🇱🇰 Sri Lanka → 🇺🇸 United States

Study in United States from Sri Lanka

Studying in the USA from Sri Lanka opens the world's largest university system and OPT work rights, with the F-1 visa interview held at the embassy in Colombo.

Tuition $20,000–$55,000/year Visa 4–8 wks Free for students

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka

From

🇺🇸 United States

4–8 wks

Visa

OPT

Post-study

The United States draws Sri Lankan students with an unrivalled range of universities, generous assistantships, and OPT work authorisation of one to three years after graduation. The principal challenges are cost and the F-1 interview.

Tuition of $20,000–$55,000 a year means most students rely on funding and family support, and you must document full first-year costs before the SEVIS and visa stages.

Credential steps, I-20 and SEVIS from Sri Lanka

Apply via the Common App or directly, obtain University Grants Commission equivalency where requested, and have your transcripts attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo, with TOEFL or IELTS through the British Council. Once admitted, your institution issues the I-20, you pay the SEVIS fee of $350, and you attend the F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy in Colombo, which serves Sri Lankan applicants directly.

Costs, scholarships, visa timeline and OPT

Budget tuition of $20,000–$55,000 a year plus living costs of $1,200–$2,500 a month, and be ready to prove full one-year costs for the F-1 visa. Processing after the interview is typically 4–8 weeks. Sri Lankan students can pursue the Fulbright programme, university assistantships or NSF fellowships, and graduates gain 12 months of OPT, extendable to 36 months for STEM fields.

Your path from Sri Lanka to United States

Apply via Common App or directly. I-20 issued by institution after admission. SEVIS fee ($350) required. F-1 visa interview at US Embassy.

1
Register free & build your profile
Create a student account and tell us your grades, budget and goals. It takes five minutes and costs nothing.
2
Get matched to universities
Our advisors shortlist programmes that fit your profile and explain admission requirements and deadlines.
3
Prepare documents & apply
We help you assemble transcripts, language scores and financial proof, then submit strong applications.
4
Visa & departure support
Once admitted, we guide your student visa application and help you prepare for arrival.

Costs, visa & requirements

Tuition	$20,000–$55,000/year
Living costs	$1,200–$2,500/month
Visa type	F-1 Student Visa (SEVIS)
Financial proof	Full 1-year costs (tuition + living)
Processing time	4–8 weeks
Language	TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 6.5+
Scholarships	Fulbright Programme, University Assistantships, NSF Graduate Fellowships

In-person support in Colombo

Our Sri Lanka office helps Sri Lanka students with UGC equivalency support, Bank fund verification, British Council IELTS partnership and more — free of charge.

Visit our Sri Lanka office →

Frequently asked questions

Where is the F-1 visa interview held for Sri Lankan students?

At the US Embassy in Colombo, which conducts F-1 student visa interviews for Sri Lankan applicants directly, so there is no need to travel abroad for this step.

How much money must I show for a US student visa from Sri Lanka?

You must document the full first-year cost of attendance, covering both tuition and living expenses, which the institution states on your I-20 before the F-1 visa stage.

How long can I work in the US after graduating?

Graduates receive 12 months of OPT work authorisation, and those in STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension, giving up to three years of post-study work.