Contents

Quick Facts
Student Visa Types
Student Visa Process
Receive I-20
Pay Visa Fee
Pay SEVIS
Complete the Visa Form
Book the Appointment
Visa Document
Interview Guidelines
Administrative delay or Visa Refusals
Interview Waiver Program
Did you know?

Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration

and Nationality Act

Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant

until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at
the time of application for admission,
that he is entitled to non-immigrant status.
Quick Facts

Did you know?

Indian student visa applicants have to appear for a personal interview at the U.S.
embassy / consulate

Students can apply within 120 days from the start date of I-20 and can travel within
30 days from the start date of I-20.

A visa allows a foreign citizen coming from abroad, to travel to the United States
port-of-entry and request permission to enter the U.S. Permission to enter can only
be given by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) official.

India has 5 U.S. embassy / consulate offices

- New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata
 Student Visa Types

A - Foreign Government Officials

B Visitors
C Aliens in Transit F-1 Student Visa
D Crewmen F-2 Dependent Visa
E Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors
F Academic and Language Students
G Foreign Government Officials Spouse and children of a F-1
Non H Temporary Workers
Immigration visa bearer need to apply for
I Foreign Media Representatives
Visas J Exchange Visitors F-2 visas if they wish to live
(for Temporary with the student in the USA
K Fianc(e) of US Citizen
Visitors)
L Intra-Company Transferee during the course of study.
M Vocational Students
U.S. Visas
N Special Immigrate
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
O Workers With Extraordinary Abilities
P Athletes & Entertainers
Immigration Q International Cultural Visitors
Visas R Religious Workers
S Witness or Informant
V Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons
NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement
TWOV Transit Without Visa
U Victim of Certain Crimes
V Certain Second Preference Beneficiaries
TPS Temporary Protected Status
Student Visa Process: Flowchart

Visit the OFC Interview with

Receives I-20
centre US Embassy

Visa
Collate Visa
Complete DS 160 Decision/Return
documents
of passport

Schedule OFC
Pay SEVIS fees
appointment

Create profile & Book interview

pay the visa appointment
application fees with embassy
Step 1: Receive I-20
What Is I-20?

Provided by school

Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status

For Academic
Step 1: Receive I-20

SEVIS ID

Student
Finances
Tuition
Step 2: Visa Form DS -160
DS 160 is an non immigrant visa (NIV) form

Select the interview post selected at the beginning of the Form DS-160 must be the
same post where appointment is scheduled.

All questions must be answered in English using English-language characters only,

except when asked to provide your full name in your native alphabet.

If the student stop working on this application for more than 20 minutes, the
session will expire. Student should keep the Application ID.

Once the DS-160 is completed, it will generate an alpha-numeric barcode

confirmation page. Print this page.
Step 2: Visa Form DS -160

STEP 1

Complete application at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

STEP 2

Print barcode at the end of the application on a laser printer.

Step 3: What is SEVIS?

SEVIS
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
Internet based system as part of SEVP
Maintains accurate and current information on F, M, J visitors and their
dependents
Schools and program sponsors transmit mandatory information via SEVIS to
DHS
DOS
- US Customs and Border Protection
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Step 3: SEVIS Fee

Student can schedule

appointment with U.S.
Embassy PRIOR to paying the
SEVIS fee or minimum three
working days

Complete I 901 Pay SEVIS

Fee
https://fmjfee.com/i901fee/d
esktop/students/applicantVal
idation.htm
Print Form I-901 payment
coupon or payment receipt
online

Fees USD 200

Step 4: Create a profile

Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)

To pay the application fee create your profile on
https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=India

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Step 4: Pay the VISA Application Fees

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Step 4: Pay the VISA Application Fees

After completion of the form, the challan is created which is used to pay
the application fee in the bank

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Step 4: Pay the VISA Application Fees

Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)

Application fee is NON REFUNDABLE
Applicant must appear for interview with US Embassy within 1 year of date of
issue of Visa Fee receipt
Fee USD 160 in INR equivalent (Rs. 11,200/- at current exchange of INR 70 = 1
USD)

Mode of Payment:
National Electronics Fund Transfer (NEFT) or with mobile phones
Payable in cash Axis Branches/ Citibank (any time during the business day)
The MRV fee receipt will be activated after 3 hours of deposit. So the student
can schedule the appointment
Visa Fees link:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visafeeinfo.asp

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Step 5 & 6: Booking Interview Appointment Process
The student will have to schedules two appointments, one for the Visa Application
Center (VAC) and one for the visa interview at the Embassy or Consulate.

Second Appointment
First Appointment

First, the student is required to Schedule your appointment at

book visa interview an VAC.
appointment at the Embassy or Appointment will allow student
Consulate. Print the to go to one of the five VAC
appointment Letter locations to have the
fingerprints and photo taken.
Book through the Appointment must be at least 1
https://cgifederal.secure.force.co day before your visa interview
m/ appointment date at the
Embassy or Consulate.

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Step 7: Documents required for VAC Appointment

A passport valid for travel to the United States

DS 160 confirmation page

Appointment Confirmation Page

VAC located in your city are mentioned http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-

offsitecollectionservices.asp

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Step 7: Documents Visa Interview

A printed copy of appointment letter

DS-160 confirmation page

Original and signed I-20

Current and all old passports, and the Original visa fee payment receipt.

Proof of payment of SEVIS Fee Receipt I-901

Evidence of financial resources

Original degree / diploma(s)

Original degree / diploma (s) transcripts

Relevant test scores

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Step 9: Interview by Visa Officer

Application review by visa officer

Assessment factors:

Student is genuine
Definite academic objective
Suitable academic qualifications for program
Awareness of program contents and career progression
Financial resources to cover expenses
Compelling ties in home country

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Frequently Asked Questions

Possible questions about the college

Why the specified college?
How did you learn about this college?
Which other colleges did you apply too?
Why did you apply to these colleges?
Who is sponsoring you
Where would stay once you reach US?
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Do you have a brother / sister or any relative in the U.S ?
Why are you leaving your current job?

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
Why did you choose the U.S. and not any other country?
What do you know about U.S. education ?
Have you ever been to U.S. before?
Do you know anyone in your college?
Will you come home during summer for visits?
What are your academic goals?
Have you done any paper presentation or publication relevant to the course
you intend to study in U.S.?
Have you interacted with any professor in the University?
What are you post study plans?

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Interview Guidelines - Tips for the Visa Interview

Be confident in your answers.

Have a positive attitude and wear a smile
You should be aware about your financials
How are you planning to fund your education for 1st year and remaining
years?
Who is your sponsor?
Amount in USD and INR
Do not conceal any information
Do your research about university/course and why is it best suited for you
Applicants who provide incorrect information, conceal relevant facts, or
misrepresent their cases
May become permanently ineligible to enter the U.S.
Approved applications are checked against computer records
To check that information on the application was truthfully presented .

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Interview Guidelines - Tips for the Visa Interview

You should always present strong professional ties to your home country, you
may wish to add personal reasons in addition the to the professional reasons
Risk of fraud is serious
Organise the documents carefully, and carry original documents. It is
recommended to carry separate files/folder for
Financial documents
Academic Documents
Visa related documents
Work experience /Others
Be well dressed, preferably a trouser and shirt
It is common in India for an applicant to have relatives in the U.S. or a petition
to immigrate on file
This will not necessarily prevent approval of your application
Share the same information as you have updated in the DS-160 form

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Step 10: Sample F1 Visa Stamp

A student visa issued by Department of State (DOS) simply gives its bearer the
eligibility to seek admission to the USA at the port of entry BUT does NOT provide
the right of entry
Visa stamp (in the passport) Only the Department
of State (DOS) is
responsible for the
issuance of visa.

The class of visa

depends
on the specific purpose
of visit.

Class F-1 is for academic

students

The expiration date on the a

Visa does not give its bearer the legal right of visa refers to the period in
entry into the USA but simply the right to seek which that visa is valid and is
entry at the port of entry. NOT related to the length of
time the visitor is allowed to
stay in the USA.

Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs

Track your passport

If your visa application is approved, your passport and visa can be collected from
the pickup location you selected when you scheduled for interview appointment.

When your passport is available at selected location you will receive an email and
an SMS that your passport is Ready for Pick Up. If you had availed the courier
service by paying Rs.300/- than your passport will be couriered through Blue Dart
courier service at the address provided at the time of availing the courier service.

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Administrative & Visa Refusals

221 (g) 214 (b)

It means the visa application is

It means your application has been
incomplete or require further
denied
administrative processing.

Processing time are different for every You may reapply, must pay the fees again
applicant & make an appointment.

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How can you avoid Visa Refusals

Talk to your Get your financial and Counsellor will

counsellor documents by the prepare you for the
counsellor interview

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How can you avoid Visa Refusals

Get your financials checked

Plan your finances Talk to your Counsellors by the counsellor a week
prior to the interview

To check your Bank details

visa officer can call the
Bank Manager, please Apply to the University that Apply early for a Visa
inform them in advance to suits your profile. Interview date.
expect a call from US
Embassy.

Take the required tests

before the Visa interview if
needed

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 Port of Entry

Port of Entry (POE) : Visa doesnt guarantee the entry into USA. The Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry authorizes the students admissions to the USA
and determines the period of stay . Students should keep the following tips in mind before
entering into the USA

Share the same information that you have shared at the Visa consulate and filled in the
DS-160. (CBP officer will cross verify this information)
Book your housing prior to the arrival and be sure of the location & address. If not booked,
then carry the proof of your temporary stay.
Carry all the supporting documents in original
Be sure of the finances
Know about university/course/fees.
Be confident
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Interview Waiver Program

Children under 7 and applicants above 80 years are not required to appear for an
interview under any circumstance.

To determine whether the person is eligible or not you may visit the following link
https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/pdf/FinalStaticWebPage.pdf

The form is required to be completed to determine the eligibility

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Offsite Facilitation Centers in India

Mumbai: Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandrakurla Complex, Bandra East,
Mumbai 400041

Chennai: No 3, Cenotaph Road, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018

Hyderabad: 502, Gowra Grand, S.P.Road, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500003

Kolkata: Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor)

Kolkata 700017

Delhi: S - 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade

Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019

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Offsite Facilitation Centers in India

Embassy of the USA in India

New Delhi: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/

Chennai: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov

Hyderabad: http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov

Kolkata: http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov

Mumbai: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov

Apply for U.S. Visa in India

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/

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Contact IDP @

Interested to sign up, please call @ 44118888

E-mail
or
Visit us at:

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