USA · F1 Student · B1/B2 Tourist · Green Card

Everything for the USA, handled from Chandigarh.

F1 student visas with genuine I-20 documentation, B1/B2 tourist visas, and honest guidance on green card pathways — one team that prepares you properly for the US visa interview, not just the paperwork.

🗽

USA — 2026 Snapshot

Across every route we handle

F1 visa application (SEVIS I-901)US $350
US visa (MRV) application feeUS $185
B1/B2 tourist visa validityUp to 10 yrs
Post-study work optionOPT · STEM OPT

Figures per US Department of State & SEVP notices. Confirmed current as of this page's last review.

25+ yrsServing Chandigarh
5,000+Visas processed
3USA routes we handle
6+Universities we place students at
FreeInitial consultation

Whichever route into the USA you need, we've mapped it.

Three distinct routes, three different interview strategies. Pick the one that matches your plan.

Study in the USA, or just visit — the essentials.

Study in the USA

F1 Student Visa

SEVIS I-901 feeUS $350
MRV visa application feeUS $185
Post-study work (STEM fields)Up to 36 months OPT
Key document requiredForm I-20 from your DLI
Full F1 visa guide
Visit the USA

B1/B2 Visitor Visa

MRV application feeUS $185
Typical validity for IndiansUp to 10 yrs
Max stay per visitUsually 6 months
Interview requiredYes, at the US Consulate
Full tourist visa guide

USA green card — the honest picture

There's no single "USA green card visa" you can simply apply for from Chandigarh. It's a multi-year process that almost always starts with a study or work visa, and the right route depends heavily on your specific situation.

Route

Employment-based (EB categories)

Typically requires a US employer to sponsor you, most often after F1 → OPT → H-1B work visa → employer-sponsored green card petition.

Route

Family-based sponsorship

Available if you have an immediate relative who is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident willing to sponsor your green card application.

Route

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

An annual lottery programme for nationals of countries with low US immigration rates — India is not currently eligible in most years due to high immigrant volumes.

Note: Green card timelines and country-specific backlogs change frequently and vary significantly by category. We give you a realistic, honest assessment of your specific route during your free consultation rather than a generic timeline.

The road from F1 study to long-term work in the USA

Most of our USA clients' long-term plans run through one of these stages — we help you plan for each one from your very first consultation.

Stage 1

F1 Student Visa & I-20

Secure admission at a SEVP-certified DLI, obtain your Form I-20, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, and prepare thoroughly for your F1 visa interview.

Stage 2

OPT & STEM OPT

Optional Practical Training gives up to 12 months of work authorisation after graduation, extendable to 36 months total for eligible STEM degree holders.

Stage 3

H-1B work visa

An employer-sponsored, lottery-based work visa that is the most common bridge between OPT and longer-term status in the USA.

Stage 4

Employer-sponsored green card

For those who secure long-term US employment, an employer-sponsored green card petition is the typical next step — timelines vary widely by category and country of birth.

Popular US universities among our applicants

We're not affiliated with any single institution — we guide applications to SEVP-certified DLIs across the country.

Northeastern University

Massachusetts · Co-op programs

University at Buffalo (SUNY)

New York · Research university

Illinois Institute of Technology

Illinois · Engineering & tech

University of Cincinnati

Ohio · Co-op & STEM OPT

Why the USA remains a top choice for Indian students and families

3Realistic visa routes we guide you through
36 moMax STEM OPT work authorisation post-study
10 yrsTypical B1/B2 tourist visa validity for Indians
10+Years our team has prepared clients for US visa interviews

Common questions about USA visas

How much does a US visa cost from India? +

The standard MRV non-immigrant visa application fee (covering B1/B2 tourist and F1 student visas) is US $185. F1 applicants also pay a separate SEVIS I-901 fee of US $350 before their visa interview.

What's the difference between an F1 visa and a B1/B2 visa? +

An F1 visa is for full-time academic study at a SEVP-certified institution and requires a Form I-20. A B1/B2 visa is for short-term business or tourism visits and does not permit study or long-term stays.

What are the main pathways after an F1 student visa? +

Most students move from F1 study into OPT (up to 12 months, extendable to 36 for eligible STEM degrees), then look toward an employer-sponsored H-1B work visa if they secure US employment.

Do you handle USA immigration consulting beyond visas? +

Yes. Beyond F1 and B1/B2 visas, we give honest guidance on green card pathways — employment-based, family-based, and Diversity Visa routes — and help you understand realistic timelines for your situation.

How do you help prepare for the US visa interview? +

We run mock interview sessions, review your I-20 and financial documentation for consistency, and coach you on demonstrating genuine intent and strong ties to India — the areas that most often lead to refusals.

FREE USA ELIGIBILITY CHECK

Not sure which USA visa route fits you?

Tell us your plan — study, tourism, or long-term work — and we'll give you an honest assessment of your options, timelines, and documentation gaps before you spend a single rupee.

📍
SCO 99–100, Sector 17B, Chandigarh

Get your free USA visa assessment

No charge. No obligation. Just honest advice.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by Hike Visa Consultants regarding your enquiry.