Student Visa prepartion for US

Applying for a US Student Visa

Persons applying for F (student) visas must now pay a US$100 non-refundable Student/Exchange Visitor processing fee to the US government. This fee is required of students from all countries. The fee must be paid to the US government before the student visits the US Consulate to apply for a visa.

The easiest and fastest method to pay the fee is to go online and pay with an American Express, MasterCard, or Visa credit card.

For detailed information on the fee and how to pay it, go to

Meeting Consulate Officials

When you apply for an F-1 student visa for the first time, you will have a brief personal interview at the US embassy or consulate nearest you. The interview will probably be behavior in English. The consulate official often interviews 200 people in one day. The official must make a quick decision about your application and your “interview’” will last no more than one or two minutes. If you are completely prepared and organized, your chance of find a visa is good. If you are not prepared, lack the necessary documents, or cannot answer questions clearly, your application may be denied.

Unfortunately, the US Consular official may have some incorrect and pre-conceived notions about your application and your plans. This is especially true if you are from a country where many students go to the US and never return back home.

The US Consulate official may incorrectly believe that you are not a legitimate student. He may incorrectly assume that you do not have financial resources to study in the US. He may also incorrectly assume that you plan to stay and live in the US after your studies and not return back to your home. To get a student visa, you must convince the official: (1) that you are an excellent student with an educational plan, (2) that you have the financial resources to study for at least one year in the US, (3) that you have strong family, social and career ties to your home country, and (4) that you will return home after your studies.

Consulate officials will want to see:

A. evidence that you will return home after you finish your studies.

B. evidence of strong economic, family, social, or career ties to your home country.

C. evidence that you have the financial resources to pay for your education in the US.

D. evidence that you are a qualified, legitimate student.

E. evidence that you have paid the US$100 Student/Exchange Visitor processing fee.

Checklist of Materials You Will Need

(1) Documents you must provide:

(A) your passport valid for at least one year into the future.

(B) the visa application fee (in a form required by the US Embassy nearest you).

(C) a one-page cover letter to be placed on top of your materials. (See information below under “Organizing Your Materials”).

(D) a small (passport-size) full-face photograph of you (without head covering).

(E)a receipt proving that you have paid the US$100 Student/Exchange Visitor processing fee.

(F)if you are married or have children, you will need proof of relationship to your spouse and children (marriage certificate, birth certificates, identification cards, etc.).

(2) Materials

* your Form I-20 issued.

* your letter of admission.

* your financial aid award letter or scholarship letter, if applicable.

(3) Materials Proving Your Are An Excellent Student

* copies of your secondary (high) school certificates showing that you are a good student.

* copies of your secondary school diploma and/or national tests.

* copies of your TOEFL or English test results.

* letters/certificates showing that you won any academic awards in secondary school.

(4) Proof of Ties or Connections to Your Home Country & Plans to Return

It is important for your to prove to the US Consular official that you have family, social, and career “ties” or “connections” to your home country. These “ties” will help assure the official that you plan to return home after completing your studies. Below are sample items that may help you prove your ties.

(A) a letter or proof that you have been offered a job when you return home.

(B) Information about family members who have traveled or studied overseas and returned.

(C) A deed proving that you own property in your home country (which can indicate a plan to return).

(D) Information about your own previous travel to the US (if any), perhaps as a tourist.

(E) Proof of your interest in attending a graduate program in your native country upon your return home.

(F) If your family owns business evidence that you plan to return to work in the business upon completion of your US education.

(G) Letters from prominent government officials (mayor, principal, congressman, etc.) offering assurance that you plan to return to your home country.

(5) Financial Documents show Your Support

You must prove to the US Consular official that you have enough money to support at least one year of study at College. For academic year those costs will be approximately $44,682.

Your support must add up to that amount, but it can include financial aid/scholarship awards from college, loans your family has secured, promises of support from relatives, scholarships from your country, and so forth.

Remember that the US Consulate official may also want to know how long your bank account has been open, or how large the daily balance has been, on average, so it is important to include six months of statements. The officer will also want evidence that you can take money out of your home country without difficulty.

Interview tips

(1)Go to the interview well-groomed, neither too casual nor overly formal

(2)You should arrive to the consulate approximately 15 minutes early.

(3)Your body language should give the impression of self-confidence; answer questions naturally and directly without nervousness.

(4)Emphasize your genuine desire to study in America along with your commitment to return to India because of familial and financial ties.

(5)Above all else, smile!