Applying for US Student Visa (F-1)
Individuals applying for F-1 (student) visas must now pay a US$200 (as of October 28, 2008) 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 American Express, MasterCard, or Visa Credit card.
TIP: You can pay SEVIS Fee directly to http://www.fmjfee.com
Appointment with Consulate Officials
When you apply for an F-1 student visa for the first time, you will be scheduled for an appointment for interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. You can simply use online help to get the schedule by signing up for a user ID and pay the required fee. You can save time and effort by doing this. Get your schedule conveniently in front of the computer!
TIP: You can register a User ID and log-in at: http://www.visapoint.com
Meeting the Consulate Officials
The Consulate official often interviews 200 people or more in one day. So he must have a quick decision about your application and your “interview” will last no more than one or two minutes. Being properly prepared and organized will give you the good chance of obtaining your visa. Most common reasons for denied visa is being unprepared, lack of needed documents, or cannot answer questions clearly.
TIP: You can register a User ID and log-in at: http://www.visapoint.com
Pre-conceived notions about your Student Visa Application
The Consulate official unfortunately often have 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 Consul Officer might believe that you are: NOT a legitimate student Assume that you do not have enough financial resources to study in the US Assume that you plan to stay and live in the US after you study and never return back home
You need to Convince the Consul Officer that:
• You are an excellent student with future plans
• You have the financial resources to study for at least one year in the US
• You have strong family ties with members of the family currently residing in home country • You have strong social and career ties • You will return home after you finish study
* All of the above statements need tangible proof. You must provide the necessary documents that he might require on a case to case basis.
evidence that you had paid the US$200.00 SEVIS Fee
evidence that you are qualified, legitimate student
evidence that you have the financial resources to pay for your education in the US evidence that you have strong economic, family, social, or career ties to your home country evidence that you will return home after you finish your studies.
CHECKLIST:
During the interview, it is best to bring the necessary documents arranged in correct order and packets (Steps A—F)
• passport size full-faced photograph (without head covering) • if you are married or have children, you need proof of relationship to your spouse and children (marriage certificate, birth certificate, identification cards, etc.) • Visa application fee -- Official Receipt • A one-page Cover Letter • Receipt of your payment of Student/Exhange Visitor (SEVIS) Fee
TIP: You can register a User ID and log-in at: http://www.visapoint.com
Materials you need process A--F
During the interview, it is best to bring the necessary documents arranged in correct order and packets (Steps A—F)
passport valid for at least one year if you are married or have children, you need proof of relationship to your spouse and children (marriage certificate, birth certificate, identification cards, etc.) Visa application fee -- Official Receipt A one-page Cover Letter Receipt of your payment of Student/Exhange Visitor (SEVIS) Fee
Materials you need process A--F
FORM I-20 issued by the school
Your Letter of Admission
Your letter of financial aid award letter or scholarship letter, if applicable. Copies of School Certificates showing that you are a good student Copies of School Credentials, Diploma or National Test
Copies of TOEFL or English test results
Letter or Certificates of academic awards
Materials you need process A--F
Financial Documents proving your support
Bank statement for at least six (6) months with enough balance to support your expenses and you can take the funds out of your home country easily.
Your letter of financial aid award letter or scholarship letter, if applicable. Other financial documents:
* Tax Declaration from Home or Family business * Sponsor letters who have promised to provide for the cost such as room and board, books, etc. * Documents that prove that the sponsor can afford the promises made Form I-134 (affidavit of Support) completed by Sponsor
TIP: FORM I-134 can be downloaded from: http://www.visapro.com/US-INS-Forms/Form-I-134-INS.asp
Proof of Ties or Connections to Your Home Country and Plans to Return
Letter or proof that you have been offered a job when you return home If you or your family owns a business, show evidence that you plan to return to work in the business upon completion of your US education
Proof of your interest in attending a graduate program in your native country
Other documents to prove you are returning:
* A deed proving that you own a real property (which will indicate your plan to return) * Letters from prominent government officials offering assurance that you plan to return
US Government Forms to Complete
Make sure the following forms are downloaded filled up or submitted online Fees should be paid before coming for interview:
•A completed DS-156 form with photo of each applicant •For males ages 16 and above a completed form DS-157 •A completed DS-158 Form (This form list all your family members and past work experiences) •A receipt proving that you already pay the US$200 SEVIS Fee •A receipt of your visa application fee (You can pay to assigned bank by the Embassy in your locale)
http://www.usembassy.state.gov
How to prepare for your Visa interview:
If planning to enter a prestigious school, dress neatly and appropriately. You have to be more professional if planning to take a post graduate studies or bachelor of laws. Be prepared and state clearly your professional goals after you graduate. What course and major you had selected and its importance to your future plans when you return home. Be prepared to explain where and how you learned English, or you wish to study more English in the US
How to Organize your materials:
Make sure you had your papers arrange in order. Group relevant documents together. (1) Your cover letter (2) all school documents issued to you (3) All documents to prove that you are a legitimate and excellent student (4) all financial documents (5) all documents showing that you have strong ties with your home country.
DO NOT SAY
that you want to study in the US because your friends are there, or because you like American movies, or other unimportant reasons. You need strong reasons to go and equally (or even more stronger) reason to return.
REMEMBER:
By the rules of the job, the embassy official is required to assume that each visa applicant is secretly planning to remain in the US forever. If the official sense that you are planning in staying in the US, your application will be denied. If you can show convincing reasons for your return home after studying, your application will be accepted.
F-1 visa
is only for people who will study in the US, then return home to live in their own country.
VERY IMPORTANT! Be always truthful in your statements with the US
Consular/Embassy Officials. If they find that you have misrepresented yourself or your documents, you will be barred from entering the US in the future.
What If Your Visa Denied?
Most of the student visa are granted. So, your chance of receiving a student visa is good. The main reason for denials is that the officials believes the student actually wants to go to the US to live and work. If you are denied a visa, ask politely for a reason. Ask if additional documentation is needed. You can re-apply but you need more evidence to show to the official that what you are saying is true. It is difficult to determine what evidence will be convincing; it will depend on the situation.
If your application is refused the second time, you have to wait for a period before you return. However, the chance is not very high you need to provide more documentation every time you return to prove that there are new facts to review and more reason for approval.
Special Thanks to the internet and my blog that had made this answers possible.
To the people that answered my survey and the advises of my freak friends…
OTHER RESOURCES: How to Obtain a US Visa Visit the following site for more information on your Visa application www.usembassy.state.gov www.visapoint.com www.fmjfee.com www.visapro.com