Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead | Updated On - May 2, 2026
National College Decision Day is May 1 — the date by which admitted students in the US must confirm enrollment and pay a deposit to hold their seat for Fall 2026. If you paid your deposit yesterday or today, the decision is done. What comes next is where most Indian students lose critical time.
The 90 days between May 2 and your August arrival are the most action-dense of your entire study abroad journey. Your I-20, your F-1 visa, your SEVIS registration, your education loan disbursement, your accommodation booking and your pre-departure paperwork all happen in this window. Miss the sequence and you risk missing your program start date entirely.
This guide covers exactly what Indian students must do after paying the deposit — week by week, step by step, with every fee in rupees and every deadline mapped to the Fall 2026 calendar.
Quick answer: After paying the deposit, your immediate priority is requesting your I-20 from the university's international student office. Everything else — SEVIS fee, DS-160, visa appointment, education loan disbursement — follows the I-20. Do not wait for the I-20 to arrive before starting the DS-160. Begin it the same day you request the I-20.
Exchange rate used in this article: 1 USD = Rs. 94.88
Read More: Should Indian Fall 2026 US Admits Pay the Deposit or Defer? Full Decision Guide
What Happens Immediately After You Pay the US College Deposit?
Paying the deposit triggers three things simultaneously: your seat is confirmed, your I-20 request window opens and your visa clock starts. Most Indian students treat the deposit as the finish line. It is actually the starting gun.
The deposit amount varies by university. Most US universities charge between $500 and $1,000 (Rs. 47,440 to Rs. 94,880 at the market rate of Rs. 94.88/dollar). The deposit is non-refundable in almost all cases. It does not go toward tuition — it is a seat-holding fee. Once paid, the university's admitted student portal will typically show a confirmation and prompt you to complete enrollment steps including the I-20 request form.
| Action | Triggered By | Timing | What It Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat confirmation | Deposit payment | Immediate | Your place in Fall 2026 cohort is secured |
| I-20 request form | Deposit payment | Same day | University begins processing your I-20 |
| I-20 issuance | I-20 request + financial docs | 5 to 15 business days after request | SEVIS fee payment and DS-160 can begin |
| SEVIS I-901 fee payment | I-20 received | Same day as I-20 receipt | Visa appointment booking unlocked |
| DS-160 submission | I-20 received (SEVIS number needed) | Same day as I-20 receipt | MRV fee payment and appointment booking |
| F-1 visa appointment | DS-160 + MRV fee paid | Book within 48 hours of I-20 receipt | Interview date secured |
| Education loan disbursement | I-20 received | Submit disbursement request within 1 week of I-20 | Tuition fee payment to university |
The single most important insight in this table: the I-20 is the master key. Every subsequent step — SEVIS, DS-160, visa appointment, loan disbursement — requires the I-20 first. Requesting it the same day you pay the deposit is not optional. Every day of delay pushes your visa interview date further into July, which for STEM students means a real risk of missing the August program start.
Read More: I-20 Form Guide for Indian Students: What It Is and How to Get ItThe 90-Day Post-Deposit Timeline for Indian Students (May to August 2026)
Every week between May 2 and your August arrival has a specific set of actions. Missing any week's tasks delays the next week's tasks. The timeline below is built for Indian students targeting an August 2026 program start.
The critical constraint for Indian students in 2026 is the F-1 visa queue. New Delhi and Chennai currently have 1-month wait times. Mumbai and Hyderabad are at 2.5 months. Kolkata is at 3.5 months. For STEM students, add 60 days of administrative processing on top of the interview date. This means the I-20 request on Day 1 is not a formality — it is the action that determines whether you make your August start.
| Week | Dates (Approx.) | Action | Details | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | May 2 to 9 | Request I-20 from university ISO | Log into admitted student portal. Complete the I-20 request form. Submit financial documents (bank statements, loan sanction letter, or sponsor letter). Do this today. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 1 | May 2 to 9 | Begin DS-160 at ceac.state.gov | Start filling the DS-160 now. You can save and return. You need the SEVIS ID from the I-20 to complete it — but starting early means you are ready to submit the moment the I-20 arrives. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 1 | May 2 to 9 | Withdraw from other schools | Email admissions offices of all other universities where you were admitted. Formal withdrawal is mandatory. See the withdrawal section below. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 1 | May 2 to 9 | Trigger education loan disbursement | Submit disbursement request to your bank (SBI, HDFC Credila, Avanse, etc.) with the deposit confirmation. I-20 will be required for the first tuition disbursement — submit it the day it arrives. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 2 | May 10 to 16 | I-20 arrives (expected) | Most universities issue I-20s within 5 to 15 business days of a complete request. Check your email and admitted student portal daily. If delayed beyond 15 business days, contact the ISO directly. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 2 | Same day as I-20 receipt | Pay SEVIS I-901 fee at fmjfee.com | Pay immediately on receiving the I-20. You need the SEVIS ID number from the I-20. Print the payment confirmation — you need it at the visa interview. | $350 | Rs. 33,208 |
| Week 2 | Same day as I-20 receipt | Complete and submit DS-160 | Add your SEVIS ID to the DS-160 you started in Week 1. Submit and print the confirmation page. This is mandatory for booking the visa appointment. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 2 | Same day as I-20 receipt | Pay MRV fee and book visa appointment | Pay the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee at ustraveldocs.com. Then book your F-1 visa appointment. Book at New Delhi or Chennai first — they have the shortest queues. You are legally permitted to book at any Indian consulate regardless of your home city. | $185 | Rs. 17,760 (at Rs. 96 consular rate) |
| Week 3 | May 17 to 23 | Submit expedited appointment request | After booking a regular appointment, submit an expedited request at ustraveldocs.com citing your program start date. Expedited requests require a regular appointment to already be booked. Approval is not guaranteed but is worth attempting. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 3 | May 17 to 23 | Submit I-20 to bank for loan disbursement | Banks require the I-20 to disburse the first semester tuition fee directly to the university. Submit it immediately. SBI and government banks take 2 to 3 weeks for disbursement. HDFC Credila and NBFCs take 3 to 7 days. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 3 to 4 | May 17 to 30 | Book accommodation | Apply for on-campus housing through the university housing portal. Most universities open housing applications for international students in May. Off-campus options: Zillow, Apartments.com, Facebook Groups for your university. Confirm your move-in date aligns with your I-20 start date (you can enter the US up to 30 days before the program start date). | Varies | Varies |
| Week 5 to 6 | June 1 to 14 | F-1 visa interview (New Delhi / Chennai) | If you booked at New Delhi or Chennai in Week 2, your interview will likely fall in late May to early June. Bring: passport, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS fee receipt, I-20 (original, signed), financial documents, admission letter, academic transcripts. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 7 to 8 | June 15 to 30 | Visa in hand (non-STEM) or AP hold begins (STEM) | Non-STEM students typically receive the visa within 2 to 4 weeks of the interview. STEM students (CS, AI, Engineering, Biotech) may face a 221(g) administrative processing hold of 60 to 180 days. If AP hold is triggered, track status at ceac.state.gov. Do not cancel accommodation or other bookings during AP hold. | Nil | Nil |
| Week 10 to 12 | July 15 to August 1 | Pre-departure preparation | Book flights (enter US up to 30 days before program start). Load forex card. Arrange health insurance enrollment. Complete university orientation registration. Pack documents. See pre-departure checklist section below. | Varies | Varies |
| Week 13+ | August 2026 | Arrive in the US | Carry I-20 in hand luggage (not checked baggage). Present to CBP officer at port of entry. Activate SEVIS status by reporting to the university ISO within the first week. | Nil | Nil |
The table above assumes you book your visa appointment at New Delhi or Chennai within 48 hours of receiving your I-20. Students who delay the appointment booking by even one week risk pushing their interview into July — which for STEM students with a 60-day AP hold means a September visa at the earliest, missing the August start entirely.
Read More: US Student Visa Queues in India: Current Wait Times at All 5 Consulates (Updated)How to Request Your I-20: Step-by-Step for Indian Students
The I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status issued by your university's Designated School Official (DSO). Without it, you cannot pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 or book a visa appointment.
Most universities require you to submit a separate I-20 request form through the admitted student portal after paying the deposit. This is different from the admission acceptance form. Look for it under "International Student" or "Visa Documents" in your portal. You will need to submit financial documentation proving you can fund your studies — typically a bank statement, education loan sanction letter or sponsor letter showing funds equivalent to the first year's cost of attendance.
| I-20 Request Step | What to Do | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Log into admitted student portal | Find the "I-20 Request" or "International Student Documents" section | Assuming the deposit confirmation automatically triggers the I-20 — it does not at most universities |
| Step 2: Complete the I-20 request form | Enter your personal details, program details and intended entry date | Entering an entry date that is too early — you can enter the US only up to 30 days before the program start date on the I-20 |
| Step 3: Upload financial documents | Bank statement (last 3 months), education loan sanction letter or sponsor affidavit showing funds for Year 1 | Submitting a loan sanction letter without the bank statement — most universities require both |
| Step 4: Wait for DSO processing | 5 to 15 business days. Check your email and portal daily. | Not following up after 10 business days — contact the ISO proactively if no update |
| Step 5: Receive and sign the I-20 | Print the I-20. Sign it in the student signature field. Keep the original safe — you need it at the visa interview and at the US port of entry. | Signing in the wrong field or not signing at all — an unsigned I-20 is invalid |
According to the US Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States portal, F-1 and M-1 student visas can be issued up to 365 days in advance of your course start date. This means you can apply for the visa as soon as you have the I-20 — you do not need to wait until closer to your start date. For Fall 2026 Indian students, applying as early as possible is strongly recommended given current queue lengths.
SEVIS Fee, DS-160 and F-1 Visa: The Exact Sequence
Three steps must happen in a specific order after you receive the I-20. Getting the sequence wrong delays your visa appointment by days or weeks.
Many Indian students make the mistake of booking the visa appointment before paying the SEVIS fee or submitting the DS-160. The correct sequence is: I-20 received, then SEVIS fee paid, then DS-160 submitted, then MRV fee paid, then appointment booked. All four steps can be completed within a single day of receiving the I-20 if you have already started the DS-160 in advance.
| Step | Action | Where | Fee (USD) | Fee (INR) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pay SEVIS I-901 fee | fmjfee.com | $350 | Rs. 33,208 | SEVIS fee receipt (mandatory for visa interview) |
| 2 | Complete and submit DS-160 | ceac.state.gov | Nil | Nil | DS-160 confirmation page with barcode (mandatory for appointment) |
| 3 | Pay MRV (visa application) fee | ustraveldocs.com | $185 | Rs. 17,760 (at Rs. 96 consular rate) | MRV fee receipt (mandatory for appointment booking) |
| 4 | Book F-1 visa appointment | ustraveldocs.com | Nil | Nil | Interview date and consulate location confirmed |
| 5 | Attend visa interview | US Consulate (New Delhi / Chennai recommended) | Nil | Nil | Visa approved or AP hold triggered |
Total mandatory visa-related fees for Indian students: $535 (Rs. 50,968 at market rate). This does not include travel to the consulate city, accommodation if you are travelling from another city or courier charges for passport return. Budget an additional Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000 for these costs depending on your location.
One critical 2026-specific note: since June 2025, US consular officers review up to five years of social media activity on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and GitHub for all F-1 applicants. All profiles must be set to public before your interview date. For STEM students, audit your GitHub repositories for any dual-use technology research that could trigger a 221(g) administrative processing hold. Do this before your interview — not after.
Read More: US Student Visa Process: Complete Step-by-Step Roadmap for Indian StudentsEducation Loan Disbursement After the Deposit: What Indian Students Must Know
Your education loan does not disburse automatically after the deposit. You must actively trigger the disbursement process — and the I-20 is the key document that unlocks the first tuition payment.
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood steps among Indian students. Many assume the bank will disburse funds once the loan is sanctioned. In reality, disbursement requires a formal request from the student, and for US universities, the first tuition disbursement requires the I-20 as proof of enrollment. The sequence below applies to the most common lenders used by Indian students for US education loans.
| Lender Type | Examples | Disbursement Trigger | Processing Time After Request | How Tuition Is Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government banks | SBI, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank | I-20 + disbursement request letter + university fee demand letter | 2 to 3 weeks | Directly to university account or via Flywire/Globalpay (third-party payment platform) |
| Private banks | ICICI, Axis, IDFC | I-20 + signed loan agreement + disbursement request | 7 to 10 business days | Directly to university or via third-party payment platform |
| NBFCs | HDFC Credila, Avanse, Auxilo, InCred | I-20 + email disbursement request to assigned loan officer | 3 to 7 days | Directly to university or via Flywire/Globalpay |
Two important points for Indian students with SBI loans: First, SBI requires you to visit the Retail Assets Central Processing Cell (RACPC) in person to complete the disbursement request — you cannot do this by email alone. Second, many SBI branch officials are unfamiliar with third-party payment platforms like Flywire that US universities use for international tuition payments. If your university requires payment via Flywire and your SBI branch refuses, escalate to the RACPC directly — RBI guidelines permit this payment method.
For HDFC Credila and most NBFCs, the process is faster and fully digital. Email your assigned loan officer with the I-20 and the university's fee demand letter. Credila typically processes disbursements within 3 days of receiving complete documents. Living expense disbursements are credited to your account or loaded onto a forex card for use after arrival.
Note: Most US universities prefer tuition payments via Flywire or Globalpay rather than direct bank transfers. Confirm your university's preferred payment method from the student accounts or bursar's office before initiating the disbursement request to your bank.
How to Formally Withdraw from Other US Colleges After Decision Day?
Withdrawing from all other universities where you were admitted is a mandatory ethical obligation — and a practical one. Holding multiple seats after May 1 blocks waitlisted students and can affect your academic reputation.
Many Indian students are unaware that formal withdrawal is required. Simply not paying the deposit at other universities is not sufficient — you must actively notify each institution in writing. The process is straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes per university.
| Step | Action | How | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify all universities where you were admitted and did not commit | Check your email for all admission offer letters | Today |
| 2 | Email the admissions office of each university | Subject line: "Withdrawal of Admission — [Your Name] — Fall 2026." Body: "I am writing to formally withdraw my application for Fall 2026 admission. I have accepted an offer at another institution. Thank you for the opportunity." Keep it brief and professional. | Within 48 hours of paying your deposit |
| 3 | Decline any waitlist positions you are holding | Log into the admitted student portal or email the admissions office. Declining waitlist positions you are not interested in frees up spots for other students. | Within 48 hours |
| 4 | Save confirmation emails | Keep the withdrawal confirmation from each university for your records | After each withdrawal |
You will not receive a deposit refund from universities where you did not pay a deposit — there is nothing to refund. If you paid deposits at multiple universities (which is strongly discouraged), contact each university's admissions office directly to understand their refund policy. Most deposits are non-refundable after May 1.
Waitlisted at a US University? What Indian Students Must Do in May and June
If you are on a US university waitlist and have committed to another school, you have two options: stay on the waitlist as a backup or formally decline the waitlist position. If you are genuinely interested in the waitlisted school, act now — waitlist movement happens in May and June.
Waitlist notifications for Fall 2026 will begin arriving in mid-May and continue through June and in some cases into July. According to the University of California Santa Barbara admissions office, first-year waitlist notifications begin in mid-May. Forbes confirms that waitlist movement accelerates around May 1 as committed students' seats are confirmed and remaining spots are offered to waitlisted candidates.
| Situation | Action | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| You are on a waitlist and genuinely want that school | Confirm your continued interest in writing to the admissions office. Submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) — a brief, specific email explaining why you want that school and any new achievements since your application. Do not send a generic email. | Immediately — before May 10 |
| You are on a waitlist but have committed elsewhere and are happy with your choice | Formally decline the waitlist position by emailing the admissions office. This frees the spot for another | |
| You are on a waitlist but have committed elsewhere and are happy with your choice | Formally decline the waitlist position by emailing the admissions office. This frees the spot for another student and is the ethical action. | Within 48 hours of committing elsewhere |
| You receive a waitlist offer in May or June | You have a very short window to decide — typically 72 hours to 1 week. If you accept, you must withdraw from your current committed school (forfeiting that deposit) and pay the new deposit. Request the I-20 from the new university immediately. | Within the deadline given by the university |
| You accept a waitlist offer after already paying a deposit elsewhere | Contact your original university to withdraw. Your original deposit is forfeited. Pay the new deposit. Request a new I-20 from the new university. Update your DS-160 with the new SEVIS number once the new I-20 arrives. | Immediately on accepting the waitlist offer |
One critical note for Indian students who switch universities after a waitlist offer: if you have already paid the SEVIS fee and submitted a DS-160 for your original university, you will need to pay a new SEVIS fee ($350 = Rs. 33,208) for the new university and submit a new DS-160 with the new SEVIS ID. The original SEVIS fee is non-transferable between institutions.
Pre-Departure Checklist for Indian Students: May to August 2026
Pre-departure preparation for Indian students going to the US in Fall 2026 covers five categories: documents, finances, accommodation, health and packing. Most students underestimate how much needs to happen in the 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Starting in July gives you enough time. Starting in August does not.
The checklist below is structured by category. Complete the documents and finances sections first — these have the longest lead times. Accommodation should be confirmed before you book flights. Health insurance enrollment at most US universities opens in July for Fall semester students.
| Category | Item | Action Required | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents | Passport | Valid for at least 6 months beyond your program end date. Renew now if expiring before mid-2028. | Before visa interview |
| Documents | F-1 visa stamp | Carry in hand luggage. Do not pack in checked baggage. | Before departure |
| Documents | I-20 (original, signed) | Carry in hand luggage. Present to CBP officer at US port of entry. This is mandatory. | Before departure |
| Documents | Admission offer letter | Print and carry. CBP may ask for it. | Before departure |
| Documents | SEVIS fee receipt | Print and carry. CBP may ask for it. | Before departure |
| Documents | Academic transcripts and degree certificates | Carry originals and 2 sets of photocopies. Some universities require originals at enrollment. | Before departure |
| Documents | Education loan documents | Carry sanction letter and first disbursement confirmation. US universities may ask for proof of funding. | Before departure |
| Finances | Forex card | Load a multi-currency forex card (SBI, HDFC, Niyo, BookMyForex) with $1,500 to $2,000 (Rs. 1.42L to Rs. 1.90L) for first-month expenses before your loan disbursement reaches you. Do not rely solely on a debit card — international transaction fees are high. | 2 weeks before departure |
| Finances | US bank account | Some universities allow you to open a US bank account (Chase, Bank of America) before arrival through their international student portal. Check if your university offers this. Otherwise, open within the first week of arrival. | Before or within Week 1 of arrival |
| Finances | TCS on remittances | Remittances above Rs. 7 lakh per year attract 0.5% TCS (Tax Collected at Source) under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme if sent via an education loan. Keep records for ITR filing. Remittances above Rs. 7 lakh without a loan attract 5% TCS. | Before first remittance |
| Accommodation | On-campus housing | Apply through the university housing portal. Most universities open Fall 2026 housing applications in May. On-campus housing fills fast — apply within the first week of receiving the housing portal access link. | May to June |
| Accommodation | Off-campus housing | Search on Zillow, Apartments.com or university-specific Facebook groups. Confirm the lease start date aligns with your arrival. Avoid signing leases before your visa is confirmed. | June to July |
| Health | University health insurance enrollment | Most US universities mandate enrollment in their student health insurance plan. Enrollment typically opens in July for Fall semester. Cost ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 per year (Rs. 1.42L to Rs. 2.85L). Check if your university allows waiving the plan if you have comparable coverage. | July |
| Health | Vaccinations | Most US universities require proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Varicella, Hepatitis B and Meningococcal vaccinations. Check your university's specific requirements. Get vaccinations at least 4 weeks before departure to allow immunity to develop. | June to July |
| Health | Prescription medicines | Carry a 3-month supply of any prescription medicines with a doctor's letter. Some medications available over the counter in India require a prescription in the US. | Before departure |
| Orientation | International student orientation registration | Register for your university's international student orientation as soon as registration opens. Orientation is typically mandatory for F-1 students and is where you activate your SEVIS status. Missing orientation can create SEVIS compliance issues. | July to August |
| Travel | Flight booking | Book after your visa is confirmed. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your I-20 program start date. Book at least 6 to 8 weeks in advance for the best fares. Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to major US cities (New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco) typically cost Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1.2L in July and August. | After visa confirmation |
One item Indian students consistently overlook: the university's immunization compliance deadline. Most US universities require you to submit vaccination records before a specific date — often before orientation or before you can register for classes. Missing this deadline can result in a registration hold on your account. Check your university's student health portal for the specific requirements and submission deadline as soon as you have access.
Read More: Pre-Departure Checklist for Indian Students Going to the USA: Complete Guide5 Common Post-Deposit Mistakes Indian Students Make
Most post-deposit mistakes are not about bad decisions — they are about not knowing the sequence. These are the five errors that most frequently delay Indian students' Fall 2026 arrival or create complications after they land.
Each of these mistakes is avoidable with the right information. The fact that they are common does not make them inevitable.
| Mistake | What Happens | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting for the I-20 before starting the DS-160 | Costs 5 to 15 days. The DS-160 can be started and saved without the SEVIS number — you only need the SEVIS number to submit it. Students who wait lose the window to book early visa appointments. | Start the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov the same day you request the I-20. Add the SEVIS number and submit the moment the I-20 arrives. |
| Booking the visa appointment at the nearest consulate instead of the fastest one | A student in Kolkata who books at Kolkata faces a 3.5-month wait. The same student booking at New Delhi faces a 1-month wait. The difference is 2.5 months — enough to miss the August start entirely. | Always check wait times at all 5 Indian consulates before booking. You are legally permitted to book at any consulate regardless of your home city. New Delhi and Chennai are consistently the fastest in 2026. |
| Not triggering education loan disbursement immediately after the I-20 arrives | Government banks take 2 to 3 weeks to disburse. If you submit the I-20 in late June, the tuition payment may not reach the university before the fee deadline — triggering a late fee or a registration hold. | Submit the I-20 to your bank the same day it arrives. Include the university's fee demand letter and your disbursement request letter. For SBI, visit RACPC in person — do not rely on email alone. |
| Not formally withdrawing from other universities | Holding multiple seats after May 1 is an ethical violation of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) guidelines. It can also create confusion if a university contacts you about enrollment steps you have not completed. | Email every university where you were admitted but did not commit within 48 hours of paying your deposit. Keep the withdrawal confirmation emails. |
| Booking flights before the visa is confirmed | If your visa is delayed due to administrative processing, you lose the flight booking cost. Non-refundable international tickets cost Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1.2L. | Book flights only after the visa stamp is in your passport. Use refundable or flexible fare options if you need to book earlier for cost reasons. |
A sixth mistake worth flagging specifically for 2026: not auditing social media and GitHub before the visa interview. Since June 2025, US consular officers review up to five years of social media activity for all F-1 applicants. STEM students with public GitHub repositories containing dual-use technology research have faced 221(g) administrative processing holds. Set all profiles to public and review your GitHub before the interview — not after.
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