VISA - The Final Step - GRE Exam Materials

Once you are done sending your applications by the month of December or at the most January, the long anxious wait for the outcome begins. Admits (or rejects) start flowing in from mid February and can keep coming till the second week of May or sometimes even later. After you receive the responses of all the universities you had applied to, choose the best possible admit from them (this can especially become tricky if you have to choose between two similarly ranked Universities)

Try to get in touch with some seniors who are currently pursuing their graduation from that university and course. Ask your seniors about pros and cons of the universities you wish to select.
Know about the Job prospects (which is the prime reason you're going there), ranking of the university, weather conditions and location of the city/town (read safety and happening life).
And last but not the least, get in touch with your classmates/batchmates who are joining that university so that you can ‘enjoy’ the higher studies as well.

Along with an ‘admit’ the universities also sends you a form issued on your name called the “I-20 Form”. It is a document issued by the university to the students who have been granted admission and tells the US government that you are eligible for F-1 Student Status. You should receive this via post within 3-4 weeks of receiving the ‘admit’. Only after receiving this I-20 you are eligible to appear for VISA in student’s category (F-1 Visa). If you do not receive it within the stipulated period you must get in touch with the concerned authorities of the university to speed the process of getting it. NOTE: Some universities require you to send a few documents like Affidavit, Bank Statement, Financial support, etc. for verification only after which the I-20 Form is processed.

Getting your Student Visa

Since August 2012, the VISA norms have changed. In the new procedure, students have to book an apointment for the Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) a.k.a Biometrics (photo + fingerprints) followed by booking an appointment for the VISA interview.

Below are the steps one has to follow for applying a Student (F1) VISA.

Step 1: DS-160: The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is a fully integrated online application form that is used to collect the necessary application information from a person seeking a nonimmigrant visa for temporary travel to the United States.You can fill the DS-160 form here: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

Complete DS-160 online application form.
Print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser printer.
After you have printed it, email the confirmation page to yourself so you have a backup copy.

Step 2: Registration at the designated bank/s

Visa Application Fee is USD 160 + VFS service charge + Bank charges which makes it a total amount, approx. Rs. 9000/-
The amount is payable by cash or DD/Cheque at Axis Bank or Citi Bank.
The bank will issue you a visa fee receipt in duplicate which will have a 10 digit barcode number affixed on it. You require this barcode number to schedule your interview appointment. It takes two days for the barcode to get activated.
The above fees are not refundable.
You must appear for visa interview within 1 year (365 days) from the date you purchased your fee receipt from Axis Bank or Citi Bank.
If you do not appear for an interview within one year after the purchase of your fee receipt, it will no longer be valid.

Step 3: SEVIS FEE

Pay the SEVIS (Service and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee which is USD 200 on the following link: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
Please print the SEVIS receipt.

Step 4: VISA Appointment
1. Make your VISA appointment using your barcode and fee receipt.

2. Once you have scheduled your VISA interview date, you need to book an appointment for the OFC atleast a day before the interview. You can use the above link to book the OFC schedule.

Following are the things required while booking the OFC appoinement:

Your passport number
The date you paid your fee
The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

3. On the OFC day, you need to get

A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)
Your DS-160 confirmation page
Your appointment confirmation page

4. On the VISA interivew day, you need to get

A printed copy of your appointment letter
Your DS-160 confirmation page, and one photograph taken within the last six months
Your current and all old passports, and
Original visa fee payment receipt

Listed below are the important locations that every VISA applicant has to consider during the process. It comprises locations for Banks affiliated to the VISA process, OFC, Consulates and Documents Drop-Off.

1. OFFSITE FACILITATION CENTER (OFC) LOCATIONS

Monday to Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ; Sunday – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

City	Branch	Address
Mumbai	Bandra East, Mumbai - 400051	Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block, Bandrakurla Complex
Chennai	Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600018	No 3, Cenotaph Road
Hyderabad	Begumpet, Secunderabad – 500003	1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P.Road
Kolkata	Kolkata – 700017	Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor)
New Delhi	Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110019	S - 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower

2. VISA CONSULATES ACROSS INDIA

City	Consulate Address
Chennai (Madras)	220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006 Telephone +91-44-2857-4000 Fax: +91-44-2811-2027
Hyderabad	Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003 Telephone: +91-40-4033-8300
Kolkata (Calcutta)	5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071 Telephone +91-33-3984-2400 Fax +91-33-2282-2335
Mumbai (Bombay)	C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051 Phone: (22) 2672-4000
New Delhi	Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021 Telephone +91-11-2419-8000 Fax +91-11-2419-8587

3. DOCUMENTS DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

City	Hours of Operation	Address
Delhi	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	S - 1 American Plaza International Trade Tower Nehru Place NewDelhi - 110019
Mumbai	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	Trade Center Gr. Floor G Block Bandrakurla Complex Bandra East Mumbai - 400051
Chennai	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	No 3 Cenotaph Road Teynampet Chennai - 600018
Hyderabad	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	502 Gowra Grand S.P.Road Begumpet Secunderabad Hyderabad - 500003
Kolkata	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	Jasmine Tower 31 Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata - 700017
Chandigarh	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	SCO-186-187 Sector 8C Madhya Marg Chandigarh 160009
Jalandhar	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	3rd floor The Axis Near BMC Chowk GT Road Jalandhar 144001
Ahmedabad	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	Gujarat Chambers Building Shri Ambika Mills Ashram Road Ahmedabad - 380009
Pune	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	106 Sohrab Hall 1st Floor Tadiwala Road Behind Pune Station Jn Pune - 411001
Bengaluru	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	Prestige Atrium 2nd Floor Unit No. 304 No 1 Central Street Bangalore - 560001
Kochi	Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m.	3C South Point Hinton Chittoor Rd Nr Kasba Police Station Kacheripady Ernakulam - 682018

4. BANK LOCATIONS

Citibank - Branch & Addresses:

City	Branch	Address
Mumbai	Fort, Mumbai	Citibank N.A., Bombay Mutual Building, 293, D.N. Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001,
Navi Mumbai	Vashi, Navi Mumbai	Citibank N.A., Mahatma Phule Bhavan, Palm Beach Road Junction, Sector 17, Vashi, Navi Mumbai - 400 705,
Ahmedabad	CG Road, Ahmedabad	Citibank N.A., Ground Floor, Kalapurnam, Near Municipal Market, CG Road, Ahmedabad - 380 009,
Vadodara	Gotri, Vadodara	Citibank N.A., Pelican Opp. Race Course Tower, Gotri Road, Vadodara - 390 007,
Surat	Ghod Dod Road, Surat	Citibank N.A., 14 Adarsh Society, Opp. Kakadia Complex, Ghod Dod Road, Surat - 395 007,
Delhi	Connaught Circus, Delhi	Citibank N.A., 124, Jeevan Bharati Building, 3rd Floor, Connaught Circus, New Delhi - 110 001,
Gurgaon	DLF City, Gurgaon	Citibank N.A., Ground Floor, DLF Square, M Block, Jacaranda Marg, DLF City, Phase II, Gurgaon - 122 002,
Bengaluru	Jayanagar, Bengaluru	Citibank N.A., No. 91, Prestige South End, South End Road, Opposite Surana College, Jayanagar, Bengaluru - 560 004,
Cochin	Padma Jn, Cochin	Citibank N.A., Ravis Arcade, Door No. 38/1581, M.G. Road, Padma Junction, Kochi - 682 035,
Pune	Koregaon Park, Pune	Citibank N.A., Ground Floor, Onyx Tower, 37/3 Ghorpadi, Nr. Westin Hotel, North Koregaon Park Main Road, Pune - 411 001,
Ludhiana	Feroze Gandhi, Ludhiana	Citibank N.A., Ground Floor, Ludhiana Stock Exchange Building, Feroze Gandhi Market, Ludhiana - 141 001,
Chandigarh	Madhya Marg, Chandigarh	Citibank N.A., Sco-132/133/134, Sector 9C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160 017
Chennai	Anna Salai, Chennai	Citibank N.A., 163, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002,

and AXIS Bank - Follow the link to figure out the AXIS Bank next to your doorstep Nearest AXIS Bank

Preparing for the Visa Interview

The VISA interview is the final hurdle you'll have to clear before you are well and truly on your way. After all the documents you are required to show at the time of the interview, you have to be prepared for the normal drill that the Visa Officer will take you through.

Are you a Bonafide student?
Is your sponsor financially capable?
Will you come back from the US of A?

Documents Required for Visa Interview

VISA Interview is the last step in your long journey to reach the USA. Your documents will speak for you. There can be times during the interview where the Officer may not be too convinced by what you say. It’s the ideal time to show a particular document and win over his trust. Below is the list of documents you are expected to have at the time of the interview. The list is VERY long but it’s always advisable to have all of them.

Mandatory / General List

Copy of interview appointment letter
DS-160 Confirmation Barcode printout
Original, valid Axis or Citi Bank VISA fee receipt (Applicant’s Copy)
Original I-20, approved and signed by you and the University authority
SEVIS Fee Receipt
Passport
Birth Certificate

Academic List

You must get Provisional Degree Certificates made from the college. If the college does not issue a Provisional Degree Certificate, then you must get a Bonafide certificate made which will indicate that you are a student of this college, you have given the final semester exams and the results for the same are expected in XYZ month/year.

Original degree certificates (Bachelors / Masters) / Provisional Degree Certificates
Original mark sheets (10^th and 12^th standard, first year bachelors to date)
Provisional marksheet for any pending results
Original mark sheets (diploma), original diploma transcripts (stamped and sealed), and original diploma certificate
Original Extra- curricular / curricular activity certificates
Original scholarship certificates / awards (if any)
Original Certificates showing professional courses / examinations done along with marksheets
Copies of your research work / project
Relevant test scores, e.g. TOEFL and SAT, GRE, GMAT or LSAT in Original.
Bonafide certificate from college (if degree is not received )
Resume

Financial List

Original Affidavit of Support from Sponsor/s dated 4-5 days before visa interview date.
Authentic and Original C.A. statement showing summary of fixed and liquid assets dated 4-5 days before visa interview date.
Student should carry original and valuation documents for every item stated in the C.A. statement as proof.
Original Evidence of financial resources: Proof of liquid assets sufficient to pay for the entire first year of education and living expenses as well as proof of readily available funds to cover the remaining year(s) of studies, dated 3-4 days before visa interview date.
NOTE: The amount should be as per duration of study mentioned in I-20.
Original Bank statements of Sponsor(s) for the past six months (savings account) OR Original Passbook/s of sponsor/s (savings account) dated 4-5 days before visa interview date.
Original Income tax papers of Sponsor(s) for the last three years from visa interview date
Proof of income of sponsor(s) like appointment letter, payslips/salary certificates for past six months from visa interview date (All original)
Balance sheet of business of last three years from visa interview date (Original)
Original Proof of all liquid assets declared in C.A. Statement including fixed deposits, shares, PPF, investments and so on
Original Proof showing amount that can be withdrawn against various liquid assets like shares, LIC Policy, Provident fund etc. (redeemable value), dated 4-5 days before visa interview date.
Original Letters from respective authorities on their letterhead indicating that items such as mutual funds, shares, PPF, Provident fund, Fixed Deposits, etc are liquid and can be redeemed before maturity date, dated 4-5 days before visa interview date.
Original Proof of Ownership, agreement of sale, share certificate for all fixed assets declared in C.A. statement.
Valuation Certificate(s) from Chartered Engineer for every property declared in the C.A. statement in original

Documents related to Admits/Rejects

All acceptance and reject letters from universities applied to in original
All scholarship/financial aid grant documents received from universities that you have applied to in original
Complete application packet of university to which you are going (as was submitted to university) like Application Forms, SOP, Recommendation letters, Resume, Financial documents, technical documents and other documents which you had sent to the University.
Original Admit letter from the university to which you are going to.
Original Financial Aid Offer Letter from the university to which you are going to.
Receipt of any advance payment made to the university.
Copies of any correspondence mails from any professors of the university to which you are going to

Work experience

For employed students: Original Documents like work experience letters, Recommendations from employers, Pay-slips/salary certificates for last six months , IT Returns for last 3 years, appointment letters.
Original documents showing body of work accomplished.
Resume showing professional accomplishments

Tips, Tricks and Myths Regarding VISA

You can/should get all the I-20s of the admits that you've received and then decide which university you want to go. There is nothing wrong and the VISA Officer won't reject you on this basis.
Book your VISA slot once you've received the I-20 and have confirmed on the final university.
Do not lie to the VISA Officer as s/he has the basic information about you and your family. Be smart and tackle tricky questions.
Prepare well if you've low academics, GRE and TOEFL score. Give reasons which sound sensible. Try to justify those reasons and at also show how you made up for the same.
If you've a year gap post undergrad education and have done absolutely nothing in this period, make sure you've sufficient reasons to tackle their questions.
Focus on the research work of the university that you're going to join.
Always ask for reasons if the VISA Officer rejects you.
A day (preferably 3 weeks) before the intreview, PLEASE check for all the documents required for VISA Interview.
Some say university tag (which is absolutely true) matters a lot, some leverage on GRE, and some might have other reasons. But the best way to ace the VISA process is be CONFIDENT and SMILE (not giggle) constantly.