Can students use their parent's financial information at the visa interview?"
"Will low GRE scores prevent one from obtaining a visa?"
The US student visa process often leaves Indian students nervous and apprehensive. Thankfully, Dr Arun Vakil, an expert on overseas visas, participated in a chat on April 18 and answered a variety of questions from our readers.
"You should show yours as well as your parents financial statement. Not that of siblings, uncles, aunts. IT returns are also needed for the last three years from your dad's or mom's income."
"US Visa Officer see many components like previous academic records in India, financial situation, field of study, scope of your specialisation, English proficiency and entrance test. If you have many of these components in your favour, one or two weak components will not go against you."
For those who missed the chat, here's part one of the transcript!
Vanessa asked, hello, i already have an i-20 from univ of arkansas, when is the earliest i can apply for visa?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You can apply 120 days before commencement of classes
Prasad Kulkarni asked, If I have parents savings+FD+PF etc., that sums only for 1st year expenses AND property+gold valuation of around 15 lakhs and if Visa Officer asks that how will you manage funds for 2nd year then how shall answer him/her?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You must show access to funds from family funds, Indian or US sponsors and loans or combination of all. This shows that funds are available for your second year study.
dhiraj asked, i have my I-20 from IIT,Chicago for fall 2007 and my classes are to commence from 23 aug.currently i am in my final semester (B.E Cse) and expect to recieve the provisional markscard in the last week of july. now is it possible tht i appear for visa interview with only upto 7th sem markscard as waitin till july will be too late..
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You can take provisional certificate and explain to Visa Officer. There is no problem.
Rahul asked, Hi, I have got admit from sjsu for FALL2007 term My questions are:- 1) How negatively it will affect my visa chances , as my sister is already staying their as a citizen (even in the same state, California) .plz suggest me some solutions for the same. 2) my parents savings+FD+PF etc., that sums only for 1st year expenses AND property gold valuation of around 15 lakhs .so can I show that I 'll be taking loan for my studies and answer his que like : >>> Have you got any Loans? ,If yes, how do you plan to repay back? 3)Suggest answers for these questions >What prompts you to return back after your studies? >Will you not apply for a job after your studies in US? >Why the specified University.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, 1. Your sister being citizen is no problem 2. You can take a loan. If your dad has years left for his work or business, you can say that he will take care of loan fully or partially and that you will take care of it on return 3. Depending on your specialisation, show evidence of growth in the Industry or field you specialise in India which promises bright future in growing economy of India 4. Selection of university is entirely personal issue depending on nature of courses, reputation, ranking, foreign student enrollment and weather. You can emphasise these points in order of your importance
Adnan asked, In the wake of Virginia Tech incident would you still recommend students to go to states for higher studies? Is it a safe haven for them? After all this is not the first time we have heard of such an incident on campuses in America.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, Viloence including that on campus is universal reality. Such incidents can happen anywhere in the world. You have to accept this reality and move forward in life
sanjeev asked, Can we apply for visa in some catagory linked with an investment in the property ?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, EB-5 is an option.
Mumbaiboy asked, Hello Doc How much early can one enter US (on student visa) before the start of course..is it 30 days or 60 days beforethe start? Thanks.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, 30 days.
gm asked, Sir, Does having a low verbal score in GRE (390) affect in me obtaining the visa?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, US Visa Officer see many components like previous academic records in India, financial situation, field of study, scope of your specialisation, English proficiency and entrance test. If you have many of these components in your favour, one or two weak components will not go against you.
Prasad K asked, Showing liquid assets for 1st year and access to funds for subsequent years, what is the difference? Can you please elaborate on this?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, First year funds indicate usability of funds immediately without disturbing family budget for other members. Access to funds in the second year is availability of funds which can be used as and when necessary.
Arjun asked, Sir, i have been admited to the University of California, Davis for the sesion starting fall 2007 for a 4-yert course. Wat sort of finances do i show the visa officer. Is it convincing to show him letters of intent from banks and institutions which intend to sponsor me if the need arises?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You have to show family funds and other finances available to you from sources such as relatives, friends in India or the US as well as loans. Combination of all these factors will make you a better candidate
Megha asked, Sir what are HDFC charges? and what is the procedure
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, These are US visa fees payable to US Consulate thru HDFC Bank. Visit www.vfs-usa.co.in for details. The US mission in India has made arrangement with HDFC Bank (authorised representative of Bank of America) to collect Visa fees. Visit www.vfs-usa.co.in which lists branches of HDFC Bank in India that collect fees. Identify closest branch to your location and pay following fees per passport. 1. Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee): $100 in Indian Rupee equivalent at consular rate of exchange. Rupee amount at current rate of exchange (Rs 44) is Rs 4,400. This fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favouring US Embassy "Visa Fees". DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted. For Consulate, the cheque should state American Consulate Genera -- Mumbai (Chennai/Kolkata, as the case may be) 2. VFS Service Charge: Rs 322/- (inclusive of Service Tax @ 10 per cent and Education Cess Tax @ 0.2 per cent) This fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favouring HDFC Bank a/c. DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted
Anuja asked, Sir after how many moths on finishing OPT can my company apply for H1?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, One can apply 90 days prior to completition of OPT for H1.
abhishek1 asked, i talked to seniors at my university and according to them everyone easily gets an oncampus job. can this be given as one of the support for living expense
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, On campus job takes place when you reach the US. It cannot be shown as anticipated income while applying for visa from India.
KK asked, Dear Sir, My brother has got three accepts, from North Carolina State University, University of Florida and Arizona State University. Since there is very little difference in ranking, what is the best way to decide which university to go to?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, Look for data on number of foreign students enrolled at each university, weather preferences (too cold or too hot) depending on individual choice and cost of living in relation to your budget.
aryanbabu asked, Sir, I got full financial assitance for first year with a rider that upon satisfying completion of first year the same will be extended. Do I have to show finances for second year in my VISA application ? If yes what sort of documentation is required ?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You still need to show family funds -- liquid and fixed assets available to you in case of need.
arunkumareagle asked, hi sir, i have got my i20 from UAB for MPH course. I heard that visa fees has to be paid in a hdfc bank only. iam in cuttack, orissa.do i have to pay my visa fees at hdfc bank , kolkata??? pla advise me
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, Go to www.vfs-usa.co.in web site. Look for HDFC bank list and find which is the nearest to where you are . Alternatively, you can check with local branch in Cuttack.
ayanesh asked, Hi Dr. Vakil I have got an admission offer from US for fall 2007, classes start from 20th august, I haven't received my I-20 yet, can I pay the visa fees through HDFC bank and book the dates without I-20.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You can pay the fees but wait for booking of date. You should do this only when you have I-20. Change of date is allowed only once and hence the suggestion
Sidharth asked, Like most indian graduate students , I will have to take loan or mortgage property to show the amount in our account .But we do it as far as possible near to the date of visa interview so as to save on intrest rates .I have heard that this can be detterent during visa approval .They site this as a problem and its better to show the funds deposited at a much earlier date like 6 months and 1 year .What is the truth in this ? Thank you .
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, This is true. You cannot show huge inflow of funds in bank accounts nearer the date of interview as that can be interpreted as funds brought only to get visa and hence visa may be denied.
sb asked, Is it necessary to show affidavit of support on stamp paper by the parents, sister or aunt if they are sponsoring the student?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, Stamp paper is not a requirement but a letter explaining intention of the sponsor and the reason why he/she is sponsoring you would have more meaning.
jAYA asked, wHAT IS sevis;i EXPECT TO GET MY i20 BY Mid May.. Can I pay the visa appliction fees now.. so that when I receive my I20 I can take an interview date immediately
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, SEVIS is an internet based system introduced by the US Govt. to keep track of student movement in the US ever since he/she applies for visa. ALL STUDENTS have to pay $100 as SEVIS fee and take print out of the receipt along with form I-20 while going for interview. Details on SEVIS fee is available from www.fmjfee.com
sukanya asked, Sir.. do you think Abhishek Bacchan will qualify for a student visa ?? After all, he does need some education?? Your comments please
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, If he meets the requirement of student visa, he can; in fact anyone can
Megha asked, How many dollors is Sevis fees?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, $100
diggs asked, is it necessary that all the funds i am showing for student visa are from my own account. can it be in my father's account? will i have to show only the bank statements or also the IT returns?
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, You should show yours as well as your parents financial statement. Not that of siblings, uncles, aunts. IT returns are also needed for last 3 years from your dad's or mom's income.
ashu asked, Mr. vakil..Hi..i've finished my PG from delhi univ & want to pursue an MBA in US. i'm writing GMAT now..how early can i get a visa and wat'd be the procedure..thanks.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, As soon as you get admission in a US university, you can start the process. Normally this takes anything from 6 to 12 months.
ArunKumar asked, Hi, This is Arun, my sister is in US on H1 and mom is in US on B1 visiting her. I am applying for F1 visa. Can i face any problems?Please give me tips.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, I do not see any problem. You need to carry photocopies of visas of your sisster and mom and if they are in the US legally, you are ok.
vijay asked, do we need to show a high balance bank accout with regular transactions also. what is the safe lower limit of the bank balance if the annual fee is around 10000$. are there any chances of refusal in case student gets admission and necessary recomendations.
Dr. Arun Vakil answers, To have a big bank balance in finances for student visa is a myth. The liquid asset of your family funds consisting of bank accounts, FDs, LIC policies, Investment in Govt. securities and shares, jewellery, PPF, dad's PF and gratuity if applicable make up liquid assets. If the total of these funds take care of your first year study indicated on your I-20, you are fine.
-- Dr Arun Vakil has an MBA from the University of California, USA, and a PhD, partly from the University of Wyoming USA and University of Mumbai. He is an expert on US visa regulations. He conducts orientation courses for students going to the US; these courses are organised by various organisations in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and North Gujarat. He also delivers lectures on US visas and immigration laws and has authored the book Gateway to America, in 1984 and subsequently four editions were brought out, the last in 2006.
