For that visa power
Richard Haynes, Consul General for the United States in south India handing over a visa, after it was processed on the basis of the unique finger print technology, to the cine actress, Trisha, in Chennai.
THERE ARE many important things to remember when filing your application for a student visa to the United States (U.S.). First, you would have to prove how strong are your ties to India.
Student visa is a non-immigrant visa and you are expected to return to India after your studies. You would have to prove your intention to return to India by declaring or providing evidence of
Property and/or business that you might inherit and would be required to manage in the coming years.
Evidence that your parents (especially if you are the only son) are emotionally and financially dependent on you, with no other sibling to look after them in their old age.
Prospects of the courses that you intend to pursue in the U.S., in India.
Supporting documents from the employer if you are a sponsored candidate.
Financial statements
You must provide updated and current financial statements. The funds shown must be sufficient to finance your study and living expenses for the entire duration of the course. The best proof would be evidence of a bank loan that would cover all semesters. If the funds are being shown as parental assistance, the earnings of the parents and family members should be traceable through bank statements.
Showing the source of income is a necessity and that could be proved through tax returns of the past few years and salary slips. Copies of the savings bank statement (if in business, current account) of at least a year should be provided along with receipts of fixed deposits.
The more the current deposits and savings, the less likely are the chances of approval. The visa office would presume that funds have been arranged and deposited for getting the visa and that the funds and resources do not belong to the applicant or the family.
The property assets should be valued by a government-approved property valuator. The comprehensive financial statement should be attested to be true by a chartered accountant.
Academic course
You should have comprehensive knowledge of the course in which you are taking admission and how it complements your future career and professional goals in India.
Information on dependents
If your spouse is accompanying you as an F-2 dependent, she would not be permitted to work in the U.S.
You would be required to show additional funds in such a situation. She/he may, however, be permitted to do volunteer work or do part-time studies.
If your spouse and children are staying back in India and if you are the sole-earning member, you should be able to prove their ability to support themselves in your absence.
If your family applies for a visit visa at a later stage, ensure that they does so from the same visa post from where you received your approval.
Points to remember
The application should be complete in all respects and signed by you.
The fee deposited should be of the correct amount.
The file should be well-presented, indexed and
sequenced.
Make two sets of documents - copies and all the originals.
Enclose one photograph (37x37mm) for each applicant, color or black and white, showing full face against a light background.
Ensure passport validity of at least six months beyond the date of initial entry into the U.S.
Evidence of English language proficiency including IELTS or TOEFL scores or a write-up.
Evidence of admission to a university, college or school in the U.S.
Do not argue and or get angry during the interview.
Be precise in your response; your interview may just last for three to five minutes.
Look straight into the eyes of the visa officer, smile a lot and show a positive attitude.
Talk in English only.
Answer all questions truthfully.
Be assertive and make your point without being rude.
Owing to increased safety measures, apply well in advance of the start of a semester.
You should be able to tell the visa officer about your plans for accommodation once you reach your destination.
Ensure that you attend the same university/school whose certificate of eligibility was used to apply for your visa. Doing otherwise would be considered as a visa fraud. If you are refused a visa, what should you do?
Make an application only if you have new information to provide or you can substantiate through additional documents. Take supporting documents from the university/institute you are planning to join.
Your responses during the second interview should not contradict your statements during the first one. While filling up the application, say truthfully that you have been refused a visa previously.
AJAY SHARMA
Photo: S.R. Raghunathan
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