The first step is to apply (and eventually gain admission) to a US school. the schools you apply to must be approved by SEVP. To find an SEVP-approved school or to confirm that the schools you've chosen are in fact certified by SEVP, use the SEVP school search tool.

J-1 students will most likely apply for exchange programs through their home institutions. You may also look for designated sponsor organizations online at the official J-1 visa website.

Once admitted to a school, you'll receive one of two forms :

• F-1 and M-1 students will receive Form I-20
• J-1 students will receive Form DS-2019

• 350 USD for F-1/M-1 students
• 220 USD for J-1 students
• 35 USD for short-term J-1 visa programs

Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, also known as Form DS-160. To successfully fill out this form, be sure you have the following items on hand :

• Your passport
• A visa photograph (to upload)
• Form I-20 or DS-2019 (remember, which form you receive depends on whether you are an F-1/M-1 or J-1 student)
• A travel itinerary (if you’ve already made travel plans to the US)
• The dates of your last five visits to the US (if applicable) and/or evidence of your international travel history within the past five years
• A resume or CV
• Additional information depending on your purpose for travel

On this application, you will also select the US embassy at which you intend to interview for your visa.

After you've submitted Form DS-160, contact your nearest US embassy or consulate (ideally, the one you input on your online application) to schedule your visa interview. Wait times for interviews vary depending on the embassy. Go to the US visas website to see the wait times for your embassy.

Pay the 160 USD application fee. This fee is the same price regardless of your country of origin and where you apply.

The last big step in the visa process is the interview. This interview will be the deciding factor as to whether you will receive a US student visa or not.

Before attending your interview, gather the following items and information :

• Your passport
• One copy of your visa photograph (this may be required by certain embassies, particularly if you were unable to upload your visa photograph to your online visa application)
• Your printed DS-160 confirmation page
• Your printed I-901 SEVIS fee confirmation page
• Your visa application fee payment receipt (this is only required if you paid the application fee before your interview)
• Form I-20 for F-1/M-1 students, or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students (make sure to bring the original form — not a copy!)
• Official transcripts from colleges/universities you’ve attended
• Diplomas/degrees from high schools/colleges/universities you've attended
• Standardized test scores (if required by your US school)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of your intent to depart the US at the end of your program

During the interview, you will be asked a range of questions in English. These questions will mostly focus on why you want to study at the school you've selected and what you intend to do after the program finishes. It is important to clearly state that you do not intend to remain in the US once you complete your program. Websites such as International Student and Happy Schools offer extensive lists of sample questions you may be asked during your interview.

If your interview is successful, your embassy will then inform you when and how it will return your passport (with your new visa) to you. (To get your visa, you must leave your passport with your embassy.)