If you are a Nigerian student wanting to study in the US, then you need to obtain a student Visa.
In this blog, I will show you the types, requirements, costs, and documents required, and how to apply for a U.S. student visa from Nigeria.
Types of U.S Student Visa
The United States government offers three types of student visas and they include F1, M1, and J1 visas.
F1- Student Visa: This is the most popular type of student visa for international students to study in the US. This visa is for academic study programs like engineering and medicine at universities, colleges, etc.Â
The duration of stay for students with this kind of visa is for the length of their academic program and an additional 60 days.
M1- Student Visa: This visa type is for vocational and non-academic studies like creative arts, Internet technology (IT) etc.Â
The duration of stay for students with this visa type is for the length of their program and additional 30 days.
Students with this M1 visa are not allowed to work throughout their period of staying in the in the United States. You must proof that you have enough funds to sustain you for the entire duration of your stay.
J1- Student Visa: Another name for this visa type is exchange visitor visa. It is for students under sponsorship programs and programs promoting cultural exchange.
J1 exchange visitors come to the US to receive training, teach, or to study. It is for students who want to receive practical training not available in their home country and related to their academic program.
The duration of stay for students with this visa type is for the length of the program and additional 30 days.
Requirements
F-1 Student Visa requirement: Before you apply for a F-1 student visa from Nigeria, you must meet the following requirements
- Be admitted into a SEVP approved institution: Before applying into any institution, check if they are on the Student exchange visitor program ( SEVP) list.
If you check, and the institution is on the list, then go ahead and submit any documents they require for admission purposes.
If on the other hand, you check, and the institution is not on the list, don’t bother applying. This is because even if you do, you won’t be able to get a student visa even if you eventually gets the admission.
- Be enrolled as a full time student into the institution
- English language proficiency: Prove that you can speak and understand the English language. Do this by taking standardized tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
- Enough funding
- Have a valid passport
- Have a Nigerian residency: You must have documents that show you have very strong tie to your home country Nigeria and will go back home after your program in the US
M-1 Student Visa requirement.
If you are from Nigeria, to qualify for a M1 student visa, you must meet the following requirements.
- Successful completion of a course of study required for enrolment
- Admission by a vocational institution approved by the U.S citizenship and immigration services ( UCIS).
- English proficiency
- Sufficient fund
- Strong ties to your home country ( Nigeria)
J1 Student Visa Requirements
- Sponsorship from a non-personal source: At least 50% of the funds you need must be sponsored not by a friend or family member.
- Valid passport
- Home country residency
- English language proficiency
- Full time enrollment
Costs
According to the US embassy, the application fee for the most common visa types is $185. Student visa falls into this category.
SEVIS fee for students with form I-20 ( F-1 and M- 1 visa) is $350.
SEVIS fee for students with DS-2019 (J-1 visa is $220.
Documents required
If you want to apply for the US student visa from Nigeria, you need the following documents :
- A valid passport
- Copies of your DS-160 form and SEVIS–1901 payment confirmation
- DS-2019 form ( for J-1 visa)
- Academic records
- Standardised English test scores
- Proof of funds
Also Read: Focus on These Seven Countries If You Want to Study Abroad
How to apply for the US Student visa
F-1 and M- 1 U.S student Visa
Obtain your admission documents from the SEVP institution
On acceptance from the institution, you will receive some documents to enable you apply for a student visa.Â
Apply online through completion of the DS- 160 form
When you have gotten the form 1-20 from your institution, you can start your application process. Go online and fill the FS- 160 form with all required information about your visa status.
Pay Visa Application fee
Make payment for the visa application fee and keep your receipt. You will need the receipt during your interview.
Pay the SEVIS-1-901 application fee
On admission by the SEVP approved institution, you are immediately registered in the Student Exchange and Visitors Information System ( SEVIS). You need to pay the fee for full registration.
Schedule your visa interview
The next thing to do after filling the DS- 160 form and paying the fees is to schedule an interview. For you to get a student visa, you must attend the interview. You should schedule your interview as early as possible to avoid any form of delay.
Submit the file along with required documents
Make sure you prepare your file with all necessary documents before you attend your interview.
Attend the interview for a student visa
Prepare and attend your interview. The interviewer will ask questions centered about your reasons for going to the US and the institution you are going to.
J-1 Student visa
Find a J sponsor to accept you into their program
To get a J-1 student visa, you need a find designated sponsor. There are so many sponsoring organizations that place people throughout the united states. Check out the official list of designated sponsor organizations to the US.
Apply for the DS- 2019 form
The Ds-2019 form is also known as the certificate of eligibility for the exchanger visitor status. After you have been approved by a sponsor, the next step is to fill and submit this form.The form is issued by your sponsor organisation and it provide details about the exchange program, start and end dates, cost of the program.
Pay for SEVIS -1-901 and visa application fees
Find out if you will be the one to pay these fees or it will be paid by your sponsor. If your sponsor pays the fee, ensure to get the receipt as you will need it during your interview.
Schedule and attend your interview
Make sure you schedule early to avoid delays. If you will be accompanied by your spouse or child, you need to also schedule an interview for those family members that will accompany you.
Also Read: Read This Before Applying for Any Scholarship to Study Abroad
Conclusion
Visa is a necessity if you want to study in the US as an international student. We have considered the different types, costs, requirements, documents required and how to apply for the US student visa.
