About USA
The United States has more than 4,000 colleges and universities, including most of the world's top-ranked ones. It is the largest destination for Indian students. Main intakes are Fall (August–September) and Spring (January), with a smaller Summer intake. The currency is the US dollar (USD).
Why study in USA
- World-leading universities and research funding
- Flexible degrees: change your major and choose electives
- Up to 3 years of work after a STEM degree (OPT + STEM OPT)
- Highest graduate salaries of any study destination
- Assistantships and scholarships, especially for Master's and PhD students
Popular fields of study
Computer science, data science and AI, engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil), MBA and business analytics, finance, and life sciences and biotech research.
Student visa, step by step
Student visa: F-1.
- Get admitted by a SEVP-certified university and receive your Form I-20.
- Show funds for the first year (tuition + living), as listed on the I-20.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($350).
- Fill in the DS-160 form and pay the visa fee ($185).
- Book and attend your biometrics (OFC) and consulate interview in India.
- At the interview, explain your study plan, funding and ties to India.
After you get your visa
- You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date.
- Report to your university's international office and keep your SEVIS record active.
- On-campus work: up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time in breaks.
- Off-campus work is allowed only through CPT (internships linked to your course) or OPT.
Work and staying on
- Working while you study
- On-campus work: up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time in breaks. Off-campus work is allowed only through CPT (internships linked to your course) or OPT.
- After you graduate
- 1 year OPT; up to 3 years for STEM OPT: up to 12 months of work in your field after graduation. STEM OPT extension: a further 24 months for STEM graduates, so up to 3 years in total. The OPT application (Form I-765) costs $470 online. OPT rules are under review. In October 2026 DHS proposed new fees on OPT, so check before you plan.
- Settling long term
- H-1B work visa: your employer registers you in the annual lottery. A new $100,000 fee applies to some H-1B petitions for workers outside the US, but not usually to a change of status from OPT inside the US. O-1 visa: for people with extraordinary ability. Green card (permanent residence): usually employer-sponsored (EB-2/EB-3). Waits for Indian nationals can be very long.
Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.
Visa expenses
| SEVIS I-901 fee | $350 |
| Visa application (MRV) fee | $185 |
| Visa Integrity Fee | $250 (in law, but not being collected from F-1 students in India as of Oct 2026) |
| OPT application | $470 (online) |
Average salary
New graduates in computer science and engineering earn about $80,000 a year on average. Across all fields, starting salaries are often $55,000–$75,000 (approximate).
Good to know
- Health insurance is usually compulsory through your university.
- US immigration policy is changing fast in 2025–26. Always check the latest rules.
General information for Indian students, not immigration advice. Fees, funds and post-study rules change often; figures marked approximate are estimates. Check the official sources before you apply: