STUDENT VISA MANAGEMENT-USA
DETAILED PROCEDURES

For many students, getting a visa for USA is sometimes a very frustrating experience specially these days. Hence this requires to be managed very effectively . In the application form, the University wants to collect maximum information from you on citizenship, passports etc. This is because later, when the University offers you a place, it is easy to get this information from the file or computer to authorize documents for a visa for you. The University is required by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to maintain this information until you leave the university.
Detailed procedures for applying for STUDENT VISA and aspects of preparation are being covered here. Students are advised to see website www.ttsvisas.com for applying for actual Visa dates and any latest changes in fees to be paid/other documents.

TYPES OF VISAS ISSUED
Most of the students going for full time study are issued F1-STUDENT VISA after receiving 120 form from the college/University. REMEMBER THAT NOW YOU CAN NOT GO TO UNITED STATES ON A VISITOR'S VISA AND THEN GET A VISA TO STUDY THERE. When your university admission is confirmed, you will receive a form 120/IPA 66 from the university which you require for a visa. There are different forms sent for each type of student visa:
* With an I-20 form you get a F-1 student visa for full time students.
* With an IAP-66 form you get a J-1 exchange visitor visa for sponsored students.
Students at technical schools get a M visa, and they can't change to an F_1 visa. However , a student with an F-1 visa could change to an M visa .With an F-1 visa it is possible to stay after you have finished your degree for up to one year while doing practical training. With an M visa, it is up to six months. With a J-1 visa, it is up to 18 months if training is necessary and not available at home , and if your sponsor agrees.

APPLICATION PROCESS
All student visa applicants should complete Application form DS-156, which can be obtained, free of charge, the Consulate on any working day. form may also be downloaded from the website www.ttsvisas.com  .
You can apply for a visa : in person or by drop box,(only if eligible for drop box)
In person Applicants making their application in persons should visit the Consular Office responsible for the consular district in which they live.
All nonimmigrant visa applicants who are required to apply in person at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi must use the appointment system. Applicants should make an appointment using the website www.ttsvisas.com.
The Embassy does not permit interested parties such as friends, relatives or business contacts to intervene on behalf of a non-immigrant visa applicant during an interview. If any such party wishes to present factsto the Embassy concerning a particular visa case, they are encourage to supply this information directly to the applicant, for them to bring  in person.

CONSULAR DISTRICTS
NEW DELHI
Residents of Delhi and the north Indian states of  Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh should contact:
U.S. Embassy Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, NewDelhi,
Phone:(11) 4198000, Fax:(11) 419-8407
Consular Office & hours of operation :
Immigrant visa service 8:30 a. m. , Monday-Friday.
Nonimmigrant visa services: 8:30 a.m. to 12:45, Monday-Friday.

MUMBAI (Bombay)
Residents of the western states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Union Territories Daman, Diw, Dadra and Nagar Haveli should contact:
The U.s. Consulate General Lincoln House ,78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400026
Phone:(91) 022-363 3611 to 3618, Fax :(91) 022-363

CALCUTTA(Kolkata)
Residents of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Andaman and Nikobar Islands should contact:
The U.S. Consulate General, 5/1 HoChi Minh Sarani, Calcutta -700071.
Phone:(91)033- 2820611 to 3615 or (91)033-2825757, Fax: (91)033-2822335.

CHENNAI(Madras)
Residents of the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Lakshadweep Islands and Pondicherry should contact:
The U.S. Consulate General Mount Road, Chennai -600006,
Phone : (91) 044-8121 2000, Fax : (91) 044-811 2027

DROP- BOX PROCEDURES
Normally, all applicants for U.S. visitor visas must be interviewed. Yoy may use the Drop-Box to apply for a visa without a personal interview if you meet any one of the following criteria:

  • Applicant has traveled to the U.S. at least once ( maintaining proper status ) on a multiple visa which expired no more than two years before the current application.
  • Is over the age of 65.
  • Is a diplomat or officer of the Indian Administrative Services, Indian Foreign Service , Indian Police officer or a commissioned officer in the Indian Military with a " no objection letter" showing formal permission to leave.
  • Is a seaman with a previous C-1/D visa and a letter from, a recognized shipping agency.
  • Is a member of an airline crew serving on U.S. bound flights from India.
  • Is a  returning student or exchange visitor in the F-1 or J-1 categories and their dependents (spouse and children).
  • Is applying in the H-1B or L-1 visa category as a renewal and their dependents (spouse and children).
  • Is a child age 14 or younger.
  • Is an employee of a company approved to participate in the business Executive program and is going to the United States on company business. (Note: All first time applicants under a blanket L1 petition must apply in person).
  • Is mentally or physically handicapped and has a doctor's certificate explaining the handicap.
  • To apply please enclose the following for each applicant ( including children)
  • A passport valid for travel to the USA for at least six months.
  • A fully completed and signed visa application form(s) DS-156, DS-157 & DS-158 (if applicable).
  • One recent ( Within the past six months) passport-size photograph with a white background.
  • Demand drafts for the appropriate fees for each applicant. Write your name, address, and telephone number on the back each draft.

Application with passport photo and bank draft may be dropped of at TTServices located at 2E/23 Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi 110055 between 8:30-2:30 p.m. Telephone nos. 3554667,3554618 and 3554631.

COURIER PASS BACK SYSTEM
All walk - in (non-"Drop Box") and "Drop-Box" cases; the fee for this required service is Rs. 400 per applicant to be paid on the day of appointment at the TT Service counter located at the Embassy.
With the courier system , successful applicants do not have to return to the Embassy to collect their passports the passport with visa will be returned to any address in northern India specified by the applicant . This new process substantially  reduces the total time people spend in visa lines, and the passport is delivered promptly to the successful applicant.
The courier system applies to all " Drop Box" visa applicants, other than official government of India travelers 9 no prior appointment needed). " Drop Box " applicants MUST go to the office of TT Service , a division of TTK, located at 2E/23 Jhandewalan Extension , New Delhi 11055 between the hour of 8:30 and 2:30 p.m. to turn in their applications.
It is very important to plan in advance and apply early. Once an application has been submitted it can not be retrieved from the courier service . Thus, it becomes vital not to wait until the last minute to apply for the visa.
Telephone inquiries may be directed to TTS Office at 011-2355-4618 or 2355-4631.

REFUSAL AND REAPPLICATION
Once an officer has determined that an applicant does not qualify for a visa, the applicant should not reapply unless there are significant changes in the case or the applicant's circumstances which were not presented during the first interview.
If you believe that you have new compelling evidence not presented in your first interview , you may reapply after 3 working days. Applicants are permitted in person however, applicants providing the same information a second time after a previous refusal will be highly unlikely to succeed in obtaining a visa during the second interview.

PHOTO INSTRUCTIONS FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

  • The  photograph must be an unmounted full face photo taken within the last six mounts. The photograph must be full front view, taken facing the camera no side or angle views are acceptable.
  • The photograph should measure 2 inches square ( roughly 50 mm square ) with the head centered in the frame. the head( measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 13/8 inches (28 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
  • The photograph may either be in color or black and white, but must have only a plain white background. Photos with colored, dark or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted. Photos should be printed without borders. For persons wearing glasses, there must be no reflection around the eyes, photos with reflections will not be accepted. Head coverings  are acceptable only due to religious beliefs and then only when the applicants, face is completely exposed.

VISA FEES
Applicant's must bring one demand draft for the application fee drawn in favor pf the " American Embassy, New Delhi." Drafts should be drawn on a bank with a branch in New Delhi.
Fees for visa applications are as follows: Rs 4900  Non-refundable fee.
NOTE: VISA FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO THE DOLLAR/RUPEE EXCHANGE RATE. Please check the latest fee applicable at the time of your application website www.ttsvisas.com

STUDENT VISA(F and M)
Effective August 1,2002, all applicants seeking F, M and J visas and their dependents must complete form DS-158(Contact Info and Work History for NIV applicant). This form is in addition to the mandatory DS-156 application for a nonimmigrant visa and form DS-157  that is required for males between the ages 16 and 45.

STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR INFORMATION SYSTEM (SEVIS)
Beginning January 30,2003, all forms I-20 issued by academic and vocational educational institution, as well as all forms DS-2019 issued by Exchange visitor program sponsors, must be created within the SEVIS system.
SEVIS will replace ISEAS as the mechanism for electronic verification of prospective student/exchange visitor status. As of January 30,2003 educational institutions and exchange visitor program sponsors will no longer be able to enter records in ISEAS All new forms I-20 and DS-2019 issued on or after that date must be SEVIS COMPATIBLE DOCUMENTS. First time students and exchange visitors will be able to enter the U.S. with non-SEVIS documents issued prior to January 30,2003. All continuing students must present a    SEVIS- generated form I-20 or DS-2019 if they are applying for a visa after January 30,2003. U.S. law requires that this condition must be met before visa can be issued.
There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States.
The F visa is for academic studies, and the M visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies. A student with an F-1 visa may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study. However, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) may grant permission to accept temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment at any time during the course of study.
A spouse and unmarried, minor children may also receive nonimmigrant visas to accompany or follow the student. Family members must meet all visa eligibility requirements, including evidence that they have sufficient funds for support and, that they will depart the U.S. when the student's program ends. Spouses and children of students may not accept may not accept employment at any time.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT VISA
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A COURSES OF STUDY NORMALLY REQUIRED FOR ENROLLMENT, SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY PROFICIENT IN ENGLISH TO PURSUE THE INTENDED COURSE OF STUDY, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR A FULL COURSE OF STUDY BY  AN APPROVED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, AND BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE OR WILL BE AVAILABLE TO DEFRAY ALL LIVING AND SCHOOL EXPENSES DURING THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF ANTICIPATED STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH TO THE SATISFACTION  OF THE CONSULAR OFFICER THAT THEY HAVE BINDING TIES TO A RESIDENCE IN INDIA  WHICH THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF ABANDONING AND THAT THEY WILL RETURN TO INDIA WHEN THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR STUDIES.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR CARRYING IN YOUR VISA FILE

  1. Completed Application Form DS-156
  2. Form DS 157-for males between the ages of 16 and 45
  3. Form DS 158-Contact info and work history
  4. Passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the Applicant's intended period of stay in the UNITED States
  5. One colored photograph- As per Photo instructions given earlier.
  6. For F visa applicants, a completed Form I-20A-B (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant "Student Status for Academic and language Students) from the institution which the applicant will be attending. For M visa applicants, a completed Form U-20M-N,(Certificates of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student status for vocational Students), from the institution the applicant will be attending.
  7. Demand draft for the applicable fees.
  8. Original TOEFL scores and SAT, GRE, GMAT scores. (As applicable)
  9. Mark Sheets and Certificates of Academics/Qualifications till date, preferably from 10th class onwards including any special merit Certificates received.
  10. CA Statement giving state of liquid assets, movable and immovable assets of the student sponsors along with requisite financial documents, as applicable.
  • House/land proof and evaluation certificate.
  • Jewellery evaluation.
  • Bank Statements/ Passbooks.
  • Movable assets records like FDs/ PPF/ GPF/ VEHICLES/ Shares etc.
  • IT Return- Last 3 years of sponsors.
  • Salary  Certificates-Last 3 years of sponsors.
  1. Affidavit of  Financial Support from Sponsors.
  2. Brochure/ Material of your university, which has granted you admission.
  3. Correspondence with short listed universities/I 20s received.
  4. Spouses and minor children accompanying the student to the United States should bring marriage certificates, wedding photos, and birth certificates with them to the interview, to prove the relationship between themselves and the principal applicant.
  5. Any other documents to support your intention of returning back to India.

NOTE: STUDENTS MAY APPLY ONLY 90 DAYS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE COURSE.

SOME US VISA TIPS
1. PROFESSIONAL, FINANCIAL & SOCIAL TIES IN INDIA. When applying for a student visa (F-10)for the first time, you have to appear in person for the interview, which typically lasts for 2-3 minutes. In this short period, the consular officer reviews your credentials and the real intent of visiting the US. You must be prepared to demonstrate your professional, financial and social ties in India. Your English proficiency, academic preparation, choice of school, financial capability to pay for your academic and other expenses in the US for the duration of your study are factor that influence the decision. You need to provide credible documentary evidence in support of above factors.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS AN INTERVIEW AND REQUIRES PREPARATION EFFECTIVELY.
Because each student's personal and academic situation is different, two students may be asked different questions and be required to submit different documents. Successful applicants generally establish their ties to India by presenting evidence of professional, economic, social and family ties sufficient to induce them to leave to the US after the completion of studies.

2. RIGHT PREPARATION. Keep in mind that you cannot apply for your visa more than 90 days before the start of the academic programme. You can apply  for your visa again if you are rejected provided you have fresh facts to present. So , what is the key to success? PREPARATION - A LOT OF IT , WITH SMARTNESS , TO PROJECT THE RIGHT IMAGE, AND LOT OF POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

3. INTENTION TO RETURN BACK. One needs to have visual and verbal proof of  one's resources, academic preparation and intent. And this preparation needs time energy and focus. No one can really guarantee you a visa. Apart form your preparation, it is lady luck on your side that will help you get the coveted visa a key to your educational dreams.

HOWEVER, EFFECTIVE PREPARATION INCLUDING MOCK INTERVIEWS PREFERABLY UNDER EXPERT GUIDANCE IS GOOD AND IMPORTANT . REMEMBER THAT ONUS TO ESTABLISH THAT YOU ARE NOT A POTENTIAL IMMIGRANT LIES ON YOU. YOU NEED TO ESTABLISH THAT YOU ARE GOING ONLY FOR STUDIES AND YOU ARE DEFINITELY COMING BACK AFTER STUDY.

STUDENT VISA INTERVIEW FOR USA SOME POPULAR QUESTIONS BEING ASKED THESE DAYS
Such Question need to be prepared and answered effectively, with an AIM to convince the Visa Officer that you are a serious student going only for serious  studies with intention to return back.

Q1.  Why do you wish to pursue this Course?
Q2.  Why have you chosen this Institute/university particularly?
Q3.  How many universities did you apply to? How many admission offers have you got?
Q4.  Do you have any relatives in USA?
Q5.  What are your future plans after study in USA?
Q6.  Why have you chosen this major for study? Does it match with you present Qualifications?
Q7.  Do you plan to work in US during studies?
Q8.  Who will sponsor your study costs ? Can I see your CA Statement/financial papers?
Q9.  Your father is in Service. How will you afford the studies in US?
Q10. Have you been to USA earlier?
Q11. Your university in US offers PhD also after you complete MS. Do you plan PhD also after MS?
Q12. You are single. If you find a companion in USA , will you  not stay on further there?
Q13. The Course which you plan to do in US does not offer adequate job opportunities in India. This means that you may stay on in US/
Q14. Can you give me convincing reasons as to why you will return to India?
Q15. What are your scores in GMAT/ GRE/ SAT/ TOEFL (As Applicable). Why are your scores low?
Q16. Your Verbal Ability & TOEFL Scores are low. Do you think you will able to follow the instructions of American Professors in English?
Q17. If I reject your visa, what will you do further?

CONCLUSION
VISA MANAGEMENT IN THE PRESENT SCENARIO HAS BECOME VERY IMPORTANT TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR USA. PREPARATION HAS TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE. REMEMBER THAT THE ONUS TO ESTABLISH THAT YOU ARE DEFINITELY COMING BACK LIES ON YOU . ALSO REMEMBER THAT STUDENTS GOING FOR SERIOUS STUDIES WITH CLEAR YOU. INTENTIONS OF RETURNING AFTER STUDY ARE NOT DENIED VISA. IT IS A FAIR SYSTEM.

(By Colonel Vinod Myne, Managing Director CAREER MAKERS)