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C.A. · Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1803385)

Kompass Global Advisory — Immigration · Global Mobility · International Advisory
Study abroad → PR · United States

Study in the United States, with a plan to stay.

The widest choice of programmes and research funding, with OPT and STEM OPT giving up to three years of post-study work in eligible fields. US rules are also changing fast, so we check the latest position on fees, OPT and H-1B before you commit.

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Smiling student holding a laptop with a backpack over one shoulder
✅Offer received
🎓Scholarships checked
🛂Visa approved
🏁Route to PROPT → STEM OPT

Your route from study to permanent residence.

  1. 01F-1

    F-1 student visa

    I-20 from your university; US$185 visa fee and US$350 SEVIS fee.

  2. 02OPT

    OPT

    Twelve months of work in your field; a proposed fee is under consultation.

  3. 03STEM OPT

    STEM OPT

    An extra 24 months for eligible STEM degrees, with an E-Verify employer.

  4. 04H-1B

    H-1B and green card

    Wage-weighted lottery, then employer-sponsored permanent residence.

US rules are changing, so we plan on today's rules and recheck before you commit.

Rules change often. We confirm the current requirements for your case at assessment.

The essentials for the United States.

Tuition
Set by each university; our planning range is US$25,000–US$60,000 a year (about ₹24–58 lakh), with funding changing the real cost
Funds to show
The full first-year cost on your university's I-20, which includes tuition and living costs
Post-study work
OPT 12 months, plus 24 months more with a STEM-designated degree; rules are under review
Intakes
Fall (August–September) and Spring (January); some universities also start in summer
  • Your university issues an I-20 after admission and a review of your funding documents

    The I-20 lists your programme, dates and estimated first-year cost, and you need it for the SEVIS fee and the visa interview. The funds you show must cover that first-year figure and be documented as genuine, with the source of the money explained.

  • The F-1 visa costs US$185 and the SEVIS fee US$350, about US$535 (₹51,400) together

    The application fee is US$185 (non-refundable) and the SEVIS I-901 fee is US$350, paid to DHS before the interview, at ₹96 to the dollar. A separate US$250 visa integrity fee was created by law in 2025, but a consultancy reports that Indian consulates were not collecting it from F-1 students as of October 2026, so we confirm the position when you book.

  • Work up to 20 hours a week on campus in term, with off-campus work limited to CPT and OPT

    F-1 students can generally work on campus up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session, and full-time in official breaks. Off-campus work needs authorisation such as Curricular Practical Training or OPT. In August 2026 SEVP issued guidance taking a narrower view of when CPT applies, so we check how your university applies it.

  • OPT gives 12 months of work, and a STEM degree can add 24 more

    Post-completion OPT lets you work in your field for 12 months. Graduates of STEM-designated degrees can apply for a 24-month extension through an E-Verify employer, for up to three years in total. You may spend up to 90 days unemployed on the first 12 months, with 60 more days allowed in the STEM period.

  • OPT fees and other rules are changing, and we check the latest position before you commit

    On 8 October 2026 DHS proposed that SEVP-certified schools pay US$70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and US$30,000 for later ones, which schools could pass on to students. It is a proposal only, with a 60-day comment period, and a final rule would be expected to face legal challenges. A final rule replacing duration of status with fixed admission periods was also postponed by a court in September 2026.

Institutions students often apply to.

A starting point, not a shortlist. Your shortlist is built from your academics, budget and PR goal.

  • Harvard University
  • MIT
  • Stanford University
  • Columbia University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Georgia Tech
  • UC Berkeley
  • UCLA
  • University of Michigan
  • UT Austin

Visas we handle for the United States.

Swipe to see each visa, tap a card for details.

Before you fly and after you land.

Everything around the offer letter for the United States, arranged through vetted providers.

  • Accommodation
  • University health insurance
  • Education loans
  • IELTS / PTE / TOEFL / Duolingo
  • Forex & bank account
  • SIM card
  • Airport pickup
  • Scholarships
Request these services

Free cost calculator

What will the United States cost you each month?

Rent, food and tuition by city, in rupees, checked against the visa funds rule.

Work out my budget

How we help you into the United States.

Your timeline for the United States, counted back from the intake — so you always know what happens next.

  1. 12 months before

    Programme & funding mapping

    Courses matched to STEM designation, assistantships and scholarships, with the OPT outlook checked.

  2. 9–10 months

    Applications & offers

    Applications to 6–8 universities across tiers, with test scores and essays prepared.

  3. 5–6 months

    I-20 & funding documents

    Funding evidence reviewed so your university can issue the I-20.

  4. 3–4 months

    SEVIS fee & visa interview

    SEVIS fee paid, DS-160 completed and an appointment booked, with interview preparation.

  5. 1 month

    Pre-departure

    Accommodation, forex, SIM, health plan and airport pickup.

  6. First semester

    Land & plan OPT

    Your international office, on-campus work rules and an OPT and internship timeline.

Planning to study in the United States?

Send your details and we will come back with a realistic shortlist, a full first-year cost and the likely route to PR.

The more context you give, the more useful the first conversation will be.

United States questions

How much does it cost to study in the USA from India?
Tuition is set by each university. As our planning range, most international students pay roughly US$25,000–US$60,000 a year (about ₹24–58 lakh at ₹96 to the dollar), with private universities at the top. Living costs run roughly US$1,500–US$3,000 a month depending on the city (about ₹1.4–2.9 lakh), plus health insurance. Assistantships and scholarships, especially for STEM master's and PhD programmes, can change the real cost a lot, so we confirm figures for each university on your shortlist.
How much money do I need to show for a US student visa?
The full first-year cost listed on your university's I-20, which includes tuition, living costs and fees. There is no fixed national amount: each university sets its own estimate. What matters is that the funds are documented, the source is genuine, and you can show how the later years will be paid for.
What does the US student visa cost, and what is the interview like?
The visa application fee is US$185 (about ₹17,800) and the SEVIS fee is US$350 (about ₹33,600), so US$535 in total (about ₹51,400). A separate US$250 visa integrity fee was created by law in 2025, but a consultancy reports that Indian consulates were not collecting it from F-1 students as of October 2026, so we confirm it when you book. Most applicants now attend an in-person interview, and clear, honest answers about your course, funding and plans matter.
When are the US intakes, and when should I apply?
Fall (August–September) is the main intake and Spring (January) is also open at many universities, with some summer starts. Start 12 months ahead for fall: test scores, applications, the I-20 and the visa appointment all take time, and appointment availability varies through the year.
How many hours can I work as an F-1 student in the USA?
Up to 20 hours a week on campus while classes are in session, and full-time during official breaks. Off-campus work needs authorisation such as Curricular Practical Training or OPT, and working without it can end your student status. SEVP issued guidance in August 2026 taking a narrower view of CPT, so we check how your university applies it.
How long is OPT, and what is STEM OPT?
Post-completion OPT gives 12 months of work in your field, with up to 90 days of unemployment allowed. Graduates of STEM-designated degrees can apply for a further 24 months through an E-Verify employer with a training plan, for up to three years in total. On 8 October 2026 DHS proposed big new fees on OPT recommendations (US$70,000 for the first, US$30,000 for later ones). It is only a proposal and not in force, so we confirm the position before you commit.
Can I get a US work visa or green card after studying?
Most graduates move from OPT to an H-1B, which is selected by a lottery weighted by wage level from the FY 2027 season, with an extra chance for those with a US master's degree. A US$100,000 fee under a 2025 proclamation did not cover most in-US changes of status, and a court vacated it in June 2026, but the policy was extended in September 2026 and DHS has proposed a separate US$103,265 fee. The green card is typically employer-sponsored, and Indian-born applicants face long waits because of per-country limits.
How safe is it to plan around the current US rules?
US rules on fees, OPT, duration of status and the H-1B have changed several times in the past year, and some have been blocked or postponed in court. We plan on today's rules, show you the downside if they tighten, and recheck at every step. Courses with strong funding, a STEM designation and a plan B country keep your risk lower.

Let's map your global pathway

A first consultation covers eligibility, realistic timelines, total cost and the tax consequences of the move. You leave with a written plan, not a brochure.

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