In our earlier bulletins, we described the general procedures and guidelines on applying for a non-immigrant U.S. visa from India. In this bulletin, we are providing valuable tips while applying for student visas (F1/M1).

One may be aware that F1 visa (Academic Student) is for students who wish to pursue their education as a full-time student at an accredited (U.S. government approved) college or university. M1 visa (vocational students) is for students who wish to pursue non-academic programs like flight training, or other vocational training programs.

This article is aimed at helping applicants to understand the importance of visa interview and provide valuable tips for the visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Basic Requirements:

Once a student is admitted to a college or university in the U.S., s/he is issued Form I-20A & B (For F1 and M1). The applicant should carry this along with Form I-901 – proof of payment of Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fees, valid passport, completed Forms DS-156 or OF-160, Form DS-157, Form DS-158, academic records, availability of funds to meet the cost of education and documents / information to evidence the applicant’s ties to the home country.

When to apply or travel:

Students are allowed to apply for a visa up to 120 days prior the date of commencement of their courses. In general, such applicants are eligible to schedule an interview under the “emergency” criteria set for students so long as they do not have two prior refusals within the previous six months. Once the visa is issued, a first time student can enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the date of commencement of courses.

Factors influencing student visa applications:

The following are some of the main factors that may influence the adjudication visa office while reviewing a student visa application:

Prior academic performance in school / college:

While applying for a student visa, the aspiring student must remember that the visa officers will consider prior academic performance in the under graduate studies (if applying for masters) or the high school (if applying for Bachelors in the U.S.). Good history of academics will be helpful, on the contrary, if the applicant’s academic performance was poor, the applicant would be expected to justify how s/he will cope up with the syllabus in the U.S.

Scores in qualifying examinations:

Most colleges or universities may require a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) / Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) / Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) / Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for admission. It is always good to give the best performance and having good scores would be an indication on the applicant’s focus on his / her higher education.

Selection of the course/university: 

While choosing a particular course, college or university, the prospective student must first determine the significance of course in relation to his/her existing qualification. If the proposed course is not relevant, one should have a clear explanation for shifting the subjects. Similarly, one should choose the college or university based on the ranking of the university in general and the course of specialization in particular. Students should not base their choice merely on lower fees or scholarships. Doing this may raise speculation on actual purpose of study because of the shift in focus from better education to just having a degree abroad!

Funds for the education: 

Once a student is admitted, the educational institution issues an I-20 A & B for both F1 and M1 students. This document clearly indicates details of course, duration of course, tuition fees, living expenses, scholarships if any, etc., along with the source of funds shown by the student at the time of applying for admission. While applying for the visa, the applicant should establish ability to pay for his / her education and living expenses and is good to provide evidence of adequate liquid funds to cover the fees and living expenses for the first academic year and access to funds or income to support the fees and living expenses for the subsequent duration of education as indicated on the I-20. Students can show funds from themselves if they have worked before or have adequate funds, funds provided by the institution in the form of scholarships or fee waivers, funds from parents or student loan or in some instances from siblings or a close relative either in India or abroad.

Communication at the visa interview: 

Visa officers expect the applicant(s) to know about the reasons for choosing a particular course or college in addition to how one will support the costs of education and their future plans. Applicants need to be clear and communicate effectively to stand a good chance of obtaining a successful visa stamp. They should not expect the visa officers to verify all the documents though the officers may do so at their discretion.

Importance of being honest and transparent at the visa interview:

Students are often misguided to carry fraudulent financial documentation. Providing false information on the visa application forms or carrying fraudulent documentation could result in a permanent ineligibility from entering the United States. We at MISPL strongly urge visa applicants to be honest on the application and the documentation. Even if a visa is refused a student visa, if the applicant was truthful, s/he can always reapply either for the same or a different category of visa if s/he is qualified.

Some common misconceptions while applying for a student visa:

Bank Loans:

It is not true that having a bank loan will adversely affect the visa issuance. As long as one can show means to repay, availing an educational loan from a financial institution is generally acceptable.

Sponsorship by siblings or close relatives in the U.S.:

Often, student visa applicants are misinformed that sponsorship by a sibling working in the U.S. is not acceptable. Though the student visa applicants are subject to the presumption of immigrant intent under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, sponsorship by a sibling or close relative in the U.S. who has adequate funds and income to support the education will in most instances be a very positive factor as far as the student’s ability to meet the cost of education is concerned. On the contrary, if the applicant fails to disclose the presence of a parent or sibling or fiancé or spouse or child in the U.S., the consequences could be very severe including a permanent ineligibility from entering the U.S.

Conclusion: 

Students focused on studying in the United States should prepare well in advance and show good academics and choose the appropriate course and University in the U.S. Clear transparency on the application and at the interview, provides possibility of a successful stamping. Further, to avoid last minute rush, one should apply for the visa as soon as permissible once the I-20 is received.