Visa Checklist

·         Students leaving for the United States need to hold a F-1 visa. This indicates that you are a single student, with no dependents 

·         The following is a checklist of papers you need for your visa interview.  When ALL documents are ready, call us for your mock interview, which will be granted only once

·         All of the following documents must be in separate clear plastic folders and NOT in files

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR FINAL UNIVERSITY HAS REGISTERED YOUR DETAILS TO ISEAS AND SEVIS REGARDING YOUR CONFIRMED ADMISSION.

1.        VISA APPLICATION FORM/S - These form/s are available at the US Application Center or check with our office.  Xerox the form and fill it to the best of your ability, keep the original one for later. Please get it checked by us.

DS 156– This form has to be filled by all the applicants. 

DS 157 – This form has to be filled by the male applicants less than 45 years of age.

DS 158 – This form has to be filled by all the applicants applying for F, J and M Visa.  

2.       PASSPORT - Must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you apply for your visa

3.       COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS – 50mm by 50mm. Confirm this size from the Visa Application form (or call & check this at the US Consulate)

4.       I-20 FORM - When you receive this form and have it checked by us immediately.  In the event of any errors, this form must be returned to the University and a new one has to be obtained, all this is very time consuming, so work on it immediately.  The I-20 form has to be signed by YOU in the required space.

5.       ACCEPTANCE LETTER - Admission letter from the University

6.       LETTER OF FINANCIAL AID - Scholarships if any

7.       BROCHURES - Catalogs of the University

8.       LETTERS of ADMISSION and REJECT of all the colleges you have applied.

9.       TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/SAT - Original mark sheets

10.    If you have been REJECTED, please carry your REJECTION LETTERS to the Consulate.

11.    SCHOOL/COLLEGE MARK SHEETS - You may take certified true copies only if you have handed in the previous mark sheet for college admissions.  Otherwise CARRY the ORIGINALS.

12.    INCOME TAX ORDER FORMS & CHALLANS – (If your parents pay any taxes in India.) Parent’s originals of last two years.  Take yours too if you file taxes.

13.    SALARY/EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE:- Letter of Appointment and/or Salary Certificate from your Parents Company/ Employer.  If the company deducts tax at source, then your parents have to include the TDS certificate as well.

14.    PROOF OF FIXED & LIQUID ASSETS - in your name, as well as those of your parents.  With a summary of the assets you and your family holdings.  Example: UTI, Life Insurance, Stocks, Bonds, Fixed Deposits, Property Deeds, any paper which indicates that your family has money.

15.    BANK ACCOUNT - Your 1^st year’s fees must be currently in the account.  Hence proof of this in the form of a Pass Book entry/Bank Statement Printout.

16.  VISA FEES: - Effective 1st NOVEMBER 2002 fees payable for a US non-immigrant visa (all classes): HAS CHANGED, PLEASE CHECK WITH OUR OFFICE.

PLEASE CHECK THE VISA FEES WITH THE AMERICAN CONSULATE BEFORE YOU GO FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT.

2. Co-operartive bank DD’s not accepted.

3. One consolidated DD accepted for family member’s/employees of same company applying together.

4. DD amount includes Application fee, Logistics Fee and issuance Fee.

5. Issaunce Fee component of Rs _________/- refundable if visa is refused.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If your sponsor is a US Citizen or "Green Card" holder:

1.                   FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT - also called the I-34 form filled, this must be signed and notarized by your sponsor.  This form is available at any US consulate or post office

2.                   SPONSOR’S LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT - on the employer's letterhead.  For example, "Mr. X. has served as a Production Engineer with our organization for nine years, beginning January 03, 1982.  His annual earnings currently stand at US $ ............

3.               BANK LETTER - verifying the sponsor's credibility.  This must be on the bank's letterhead.  For example,

                                "Mr. X. has held a Savings Account with this bank since January 04, 1982.  His average balance stands at US $ ..........  To the best of our knowledge, his account is in good standing."

4.             A LETTER FROM YOUR SPONSOR - stating his willingness to sponsor you.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY STATEMENT

You must prepare a summary statement of all your finances for quick and easy review by the US Consulate Officer.  This summary must ideally fit on ONE SINGLE PAGE.

This is a sample.

______________________________________________________________________________________

My Total Assets=US$ 750,000

Converted at @ Rs. 46 to 1US$ (instead of Rupees.  Use whatever is the Currency of your country)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                Item                                                                            Rs                          US$

                Home                                                                     12,00,000              300,000

                Bank Balance,                                                     800,000                 20,000

Bank Fixed Deposits                                         700,000                 18,000

                Investment in Property                                      3,20,000                              80,000

                Office                                                                       8,00,000              200,000

                Stocks                                                                      6,00,000              150,000

                Unit Trust                                                                  30,000                  7,500

                Jewelry                                                                   1,20,000                 30,000

                Land                                                                           80,000                20,000

                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                Total                                                                3,000,000                    750,000

                __________________________________________________________________

Parents Annual Income (from all sources): Rs. 20,00,000 (approx. US$ 45,454)

(salaries, interest, rent or any other income earned)

If your parents own their own business, they may also put down details like the following:

Annual Business Turnover: US$ ______________________

Annual Profit = US$ ________________

Parents share of profit (in case of partnership firms) = US$ _____________

Also carry the following documents if your parents have businesses  (ALL ORIGINAL)

1.       Income tax papers of the company for the last 2 years

2.       Partnership / Ownership deeds

3.       Balance sheets of the company

4.       Bank Pass books of the company

(Please note that all the figures mentioned must reflect the amounts that accrue only to your parents and you (the nuclear family).  They must not include amounts that accrue to other Family Members, or their Holdings, e.g. Uncles, Partners, Grandfather etc…..)

Interview Preparation

Many applicants will be missing a beat or two at the thought of Visa Interview. Its like sudden rise in adrenaline levels, exciting, bewildering and intimidating.
 
So we thought of sharing some tips on interviews so that the whole affair can be carried away with a sense of peace.
 
Remember that there is no substitute for preparation. So prepare for all aspects of the interview.
 
Preparing for the Interview:
 
Go through respective consulate web site to know more about the rules and other happenings, go through FAQ of F1 student visa.
 
Everything a student wants to know about F1 visa is readily available in the consulate web sites. Try to see and understand every link in the site, so that you will get 1st hand information about everything, which will increase your comfortable level and confidence.
 
Try to understand what the Visa Officer (VO) is expecting from you folks, in order to issue F1-Visa for you.
 
US consulate is your first chance of meeting the US officials on your way to USA. Its time for you to look ahead and meet them in a dignified, balanced and professional way and get the visa stamping to USA. But don't meet them shakily, nervously and loose the chance of education in USA. Don't try to take any chance with visa. Be focused on your goals and prepare well to reach them confidently.
 
Behave like a True professional when meeting USA officials for interview.
 
So, visit US Consulate web sites to know more details of visa process. Following are the links to the consulate web sites.
 
New Delhi: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov
Chennai: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov
Kolkata:  http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov
Mumbai: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov
 

Prepare answers to most commonly asked questions. Some questions were given at the end of this for your information.

• Make sure your answers are focusing on your achievements, skills, you being a sincere student, proof of having sufficient funds and your intentions of coming back to India after completion of your graduate and/or Research programs.
• Rehearse the answers to common and specific questions either by taping your answers or by attending a mock interview with your friends and have their opinions and reviews and if you feel you are lacking at some points, try to improve them till you become perfect.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses, and then try to overcome them in interviews by good preparation and practice beforehand. Practice makes perfect.
• (Practice to speak clearly and slowly naturally as you speak always), so that interviewer can understand what you are saying. Your answers should reflect clarity of thought and clarity of your intentions.
• Read your financial documents thoroughly and ask yourself possible questions from them.
• You should be able to defend and support your documents be it Academics, qualifying exams scores and financial documents in all ways possible.
• Carry all documents in an order in a folder with multiple pouches (Like harmonium folder). So that you can put different set of documents into different pouches (like University documents set, Scores set, Marks sheets set, financial documents set, property documents set etc) it will be very easy for you to remove and present them to VO without any time waste, whenever asked for.
• The speed at which you are able to show the relevant document whenever asked for also counts a lot.

At Interview

• Use formal dress to appear for interview.
• Use Executive clothing; deep and bright colors may not suit the occasion.
• Clothes have to be clean and ironed to represent order and discipline.

• Carry only relevant documents.
• Do not present any certificates unless asked for.
• Remember to collect all the certificates given for perusal at the interview. And if you had any doubts clarify there itself.
• Greet the interviewer first, even if VO is not listening or not looking at you.
• While answering questions remember to look at the interviewer instead of looking down. Keep continuous eye contact with visa officer throughout the interview.
• Avoid bad body language and mannerisms like touching moustache, scratching nose, or arranging hair or any kind of unwanted things as per the interview norms.
• Listen to questions carefully to comprehend. If you have not understood a question, politely request for a repeat.
• Give short answers unless asked for longer ones.
• If possible always be prepared with two sets of answers for questions, both long and short. First give short answer and if VO asks for details then give long answer or explain in detail. So that you will be still in comfort zone.
• Exude confidence but not arrogance.
• Mouth all words clearly and speak loud enough to hear.
• Answer immediately without wasting time.
• Avoid being too humorous or ironical in your answers. But little fun with good sense of humor is always welcome.
• Keep looking at the VO and never at other things in the room or at other counters.
• Don't become conscious of others looking at you or watching. Remember its your visa and your future. Between VO and you no one exists.
• Give authentic information about any details connected with your documents. Remember they can cross-verify any detail within no time.
• Answers should not be given in a raised voice even when the question comes in that manner. Remember VO will be having tough time too, with huge volumes of applicants and asking same questions and listening almost identical answers day in and day out. They too will be under great pressure to issue a visa till the applicant intentions and arranging of funds are made clear to them. It's not that we should feel comfortable in interview, but in our personal opinion we should also make VO comfortable by presenting all facts and figures in a systematic and organized way of answering, presenting documentary evidence whenever necessary or asked for. Never become desperate, wearisome and tiresome even if the interview is going in a long way than expected. Still try to maintain your composure, looking positive, confident and smiling.
• Answer questions in simple single sentences. Use a language that is easy to understand but formal in its usage.
• Avoid giving additional information unless asked for it.
• If you are complimented for your answers, achievements, scores and percentages, remember to thank the VO.
• Avoid repeating the phrases or words. Remember you have gone through GRE and TOEFL and speak accordingly.
• Keep a smiling face so as to welcome any questions.
• It is un-wise to contradict an answer through a subsequent answer. Always stick to the same answer whenever asked for.
• An applicants behavior should convince the VO about the quality of personality that the candidate has.
• Avoid any exhibition of emotions other than the feelings of welcoming questions and ready to give the answers.
• You have to make the answers short, to the point and precise. Give answers confidently, boldly, and visa will be yours.
• On final note, thank the interviewer for his time.

  Some More Tips: (suggested by students in groups)

  • Learn about research areas in your major at your university.
  • Be confident and positive throughout, and apply presence of mind.
  • Don't contradict your previous answer in your next answer.
  • Have a good memory of CA statement b4 going to consulate – Various sources of incomes and amounts.
  • Write your name address phone no passport no at back of DD's or write as per your consulate rules
  • Sign i-20 before going to consulate
  • Be relaxed and don't show that you are desperate to go to US.
  • Avoid calling the officers Sir, as they are vexed and irritated listening to those.
  • Avoid saying pardon, come again, I didn't get you, Just say something expecting question based on document in his hand. They get irritated when you say pardon, come again, I didn't get you, If you guessed wrong question he will question you again.
  • Watch the lips of the person while you are at counter as if you are not able to listen to them cause of bad quality of speakers, you can at-least guess question from lip movements, at worst you can at-least understand VO is asking you something.
  • Don't give more information than needed or asked by them.
  • Answer only to question; do not try to justify your answer unless asked.
  • Do not let your answers contradict values from your Statements. Be careful in this regard.
  • Study thoroughly the complete documentation mentioned in the CA statement, especially if it is family friend and be prepared for questions on them like what is the sponsor's income, what is the value of the property, how much of the funds is in liquid / semi-liquid form. Be prepared with convincing / strong reasons for returning to your homeland. (Future employment options, Family, business, financial set-up, etc.)
  • Make Eye contact. Look at VO when he/she is speaking. Don't look away while answering or listening.
  • Act natural.
  • Listen to the question carefully and let the interviewer complete the question before you answer.
  • Answer confidently and honestly.
  • Show enthusiasm and optimism throughout the interview.
  • Admit honestly, if you don't know the answer. Nobody knows everything. However, explain that you are willing and have the ability to learn, given a chance or say something like " I am slightly out of touch in that area..."
  • Bring up the key words that the VO is looking for from you like "after coming back to India" or "when I come back to India after MS", during the interview.
  • Do have positive attitude and remember attitude is everything.
  • Do not feel nervous. Nobody is going to hurt you.
  • Do not be overaggressive.
  • Do not jump to answers after listening to half the question
  • Do not over answer or under answer.
  • Don't have negative attitude or don't be pessimistic regarding the outcome.

  Some sample behaviors of people who take initiatives for which VO is searching for in an interview are whether applicant:

  • Knows how to answer questions.
  • Knows how to deal with uncertainty.
  • Exudes (or shows) confidence and professionalism.
  • Takes advantage of opportunities to learn.
  • Finds ways to stay motivated.
  • Does what it takes to get the job done.
  • Shows commitment.
  • Self Confidence, Goal Oriented, Focused, Driven, and Sense of Conviction
  • Willingness to learn new things.
  • Establish Rapport.

  Final Note:

  • Just be cool, confident and vibe well with VO.
  • Whenever there's a chance, flash a smile.
  • Whenever an embarrassing question was asked, and you don't know how to answer, just flash a smile, have two invisible deep breaths and start saying the relevant thing.
  • Be positive in all actions and expect positive outcome. Have good body language.
  • Even the interview is going the other way also don't loose your confidence. Things will be on-track again in your favor if you are confident.
  • Don't give big answers, just precise and to-the-point answers will do.
  • No need to explain tons and tons of things.
  • Have a precise answer for how you are arranging funds. Give a gist of your sponsor's financial position and if VO asks to explain, then only give detailed answer for that. Be prepared with a good answer, both precise one and a detailed one.
  • Don't show any document until asked for.
  • Most important thing is presence of mind and with that you should be able to get the interview always on track. It's only in you how to get the interview back on track.

   Golden Rules for Visa:

  • Looking good and confident.
  • Looking disciplined and organized.
  • Sounding natural in accent and communication.
  • Maintaining eye-to-eye contact with VO throughout interview.
  • Staying positive throughout.
  • Clarity of thought in expressing views.
  • Speaking Loud with confidence.
  • Having good presence of mind.
  • Showing good knowledge about your area of interest.
  • Having good and credible future plans.
  • Proving you as a serious student in studies.
  • A little bit of sense of humor.
  • Exude professionalism in whatever you do &
  • Smile and put Visa Officer at ease.

  Visa Interview Questions:

  • Why the specified University.
  • Which Universities did you apply to?  (Both admits and rejects)?
  • Show me your GRE scorecard.
  • Where did you Undergraduate?
  • Who is sponsoring you?
  • What does your father do?
  • What is your father's Income?
  • How many brothers and sisters do you have?
  • Do you have any relatives in USA?
  • What will you do after completing MS?
  • Show your Experience Certificate. (If you are going to studies after some work experience)
  • Why Study in USA.
  • Did you got any Scholarships?
  • Have you got any Loans?
  • Show your Pass Books/Bank statements.
  • What is your Undergraduate GPA/Percentage?
  • Parents retired?  Then how will they pay?
  • Tell about your university.
  • Mention some professor names
  • Tell me how can you prove that you are going to come back?
  • Where did your brother/parents complete their studies?
  • What's your Religion?
  • Why are you leaving your current job? (If you are working)
  • Have you ever been to US?
  • What will you do after coming back to Home?
  • You have so...brothers and sisters so your fathers saving are for all, Then how will he/ you finance?
  • Where do your parents live (If they live in USA)?
  • Do you know anyone (in USA) in your University?
  • Do you know anyone in US?
  • What will you do if your Visa is rejected?
  • Will you come back to home during summers?
  • What do you think? Why University is giving Scholarship to you...
  • Why do you wish to study in the US and not in India?
  • If you have changed field of specialization, (for ex. If you are BE Mechanical and opting for MS in computer science) then what brought about the change?
  • What steps have you taken to ensure that you will be able to perform well in the new field you wish to change to?
  • What do you plan to study at the university?
  • How many universities did you apply for?
  • Which universities accepted you?
  • Why did you select this particular university?
  • What are your plans after graduation?
  • How will you finance your education funds for 2 years (generally you have to prove that you can fund the first year of your education but we suggest that you be prepared with this answer)?
  • Do you have a brother / sister, or any other relative already at this university?