How to obtain American Visa for students?
American Visa, simply uttering this name prick’s one’s ear and ensue the discussion related to the facts and misunderstanding about Visa. Nowadays most of the students have the ambition to study in The United States and obtaining Visa is the first and foremost step to fulfill their dream. Let us try to know about how to prepare ourselves for gaining American Visa.
For obtaining American Visa, two requirements are to be fulfilled:
A) Financial Documents
B) Facing the interview
Let us try to find out about these requirements in details.
a) Financial documents:
Financial documents are an important aspect of American Visa. Since honesty is believed to be essential criteria for Visa so it is essential to have all the valid documents ready while going for obtaining Visa. Financial documents required are classified in four sections:
1) Financial Savings of the family
2) Different types of financial investments
3) Annual income of the family
4) Immovable property of the family
All these four sections are studied together carefully while taking decision for granting the Visa. So it is important that the family of the student willing to gain Visa should have sufficient financial provision in all the sections.
Now let us study each of this section in details:
1) Financial Savings of the family:
Savings
While planning for Visa, the savings account of the family should have an amount required for the first year’s expenditure of the student. The exact amount for this expenditure is laid down in detail on I-20 form of the student. I-20 form is a government form issued by American universities to the students who have been granted admission. The form is an eligibility proof of the student to the government of United States. Having the I-20 form certifies that the student is bonafide, can fulfill the admission requirement and have enough money to study in the United States.
The account of the family should be a savings account and should be used regularly. One should not try to open a new account and deposit amount in it. Naturally one will never keep an amount of 10-12 lakh in savings account but it is essential while preparing for Visa. Most importantly the amount in the savings account should be deposited by periodic intervals, so that it seems to be a natural process and clarification should be given about the source of money. For example: if the provision of money is made by selling a plot or land then in such a case the related documents should be made ready in advance. The Visa officer expects the written as well as verbal explanation about the money deposited in the savings account. The holder of the savings account should be either the student or his parents. One can have more than one account but from documentation point of view it is suggested not to have more than four accounts.
2) Different types of financial investment:
Investment in Gold
This section includes all the investments except the savings account and immovable property. This section should have an amount more than 20% and 40% of annual expenses. This includes term deposits, shares, bonds, national savings certificates, postal savings, gold and much other type of investments. The original documents of all these investments are also required. If the amount in the savings account is the provision for first year’s expenditure then these investment are said to be the provision for the second year. Nearly 10% to 20% increase in the annual expenses of the student is expected. So it is better to have provision of a little more amount then the required.
3) Family’s annual income:
Even after displaying the expenses of two years, the information regarding family’s annual income is also essential. This proves that the family has a regular source of income. For this the proof of tax paid on the income is considered as valid. If the family has income from farming, than the related proofs is a required. Usually the annual income should be up to 5 lakh. If the parents of the student are retired and are not paying any income tax than a close relative might willingly give assurance of paying the student’s educational expenses. In such case, the documents of the relative are to be taken along with. The parents should be able to convince the Visa officer that why the relative is trying to help the student even if the parents have not sponsored him to do so.
4) Immovable property:
Immovable Property
To prove that the student belongs to a family having a good financial background, immovable property is essential. This includes current residence, plot, land etc. For showing the immovable property, the property papers and the documents of its valuation done by a government approved valuer is important.
All the documents of the above four sections must be produced by the student at the time of the interview of Visa. Many times it happens that due to unavailability of documents, students try to produce duplicate documents. This might create problem for both the student and the parents. So, it is better to be honest while applying for Visa and get all the original and valid documents prepared in advance.
b) Visa Interview:
Visa Interview
While obtaining American Visa, the concerned student has to appear for an interview. The interview is basically a conversation between the candidate and the Visa officer. This conversation is very important and lasts for 2-3 minutes. The candidate should have tremendous confidence while applying for Visa. Usually one can apply for Visa prior to 120 days. For this form I-20 is to be obtained from the University and then only the student can apply for Visa. One should apply for Visa only after the final decision from all the universities for which one has applied. The dates for obtaining Visa might be flexible so one might not get the desired date for Visa. So it is required to check the available dates for Visa. One can apply for Visa on the following site:
www.vfs-usa.co.in
Preparation for the interview:
It is a general observation that only those candidates can obtain the Visa successfully who face the interview without any pressure or tension. The interview is the last and crucial step for flying to America. So it must be faced with full confidence. If the student appears for the interview under pressure then it may cause adverse effects. At every step, right from applying in the universities till gaining admission there, the students do logical thinking. In the same way, they should think logically about the question and answers related to Visa interview. One thing must be noted, that those answers with which the candidate is not convinced cannot convince the Visa officer.
On the day of Interview:
Most of the students keep on hovering about the costumes to be put on the day of interview. But the fact is that there is no relation between the costume of the candidate and the Visa. The costume in which the candidate feels comfortable is the best costume. The candidate is allotted a particular time for the interview and it is essential that he should reach the venue at least half an hour before the allotted time. After reaching the venue, the candidate should sit quietly and wait for his turn. It is better to neglect the discussions taking place in the surrounding atmosphere. Tension increases the chance of failure. So it is better to face the interview without being nervous. Prior to interview, on should try to do things with which one feels relax.
Question and answers:
Every candidate is curious about the questions which are asked during the Visa interview. The Visa officer is eager to know a few things from the candidate like:
For which University the candidate has applied?
The student is expected the complete information about the University for which he has applied. Many times the candidates are asked about the nearest airport from the University or the governor of the state in which the University is situated.
The other questions in the interview include:
1) For which course has the candidate has applied for?
2) Why has he preferred the University for which he has applied for?
3) What are the subjects for study or research?
The candidates are also asked questions about their financial situation. Many students have a misunderstanding that bearing the financial documents is enough for the interview. But these documents should be properly studied and understood, and then only one can answer the questions related to the financial situation correctly. Besides this, the candidates are asked about their future plans after attaining the degree from the American University. The answer to this question should be logical and natural.
Most of the questions asked in the interview keep on revolving about whether the candidate is having complete knowledge about the course for which he has applied and the process by which he will be completing the course. If some unrelated questions are asked, then the candidate should not get confused and should use his presence of mind to answer the question. In the whole procedure of the admission in the American University, the interview forms the major part and if one faces it with full composure; he is surely going to be successful.
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