Webster University

Visiting your child at Webster means flying into St. Louis Lambert International (STL), about 14 miles from the Webster Groves campus. Plan the US visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from STL to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a B1/B2 visitor visa. First-time interview waits are long and vary sharply by consulate, so city choice matters - you may book at ANY US consulate in India, not just your home city.

• Plan 8-12 months ahead, especially for graduation - graduations do NOT qualify for emergency/expedited appointments.
• You can book at any consulate in India; many families fly to Chennai to save months versus Mumbai or Delhi.
• The dropbox (interview waiver) window shrank from 48 to 12 months in 2025 - most parents with older expired visas now need a full interview.
• Visitor stays are up to 6 months per visit, set by the officer at entry on the I-94.

Just admitted to Webster? Most Indian students enter on an F-1 academic visa (DS-160 fee $185 + SEVIS I-901 fee $350). J-1 is for exchange programs (SEVIS $220), M-1 for vocational study. Spouses/children come on F-2/J-2/M-2 dependent visas. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date. For Fall 2026, Indian F-1 applicants must interview at one of five US consulates in India.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into St. Louis Lambert International (STL) - ~14 miles from the Webster Groves campus.
• From STL, a taxi/rideshare is simplest; MetroLink light rail serves the region for local travel.
• Confirm student baggage allowance with your airline.
• Carry your I-20, SEVIS receipt and financial documents in hand luggage for US immigration.

St. Louis, home to Webster University (in leafy Webster Groves), is an affordable Midwest city - about $1,100-1,700 a month all-in sharing and cooking. The MetroLink light rail connects the region, and St. Louis has a well-established Indian community.

Monthly cost of living in Saint Louis (a student estimate)

That's roughly $13,000-20,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Webster University sits in Webster Groves, a quiet inner suburb; students share apartments there or nearer the MetroLink for easy reach across the metro.

• MetroLink light rail and MetroBus cover the region; check for a student pass.
• Webster Groves is a calm, walkable suburb close to campus.
• Lambert Airport (STL) is well-connected for travel home.

Working part-time

On an F-1 visa you can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during term (full-time in breaks). Off-campus work needs authorization - CPT during study, OPT after (up to 12 months, +24 for STEM degrees). You cannot freelance or work off-campus without approval.

Safety & student support

Saint Louis and its Webster University campus areas are generally safe by US standards; use normal awareness at night.

• Webster University runs a security escort, safety app and (often) campus shuttles - save the campus safety number.
• The campus and main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• Like any large city, awareness varies by neighbourhood - Webster Groves itself is quiet and safe.

Indian community & food

St. Louis has a long-established Indian community, so desi groceries, restaurants and temples are easy to find across the metro.

Indian grocery stores

• Tirupati Farmers Market and Seema Enterprises - well-known St. Louis Indian grocers with fresh produce and a snack counter.
• Jay International Food and India Bazaar for a wider South Asian range.
• Global Foods Market for a big international shop.

Student community

• Webster and the wider St. Louis universities have active Indian student groups running Diwali and Holi.
• St. Louis has Hindu temples and regular cultural events.

• A good spread of Indian restaurants across the St. Louis metro.

Cost & living figures for Saint Louis last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.