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| F-1
(Student Visa) |
| The
F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in
an academic or language program. F-1 students
may stay in the US for the full length of their
academic program plus 60 days. F-1 students must
maintain a full-time course load and complete
their studies by the expiration date listed on
the I-20 form.· |
| J-1
(Exchange Visitor Visa) |
| The
J-1 visa is issued for students needing practical
training that is not available in their home country
to complete their academic program. The training
must be directly related to the academic program.
The J-1 visa obligates the student to return to
their home country for a minimum of two years
after the end of their studies in the US before
being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent
residence) visa.The rules and regulations governing
the entrance of all international students into
the United States are complicated and should be
properly looked into before applying for a visa. |
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Visa
Application Procedure
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| Applicants
should apply at the consular section of the American
Embassy any working day, Monday through Friday,
between the hours of 8:30 and 10:00 AM. |
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|
Documents
required are :
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 |
Valid Passport |
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One Passport size photograph
(Black and White or Colour) |
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A Non-immigrant Visa
Application (Form 156) available from the
Consular section. |
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Form I-20 executed
by the authorizing official of institution
concerned, signed by the applicant. |
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Evidence of financial
ability to cover the costs of the education
and maintenance involved |
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Visa fee to be paid
in Indian Rupees by Bank Draft |
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When
to apply :
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| An
applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier
than 90 days before the registration date specified
on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is
already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably
expect to arrive at the school by the registration
date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20
or a letter of extension from the issuing institution
stating by what date the applicant may arrive. |
| After
the Completed application forms along with the
documents are submitted |
| In
most cases, the visa will be issued within a few
hours or days of the submission of the application.
In some instances, the process may take longer
depending on the time of year, consular caseload
or other factors. |
| If
your application is denied, you should ask the
Consular Officer for a "written denial decision."
This will provide you with the official reason
for your visa denial. |
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Principal
Requirements for a Student Visa
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|
1)
Acceptance by University
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| Acceptance
of the applicant by an institution of learning
for a full course of study is essential. Evidence
in support of this requirement consists of a Form
I-20 (Certification of Eligibility) filled out
by the accepting school, and signed by the applicant
and presented with the visa application. |
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2)
Knowledge of English Language
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| Evidence
that the applicant has sufficient scholastic preparation
and knowledge of the English language, if required
by the school to undertake a full course of study
in the accepting institution. Proof of the required
scholastic preparation is usually established
by the I-20 from the institution involved and
the entries on the form. To establish their knowledge
of English, applicants are encouraged to take
the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL),
available in many Indian cities. |
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3)
Proof of Financial Resources
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This
involves proof that the applicant has sufficient
funds to cover the total cost of education and
stay in the U.S. This implies evidence of readily
available funds to meet all expenses for the first
year, and of the availability of funds for the
following years from reliable financial resources.
To satisfy this requirement applicants may show
that funds are available from the educational
institution, from their personal resources or
from sponsors, (normally a very close relative)
who have agreed to pay for their education.
|
If
the support is from the educational institution,
in the form of a scholarship, assistantship, on-campus
employment, etc.,it is usually noted on the I-20.
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If
the support is from India, the applicant must
produce bank books and statements or other documents
showing a total amount in rupees equal to the
dollar cost of the first year, and evidence regarding
sources of funds for subsequent years. If the
student is not paying his own expenses, an affidavit
of support executed by the sponsor and sworn before
a first class magistrate (in India) must also
be presented, along with financial evidence indicating
the ability to carry out the undertaking.
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If
the support is from outside India, the sponsor
must provide a letter from his/her bank indicating
that the sponsor has sufficient funds to cover
the costs involved, together with a current notarized
Affidavit of support stating willingness to finance
the applicant's educational expenses. The sponsor
should also provide evidence of current employment
and income.
|
With
regard to sponsorship, particular weight is given
to promises of support from immediate family members.
Affidavits from less than immediate relatives
and family friends do not carry the same degree
of commitment as do affidavits from immediate
family members and should be accompanied by a
statement explaining in detail what compelling
reasons the person has to carry out the promises
made on the affidavit.
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| The
Embassy emphasizes that the commitment contained
in an affidavit of support is not a mere formality.
The U.S. Government regards Affidavits of support
to be binding, legal documents that oblige the
sponsor to be financially responsible for the
student during his/her time in U.S. |
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4)
Proof of Non-Immigrant Intent (Existence of
permanent residence)
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It
is difficult to prove that you intend to return
to India after your studies are complete even
though you sincerely intend to. This is because
by law, all non-immigrants are viewed as "intending
immigrants." This means that the visa officer
is under the assumption that you will be coming
to the US and will remain in the US permanently.
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| You
should carry with you documents that demonstrate
ties to India and would help convince the consul
of your intent to return. Such documents may include: |
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Proof
of land ownership |
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Economic
and Social ties are very important: An applicant's
future role in a family business, academic
institution, government agency, professional
organization are all possibilities. Bring
letters from appropriate parties to demonstrate
such facts. |
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If
other family members have studied in the
U.S. and returned it should be mentioned. |
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Letters
from prospective employers recognizing the
need for specialized training offered in
the U.S. can also serve to aid an application
in the applicant's home country. |
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Providing
an explanation of why equivalent educational
training is not available in your home country,
if applicable. |
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| Most
importantly, Consular Officials want to hear from
the applicant. At no time, is it recommended that
the applicants bring family members with them
to the interview. |
| If
you prove to the Consular Official's satisfaction
that you intend to come to the U.S. solely for
the purpose of study and will return to India
upon completion of the program, a visa stamp will
be affixed to a page in your passport. You should
apply for a multiple entry F-1 student visa. With
a multiple entry visa you can travel between US
and India during the duration of your stay in
the Unites States. |
| For
Further Information on Counseling and general
information on studying in United States and or
for information about student visa, contact :
Educare Overseas. |
