Study in the United States from India

Studying in the US from India: 8 things to know

Since 15 Sep 2026, F-1 students are admitted only for the programme length on the I-20, capped at 4 years, with 30 days to leave. After graduating you get 12 months of OPT, plus 24 months for STEM-list degrees.

1. New since 15 Sep 2026: no more "duration of status". F-1 students are admitted for the programme length on the I-20, capped at 4 years, plus 30 days to arrive and 30 days to leave (was 60). More time (extension, OPT, STEM OPT, PhD past 4 years) needs a USCIS extension of stay (I-539, $470) or leaving and re-entering.
2. Master's/PhD students cannot transfer university or change major during the programme (rare SEVP exceptions only). After a degree, no second degree at the same or a lower level on F-1.
3. 3-year Indian bachelor's: university by university. Illinois accepts 3- and 4-year degrees; UT Dallas reviews 3-year degrees case by case; University of Washington wants four years; UCLA wants a master's from Indian applicants (first-class bachelor's considered only in engineering/architecture).
4. Visa costs: visa fee $185 (about ₹18,130 at ₹98/$) + SEVIS fee $350. Indian F-1 visas: no issuance fee, multiple entry, up to 60 months.
5. Interview required; social media must be "public" for F-1 and F-2. Apply in India (country of residence).
6. Work: on campus 20 h/week in term, full-time in breaks; off campus only via CPT/OPT. F-2 spouse cannot work.
7. After graduating: OPT 12 months + 24-month STEM OPT (degree's CIP code on the DHS STEM list). H-1B lottery, weighted by wage level since FY 2027.
8. Proposed, not law: OPT fee $70,000 + $30,000 per student, paid by the university (proposal 8 Oct 2026); $103,265 fee on cap-subject H-1B petitions (proposal Aug 2026). The $100,000 H-1B payment does not apply to an F-1 changing status inside the US, and a court has blocked its collection since June 2026.

How do US universities and master’s degrees work?

A US master’s typically takes 2 years, and each department admits, usually with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0. Check that the school is both SEVP-certified (can issue an I-20) and accredited; they are not the same.

• Types: public (state) universities, private universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges (2-year). About 4,000 accredited institutions; no central admission and no official ranking.
• Check two things: the school is SEVP-certified (can issue an I-20) and accredited (degree recognition). They are not the same.
• Degrees: master's typically 2 years, PhD 5–8 years; credit-based. Each department admits; usual minimum GPA 3.0/4.0.
• Intakes: Fall (main, Aug/Sep), Spring (Jan), some Summer. Many PhDs admit Fall only.
• States differ: public universities charge international students non-resident fees; cost of living and minimum wage vary by state (federal minimum $7.25/h).

Can I apply with an Indian degree, and is a 3-year bachelor’s accepted?

It depends on the university: Illinois accepts 3-year degrees, UT Dallas reviews them case by case, and the University of Washington wants four years. A 3-year degree plus an Indian master’s meets even strict rules.

• Bachelor's after Class XII: completed 12 years of school is generally enough; each university sets its own rules. Community college is a lower-cost route to a 4-year degree.
• Master's/PhD: degree must be from an institution recognised in India. Acceptance of a 3-year degree varies (see Key fact 3); a 3-year degree + Indian master's meets even strict rules.
• Grades: no national formula; universities read Indian marks themselves ("comparable GPA", "first or high second class"). WES only if the university asks (Stanford requires it after acceptance; UT Dallas doesn't accept evaluations).
• English: TOEFL moved to a new 1–6 scale on 21 Jan 2026; universities list old and new minimums (e.g. Berkeley 5 / 90; ASU and UT Dallas 4 / 80). IELTS usually 6.5–7.5. Duolingo accepted at some (Illinois, ASU, UT Dallas), not at Berkeley. Some waive the test for English-medium degrees (UT Dallas); Berkeley does not exempt Indian degrees.
• GRE/GMAT: only where the programme asks. ASU does not accept the GRE at home.

How do I apply to a US university?

You apply directly on each university’s portal, for about $75–155 per application. After you accept an offer, you send financial documents for the I-20.

• Apply directly on each university's portal. Fees about $75–155 per application (Berkeley $155 + 4.22%, UT Dallas $75).
• Usual documents: transcripts and degree certificate for every institution, SOP (and sometimes a personal-history statement), letters of recommendation, CV, test scores, sometimes a writing sample or portfolio.
• Final-year applicants can be admitted conditionally pending the degree (e.g. Illinois); some offer limited/provisional admission for lower English scores.
• After accepting, send financial documents for the I-20. Use only the I-20 of the school you will attend.

How much does it cost, and how much money must I show?

There is no US federal aid for international students. For the I-20 you must show at least the first year of tuition, fees and living costs; PhD assistantships with a tuition waiver and stipend are very common.

• No US federal aid for international students; university scholarships are limited and often partial.
• PhD funding: teaching/research assistantships with tuition waiver and stipend are very common; contact professors. Rarer for master's.
• Proof of funds for the I-20: at least the first year of tuition, fees and living costs (ASU: 9 months). Accepted: bank statements/letters, sponsor documents, scholarships; at some universities sanctioned education-loan letters (with terms) and PF statements. Not accepted: screenshots, insurance policies.
• Living costs depend on the city (Berkeley budgets $28,000+ a year for living; the South and Midwest are cheaper). Expect tuition rises of 6–10% a year.
• Health insurance is usually compulsory and billed by the university (ASU: $1,344 for Fall 2026, $2,065 for Spring 2027).
• Taxes: F-1 non-residents are generally exempt from Social Security and Medicare tax on authorised work.

How do I get a US student visa from India?

After the I-20, you pay the SEVIS fee ($350) and the visa fee ($185), fill the DS-160 and attend an interview in India with your social media set to public. A 214(b) refusal has no appeal.

• F-1 (academic). Steps: I-20 → SEVIS $350 → DS-160 → visa fee $185 (₹, NEFT/UPI/card) → VAC biometrics (book at least 2 working days before) → interview at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad or Kolkata.
• Social media set to public; DS-160 must match everything else. No interview waiver for F-1 in India.
• Bring: passport (6 months beyond stay), signed I-20, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 page, fee receipt, photo, appointment letter; be ready to show transcripts, test scores, funds for all costs and ties to India (214(b) presumption of immigrant intent).
• Visa up to 365 days before the I-20 start; enter no earlier than 30 days before. Processing usually 7–10 working days; 221(g) means documents or administrative processing pending.
• 214(b) refusal: no appeal — reapply with new fee and changed evidence. Fake documents can mean a permanent refusal. No agent is needed; official information is free.
• Online/part-time study does not qualify: full course, max 1 class or 3 credits online per term. A B (tourist) visa cannot be used to study for credit; switching needs USCIS approval before classes start.
• Dependants (F-2): spouse and children under 21, own I-20 each; cannot work, no SSN, can study part-time. Parents only on visitor visas.

When should I start preparing?

Start about 18 months before a Fall intake: shortlist from March to August, take tests from August to November, and submit from November to January.

Can I work while studying, and what happens on arrival?

You can work on campus up to 20 hours a week in term and full-time in breaks; off campus only through CPT or OPT. In your first 2 weeks, report to the international office (DSO) and register full-time.

• Housing: apply for university housing as soon as admitted; on-campus places fill quickly. Off-campus leases follow state law.
• Maintain status: full course every term, attend classes, talk to the DSO before dropping a class or changing anything. Reduced load only for illness, early academic difficulty or the last term.
• Watch the admit-until date on the I-94: file an extension of stay ~180 days before it; filing in the final 30 days means you must stop working.
• Work: on campus 20 h/week in term (full-time in breaks). CPT = internship that is part of the curriculum, authorised by the DSO (12+ months full-time CPT kills OPT). Unauthorised work = SEVIS termination and departure.
• Travel: DSO travel signature on the I-20 within the last year (ask 2–4 weeks ahead); absences over 5 months can end status. Each re-entry gives a new admission period.
• SSN only with work authorisation; ITIN for scholarship/other income. Scam calls "from DHS" asking for money are fake.

Can I stay and work in the US after graduating?

Yes: OPT gives 12 months of work related to your major, plus 24 months for STEM-list degrees. After that, an H-1B is chosen by a lottery weighted by wage level.

• OPT: 12 months, job related to the major; apply from 90 days before to 60 days after the programme end; max 90 days unemployed.
• STEM OPT: +24 months for STEM-list degrees; employer on E-Verify, Form I-983 training plan; max 150 days unemployed in total.
• Departure period: 30 days after the programme or OPT ends.
• H-1B: 65,000 + 20,000 for US master's; employer registers in March, start 1 Oct; cap-gap keeps OPT status until 1 April or approval. Weighted lottery favours higher wage levels.
• Green card: long backlogs for Indians (EB-2 India ran out for FY 2026 in May 2026).
• Back in India: AIU equivalence for degrees from accredited universities.

Common mistakes Indian students make

The costliest mistakes: choosing a programme that won’t accept a 3-year degree, the wrong English test, and weak funds evidence (screenshots, unsanctioned loans) that delays the I-20.

1. Choosing a programme that won't accept a 3-year degree.
2. Wrong English test (Duolingo where not accepted) or old-scale TOEFL minimums.
3. Weak funds evidence (screenshots, unsanctioned loans) delaying the I-20.
4. Booking the visa late, or applying outside India.
5. Private or inconsistent social media; coached answers; agent-made documents.
6. SEVP-certified but unaccredited schools, "day-one CPT" promises.
7. Assuming you can transfer or change major later (barred for graduate students).
8. Missing the I-94 admit-until date or the new 30-day departure window.
9. Working off campus or over 20 h/week without authorisation.
10. Planning on OPT/H-1B as fixed: two big fee proposals are open.