US Student Visa: Latest Updates 2026 | IDP Vietnam
Applying for a U.S. student visa is considered the most important step for you to start your study journey in the United States. Many students think that the procedure for applying for a US student visa is relatively complicated; however, if you understand the requirements, choose the right type of visa, and prepare your application carefully, the success rate will be much higher.
The following article helps you understand:
Types of US visas
The process of applying for a visa to the US
Differentiating between a US student visa and a US tourist visa
Processing time—US visa extension for international students
Important Notes to Increase Pass Rate
1. Types of US student visas
Before applying, you need to determine the right type of U.S. student visa. Choosing the right type of visa increases the likelihood of approval.
1.1. US student visa type F
Among the US visas, the US student visa group F is the most popular for international students studying at high schools, language schools, colleges, or universities in the US. When applying for a U.S. student visa, you must ensure that the school you are applying to is on the U.S. Government's list of international student approvals.
The F visa is divided into three main groups:
US F1 Student Visa:
International students can work part-time on campus for up to 20 hours per week if authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
F1 visa holders can also participate in the OPT internship program for up to 1 year after graduation. This is the most common type of visa when applying for a visa to study in the United States.
US F2 Student Visa:
The F2 visa is for dependents of F1 visa holders, including:
Spouse
Biological children under 21 years old, unmarried
US F3 Student Visa
The F3 visa is for citizens in Canada or Mexico who want to study in the U.S., have immigrant parents, or are U.S. citizens. This is a specific type of sponsorship, usually less common than F1 and F2.
1.2. US student visa type M
The US student visa type M is also one of the most popular types of US visas for international students. This type of visa is suitable for those who are studying vocational programs, practical research, or non-academic training in the United States. When applying for a US student visa, you need to determine the right purpose of study to choose the right type of visa.
The M visa consists of three main categories:
US M1 Student Visa:
M1 visas are issued to students who participate:
Vocational Courses
Non-Academic Training
Hands-on study program
The duration of the M1 visa is usually less than 1 year and does not allow overtime work outside of school hours, so you need to carefully consider the study route before applying for a visa to the US under this category.
US Student Visa M2
The M2 visa applies to dependents of the M1 visa holder, including:
Spouse
Biological children under 21 years old, unmarried
Similar to the F2 category, the M2 visa also applies to same-sex couples. M2 visa holders are allowed to legally reside in the U.S. for the duration of their studies.
US Student Visa M3
The M3 visa is a special category for students who reside in Canada or Mexico but are enrolled in a vocational or non-academic program in the United States. This category is less common, but it is still part of the U.S. visa system for international students.
1.3. US student visa type J
The J student visa belongs to the group of U.S. visas for international students participating in cultural exchange programs sponsored by private or government organizations. When applying for a U.S. student visa under the J category, you need to meet all the conditions of the program because each sponsor will have different selection criteria. The J visa is generally less common than the F or M category and usually lasts between 1 and 2 semesters, depending on the program.
U.S. J1 Student Visa:
The J1 visa is for international students studying cultural exchange programs in the United States.
Important: J1 visa holders may be required to return to their home country for at least 2 years after the expiration of their visa if they wish to change their studies or apply for permanent residence in the United States.
This helps to ensure that the purpose of cultural exchange is maintained in accordance with the principles.
Therefore, when applying for a visa to the US under the J1 category, you should clearly define the study path after the exchange program.
US J2 Student Visa:
The J2 visa is for dependents of the J1 visa holder, including:
Spouse
Biological children under 21 years old, unmarried
Similar to the F2 and M2 visas, the J2 visa also supports same-sex couples.
2. Conditions for issuing a US student visa
When you are preparing to apply for a US student visa, ensuring all of the following conditions will help your application be assessed as more likely to succeed.
2.1. Have a Form I-20 letter
Once approved by your SEVP school, you will be issued a Form I-20. After receiving your I-20 and registering your information on the SEVIS system, you can proceed to apply for a student visa (F or M) at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
During your visa interview, you are required to bring your Form I-20 to present to the consular officer.
Note: The I-20 contains information about the program of study, duration of study, estimated costs, and financial resources.
2.2 Financially viable
You need to prove that you or your sponsor can afford tuition and living expenses for at least the first year of study in the U.S. This is a requirement to ensure that you have enough money to study without having to rely on illegal sources of income in the United States.
2.3 Meet the academic requirements of the program
You must have sufficient qualifications to attend an enrollment program, for example:
High school degree or equivalent
English language proficiency as required by the school
Additional certifications if needed (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT...)
This condition is set by the school, but at the same time it is also an indirect requirement to be granted a visa.
2.4 Clear and detailed study plan
In your application or visa interview, you should clearly describe: why you chose that school/major in the US, your career goals, the reason for studying in the US instead of Vietnam, and your plans after graduation (including whether you plan to return or continue...). This helps show that you are serious about your studies and adhere to the purpose of studying abroad.
When you fully prepare all four of the above, your application will be clearer and stronger when applying for a US student visa.
3. Documents to prepare to apply for a US student visa
The process of preparing the application for a US student visa (F-1/M-1) is very important, helping to increase the likelihood of passing the visa. Below is a guide to what documents are required.
3.1. Documents required by the U.S. Consulate
The required documents include:
Original passport: Valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of entry.
Confirmation of filing the DS-160 (printed copy of the barcode confirmation page).
Visa photo: taken within 6 months.
Original Form I-20: signed by the school and the student.
SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt (I-901)
Confirmation of interview appointment
3.2. Personal documents and educational qualifications
Birth certificate
Household registration book (optional, can be brought)
ID card (or translation if needed)
Transcripts/Transcripts
Diploma
Proof of study (if still in school)
English language certificate (if applicable)
Other Certificates, Extracurricular Activities
Standardized certificates (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT...) (if any)
3.3. US student visa application documents proving finances
Provide to prove your ability to pay for your studies and living expenses for at least the first 1 year.
It may include:
Passbook/balance confirmation
Bank Account Statement
Employment contract/sponsor appointment letter
3–6 months salary statement
Business license (if you are a business owner)
Tax Documents
House/land lease agreement (if any)
Land use right certificate
Papers proving other sources of income
You can refer to more details about the procedures and documents for studying in the US to prepare as best as possible right in Vietnam!
4. Steps to apply for a US student visa
The time to apply for a U.S. student visa usually falls between 3 and 5 months before the date of admission. Please ensure that you carefully read and understand the following basic steps to obtain a visa:
Step 1: Receive Form I-20 from SEVP
You need to be accepted by a school that is part of the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program). The school will issue you a Form I-20, which includes your personal information, curriculum, start date, estimated costs, etc.
Step 2: Pay the SEVIS fee
SEVIS tracks international student information. You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (not the visa fee) prior to the interview. After submission, it is necessary to print a receipt to take with you to the interview. You should be aware of paying the fee early before applying for a visa to avoid glitches.
Step 3: Complete the DS-160 U.S. Student Visa Application Form
You complete the DS-160 form online. Information to prepare:
SEVIS ID and school information (listed on I-20)
Personal Information
Passport
Academic and work history
Family Information
Travel history, security...
After submitting your DS-160, you will receive a form confirmation page to take to the interview.
Step 4: Pay the US student visa application fee
After completing the DS-160 form, you will need to pay the visa application fee (MRV (Machine Readable Visa fee). The payment process is relatively simple, but you should refer to the detailed instructions on the official website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for timely updates if there are any changes.
Once the payment is completed, you will receive a payment confirmation/receipt. Keep this document carefully as you need to bring it with you to your visa interview.
Step 5: Prepare and complete a complete dossier
In this step, you need to gather and organize all the necessary documents to submit for the visa interview. Since applications often include a variety of documents, it's a good idea to check them thoroughly before submitting them to avoid omissions or delays. Careful review also helps you promptly supplement documents if additional requests.
Step 6: Arrange and participate in an interview at the US Consulate
After you have prepared all your documents, you will need to make an appointment for an interview to apply for a US student visa (F-1/M-1). You can make an appointment online through the official website of the U.S. visa system.
See more: US student visa interview experience
5. How long does it take to apply for a US student visa?
The procedure for applying for a US student visa requires a face-to-face interview. On the day of your interview appointment, you will need to be present at the Consulate/Embassy to participate in the interview. If approved, your passport will be retained for visa affixation.
The time to get your passport back is usually from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on the processing process of the consular office. The visa result is usually announced immediately after the interview.
In terms of application preparation time, it will usually take about 4–10 weeks, depending on each case:
3 days – 6 weeks: apply for an I-20 letter from a school in the U.S. (Time varies depending on the school and time of submission)
2 – 4 weeks: prepare financial documents
2 – 4 weeks: interview practice and finalize the remaining preparation steps
In general, you should start preparing about 3–5 months before the admission date to avoid delays.
5.1 How to check your visa status
After completing your visa interview, you can track the progress of your application online. The U.S. Department of State offers a portal that helps you check your visa status using the DS-160 barcode.
You should note that visa processing times may vary from case to case. If the visa is approved, you will receive your passport back via courier service within a few working days.
6. How much does it cost to apply for a student visa in the US?
When applying for a U.S. student visa, you need to pay some of the following fees:
SEVIS Fee: USD 350 (applicable to F/M students)
Visa Application Fee (MRV): 185 USD
Minimum required total fee: 535 USD Note: There may be additional costs associated with document preparation, bank fees, and possibly medical or courier costs, depending on your individual circumstances
7. Some Interview Experience at the U.S. Consulate
Many of you wonder if it is difficult to get a student visa in the US. The stage that worries many students the most is the visa interview – which creates a lot of pressure. Therefore, taking the initiative to learn the experiences of those who have gone before you will help you be more confident when entering the interview.
7.1. Double-check documents before the interview
Before coming to the interview, you need to check all the documents in the visa application kit. If you lack documents, you may be asked to cancel and reschedule your interview, which is both time-consuming and affects the results of the review and admission time.
7.2. Prepare Frequently Asked Interview Questions in Advance
Researching and preparing frequently asked questions in advance will help you be more confident and avoid surprises during the interview. You can easily find a list of sample questions on counseling channels or the Internet.
Here are 3 common groups of questions when interviewing for a US student visa:
1. Why did you choose the U.S. to study abroad?
You can mention one of the reasons such as:
The US has the world's leading education system
Many prestigious universities and diverse study programs
Dynamic, practical learning environment, good research support
2 - Why did you choose this university?
To this question, each person will have their own answers. You should mention some outstanding advantages of the school and the major you study. In addition, a school with many international students is also a reason for most of you to choose.
3 – What are your plans after graduation?
Regarding the plan after graduation, you should answer clearly, the clearer it is, the better it will make a good impression. You can say that you want to stay in the U.S. for 1 to 2 years to gain experience, but then you will return to Vietnam to work.
7.3. Reply quickly and concisely with correct personal information
The main purpose of the visa interview is to verify the accuracy of your application and assess your true attitude and intention to study. Therefore, you need to know all the information provided in the visa application.
When asked, answer concisely – clearly – to the point. Accurate and consistent answers will help build trust and build a good image with the consular officer.
7.4. Psychological Preparation
Entering the interview with a relaxed mentality will help you avoid stress and demonstrate better communication skills. Before the interview day, you should take a break, do not try to "cram" more information to avoid pressure.
During the interview, keep a moderate amount of confidence, treat this as a natural conversation. Answer clearly and coherently; If appropriate, you can present it as a narrative to increase persuasion.
Usually, the interview takes place in English. However, if you encounter a difficult question, you can politely ask for permission to answer in Vietnamese and the consular officer can approve. ..
8. Notes for international students when coming to and studying in the US
When you arrive in the United States, you need to keep in mind some important regulations to maintain legal status and study favorably.
When you first enter the country
Do not enter the country earlier than 30 days before the start date of the program on I-20.
Present to your international advisor (DSO) at the school before or as soon as the program begins.
Make sure your passport, I-20, and visa are all valid upon entry.
Always fulfill the purpose stated on the visa and comply with the regulations for international students.
While studying in the U.S.
Maintain full-time academic status throughout each semester.
If you have learning difficulties, work with your DSO for support.
If you are unable to complete the program on time on the I-20, apply for an I-20 extension.
Do not voluntarily drop out of school without consulting the DSO.
Some important additional regulations
Report the change of address within 10 days to the school.
The job must be in accordance with regulations: working in the school ≤ 20 h/week, in addition to the need for CPT/OPT.
If leaving the U.S., a travel signature on the I-20 is required to return.
Keep your passport, I-20, and personal records carefully.
IDP accompanies you to apply for a US student visa
Reading this far, you must have understood the important steps in the procedure for applying for a US student visa. The next thing you should do is choose a reputable address to accompany you in the process of preparing your application.
With more than 56 years of experience, IDP Education Vietnam is proud to be a leader in the field of study abroad consultancy and US student visa support, as well as the co-owner of the IELTS test – helping you feel more confident on your journey to the US. You can join IDP's study abroad seminars to stay up to date with the latest information about studying in the US.
At IDP, a team of experienced experts has assisted thousands of Vietnamese students in applying for US student visas, extending US visas, and preparing study abroad documents effectively. Not only in the US, IDP also accompanies international students to many countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, and Ireland, helping to complete the application quickly and accurately.
To increase the pass rate of a US student visa, contact IDP or call the hotline 1900 6955 for assistance.