Study in United States
The USA offers a vast array of academic programs at globally-renowned institutions. The primary student visa is the F-1, which requires applicants to demonstrate strong academic ties to their home country and sufficient financial capacity to cover tuition and living expenses without relying on unauthorized work. On-campus work is strictly limited to 20 hours/week during school sessions.
Application timeline
3-5 weeks (excluding interview wait time, which can be long).
Living cost
USD 1,200 - 2,500/month (varies greatly by city and lifestyle).
Hourly wage
$12 - $18 USD/hr (on-campus average, state minimum wage varies)
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for United States.
Takes < 2 minutes
Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
F-1 Student Visa
Non-immigrant, Academic
Validity
Duration of status (D/S) based on I-20
Processing time
Varies greatly (weeks to several months) + Interview wait time
Fee
$185 (MRV Fee) + $350 (SEVIS I-901 Fee)
Work rights
On-campus (max 20 hrs/week) or CPT/OPT (Curricular/Optional Practical Training)
Documents required
Form I-20, SEVIS Fee Receipt, DS-160 Confirmation, Passport, Photo, Proof of Funds, Academic Transcripts, Ties to Home Country.
Dependents
Yes, F-2 Visa · No
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, MA · #1 (varies)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
2 years · $84,000/yr
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · #2 (varies)
Master of Science in Computer Science
2 years · $62,000/yr
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
Berkeley, CA · #10 (varies)
Bachelors of Arts in Economics
4 years · $45,000/yr (Intl)
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Full tuition and maintenance allowance, round trip airfare.
Citizens of participating countries, must hold a Bachelor's degree, strong leadership potential, and commitment to returning home.
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel, and health insurance.
Experienced mid-career professionals in certain fields (e.g., public policy) from designated countries.
External/Private Scholarships (e.g., AAUW)
Varies ($2,000 - $30,000)
Varies greatly, often based on nationality, gender, field of study, or academic achievement.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
Fulbright Program
Varies (semester to 1 year)
Graduate students, young professionals, and artists in various fields. High academic merit required.
Other Bilateral Exchange Programs
1 semester or 1 year
Specific to the student's home university and US partner institution; usually requires a minimum GPA (e.g., 3.0/4.0).
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Demonstrate extremely strong 'ties to home country' to convince the officer of your intent to return; ensure all funding is clearly documented and immediately available; be articulate and confident in your visa interview.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
English
Currency
United States Dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-10:00 to UTC-05:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
On-Campus Dining/Library Assistant
$12 - $18/hr
Working in a university cafeteria, library, or bookstore. Limited to 20 hours per week during school sessions.
Tutor/Research Assistant (RA/TA)
$15 - $25/hr (or subsidized stipend)
Working as a Teaching or Research Assistant, often comes with a tuition waiver or stipend, usually tied to academic department.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Excellent, particularly post-study through Optional Practical Training (OPT) in STEM fields, which serves as a pathway to a skilled worker visa (H-1B).