US Student Visas for Pakistani Citizens
Pakistani students who want to enter the US and partake in any academic programme of their choice can obtain a US Student visa. Once you meet the requirements for the US Student visa, you will stand a better chance to obtain it.
For more information about entering the US from Pakistan for study purposes, the costs involved, F1 visa requirements for Pakistani students, or other services we offer, contact us at Total Law today. Talk with one of our friendly immigration lawyers by calling us on +1 844 290 6312 or messaging us online.
Apply for a US Student Visa in Pakistan
Each year, thousands of Pakistani nationals enter the US for educational purposes. Several Pakistani students continue to troop into the US for study purposes to improve their job prospects and make their families proud.
The US is one of the most desirable places for international students in particular due to the abundance of top-tier universities and the astounding range of degree programmes that are offered there. Although obtaining a Student visa to study in the US from Pakistan is a difficult procedure, with sufficient knowledge and planning, you can meet all your requirements and position yourself for success.
A US university approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) must first accept your application. Once your application is accepted, the international student office at the school will provide you a Form I-20, which is a paper copy of the data contained in the database of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Pakistani students are required to provide their biometric information while applying for their US Student visa. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can study in the US at the graduate and postgraduate levels.
Student Visa Requirements in the USA for Pakistani Citizens
Before you are issued the US Student visa, you must meet certain requirements as a Pakistani national. The US Student visa requirements for Pakistani citizens include:
- Provide a receipt for your $185 visa processing fee deposit.
- Get a passport-sized photograph taken within the last 6 months from the day your study should begin.
- Provide a non-immigrant visa application form.
- Provide a form of approval (Form I-20) from your School or programme you want to pursue in the US.
- Present your personal details, such as children, and siblings (if applicable).
- Provide your travel history for more than 10 years.
- Attend the interview at the visa section of the US Consulate General, Karachi or the US embassy in Islamabad in person on the time and date agreed for the interview.
- Provide proof you have ties to Pakistan that will make you return to the country once you finish your study programme. To prove that you will return to Pakistan after your study, you may also provide a round-trip flight ticket to Pakistan.
- Present your original bank statements.
- Prove of no criminal record. You must obtain this from a relevant Police Office in Pakistan. This certificate must prove that there are no criminal charges against you in Pakistan.
- Provide your sponsor’s bank statements or fixed deposit certificates, and the proof of your relationship with your sponsor.
- Show documents that prove you are ready to embark on your academic journey in the US, such as original copies of certificates of public examinations (O or A-levels, etc.), original copies of grades from school transcripts, SAT, and test scores of diplomas etc.
- Prove your English proficiency by presenting the test score of your IELTS or TOEFL.
- Proof of sufficient funds. Get your bank statements to prove that you can cover all your expenses while you are in the US. If you are an M-1 Student visa applicant, you must show that you can pay your tuition and cater for your living expenses while in the US.
- Provide SEVIS fees. You are required to pay this fee if you are an applicant for the F1, M1, and J1 visas. You will only be exempted from these fees if you are partaking in a US government-sponsored programme.
The USA Student Visa Types
The US government created 3 types of Student visas for foreign nationals who want to study in the US. The study programme you wish to partake in will determine the type of US Student visa you must obtain. They include:
F-1 Student Visa
You can undergo the F1 visa process for Pakistani students if you want to pursue your academic studies in the US. This visa allows you to study English at an English language institute in the US for a study that exceeds 18 hours per week.
With your F-1 visa, you will not be permitted to work off-campus during your first year in school. When you complete your first year in school, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may allow you to work off-campus.
M-1 Student Visa
If you wish to enter the US and partake in non-academics or vocational studies, you can apply for an M-1 visa. As a Pakistani student on an M-1 visa, you can only work in a temporary job that gives you practical training after you complete your studies.
You are granted 1 month of practical training for every 4 months of study. The maximum period is 6 months. You must submit an application for both a visa extension for the duration of training and approval from the designated school officer in order to do this.
J-1 Student Visa
This visa is designed for Pakistani students who want to partake in cultural exchange and educational programmes that include high school and university study. The major sponsors of these programmes are schools, businesses, and a wide range of other institutions and organisations.
How to Apply for a USA Student Visa
As a Pakistani student, you must follow a certain step-by-step guide to obtain your US Student visa. It includes:
Be Admitted to a US University or College
As a Pakistani student, you must first be admitted to a US university or college that is recognised by the SEVP before you can apply for a US Student visa. You must choose the specific US Student visa type that meets your study purpose, and also know if your university or college qualifies for that visa. You can start applying for your US Student visa if you receive a confirmation of enrolment into a US university or college.
Get Your I-20 Form
Your university or college will forward you an I-20 form once you have confirmed your enrolment, which you will need for the duration of your US Student visa application procedure. Your SEVIS ID, the beginning and ending dates of your academic programme, and your financial support sources are among the details included in this list. Before signing the I-20 form, it’s critical to verify all the information it bears.
Pay Your SEVIS Fee
You are required to pay your SEVIS fee worth $350. As a Pakistani student applying for the US Student visa,you must get a printed copy of your receipt. You will also be required to bring it to your visa interview.
Fill Out Your DS-160 Form
You are required to fill out your DS-160 form with the correct information via the application portal. Thereafter, pay the US Student visa cost for Pakistani citizens worth $185 to obtain a confirmation page with your barcode. You are also required to bring this confirmation page to your interview.
Book Your Interview
After completing and submitting your I-20 and DS-160 forms, you must locate your nearest US embassy or consulate and schedule an interview. Ensure you attend your US Student visa interview with all the required documents. At the interview, your biometric information (photographs and fingerprints) may be collected.
Get Ready For Your Interview
It is advised you prepare for your interview by answering mock interview questions or obtaining interview tips from an immigration adviser. Our immigration advisers at Total Law can help prepare you for your US Student visa interview.
If you do not know how to begin the application process, do not hesitate to reach out to our immigration lawyers at Total Law for expert guidance. We can help you choose the specific US Student visa type that best suits your study purpose in the United States.
We can also assist you in gathering all your required documents to ensure you make a solid application. Call us today on +1 844 290 6312 or message us online.
How Can Total Law Help?
Pakistani citizens who wish to enter the US to advance their educational careers have various Student visa types to choose from. As an applicant for the US Student visa, you must choose the type of Student visa that best suits your study purpose.
Besides that, you must ensure that your visa and university or college are compatible. You must also ensure that you make appropriate payments during your application as any wrong payments are nonrefundable.
To stand a chance of having a favourable decision on your US Student visa, it is advised that you reach out to one of our professional immigration advisers at Total Law. We are experienced in US immigration law.
We have helped several Pakistani students enter the US to pursue their educational goals. We have also assisted them in gathering all their required documents and preparing for their Student visa interviews.
We know all that it takes to obtain a favourable decision on any US visa application we make, the reason is that we already know how to navigate the immigration application process. For more information about the US Student visa processing time for Pakistani citizens, the eligibility criteria, or other services we offer, Total Law can help. Call us today on +1 844 290 6312 or contact us online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It typically takes about 5 working days to process your US Student visa. However, there may be delays in processing time, especially if you are required to provide additional documents, and other individual situations.
To be eligible for a Student visa, especially the F1 visa, your bank account must contain at least $10,000, or 1.5 times the amount stated on your I-20 form. You are required to prove that you have enough finances to cover your expenses while you are in the US. Universities and embassies in the US typically accept only cash on hand as proof of financial support.
An American student visa from Pakistan is accepted 85% of the time. The USA study visa is denied for a number of reasons, including insufficient funding and the inability to provide all required documentation.