Study Abroad > USA

Visa Interview:

The visa officer is looking for a genuine student who intends to study in the US, has sufficient funds and a sound financial plan to pay for their studies, and intends to return to India upon completion.

Work Rights:

F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions, usually for no more than 20 hours per week. Various programmes allow F-1 students to seek off-campus employment after the first academic year. F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment after completing one academic year of study:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies.

For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorised before starting work by the Designated School Official (the person authorised to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) and USCIS.

Bringing Your Dependants:

The spouse and unmarried children (below the age of 21 years) can apply for dependant visas to accompany or join the student visa holder. Dependants do not have the right to work or study in the US.