VISA APPLICATION PROCESS
One of the most important crucial aspects of preparing to study abroad is the process of obtaining a student visa. Students need to be sure to have a complete application filled and all of the required supporting documentation, and will need to present themselves confidently and effectively in the interview.
TYPES OF STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR VISAS
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world come to USA each year to study. Many course programs hosted by a wide variety of institutions provide learning opportunities as multifaceted as America itself. There are different types of student visas for different types of study.
ACADEMIC STUDIES (F – VISA):This visa is for individuals who wish to study or research at an accredited USA college/university. In order to apply for an F-1 visa, an applicant must have received a Form I-20 from a U.S institution.
EXCHANGE VISITOR (J – VISA): Some academic activities may fall under the J visa Exchange visitor category. Examples include exchange scholars, post-doctoral researchers, recipients of short term academic research fellowships and medical residents. In order to apply for a J-1 visa, an applicant must have received a Form DS-2019 from the sponsoring organization or institution.
STUDENT VISA INTERVIEW APPOINTMENTS
All non-immigrant visa applicants are required to go to U.S. Embassy or Consulate office for a visa interview and to present documentation to demonstrate their economic and social ties in their country of origin. It is the responsibility of the candidate to prove that they can financially support themselves for the period of overseas study and that they have social and economic ties to India that are strong enough to bring them back promptly.
In India, there are offices in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. (Please note that the process differs somewhat at the US Embassy in Mumbai; please inquire at the office for specific requirements). It is important to make an appointment for a visa interview early, especially in the busy summer months when there can be a long wait for an appointment and for processing too. The appointment and more information can be found at https://www.vfs-usa.co.in
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE STUDENT VISA APPLICATION
For Principal Applicant:
For Spouse/Dependent Children:
VISA FEES
Prior to confirming a Visa interview appointment online, one should pay the following fees and obtain a Visa Fee Receipt from HDFC Bank. When going to HDFC Bank, the first page of the passport must be carried.
The fees payable at HDFC Bank per passport are:
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION
Student visa applicants must have evidence of sufficient and readily available funds to meet all expenses for at least one year of study (listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 form) and that barring unforeseen circumstances adequate funds will be available for each subsequent years of study. Documentation must be original.
EVIDENCE OF ACADEMIC PREPARATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
The student must have completed a course of study required for enrolment at the level of study contemplated and present transcripts of at least two years of academic work completed. External examinations like TOEFL, GRE, SAT and GMAT help to establish the seriousness of a student. In addition, the students must demonstrate during the visa interview that they have sufficient English language capability for the intended course of study in USA.
ISSUANCE AND TRAVEL REGULATIONS FOR RECIPIENTS OF STUDENT VISAS
Students applying for initial entry on an F visa may be issued up to 120 days before the course of the program start date as listed on their I-20. However, students may not enter USA more than 30 days in advance of the course start date indicated on the Form I-20. Applicants continuing on a student visa are not subject to this restriction.
These changes apply only to initial entry students. Continuing students may apply for new F visas at any time, as long as they have maintained legal student status previously and their SEVIS records are current, these students may also enter the USA at any time before their classes start.
J Visas may be processes at any time before the beginning of their programs. However, the visitor may not enter USA earlier than 30 days prior to the course start date indicated on the Form DS-2019. Applicants continuing on an exchange visitors program are not subjected to this restriction.
Below is a list of some sample visa interview questions that might give a student an idea to face the Visa interview:
SOME VISA QUESTIONS
1. Who is going to sponsor your education?
Answer: My Parents
2. Why this university?
Answer: After I graduated here, I wanted to pursue my masters. The curriculum of this university is quite impressive that is the main reason why I am so much inclined towards this university.
3. Do you have brothers and sisters in USA?
Answer: No
4. Are you happy with your scores?
Answer: Yes
5. When did you graduate?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
6. What is your major?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
7. Are you going to continue in the same major?
Answer: Yes, I even exchanged some emails with the professors in my course/branch. This is a good encouraging point for me to do my Masters in this university in USA.
8. What are your plans after your Masters?
Answer: I am sure the recent growth of Indian economy will open many avenues for me to start my own company. After acquainting with the latest technological skills in USA I look forward to start my company here.
9. Did you get in touch with any professors in this university?
Answer: Yes, I have exchanged some emails with Prof XXXX. With the area if his research and the interest I have in that particular subject I guess I can be a good research assistant under him.
10. Do you have any experience?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
11. What's the difference you can make by doing your Masters' in USA?
Answer: Most of the universities in USA are going in parallel with the latest technologies. Educating myself in those technologies can give me a better picture to start up a new company of my own in the future.
12. What does your father do?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
13. What is the average household income?
Answer: Most of our income comes from our properties and my father's salary is around 15 – 20 lakhs per annum.
14. How often do you want to visit your home country?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
15. Do you get any kind of scholarships from this university?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
16. What are the other universities did you applied?
Answer: I applied for XXXX, XXXX. When compared to those universities this university has the courses of my particular interest.
17. How many I-20s are you having?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer. For example: (3).
One of the most important crucial aspects of preparing to study abroad is the process of obtaining a student visa. Students need to be sure to have a complete application filled and all of the required supporting documentation, and will need to present themselves confidently and effectively in the interview.
TYPES OF STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR VISAS
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world come to USA each year to study. Many course programs hosted by a wide variety of institutions provide learning opportunities as multifaceted as America itself. There are different types of student visas for different types of study.
ACADEMIC STUDIES (F – VISA):This visa is for individuals who wish to study or research at an accredited USA college/university. In order to apply for an F-1 visa, an applicant must have received a Form I-20 from a U.S institution.
EXCHANGE VISITOR (J – VISA): Some academic activities may fall under the J visa Exchange visitor category. Examples include exchange scholars, post-doctoral researchers, recipients of short term academic research fellowships and medical residents. In order to apply for a J-1 visa, an applicant must have received a Form DS-2019 from the sponsoring organization or institution.
STUDENT VISA INTERVIEW APPOINTMENTS
All non-immigrant visa applicants are required to go to U.S. Embassy or Consulate office for a visa interview and to present documentation to demonstrate their economic and social ties in their country of origin. It is the responsibility of the candidate to prove that they can financially support themselves for the period of overseas study and that they have social and economic ties to India that are strong enough to bring them back promptly.
In India, there are offices in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi. (Please note that the process differs somewhat at the US Embassy in Mumbai; please inquire at the office for specific requirements). It is important to make an appointment for a visa interview early, especially in the busy summer months when there can be a long wait for an appointment and for processing too. The appointment and more information can be found at https://www.vfs-usa.co.in
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE STUDENT VISA APPLICATION
For Principal Applicant:
| 1 | Interview Appointment Letter |
| 2 | Valid Passport. The Passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the visa interview date |
| 3 | One photograph as per specification |
| 4 | Original signed Forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158. (Please note that a new form, Form DS-160, will eventually replace the above three forms. Please check this before filling out the forms) |
| 5 | Valid Bank Visa fee receipt |
| 6 | Original SEVIS generated Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, approved and signed by the University authority |
| 7 | Proof of payment/receipt of SEVIS Fee I-901 payment, if applicable (At present SEVIS I-901 fee is $200 USD) |
| 8 | Evidence of financial resources: proof of liquid assets sufficient to pay for the entire one year of education and living expenses as well as a proof of readily available funds to cover the remaining year(s) of studies. If a student is being funded by an organization (Indian or American), a letter from that organization explaining what funding will be provided |
| 9 | Original Degree Certificates along with mark sheets |
| 10 | Original Bachelors' Degree transcripts or high school diploma along with mark sheets from previous institutions attended |
| 11 | Relevant test score reports e.g. TOEFL and SAT, GRE, GMAT or LSAT |
| Note: If a student plan to engage in technology related study or research while in the USA a set of specific documents should be produced with the visa application. The application also may require additional administrative processing. For more information, please visithttp://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/hitechbs.html | |
For Spouse/Dependent Children:
| 1 | Valid Passport, Visa fee receipt issued by HDFC Bank and interview appointment letter |
| 2 | Original signed Forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158. (Please note that a new form, Form DS-160, will eventually replace the above three forms. Please check this before filling out the forms) |
| 3 | Original Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 approved and signed by the University authority |
| 4 | A copy of the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 of the Principal Applicant |
| 5 | Photocopy of the Principal Applicant's valid Visa (if applying separately) |
| 6 | Original Marriage Certificate (for Spouse) along with the entire wedding photo album |
| 7 | Original Birth Certificate (for each child) |
| 8 | Additional documentation of financial resources to support the dependants |
VISA FEES
Prior to confirming a Visa interview appointment online, one should pay the following fees and obtain a Visa Fee Receipt from HDFC Bank. When going to HDFC Bank, the first page of the passport must be carried.
The fees payable at HDFC Bank per passport are:
- Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee): $ 140 USD payable in INR equivalent at exchange rate. Visa Application Fee at current exchange rate (Rs.47/-) is approximately Rs.6,580/-
- Service Charge: Rs.380/- which include VFS service charge Rs.359/- and Bank service charge Rs.21/- inclusive of service tax @ 10% and education cess tax @ 0.30% (effective 1st December 2010).
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION
Student visa applicants must have evidence of sufficient and readily available funds to meet all expenses for at least one year of study (listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 form) and that barring unforeseen circumstances adequate funds will be available for each subsequent years of study. Documentation must be original.
EVIDENCE OF ACADEMIC PREPARATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
The student must have completed a course of study required for enrolment at the level of study contemplated and present transcripts of at least two years of academic work completed. External examinations like TOEFL, GRE, SAT and GMAT help to establish the seriousness of a student. In addition, the students must demonstrate during the visa interview that they have sufficient English language capability for the intended course of study in USA.
ISSUANCE AND TRAVEL REGULATIONS FOR RECIPIENTS OF STUDENT VISAS
Students applying for initial entry on an F visa may be issued up to 120 days before the course of the program start date as listed on their I-20. However, students may not enter USA more than 30 days in advance of the course start date indicated on the Form I-20. Applicants continuing on a student visa are not subject to this restriction.
These changes apply only to initial entry students. Continuing students may apply for new F visas at any time, as long as they have maintained legal student status previously and their SEVIS records are current, these students may also enter the USA at any time before their classes start.
J Visas may be processes at any time before the beginning of their programs. However, the visitor may not enter USA earlier than 30 days prior to the course start date indicated on the Form DS-2019. Applicants continuing on an exchange visitors program are not subjected to this restriction.
Below is a list of some sample visa interview questions that might give a student an idea to face the Visa interview:
SOME VISA QUESTIONS
1. Who is going to sponsor your education?
Answer: My Parents
2. Why this university?
Answer: After I graduated here, I wanted to pursue my masters. The curriculum of this university is quite impressive that is the main reason why I am so much inclined towards this university.
3. Do you have brothers and sisters in USA?
Answer: No
4. Are you happy with your scores?
Answer: Yes
5. When did you graduate?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
6. What is your major?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
7. Are you going to continue in the same major?
Answer: Yes, I even exchanged some emails with the professors in my course/branch. This is a good encouraging point for me to do my Masters in this university in USA.
8. What are your plans after your Masters?
Answer: I am sure the recent growth of Indian economy will open many avenues for me to start my own company. After acquainting with the latest technological skills in USA I look forward to start my company here.
9. Did you get in touch with any professors in this university?
Answer: Yes, I have exchanged some emails with Prof XXXX. With the area if his research and the interest I have in that particular subject I guess I can be a good research assistant under him.
10. Do you have any experience?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
11. What's the difference you can make by doing your Masters' in USA?
Answer: Most of the universities in USA are going in parallel with the latest technologies. Educating myself in those technologies can give me a better picture to start up a new company of my own in the future.
12. What does your father do?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
13. What is the average household income?
Answer: Most of our income comes from our properties and my father's salary is around 15 – 20 lakhs per annum.
14. How often do you want to visit your home country?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
15. Do you get any kind of scholarships from this university?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer.
16. What are the other universities did you applied?
Answer: I applied for XXXX, XXXX. When compared to those universities this university has the courses of my particular interest.
17. How many I-20s are you having?
Answer: Applicant should answer accordingly, to the interviewer. For example: (3).
