Let me start by assuming that a certain student ‘A’ has received his first I-20. Now that he has at least one admission in hand, he can be sure that he will be going to the US. ‘A’ now discovers that he has to take a Visa Interview Date. He starts asking X, Y and Z about information on F1 visa. The more people he talks to, the more his confusion rises. Some people tell him that the dates get booked very quickly and that there are now only two dates available in the month he wishes to book a date in. In the meanwhile he gets some few I-20s but no Dream Admit. Poor ‘A’ gets scared by all these talks and decides to book a date as soon as possible. He thinks, “What if I am not able to complete my MS because I didn’t get a Visa Interview Date?” (It may sound silly but most of the people go through this stage once during this process.).
However, he has still not gotten reply from the desired university. All the E-Mails titled “Extremely Urgent” and “Please Reply ASAP” shot to the Dream University either go unanswered or replied by a standard “We will get in touch with you as soon as possible” answer. This is the most common situation of people applying for MS. Here are a few questions from A’s (along with B, C and D’s) mind:
Q) I have an I-20 but not from the University I dream of. Can I book a Visa Interview date on this I-20?
A) Yes, you can. You have to give the details of the Unwanted University of which you have got the I-20 at the time of booking a date. You can easily change these details later on. However, make sure you make all the changes at least 5 working days before your Visa Interview Date.
Q) What are the DS Forms?
A) While booking the date online, you need to fill in three DS forms, i.e. DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158. Find samples of these forms at http://www.immihelp.com/visas/student/f1-visa-documents.html
You will have to take a printout of these filled forms with you for you Interview. You can edit these forms even after booking your date except for details like Passport Number, Place of Issue, Date of Birth etc.
Q) What documents do I need for F1 Visa?
A) The documents are divided into two categories: Mandatory and supporting (which are also mandatory).
Mandatory ones include:
1. Photocopy of first page, last page and address page of your passport.
2. Filled DS forms.
3. Original HDFC fee receipt which you used to book the date.
4. Copy of I-20 issued by the desired university.
5. SEVIS receipt.
Supporting ones are:
1. Original passport.
2. Original I-20.
3. Interview Appointment Letter.
4. SEVIS receipt.
5. Financial documents
6. All marksheets in original.
7. Entrance exam marksheets like GRE, TOEFL, GMAT in original.
8. Photocopy of first page, last page and address page of your passport.
For Mumbai Consulate, it is necessary to submit all the “Mandatory documents” at least 5 working days before the interview date to the VFS.
Q) Can I pay SEVIS fee on the undesired university’s I-20?
A) No. You should pay the SEVIS fee only when you have fixed on a particular university. Though it is possible to transfer the fee between universities, it is a cumbersome procedure and one is not recommended to do so. You can book the date without paying this fee. However, SEVIS fee should be paid at least 5 working days before the Interview date so that one can submit its payment receipt at the VFS.
Q) My Visa Interview date is 10 days away and I have not yet got my desired I-20. Can I reschedule the Interview Date? Do I have to pay anything for it?
A) You can reschedule your Visa Interview date free twice. For the second time, however, you will have to cancel and reschedule. For rescheduling more than twice, your HDFC slip stays invalid for 90 days and you cannot take an appointment during that period.
Q) What if I get my desired I-20 after my Visa is stamped?
A) In this case, you have to go through the entire process of applying again from the scratch.
Q) I submitted my documents and there is more than a week for my interview. I have received my desired admit. Now what shall I do?
A) Go to the VFS and submit the new documents. You can do this as many times 5 working before your Interview. Do not forget to make the necessary changes in the DS forms.
Q) Is it true that Visa Dates get booked very fast?
A) No it is not true. There are plenty of dates available and there is no reason to panic. Do not trust rumors. Book at your own pace.
Q) What is the difference between emergency and normal appointment?
A) You can go for emergency appointment if normal ones are not available. This may happen at crowded Consulates like Chennai. If the date of joining of university is within 120 days from the date of Interview, you are eligible for emergency appointment.
Q) Is it true that there is a limit of students to be granted Visa and the students above that limit will be rejected Visa?
A) This is not true. ALL qualified students get visas.
Q) Should I wear formal clothes to the Interview?
A) No. They do not wish to see you in formal clothes. As you are applying for a student Visa, you should look like a student. Not a very chilled out student, though. Wear decent casuals.
P.S. These are the requirements at the Mumbai Consulate. The requirements for the other Consulates vary slightly. Please check with them before applying.
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Fantastic work Manjiri. This is great research and solves a lot of doubts in the minds of the students. Well done. Keep it up!!!
Pratik Shah
October 29th, 2007
When I started reading this post I thought it was a math problem…so many variables
Dhawal
October 29th, 2007
This sure helps a lot thanks.
Dharmil
February 23rd, 2008
I would like to know few of the requirements that are required at chennai consulate??
pooja shah
April 2nd, 2008
@ Pooja
Check on the vfs site. They should be able to guide you better than anyone else.
Manjiri Keskar
April 3rd, 2008
My friend told me if u dont get ur dream university in time and you give a positive reply to an unwanted university, things could get a bit messy… like u have to get a written permission from them before giving a positive reply to dream university later on…
is it true?
Varun
April 5th, 2008
@ Varun
No, it is not true. As far as I know, you do not have to give any reply to the university so early. The deadlines are till quite late. But yes, once you say yes to a university it can get a little messy but you can still mail and tell them your problem. I am sure they understand.
Manjiri Keskar
April 6th, 2008
Well, I have to give my reply to U of R before 15th of this month..
still waiting for ASU though
Varun
April 7th, 2008
Great work guys…just one more i needed to ask…if i change my mind to a different university after booking the visa slot what is the procedure of changing the details of the university in both the visa forms and SEVIS. You have specified that changes can be made 5 days before but what is the procedure?
Anurag
May 13th, 2008
Hi Anurag,
There is something called school code on your I-20. you will need to change that in the applications. Also, everywhere you mentioned your current school, obviously, you will have to change those. There are quite a few places. Make sure you dont miss any and make these changes as early as possible. Dont leave them to just 5 days.
Pratik Shah
May 13th, 2008
Thanks Pratik for the quick reply, but how do i make these changes?I mean how to i edit these changes. Once i log on again should i go to edit/modify saved application? Once i do that..and click on continue there is some error.It would be great if you can explain it to me as to how to edit these changes?
Anurag
May 13th, 2008
@Anurag
I realize it would be great if i could explain the procedure but i do not have access to the form so i cannot tell you anything. Try using internet explorer and try at different times. I hope that might do the trick. But yes, you have to edit/modify the application
Pratik Shah
May 15th, 2008