get admitted and receive your Form I-20. It must come from an approved US school and be signed in original.
2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 and keep the receipt; the F/M application needs it.
3. Fill the DS-160 online and upload a 2 x 2-inch photo taken within the last six months, without eyeglasses.
4. Set your social media accounts to public. The Embassy requires this for F, M and J applicants.
5. Pay the $185 fee. UPI and QR payments are available for booking instantly; NEFT and RuPay cards take up to one business day; cash at AXIS or DRUK Bank is usable the following business day.
6. Book two appointments: biometrics at a Visa Application Center at least 2 business days before the interview, and the interview itself.
7. Attend the interview at the Embassy or the Consulate you booked.
8. Wait for the passport. After the interview, processing typically takes 7-10 working days, though individual cases may take longer.

Which documents should you carry to the interview?

• Original signed Form I-20.
• Form I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt.
• DS-160 confirmation page, with the barcode that matches the one used to book your appointment.
• Passport valid at least six months beyond your intended stay.
• One 2 x 2-inch (51 x 51 mm) photo taken within the last six months.
• Interview appointment letter and visa fee receipt.
• For a spouse applying as a dependant: a photocopy of the marriage certificate.

You may also carry any supporting documents you believe back up what you tell the consular officer. For most students that means academic records and papers showing how the course and living costs will be paid. Keep originals organised so you can produce what is asked for quickly.

When can you apply, and when can you fly?

A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date, so there is no reason to wait for the last month. The official appointment service says students can travel within 30 days of the start date on Form I-20. The Embassy recommends applying at least three months before travel and not buying tickets until the visa is issued.

Interview wait times vary by post: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata each publish their own on the State Department's wait-time tool. You are not tied to your home state; the Embassy's visa FAQ says anyone legally present in India may apply at any of the five posts. Some applications go into administrative processing after the interview. That cannot be predicted in advance, and most is resolved within 180 days of the interview, so a buffer before your course start is worth keeping.

What changed for F-1 students in 2026?

A final rule published in the Federal Register changed F student and J exchange-visitor admission from "duration of status" to a fixed period, effective 15 September 2026. You are now admitted for up to the length of your programme, not exceeding four years, and extensions are requested from USCIS. The post-completion departure period for F-1 students was cut from 60 days to 30 days.

Other points have not changed. F-1 students may be eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training after completing course requirements. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may get F-2 or M-2 visas but may not work. Students away from classes for more than five months may need a new visa to return.

Why are student visas refused under 214(b)?

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act is the ground on which applicants who do not meet a visa's requirements are refused. For F-1 students, the Embassy says you must show a residence abroad that you do not intend to abandon; not meeting the F requirements leads to refusal under 214(b). In an interview with an Indian student, that usually means explaining your study plan clearly and showing your ties to India, such as family, property or a career path you will return to.

Common avoidable problems are a DS-160 barcode that does not match the appointment, a reused or non-compliant photo, private social media settings, and answers that do not match the I-20. None of these relate to your academic merit, and all are fixable before the interview.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Can my parents get a visa to accompany me as an F-1 student?

Not as dependants. The Embassy says there is no derivative visa for parents of F-1 or M-1 students. Parents who want to visit would apply separately for a visitor visa, such as a B-2 for visits with relatives.

Can I work in the US on an F-1 student visa?

The Embassy notes that F-1 students may be eligible for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training after completing their course requirements. F-2 spouses and children may not work.

Do I have to interview at the consulate for my state?

The Embassy's visa FAQ says anyone legally present in India may apply at any of the five posts: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata. Pick based on available interview dates.

Is the $185 US student visa fee refunded if I am refused?

No. The visa application fee is non-refundable. The payment is valid for 365 days from the receipt date for scheduling an appointment.