US visas -- tourist, work and study -- can be incredibly difficult to obtain. You fill out tons of paperwork, answer questions in interviews and hope to avoid too much scrutiny.
But is there a simple formula for visa success? Or is the process more complicated than you think?
Dr Arun Vakil, US visa expert, chatted with Get Ahead readers on August 10 to discuss these questions and more.
For those of you who missed the chat, here's the transcript:
Part I: 'Only part-time, on-campus work is legal'
Zahid asked,
Sir please tell me what i do first to take admission for this courses i dont know any university or college may i get any good list.Dr Arun Vakil answers, Either approach the office of United States Education Foundation in India and/or go to Internet and find details on US News and World Report web site.
Madhu asked, thx much...so how long will it take for her VISA to be converted to a H1..
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Until job is obtained, petition filed and approved and visa is available. No time-line can be given
sanket asked, Hi Arun, I am Sanket Shah, my H1B Visa interview will be on this month end. my question is if VO ask below question then what will we reply "After the conclusion of your visa, what will you do? "
Dr Arun Vakil answers, You have to say that, as of now, you will return to India after completion of your objectives.
Madhu asked, sorry it is H1B visa.forgot to mention that. also i want to apply visa for my fiance. will she be able to work there once she gets in ? i guess she would be coming on a H4 VISA.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Fiance visa unavailable for H1B. H4 visa is for spouse. H4 does not allow work
khuranaj asked, Dear Dr. Arun I have valid 10 years US visa. I got F-1 visa and enter US on 2Aug05 and left US on 27Aug 05 because my Son Hosptialized. Then I never enter USA on F-1 visa. I informaed the college that I am not interested to study again. When I enter US on B1/B2 visa they always put me on secondary investigation . Please suggest what shall I do?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, They may undertake this investigation as per visa rules. You cannot do anything to change this
nikhilji asked, dr vakil what should i remember when going for tourist visa interivew?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Read my book GATEWAY TO AMERICA for all guidance relating to visas.
arun asked, currently i am working in private software company. how i can apply to american company. in which website can i see.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Register your resume in www.nostops.org. They will charge some fee but is worth it. Many employers visit this site and choose employees. There are other sites such as H1BSponsors.com and H1Base.com which are American web sites and expensive.
aman asked, Dr Arun My H1-B has approved for this year.my interview for stamping hasbeen schduled on 20th Sep-2007. Can i postponed it and for how long ? can i postpone it to next 6 months or so? what's the max limit?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, You can postpone it once. You will have to explain the reason as to why you did this in your next interview
Raj asked, What is the rejection rate in case of H1b at Mumbai consulate? Is they consider with additional documentation or completely reject
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Rejection rate is unknown. If your documents are right, you have abilities to meet the skills of the job required, then you are ok.
chirag asked, what are the option of studying further for a person who has gone to US on H1-B Visa Thanks, Chirag
Dr Arun Vakil answers, You have to convert your H1B to F1 for full-time study. You cannot study full-time on H1B
Rajiv asked, How is staying in America different from staying in Uk ?I have stayed in Uk but never been to US....
Dr Arun Vakil answers, It is a matter of cultural difference. However US and UK are closer in culture compared to India
bhavesh asked, what are the questions most likely to be asked while ineview
Dr Arun Vakil answers, 1. Objective of your visit 2. Your current status--student or worker with details 3. Your mode of finance 4. Your family income and assets 5. Your blood relations in India or elsewhere with details.
PatelH asked, If I have a child after my stamping for H1B, and after two year can I call my new child to US?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Yes, but keep USCIS informed whenever child is born.
Madhu asked, sir any answer to this --- . if my company applies for H1B VISA interview in november 07 when will i get my interview date? is it lik i have to wait for 3/4 months or will it be only 15-20 days ?please let me know if you are aware of ..thx in advance
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Application for H1B will be accepted only effective April 1, 2008 and given effective Oct 1, 2008.
Maya1234 asked, My first 3 years validity expires in Feb, 2009, how early should I start the process of getting it extended to 3 more years? How much time the processing takes?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Do this when 90 days are left for expiry.
tanya asked, sir i would like to US but i haqve no relatives there can i get a work permit to work there ?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Having relatives or not is not relevant to work permit. You have to have special skills to qualify for H1B visa. Visit http://www.arunvakil4usvisas.com/ for details
sanjay asked, Sir, now i am working pvt. sector (Multinational co.) as a secretary to M.D, i want to go U.S for work, is it possible? if possible then what is process and where and how can i get the job in U.S. SANJAY BANERJEE
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Only if you have special skills will you receive an H1B.
preethi asked, sir, i am leaving for boston in massachutes. will the weather be very cold? i am from chennai.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Boston is pretty cold in winter. But you are well-protected with a heater running in all establishments and warm clothes.
amit asked, what is the difference between single entry and multiple entry visa.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Single entry means that you will not be able to reenter the US after your first entry is over. Multiple entry means you can come and go any number of times while the visa is still valid.
PatelH asked, Is there is a chance for rejection due to petitioner's profile?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Could be if the petitioner is black-listed, has a criminal record or is a fake company.
zakki asked, Hello, does it make a difference if the city mentioned in petition is different from actual city of work in case of L1.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, You have to explain this to Visa Officer and explain the difference.
rams asked, Hi, I have 10 year B1/B2 visa. if my H1B visa gets rejected, would my B1/B2 visa will expire too?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, No.
jaldi asked, sir, my daughter leaves for america in two weeks. any book i can buy that will giv advice for her to take along?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, GATEWAY TO AMERICA is available at all major bookstores. If you don't get it, write to me on ask@arunvakil4usvisas.com
Loah asked, Sir, is it ok to have only ok english in US? i am speaking hindi in home and english at office but mixed with hindi and my english is not so good.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, English proficiency is required if you are applying for H1B.
basu asked, How much is the fee for a child attending preschool?.I heard these schools are run by private and fee also is exorbitant.Is it true?.
Dr Arun Vakil answers, Public schooling in the US is free and good, so don't go for private education.
Shraddha asked, What is the process of getting spouse if either the husband / wife has greencard holder of America?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, It takes about six years for a Green Card holder to get his or her spouse to the US.
cal asked, what is california
Dr Arun Vakil answers, It is one of the largest states of the US located on the western coast of America.
Dr. Arun Vakil says, All missions in life, including studying abroad, require meticulous planning and careful preparation. Well informed is well armed. I therefore suggest to all of you to whom I have answered and also to those whom I could not due to time constraint, to prepare well. I am available on ask@arunvakil4usvisas.com and arunvakil@gmail.com Bye and all the best. Dr. Arun Vakil
