| VISA
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Applying for a Student Visa
To enter the United States as an F-1 student, the student must apply at a US Embassy of Consulate for an F-1 student
visa. Depending on the country where the Embassy or Consulate is located, the student may be required to make an
appointment. We inform the policies of the Embassy/Consulate for the student's country so that the student will not
encounter unexpected delays. In some countries, students fail to obtain a visa because they were not aware of the
procedures or were not prepared.We do not let this happen to the students from the Indian sub-continent. The
information outlined below is designed to help the student understand the visa process.
VISA POLICIES
By law, all nonimmigrants are viewed as "intending immigrants". This means that the visa officer is under the
assumption that the student will be coming to the US and will remain in the US permanently. Student visas (F class) are
given to students that can demonstrate to the Consul that they intend to return permanently at the conclusion of their
studies.
SOME QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How do I prove my intent to return? Excellent question. The ability to convince the Consul (either in person or through
written application) may be difficult. The student may want to present documents that demonstrate ties to the student's
home country that would convince the consul of the student's intent to return.
Such documents may include:
Proof of land ownership
Economic and Social ties are crucial: 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.
The family's extended relationships in the community, civil service posts, church, etc., can make a difference.
Additionally, if other family members have studied in the U.S. and returned it should be mentioned.
For students from nations with strict banking regulations, an application is strengthened when funds can be
shown either in a U.S. account, or already received by the school. Letters from prospective employers recognizing the need for specialized training offered in the U.S. can also
serve to aid an application.
Most importantly, Consular Officials want to hear directly from the applicant in the personal interview. At no time, is it
recommended that the applicant bring family members with them to the interview. The applicant should submit any/all
of the documents to the Consular Official for review.
Along with the above information, the student must also present a valid passport showing validity for at least the next
six(6) months and a properly completed INS Form I-20 A/B.
If the student has sufficiently proven to the Consular Official's satisfaction that he/she intends to come to the U.S. solely
for the purpose of study and will return to his/her home country upon completion his program, a visa stamp will be
affixed to a page in the passport. Students are encouraged to apply for a multiple entry F-1 student visa. In most cases,
the visa will be issued on the same day of the submission of the application. In some instances, the process may take
longer depending on the time of year, consular case-load or other factors.
What if my visa application is denied ? If the student's application is denied, the student should ask the Consular Officer
for a "written denial decision." This will provide the student with the official reason for the student's visa denial.
What is F-1 Status? F-1 is one of the several classes (types) of nonimmigrant Visas. Persons with an F-1 visa are
admitted to the U.S. for the purpose of study.
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