In general, nowadays it's very hard to get a student visa and one often doesn't even know the reason for rejection!"
Karan Gupta, overseas education counsellor, says:
"This is a student visa myth. Contrary to what you hear, student visas are very easy to get. If you are a genuine student and can clearly show your source of funds for your education, you will have no problem in getting your student visa."
Karan answered a bevy of student visa question during our April 25 Get Ahead chat.
For this who missed it, here's the first part of the transcript!
pawan sharma asked, hi sir pls tell the financial requirement for getting the student visa
Karan Gupta answers, You should be able to show that you can fund your entire education. This funding can be done through liquid assets but generally not through fixed assets.
priyanka asked, Dear Sir, I have earlier applied for student visa but due to the financial status it was rejected can u please tell me what do they see in the financial status.
Karan Gupta answers, The Consulate wants to be sure that you can pay for your education -- the entire duration of your study. If you convince them that you are financially capable of doing so, you really should have no problem with the visa when you apply for the second time.
sammi asked, I am having Visa Interview 3 months before my date of joining. Is it ok? Or shall I seek to postpone the interview date?
Karan Gupta answers, Student visas are now issued 120 days prior to your course starting date. The VFS site states, "You are encouraged to apply for your non-immigrant student visa at the earliest. To ensure you get an early and timely date you may apply at anytime, however a student visa may be issued no more than 120 days prior to the start date mentioned on your I-20"
Karthikeyan asked, I had my visa interview on 14th March, 2007 for obtaining an F1 visa for pursuing a two-month research project. My case was taken up for pending administrative processing under section 221(g). I called up the Department of State yesterday and found out that my case has not reached Washington yet. How can I contact the US Consulate in Chennai to find out what the problem is?
Karan Gupta answers, Unfortunately, you appear to be caught up in procedural delays. There is nothing you can do except wait till the State department clears your application. This does not mean that your visa has been denied -- it just means that it will now take longer for you to get the student visa.
sash asked, Can i get student visa with two years of industry experience
Karan Gupta answers, Your work experience has no bearing on your student visa.
sriram asked, Hi gupta, In general Nowadays its very hard to get visa and we doesn't even know the reason for rejection.
Karan Gupta answers, This is a student visa myth. Contrary to what you hear, student visas are very easy to get. If you are a genuine student and can clearly show your source of funds for your education, you will have no problem in getting your student visa.
rixon asked, what are the chances and how can i apply for the student visa. i need to do my MBA. u can reply me on lady_19th @rediffimail.com
Karan Gupta answers, Please visit www.vfs-usa.co.in for information on how to apply for your student visa to the US.
Baasha asked, Would it be possible for the VO to know if my sibling, of whom i am not going to talk about in the DS forms, is actually in the US?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes. The Visa Officer knows a lot about you, your family history, your university and so on. Be 100 per cent honest in your answers if you want to qualify for a student visa. If you lie, you can be sure that you will NEVER qualify for a student visa ever again.
vinoth asked, Will there be any problem in getting a student visa after working for 2 years?
Karan Gupta answers, Work experience has no bearing on a student visa.
RG asked, Hi Karan, I have an admit from a top US university (within top 10) for MBA and at the same time I have a
waitlist from another top 10 university. Can I use the first admit for filing my I-20 and visa and later be able to change it if I get admitted to the other university?
Karan Gupta answers, Its better you do not do this. Always go for your visa interview with the I-20 of the university that you plan to attend. Changing visas is a nuisance and will cost you more money and time.
Asad asked, Good Afternoon sir..i have a question. I am going to the US for my LL.M program. The university i have been admitted to doesnt require TOEFL scores as the medum of instruction to the schools i have attended here after my 12th has been english. On that basis i was accepted to the law school there for my LL.M course. Its even shown in my transcripts i have submitted. Are there any chances i might be refused the student visa on this particular basis?
Karan Gupta answers, No, explain to the visa officer (if asked) that your course does not need the TOEFL. You should have no problem in getting the visa, provided you can answer the Visa Officer's questions well and can show funding for your entire education.
Tejas asked, Sir, i finished M.S. in 1999, but immediately returned to India due to family circumstances. Currently i have a multiple entry B1/B2. I have also applied for a PhD. I plan to travel to US ,if my PhD admission is through, can i transfer from B1 to F1 while in US? thanks.
Karan Gupta answers, It is very difficult to transfer from B1/B2 to F1 in the US. In fact most cases for transfer are rejected. I would highly recommend that you take the correct visa (f-1) from the US consulate before you travel.
Navin asked, Can you suggest any university that offers Master Degree in Online Marketing or MIS?
Karan Gupta answers, Please email us on www.vfs-usa.co.in for university queries. This is a visa chat only.
Gokul asked, Hi Karan, I am planning to pursue MBA in US and I have offers from 4 b-schools. I would have my VISA interview date soon. My question is that, my brother is currently in US with H1 B VISA. He is doing his PHD as well as working... Is there a possibility to consider me as a potential immigrant because my brother has been there for close to 5 years.
Karan Gupta answers, If you can show that you are a genuine student (GMAT scores, multiple university applications etc) and that you have sufficient funds to pay for your entire education without relying on your brother's income, you would qualify for a student visa. Your brother being in the US will not automatically disqualify you for a student visa.
Gaurav asked, Hi, I was rejected thrice for Fall 2004 and now i have completed my masters in europe. Do you think my past will affect any future chances for a Phd or a job?
Karan Gupta answers, No. Since more than 2 years have passed since your previous rejections, your case will be reviewed as a fresh visa case. You can reapply for a F-1 visa or if you get a job, H-1 visa.
Saugaatnarula asked, Sir, I wish to join NJIT in MS IS fall 2007.I have received my I-20 and to report by 28th August/07.I am in final year of BE.My result will come in July/07.I am planning for my Visa interview in 2 nd week of June but by that time I may not be having my BE degree.In such condition can I get Visa. What is the approx time to get Visa interview after paying Visa fees etc. Regards/Saugaat Narula
Karan Gupta answers, Don't worry. You can explain to the Consulate officer that your degree has still not been issued. This will generally not be a problem. I encourage you to apply for your student visa as soon as possible (even before you get your degree).
arjun asked, i got an admit in north west missouri state univ.. for ACS program.. can i get visa easily?
Karan Gupta answers, Yes. You can apply for your student visa to the US 120 days prior to your course start date.
sunny asked, hi karan sir i want to australia for tourist visa how much is the cost and what type of papers are required how much bank balance required for.
Karan Gupta answers, The fees vary and can cost around $70-$100. You should show your income tax papers, your bank statements and any other papers which will show that you are a vistor to Australia and that you have sufficient reason to come back to India.
prasant asked,
Hi I have got Admit to Louisina State university MBA progg. My visa interview date is on 2nd may. Any special tips you would like to give meKaran Gupta answers, 1. Be confident 2. Be honest 3. Be clear and concise 4. Carry all relevant papers with you including your financial papers as well as your academic mark sheets, degrees and so on.
SRK asked, Hi Karan, I wish to apply for UK studies but I'm not able to find good Universities for Fashion Designing.
Karan Gupta answers, Please email us at kgc@karangupta.com This is a student visa chat only.
suchit asked, hi, pls tell me the procedure involved in getting a student visa for australia
Karan Gupta answers, You can visit www.ausgovindia.com/ndli/stdtchklist.html for more information on applying for a student visa to Australia.
aks8978 asked, my dad has retired from service well before the retirement age. Will it affect my VISA chances or showing sufficient funds will be OK toget a visa
Karan Gupta answers, Your father's retirement will have no bearing on your student visa IF you are able to show sufficient funds to cover your education expenses. However, if your funds are low, then yes, his retirement may negatively affect your student visa.
karthick asked, Hi Sir I have got an admission for a Phd course. Should I be showing the funding for the entire course duration of 5 years. Is there an option to show the funding for first 2 years alone?
Karan Gupta answers, If your PhD is not funded by the university and you have to pay for it on your own, then yes, you will have to show funding for all 5 years.
naveen asked, hi karan this is dr naveen, my question i have got b1/b2 visa rejected twice.now i am applying for f1 visa what r my chances of getting visa.will the earlier rejection have an impact ?
Karan Gupta answers, Well, it depends when your B1/B2 visa was denied. Generally, if you are a serious student and can show funds available for your study abroad, you really should have no problem in getting the student visa. However, since I do not know why your B1/B2 visa was denied, I cannot comment on the success of your student visa.
G asked, karan i do have a gate loan ! ( full tuition + living expenses ) would it suffice ? i dont have show any liquid assets ! right !
Karan Gupta answers, If you are able to show HOW you plan to repay the loan after your education, you should be fine. If, however, it appears that you will have difficulty in repaying the loan, then your visa may be in jeopardy.
Karan Gupta answers, Please base your decisions on your career goals and your course preferences, rather than on ease of getting visa. Both countries are good and depending on what you want to do after you graduate, you should make your final decision.
Saambavi asked, My husband is enrolled for MBA this september. His visitor visa got rejected twice in 1997 when he was planning to visit his sister in the U.S. Will this have an impact on this interview?Thanks
Karan Gupta answers, Since the visa was denied more than 10 years ago, it really should have no impact on the F1 visa application.
Rockie asked, How much time does it take for a student visa from the date of appilication??(for USA)
Karan Gupta answers, While you would know the outcome of the visa right after your interview, you get your passport back the next day.
xx asked, Hey karan wots up dude? got a question man!! ok here i go what are stages to pass through US student visa interview? what sort of question are mostly asked? Many Thanks M.Omer
Karan Gupta answers, The questions depend on the visa officer interviewing you. Generally the consulate wants to know why you have chosen a particular university, how do you plan to pay for your education and what do you plan to do when you come back to India.
Part II: Get your US visa now
Karan Gupta is an education consultant and can be reached at kbg@karangupta.com
