This provides information about US Student Visa – F1 Visa. For a prospective non-immigrant student to study in SEVIS Certified school would have to obtain F or M Visa (non-academic courses). In order to apply for F1 Visa, student should have received Form I-20 from SEVP certified schools in USA. After receiving I-20, student have to attend Visa interview at US Consulate.
F1 Visa Interview Tips
Many students get visa denied, because they were not well prepared for the interview. I suggest you read the following articles to get a feel for F1 Visa interview process.
- F1 Student Visa Interview questions
- F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers
- F1 Visa Interview Tips
- How to Calculate Required Bank Balance for F1 Visa
- Steps to calculate Total Tuition Fees for I-20
- F1 Visa – How to Show Bank Balance for 2 Years
Above article should have given you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare for F1 Visa Interview. But, to go to next step, you have to read F1 visa interview experiences posted by other students.
F1 Visa – FAQ’s
- Students should note that Embassies and Consulates are able to issue your student visa 120 days or less, in advance of the course of study registration date.
- Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start/report date as shown on the Form I-20. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.
What is SEVIS and SEVP?
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) – Designed to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors.
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students. It enables schools to transmit mandatory information via the Internet, to the DHS and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States.
Requirements for F1 Visa
- Have a residence abroad, with no immediate intention of abandoning that residence;
- Intend to depart from the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
- Possess sufficient funds to pursue the proposed course of study.
Applying for Student Visa (F1)
To apply for student visa in India you would have to do the following
- Pay the fees in approved HDFC Banks (Refer to VFS Website)
- Complete DS-160 form (online)
- Use the Confirmation number printed in DS-160 to schedule F1 Visa appointment in VFS Website.
- Follow the instructions on VFS Site about required documents and interview procedure.
Students in other countries refer to respective US Consulate website about F1 Visa interview process.
Required Documents
Read this article to get complete list of F1 Visa Interview Documents (and samples). Now you have the list of documents, but that alone will not get the job done. Good preparation is the key to get F1 Visa.
How Long can you stay in F1 Visa
When you enter the United States on a student visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your student status. In your I-20 and I-94 form you will see D/S written at Port of Entry.
That means you may stay as long as you are a full time student, even if the F-1 visa in your passport expires while you are in America. For a student who has completed the course of studies shown on the I-20, and any authorized practical training, the student is allowed the following additional time in the U.S. before departure:
- F-1 student – An additional 60 days, to prepare for departure from the U.S. or to transfer to another school
OPT/CPT
- CPT – Curriculum Practical Training
- OPT – Optional Practical Training (OPT) must have an I-20 endorsed for OPT, and provide a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When authorized, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student’s area of study.
Hi All,
I completed my masters in the US and came back to India earlier this year. I had a US F-1 visa valid for 5 years (from 2007 to 2012) for the same. Now I have received a PhD admit from the same university for Spring 2011 semester with a "new I-20 and SEVIS number". I have taken a visa interview date on 5th January 2011 for this. However while taking visa dates I checked "yes" for the following question "Are you applying the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?". Due to this I believe my interview letter states "case type: Visa Renewal". I am not sure if this is right (non immigrant visa cannot be renewed according to the VFS website). Can anyone tell me if this is correct/ wrong and how to proceed further. Please help.
I did the same thing as you. I got a masters from an American Univ and then after a few years, i got admitted to a phd program this spring. I applied on 14th dec, 2010 and my visa was granted but kept for administartive processing. Admin processing takes 1 to 2 months and i have not yet received visa. My school has deferred my admission to summer.
So be careful about admin processing. It is done for evryone who has a masters degree and research experience.
hi friends i hav a ques fr u
i finished my studies with master in science (UK) and working. i m on PSW- post study work visa which is given after masters for 2 yrs.
i hav planng for phd or masters in us.
as im indian citizen can i face us consulate in uk ….for interview.
yes you can
hi,
i have applied to US univ's for fall 2011.
i have completed B.pharm on 2009 sep, presntly i am doing project in xyz company, i have started this project just few weeks earlier. so, this covers 5months.
i think definitely VO will ask me about time gap…..
so, what should i do.????
please give me some fair & workout suggestions…..:)
The VO will definitely ask for your experience and more over why this gap?
Tell him that "Sir after i did my grauduation based on my merit i was given a chance to work ******** After these years of experience now i feel its better to have my masters degree in a world class education and also in cutting edge programs that are offered only in the USA.
I got my visa rejected on 15dec when is the next time I can apply for F1 visa..I found that I was not confident about and was very nervous for the first time..hardly words came out from my mouth…I hope I would get it right the 2nd time….
Take the second date as soon as possible!!!
I am just asking if there is any rule that one must apply for the 2nd time after certain period of time or can apply right away??
There is no such rule dude!!
Make sure you apply right away for the next available date. The earlier the better!!!
Yesterday my f1 visa got rejected. VO just asked me two question 1. Why do you want to go US? 2. What are you doing now? I answered well for these questions but VO rejected me under 214(b) section. Can I apply for the second time?
How can you say that you have answered well??
Please post your answers so may know why you got rejected!!
I wanted to know that can I apply to Canada & USA simultaneously for Student Visa for Fall 2011 to save my precious time? Because I have completed B.E. in Computer Engineering in 2010. Please help me out as soon as possible
Please give me some advice as soon as possible. I really need help on this issue.
Yes you could do as so. But never tell the VO that you applied for Canada also if he asks. Just tell him that you applied to other Uni's in the US and their I20's are in progress.
Thank u so much for your reply.
anybody flying to wright state university on 23rd dec..
I had Visa interview on 16th December 2010 at Mumbai Consulate & I got rejected. Can anyone please explain me the reason for my rejection? My interview went as follows:
Me: Good morning Ma’am (with confidence, smile & looking into her eyes)
VO: Good Morning dear.
VO: So, tell me that where are you planing to go?
Me: To Florida Institute of Technology, for M.S. in Computer Science where my focus is on Networks.
VO: ok, So, which other Schools had you applied to?
Me: XXX, XYZ etc. where I had 2 acceptions, 2 rejections & 1 pending.
VO: So, how did you search about these Universities?
Me: I had been searching about the various schools since my last year in Bachelors & have also got information from websties like webometrics.info, usanews. com etc.
VO: Sorry, you are rejected.
Me: what is the reason for rejection Ma’am?
VO: You are not as compatible as compared to today’s applicants.
So, where did I go wrong????? I have received 1130 in GRE, 92 in TOEFL, have cleared my B.E. with Distinction in July 2010 & my GPA is 3.89. PLease reply me as soon as possible.
Dear Neha
Firstly , please do not feel low or sad about your rejection. No Big DeaL!! There is always a second try!!!!
No here is the mistake you made!!!
VO: So, how did you search about these Universities?
Me: I had been searching about the various schools since my last year in Bachelors & have also got information from websties like webometrics.info, usanews. com etc.
This answer is a classical answer to dig your own grave and get your visa rejected.
What a superficial answer this is !!!!! You are not going to watch movie for you to read and get information about them from a website!! ( Sorry for being blunt)
You are going to the US for your Masters Degree. The reasons and logic on how you choose a university has to be very well thought off !!!!!!
Here is a classical answer that has worked each and everytime!!
" Madam , I was very focused and clear about the field in which I wanted to do my specialization. I began my search by reading various technical articles and publications published in prestigious journals like IEEE , IEEE Comp Soc. etc etc.
I found a variety of articles which were very close to my field of interest and they were published by faculty which belonged to these schools.
I firmly believe that working with these kind of professors would help me gain a lot of insight into this field which would in turn help me to fetch a very highly paying job and a high designation on my return to India "
This answer conveys 2 ideas to the VO
1. You have done LOGICAL , WELL THOUGHT OFF research about your Universities
2. You do not wish to settle there and rather come back to India and work !!
You can also add a little Masala at the end by saying that India is a growing Super Power for Computers and IT and you wish to contribute or be a part of this every growing and successful industry..
I hope this helps you!!!
Take another date as soon as possible and please dont do stupid things like
1. changing your university
2. giving false information to the VO
That would again result in a second rejection!!
All the best!
Thanks a lot for your very very excellent advice & information. I am really confused that I should take another date as soon as possible or should I take date for Fall 2011. Please reply me as soon as possible. Please, I really need your help & advice.
Please please reply me soon, because I am very confused between 2 things. On one side I think to take date as soon as possible. On the other side, I feel that I should now apply for fall 2011. So, please guide me that what to do now.
Hi Neha
Sorry was replying late. I was out of town!!
Well from your dates , I can comtemplate that you were looking for the Spring 2011 intake.
However, as per me you have to take the Visa Date as soon as possible and stick to the Spring 2011 intake . Incase if that is not possible and you cannot get through then you push for Fall 2011.
The reason why I say this is coz you may get a question from the Visa Officer asking you:
" What did you do since December of 2010 until this time??? "
So make sure you are prepared for an answer !!
I hope this helps!! WIsh you all the best and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Rohit
Thank you very much for your wonderful guidance. It was really very helpful for my further decisions.
hello Neha, I appeared for VISA and got approved on 20th for Stevens Tech. According to me you should have told like mam I have got 2 acception and 3 awaiting. I know you have the rejection letter. But, It seriously work. I had applied to 10 and got 8 admits but still I told VO that I had applied to 4 uni and 3 admits and 1 pending. Searching universities through web is just one step, you should have told that " my seniors, friends, and UG faculties helped me and also I did a bit of research" NO give out such names. My friend got rejected for the same. I consider luck only 10% remaining is the confidence. Remember keep your answer such that no new question (trap) is generated from that answer. All the best for the second try. Might be it was not your day.
Thank you Hemal for your advice & suggestions. I will surely keep it mind when I try my second attempt.
@neha okey. I had loads and loads of questions which I used to ask to people over HSB and other blogs. I was prepared for the worst. also questions like " u r patel I can't issue u visa?" prepare for the worse. Stay calm. Express your words in a convincing sound with expressions
Is it true that if we get rejected for 3 times, then we can apply for the 4th time only after 2 years?
Dear Neha,
VO: So, how did you search about these Universities?
Me: I had been searching about the various schools since my last year in Bachelors & have also got information from websties like webometrics.info, usanews. com etc.
This sounds real weird to me and i feel that the VO wasnt happy also.
Remember one thing, "Answer to the point, no more no less." You could have said that i checked on the net and found out that Florida Institute of Technology is one of the prestigious Uni in the US which has a variety of programs and courses that are offered esp in my field of interest at an economical structure.
Remember that the second time when you go, the VO may twist this question into another, be careful and answer to the point.
Never ever question back the VO, after you leave they will add points about your behaviour as your feed back for the second time, you should say "Thank you Mam, I really appreciate that. have a good day and leave the counter with a smile.
Thank you so much for your valuable advice.
Sir,
i and my father are avid readers of your blog. Thank you for all the stuff.
I myself have peculiar problem .Maybe u can guide me. MY parents and siblings are all green card holders except me . When they were issued visa i was above age (above 21) so haven't got visa. My gre score is 1220 , B.E with 60% and in the process of applying to univ.Many have told me that u have rare chance to get through coz i am like potential immigrant as u will join your family there. My dad is working in Air India and staying here in INdia for me. He will sponsor me (property and funds).Do you think i am wasting my time and money applying to Usa.
Waiting for ur reply……………
Dear Skaur,
I feel that there are 50 – 50 chances.
Be honest in your case and if the VO asks you about your family tell the VO truth. More over tell the VO that after my masters i would work there for an year gain some experience and then return to my home land with that experience. It sounds wierd but thats the truth and more over the VO also know that you cant be a potential immigrant.
vo good morning.
me good morning.
vo when did u finish u r engineering.
me may 2008.
vo what were u doing.
me i went to australia for studing.
vo which university.
me homesglen,
vo which university.
i said .homesglean i had shown my australian conformation of enrolement.
vo said u did computer science in india and went to hospitalty management. foaustraliar
vo what was u r course duration
me 2 years.
vo what is u r father annual income.
me said 5 lakhs per annum.
vo i could not able to process u r visa application.and he had given a form 214b.
give me a sujestion i am yet book the slot
Reply
i m rejected twice for my USA visa. I m bachlor student but this time VO asked do u have work experience which was shocked and she did debate with me on tat Q only dan rejected me now what do i do can u plz help me????????
Please elaborate more about the specific questions you faced by the VISA Officer during your second attempt or even perhaps your first attempt if you remember any!
vo good morning.
me good morning.
vo when did u finish u r graduate.
me may 2008.
vo what were u doing.
me i went to australia for studing.
vo which university.
me homesglen,
vo which university.
i said .homesglean i had shown my australian conformation of enrolement.
vo said computer science and hospitalty management.
vo what was u r course duration
me 2 years.
vo what is u r father annual income.
me said 5 lakhs per annum.
vo i could not able to process u r visa application.and he had given a form 214b.
give me a sujestion i am yet book the slot
Dude there are 2 classical reasons why I think you visa was rejected.
You graduated in 2008 and then you went to Australia to persue your Masters in Computers and Hospitality Management.
You have now come back and planning to go to the US for your further education ???
WHERE IS THE WORK EXPERIENCE
Anyone who needs to study further should be or is expected to be in a position to justify his / her decision!! You finished your Bachelors!! you felt the need for higher education so you got your Masterss!! Now what makes you go to the US ??? Could it be to seek a job under the umbrella of a higher education degree???? or could it be some other reason????
Your fathers income is 5 lacs INR per anum which is around about 10,000 USD per year. He has already invested money on your Australian education and now you want to go to the US again for education ( paying fees and expense) ?????
All these reasons make you a classical potential immigrant!!!! and hence your 214b!!
I hope this helps, incase if you want more guidance feel free to write to me
Good Luck!!
hi HSB,
my visa appointment is on dec 21st.. i need ur help. im 2004-2008 btec batch but i passed out in 2010 may. due to backlogs. i hav 20 backlogs so cud u give any reason for this if a VO asks hw many backlogs n y? so plz.. gve me the reason wat shud i say to vo.. and in my provisional crtifcte i got has may 2010 passed out. so whch one shud i say if vo asks whch year u hav passed out… plz gve me reply as soon as possible. plz plz..
Hey kiran you need to tell the VO the truth…and i will not hide it from you that taking more than four years for B.tech will not cause any problems for you…The only solution to your problem is be confident and prepare a good answer that is acceptable for your backlogs…
Visa Officers are very well trained professionals. They can very easily detect when you lie based on your anxiety and nervousness and a host of other factors. Hence DONT LIE!!!!!
you have 20 backlogs!! That is sad. The Visa officer would like to see you as a credible student being able to successfully finish your Masters Program in the US.
Incase if the officer asks you " Why do you have 20 backlogs" or " You have 20 backlogs , do you consider yourself fit to go to the US for Masters" or any other question similar to this one , here is what you should reply:
" SIR , under no circumstances does 20 backlogs undermine my potential and capability to successfully finish my Masters Program in the US. My field of specialization is _________ I have scored exceptionally well in those courses in my undergrad degree program. Moreover , I was successful in finishing my final year project at ________ in the field of ________. I have participated in various technical festivals ( talk about your activities in engineering school ( if any)) . I have scored _____ on the GRE and ____ on TOEFL. The university , which has granted me admission believes that I am capable in completing this program successfuly and more than them I am CONFIDENT of doing it and doing it with a very high GPA."
After hearing this answer or an answer on similar lines , he may either grant or reject your visa based on your confidence and eye to eye contact with the VISA OFFICER when your are answering.
Atleast it will give you a 50 – 50 chance of aVISA.
It is my strong advise to be calm , componsed and confident. Look into the eyes of the Visa OFficer when you answer!!
Good Luck
Hi HSB,
My visa appointment is on dec 21st.. Once my father given money upto 20 lakhs to some of their needy friends.. Just now we have taken our money from them for my studies and my parents opened a new account for my educational purposes.. There will be no transaction in this new acc. will it create any problem during my visa interview? What if VO asks me how you got dis much money in bank at last minute? Or can I get a letter from my parent's friends as a proof to show VO? Help me plz..
Hey Kavitha in your case you need to show some transactions, so if you can just put some money into your account everyday so there will be enough transactions before you go for visa interview…and if luck plays on your side the VO wont even ask you a single finance related question…Remember just be confident…
Thank you Dickson..
It would be my best adivse to not just show these 20 lacs as your finance support documents. These 20 lacs can be a part of your finances which you need for your US education. Try to show
1. Your fathers PPF or Mothers PPF or personal provident fund
2. Any Certificate of Fixed Deposits
3. Investments in Immovable properties like house or land anywhere in India
4. Yours fathers IT returns showing his annual income.
You should evaluate all the above finances and show the VISA Officer specific documents if asked upon.
Many a times they wouldnt event ask for your Financial documents. But you be prepared. ( Just in Case)
Good Luck!!
I have an engineer evaluation report, chartered accountant statement, my parents IT returns for 3yrs, and bank statement. Are these enough for my VISA interview?
More than the Chartered Accountant Statement , the Passbooks for Savings and PPF accounts and IT returns of the past 5 years are more authentic and are better accepted!!!
Try not to keep a CA Statement as they do not accept it so easily!!
Thanks a lot for ur help Rohit..
Your Most Welcome
All the best!!
hi,
I shall shortly be taking an appointment for F1 visa at Mumbai for program commencing in Jan 2011.
My passport expires on 18th June 2011.
Should I even take an appointment and if I get a visa then go in for renewing my passport or will not having a passport validity of 6 months after 18th dec be reason enough to reject the visa?!
Kindly advice at the earliest.
thanks.
h
your passport should have atleast 6 months validity. Try to renew the passport and then apply.
i hav applied for visa twice and has rejectd first time vo didnt askd me nethin n rejectd second time vo had prob wid my university selection he askd me y i applied to UNH i said coz i surfd net n found dis matchin my profile along wid othr universities. He askd it still doesnt clarify me applyin 2 dis uni. I said sir i found dis uni gud 4 mah future and m nt even goin 2 dis m goin 2 nyu n he rejectd my visa cn u hlp me wi wat shud i do
improve your writing skills is the first advice i will give you if you are looking for advice
apply again and improve your verbal skills before you go for it…and your answers for the first time were horrible…think logically before answering anything…the VO are smart people you cannot go and bluff in front of them
Hello guys, I have booked a visa slot for 20th december. I have a question for you I had applied to 10 universities and have got i20s from 8. So, I am facing difficulties in framing an answer for the question
WHY DID YOU APPLY TO SO MANY UNIVERSITIES?
Ans. To keep all my options open.
Is that ok, if anyone has got a strong answer please reply me ASAP
To keep all your options open is a very generic answer.
Moreover applying to 10 schools is not toooooo much as per me. You should use this information to your benefit by saying that you are indeed clever and bright student to get 80% admits.
You should be afraid of just one question ( or rather prepare very well for just one question) !! " Out of the 8 admits which school are you going to and why"?
Visa officer would be more keen on knowing about your thought process in zeroing in on 1 school out of 8!!
Incase if he asks you why did you apply to soo many schools ( Very low probability) you can respond as:
Sir , all these schools were offering the program which I was most intersted in! Moreover they were all within my reach in terms of my GRE and TOEFL Score , my Academic Scores and Fees. Also I felt that out of over 1000 universities in the United States , applying to 1 % of them would not be a bad idea!!!
Note: Never answer this question based on geography or your relatives live close by or your friends advised you to !! They are all classical answers to get your visa rejected.!!
I hope this helps
Good Luck!!!
I am an indian citizen. At present working in Uruguay with the Uruguay business visa. This visa is valid for 6 months. It is going to expire by this Jan,2011. My company is ready to go for Permanent residenship rather than applying Visa renewal. I have my future plan of going for business studies in either US or UK. So I have a confusion here will this process impact my future studies by any chance ? Your suggesstion is higly appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Having a permanent residency will not affect your chances in any way….. Seek permanent residency of Uruguay , come back to India and appear for your Visa Interview.
Incase if the VO asks you what you did all this while or are you working? or where were you working? etc
You can say that you joined a Uruguay Company to seek some international work experience. Also it has been this work experience which is aroused the need to do an MBA in you. After successfully doing an MBA from the US and international business exposure at Uruguay you will be a highly potential candidate in india to work on a high salary and a very high designation…
BOTTOM LINE : CONVINCE THE VISA OFFICER THAT YOU WILL NOT SETTLE IN USA BUT RATHER COME BACK TO INDIA.
I hope this helps
Good Luck!!
Hi Rohit,
Thanks for your insight on this. My dillema got disbursed.
I understood the kep poinst you ahve mentioned which I need to think and asnwer while appearing for the interview.
Thank you so much for all the way helping me.
Thanks,
Komalam
Most Welcome buddy
hi guys ,
how r u all . i have a problem in the admitt letter with the different name . and i attended for F1 VISA interview and they gave me a white slip which includes some case number . is there any trouble with the admitt letter.and am tensed about my VISA . if u know any information regarding this please help me
thanking you
hi they dont look at ur admit letter,the will look at ur 120 form and ur school leaving certificates,most importantly ur transcript and ur result.and other supporting document prepared by u or u sponsor.
regards.
broveto
hi guys,
i have one doubt i hope that you clarified. i attended for F1 VISA on 3rd of december
actually i got the white slip which includes some case number id and i wanna know what does it mean and will u tel when my passport will reach me . how many years of visa will approve or me .
thank you .
Hello guys, I'm niteesh and I was refused a visa this fall semester and I've applied to the same university as precious one for spring too. My question is that How much is the possibility to change the university after getting the visa. And what is the process for that.
Well changing university after VISA is not an impossibility. It is very easy. BUT you need to do that from the United States!!!!! 3 years ago I was in a Similar Situation. I had an admit from FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY and I successfully secured my VISA for the same. The same evening I got an Admit from NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY from Boston!! I was so mad coz I always wanted to go to Northeastern……
However, here is the procedure!!!
1 . Join the university for which you got your admit and your VISA
2. Come to the US and apply to another university of your choice.
3. Incase if you get accepted, your present university will TRANSFER YOUR SEVIS to the new university.
4. If you have taken any credits , they too can be transfered to your new school ( max 9 credits for masters) however rules may vary.
5. Change and join your new school and live happily ever after!!
I hope this helps!!
Hi Everyone,
I was rejected twice for f1 student visa during fall session. I had applied to SUNY. Both time I was rejected stating that its too expensive. Actually the total expenses of 9 months was $21,100 including scholarships too. For second time VO told me to bring I-20 of another university that offers me more scholarship and have less expenses. And now I have applied to another university having less expenses around $16000. So plz tell me how much is the possibility of mine for this time. Changing university would create problem? Or not. I am really confused whether I should apply of not? Plz suggest me.
Hi Everybody,
I am staying in US on H4.I wanted to pursue MS on F1 visa status.I wanted to know that will my visa change from H4 to F1 will be rejected since my husband has filed for the green card?Is there anybody who have faced the same problem?Also I wanted to know that,If my F1 visa got rejected my H4 will also be rejected?
Please guys help me….
I wish I could help you with this.
But incase if your husband has filed for a green card for you and him, the best person to ask is the immigration lawyer through which your husband has done the GREEN CARD Process!!!
Good Luck!!
Hi everyone.
I was interviewed on the 27 sept for M1 visa,at the US embassy in New delhi. After the interview i was handed a pink paper and was told my visa would have to go through what they called "Administrative processing" its now 32 days and still no word from them…….please anyone in the house with the same or has gone through this situation before?.
I want to know how much longer i would have to wait for visa because i feel like withdrawing my application,because i am tired of waiting.
Helo my name is Rahul, i was rejected once for fall. For spring i am going for visa(Nov 17) on another university. My question is that will the VO have my previous university details???
If yes, then wat should i answer for the following question.
Why did you change your university?