INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE F1 VISA

(STUDENT VISA)

There are two student visa categories, F-1 and M-1. The F-1 visa permits students to enroll in a full-time course of academic study, leading to a degree such as the Doctorate, the Bachelor or Master�s Degree or a high school diploma. The M-1 visa is for nonacademic or vocational education, and it includes courses of study in fields such as gemology, aviation, language studies, etc. All the students who have joined Dilip Oak�s Academy are applying for F-1 visa.

The I-20 form issued by your university and a valid Indian passport are two essential documents for obtaining an F1 (student) visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond visit.

Once you get I-20 forms from all the universities offering you admission you will have to decide which university you wish to join.

Carefully check that the information printed on the I-20 form is correct and has no mistakes in spelling or the dates. If you find any mistakes send the I-20 form back to the university requesting them to issue a new I-20 form. If there are mistakes your visa can be rejected on technical grounds.

You can apply for student visa a maximum of 90 days prior to date of commencement of your course as indicated on I-20 form of your desired university.

You have to appear at the Consulate personally to get the visa. You are not allowed to appoint an agent to act on your behalf. The decision to grant or deny an F1 visa is taken on the basis of the individual assessment of the visa officer who takes your interview.

WHERE TO APPLY?

Applicants resident in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, M. P., Chattisgarh for the last six months should apply to the American Consulate General, Mumbai.

Applicants resident in the states of Karnataka Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Pondichari for the last six months should apply to the American Consulate General, Chennai.

Address of American Consulate General, Mumbai:

The U.S. Consulate General

Lincoln House, 78, Bhulabhai Desai Road,

Near Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai ?400026

Phone:?(022)��?363-3611 to 3618

HOW TO APPLY?

From 24^th December 2001 no student is allowed to contact American Consulate, Mumbai directly. It is mandatory for all applicants to first take an appointment at one of the US visa application centers located at

PUNE

206, Sohrab Hall, 1^st floor

Sassoon Road

(Opp. Jahangir Nursing Home)

Behind Pune Junction Station

Pune ?411 001

SOUTH MUMBAI

Tirupati Apartments

Bhulabhai Desai Road

Mumbai ?400 026

(below Gabbana, Opposite Cross Word)

AHMEDABAD

Shri Ambica Mills

Gujarat Chamber Building

Ashram Road

Ahmedabad ?380 009

NORTH MUMBAI

Mehta Estate

Andheri-Kurla Road

Mumbai ?400 0 93

(Next to German Remedies,

behind Chakala BEST bus stop)

Timings: 0800-1200, 1300-1500 Monday-Friday.

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO US VISA APPLICATION CENTER.

Passport valid at least 6 months beyond visit.
Two photocopies of passport�s first page and one photocopy each of last page and of pages containing �observations?if any.
Original and Xerox copy of I-20 form.
Fully completed visa application form DS 156 (Compulsory for all applicants) and DS 157 (additional form only for male applicants aged 16-45 years). Both these forms can be obtained at the application center. (Sample forms enclosed).
One photograph (37mm x 37mm) to be affixed on visa form DS 156.
Demand Draft favoring �Centurion Bank ?a/c US Visa?for Rs. 6,280 per applicant payable at city of application.

(This amount can vary from month to month depending on the current exchange rate. Student should enquire the exact amount at the application center.)

The center will determine your eligibility to apply and then accept your visa fees and issue you a fee receipt and interview appointment letter. The center will retain the original visa form and all photocopies. Other original documents will be returned to you. (passport, I-20 etc.)

At Pune and Ahmedabad, you can schedule an interview from the second working day to two weeks in advance.

At Mumbai, you can schedule an interview from the next working day to two weeks in advance.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT US CONSULATE MUMBAI ON THE DAY OF APPOINTMENT -

Fee receipt and interview appointment letter issued by the visa application center.
Passport.
Original I-20 form duly signed.
Evidence of financial resources.
Income tax returns of last 3 years.
Original Test scores ?GRE, GMAT, TOEFL etc.
Original Bachelor degree or High school Diploma along with mark list.
Students of Art, Design or Architecture are recommended to carry their portfolio.

Please be at the consulate 15 minutes before the time of the appointment. Inside the visa hall submit your passport, receipt and appointment letter at the intake window. You will get a token here. When your token number is called, go to the assigned window to be interviewed by the US consul.

IF YOU ARE GRANTED VISA

As an anti-fraud measure, the passport will be returned to the applicant only by courier to an address stated on the visa form. Address on visa form must be the current address.
The US Consulate in Mumbai does not permit same day return or personal handover of passport.
Applicant will be asked to select a return address at the time of submitting application at the Application Center.

Once an address has been indicated, no change is permitted.
Where the address is outside the courier company�s zone of delivery, applicant has to collect the passport in person from the courier�s nearest branch.
Passport will not be returned to travel agents, or to employer at address other than actual work address of applicant.

The Application Center will hand over to applicant a photocopy of the 1^st page of the passport bearing the seal of �US VFS? Please preserve this photocopy carefully as the courier will handover the passport only after collecting this paper.
Where the delivery address is the work address, applicant must either take delivery in person, or attach a signed Letter of Authority to the photocopy of passport page.
Where the delivery address is a home address, delivery can be made to a resident family member against surrender of passport page.
Passports that cannot be delivered after three attempts (1 per day) will be returned to the US Consulate. Undelivered passports will have to be collected in person from the Consulate.

IF YOU ARE REFUSED A VISA

The Consulate will return you your passport and an envelope containing pay order for the Issuance fee.
You can get an on-the-spot refund of Issuance fee by surrendering the pay order to Standard Chartered Grind lays bank at their branch diagonally opposite the Consulate. You have to appear at the bank personally and show your passportyg to get cash refund.
Cash refunds are not made at any other branch of the bank or at any US visa Application Center.
If you desire a refund by cheque, you can drop the pay-order at the US Visa Application Center. Refund orders will be delivered by courier within 2 days.

SECURITY MEASURES AT THE US CONSULATE

��?Following are not permitted inside the US Consulate

All bags except: a Plastic bag containing your application related papers and for ladies a small purse.
All Electronic items including cell phones and pagers.
All Smoking material like cigarettes, lighters and matchboxes.

GUIDELINES FOR FILLING UP THE VISA APPLICATION FORM: (DS 156)

1. Please ensure that all boxes are completed. Write �NA?where not applicable.

2. All applicants above the age of 14 must sign their application form. Where applicant is below 14, either parents can sign the application form.

3. The address to be mentioned should be the one where you have been residing for the last six months. It can differ from your permanent address mentioned in the passport.

4. Please be specific in describing your occupation: e.g. software engineer, traderin chemicals, and manager in travel company, MD of pharmaceutical company. It is not enough to just write �Business?or �Service?

5. Item no. 10 can be left blank since we do not have national identification number in India.

6. Item no. 19 ?purpose of trip ?Education.

7. Item no. 20 ?write name of the university and state.

8. Item no. 21 ?3 weeks before the date of reporting mentioned on I-20

e.g. if reporting date is 14^th August intended date of arrival can be third week of July. Of course student can go the America any time after visa is granted.

9. Item no. 22 ?2-3 years for MS and 3 ?#060;span style="mso-spacerun: yes">??5 ? years for PhD program depending on the period of study mentioned on the I-20 form.

10. Item no. 23 ?Parents/sponsor

11. Item no. 25 ?no

12. Item no. 26 ?yes

13. Item no. 32 ?years wherever applicable otherwise no (honest answer is expected).

IMPORTANT! SPECIFICATIONS OF PHOTOGRAPH TO BE AFFIXED ON VISA FORM.

1. Photo should be from 1.5 x 1.5 inches to 2 x 2 inches ?colour or b & w against light coloured or plain background.

2. Photo should not be more than 6 months old.

3. Applicant must be looking at the camera directly, should not be looking down or to a side.

4. Face should be at least 50% of the photo area.

5. Both ears have to be visible ?photos with ears covered for religious reasons may be accepted only if the applicant objects to exposing the ears for religious reasons.

6. Important: Sunglasses, traditional face mask or veil: which detract from face or conceal portions of face, and thus nor permit adequate identification is not acceptable.��

7. Head coverings and hats are permitted only for religious purposes ?photos of military, airline and other personnel not acceptable. Photos of applicants wearing tribal and other headgear not specifically religious in nature not acceptable.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -

Can my family join me while I am studying?

The spouse and dependent children (under the age of 21) of an F-1 or M-1 VISA holder qualify for F-2 or M-2 VISA respectively, provided that the marriage and birth records are legitimate and that adequate resources, exist to support extra family members. In addition to the passport, application form, colour photo and the demand draft, described above, F-2 or��?M-2 VISA applicants should bring:

?#060;span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> Form I-20 in original, Photocopy of the principal applicant�s valid F-1 or M-1 VISA, Marriage certificate (for spouse) along with your wedding photo album, Birth certificate (for each child), and Additional evidence for financial resources.

What if I am paying for the studies with bank loan?

In that case, please bring official documents, which verify the loan approval, not just the application. Also, since Indian banks ordinarily give educational loans of relatively modest amounts, the application must still demonstrate additional liquid assets.

Can I work on a student Visa?

An F-1 Visa holder may accept employment on-campus, but working off-campus during the 1^st year of study is rarely permitted. In certain cases, INS may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. Except for temporary practical training, an M-1 Visa holder may not accept employment at all. Neither may the spouse or children of students accept employment at any time.

What if I require an I-20 to a better school?

In that case you will need to change the name of the university annotated on your Visa. To do so, submit a 2nd application and new I-20 in the drop box at one of our Visa Application Centers.

What if my university does not require standardized testing?

Very often, art schools, college of design, language programs or sister universities with special study abroad curricula do not require standardized testing for admission. In such a case, please bring a letter from the proposed school or college waiving the testing requirement. Also, if you are studying art or design, it is helpful to bring to the interview a portfolio showing your work.

What if I am prospective student?

In that case you may qualify for a visitor visa. Make clear at your interview that you intend to visit universities with the intention of enrolling at a later date.

Is there a quota for number of student visas to be issued each year??

No, all qualified students receive visas.

What if the officer denies my student visa application?

In that case, you are welcome to reapply after three working days. If your application is denied a 2^nd time, then you can only renew your application by post. Detailed written instructions on our Mail Review process are given at the time of the second refusal. Should you choose to apply by post, please write a persuasive covering letter, which justifies why the Consulate General should reconsider your case.

ORDER OF DOCUMENTS TO BE CARRIED FOR VISA

Folder 1:	(a) Passport (b) I-20 form (c) Fee receipt and interview appointment given by the application center.
Folder 2:	(a) Statement of liquid and fixed assets (b) All Pass books of Savings A/Cs (c) P.P.F. Pass book (d) Original F. D. receipts
Folder 3:	(a) P.F. Statement received from the employer (b) Original documents related to N.S.C., U.T.I., Shares, etc.
Folder 4:	(a) Income Tax Returns of the sponsor for the last 3 years. (original copies) (b) Sponsor�s Certificate
Folder 5:	Original GRE/GMAT/SAT and TOEFL score reports
Folder 6:	Original mark lists & degree certificates (H.S.C. onwards)
Folder 7:	Relevant and important correspondence with the universities.
Folder 8:	I-20 forms/Admission letters received from other universities. Rejection letters received from universities
Folder 9:	Documents related to Fixed Assets.

* Students can use more than one folder for items 2 & 3 if number of documents is more

ANNEXTURE 1

STATEMENT OF LIQUID AND FIXED ASSETS

OF MR. ------------------------ AND FAMILY

LIQUID ASSETS

��?�� .

��?1)�� Deposits with the Banks��?

��?(Savings A/C)

��?Names of Banks�� ?

��?��

��?2)�� Deposits with the Banks��?

��?(Fixed Deposits)

��?Names of Banks��

��?3)�� Deposits with the Banks��?

��?(P.P.F. A/C)

��?Names of Banks

��?4)�� Loan from bank

��

��?Total funds available in Bank?��?------------------------------��?��

��?5)�� a) Provident Fund

��?b) N.S.C.

��?c) Investments in U.T.I.,

��?�� Postal Savings etc.

��?6)�� Shares

��?(Valued on (date) at Mumbai

��?Stock Exchange rates.)

��?Company Deposits

��?6)�� Any other liquid assets

��?------------------------------

��?Total Liquid Assets��?------------------------------

��?

FIXED ASSETS��

��?1)�� Residential House / Flat (Address)�� ?

��?2)�� Open Residential Plot (Address)�� ?

��?3)�� Business Premises (Address)�� ?

��?4)�� Agricultural Land (Address)�� ?��

��?------------------------------

��?Total Fixed Assets�� ------------------------------

��?Total Assets��?------------------------------

NOTE: The consulate discourages bringing property documents or CA statements. The officers rarely have time to pursue property deeds, and CA statements are not considered reliable documents. Nevertheless of course students can carry original property documents if they want.

ANNEXTURE 2

SPONSOR'S CERTIFICATE

(Preferably on stamp paper of Rs. 20)

Date:

Name :

Address :

Tel. No. :

��?This is to certify that I am willing and able to provide financial support to my son / daughter / nephew / niece Mr./Miss -------------------------------------------------------while she / he studies at?(name of institution) ----------------------------------------------------for a -------------------- degree in the field of ---------------------------------------------------for?--------- years.

��?

��?Signature of the Sponsor

��?Name of the Sponsor

NOTE: If both the parents are sponsoring candidate jointly they can give sponsor certificate jointly.

Airline Ticket Booking Guidelines

1.��?Block (i.e. book) your tickets at least two month in advance of your intended date of departure. This does not require any payment. All you have to do is to inform the travel agent at the time of booking about:

�� a) your final destination. This is the place where your college or university is located (e.g. Beaumont, Orlando, Sacramento, Cincinnati etc.). This will help the agent to plan your international and domestic flights using the most economical and convenient routes.

�� b) your preferences regarding:

��?�� ? airlines (Delta, KLM, Air India, British Airways etc.)

��??��?? food (vegetarian/non-vegetarian)

��??��?? seating (smoking/non-smoking)

2.��?Confirm your tickets at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of departure. You have to pay your airfare at this time. Confirmation will not be made without the payment of the airfare in full.

3. ��?You should book a flight, which reaches your destination during daytime. (i.e. preferably before 6.00 pm) so that you can safely reach your university before sunset.

��?

EXPLANATORY NOTE

1. Financial Resources?

Sponsor is required to show rupee equivalent amount mentioned in the I-20 form in bank account (savings, recurring, fixed deposit and P.P.F.). Ideally the amount should be at least 10 to 20% more than mentioned in the I-20. Bank loan is also accepted but the loan amount should be maximum 30% of the required amount. The remaining 70% amount must be contributed by the sponsor. Official documents of the loan approval are required to be shown.

Passbooks of savings accounts must have several entries, so that it looks genuine. You cannot deposit money in lump sum over only a few days. It will create suspicion. If your sponsor has more than one bank account, passbooks for all his bank accounts must be presented. You must carry original fixed deposit receipts of all the banks and PPF passbook if any. Bank documents in Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi are also acceptable. U. S. Consulate has services of the translators.

2. Income Tax Returns ?

The income of your sponsor should be more than Rs. 1.50 lacs per annum. Otherwise your visa application can be rejected on the grounds of inadequate income. Many sponsors have only agricultural income, which is not taxable. In such cases your sponsor should obtain a certificate from a Chartered Accountant certifying his annual income and with a clear note that this income is not taxable. You can also take a certificate from a Tahasildar about your total land holdings and the annual income therefrom. It is also possible to file a no-tax return for your agricultural income. Consult your Chartered Accountant on this matter. There is no guarantee that the Consulate Official will accept your agricultural income.

Salaried sponsors must have original income tax returns and form 16 given by their employer.

Self-employed sponsors (business/professions) must have original income tax returns along with advance tax challans and income statement.

If the sponsor has retired and if he is not filing income tax return, student should carry a letter from the employer of the sponsor indicating all the retirement benefits he received from the employer at the time of the retirement.

If the sponsor is NRI income tax return is not required. Student should carry Xerox copy of his passport, letter from the employer abroad stating sponsors annual income and original bank statements for Indian bank as well as foreign bank if any.

In case of joint sponsors, income tax returns of all the sponsors are required.

3. Can you change the sponsor?

In most cases the I-20 does not mention the name of the sponsor but it just states �family funds? If while applying you send the bank letter of some person other than your parents, the name of that person can be printed on the I-20. But nevertheless at the time of visa you can change the sponsor and show your parents as sponsors.

Generally visa officers accept both parents as joint sponsors. In that case the income of both parents can be clubbed together. Of course both the parents must be income tax payers. But sometimes visa officers consider income of only one parent. In that case his income should be adequate to support the student.

If the income of your parents is not adequate for your support, you can be sponsored by any of your close relatives e.g. your brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, even brothers or sisters of your parents. But in that case your sponsor has to explain what his interest is in sponsoring you.

If a close relative is not able to sponsor, you can take sponsorship from any other person. Even you can take a sponsor from America. They will also have to give a letter explaining why they are interested in sponsoring you. It is up to the visa officer whether to accept a sponsor other than the parents. If he does not accept your sponsor he can reject your visa application.

Therefore as far as possible take sponsorship from your parents. Show other sponsors only if that is impossible.

4. Questions asked by the visa officer ?

a How many universities have you applied for?

b How many acceptances and rejections did you receive?

c Why have you selected this university?

d What is the profession of your sponsor and what is his income?

e How much money does he have in his bank account?

In addition to these standard questions visa officer may ask any other relevant questions. You must give an honest and confident answer.

If your GRE score is more than 2200 or if you are joining a good university, it is quite possible that visa officer may not ask for any documents nor would he ask any questions. Similar is the case for students who received full financial support from the universities. But in most cases they will check three important things:

1) GRE & TOEFL scores?

2) Income of the sponsor declared as per income tax returns for last three years.?

3) Bank balance (saving as well as fixed).

Last year our experience was that students with Full or Partial Financial Assistance from the university generally got visas without any problem. If their GRE scores were more than 2000 the chances of rejection were minimal. If their GRE scores were between 1800 and 2000 and if the taxable income and bank balance were sufficient most students got visas very easily.

Students having scores between 1700 and 1800 were thoroughly interviewed by visa authorities. The income tax returns of the sponsor and the bank balance were carefully checked. About 75% of these students got visas.

Students with scores less than 1700, however, found it little difficult to get visas. Rejection rate was relatively higher. Nevertheless many students were given visa since their academic background and financial documentation was satisfactory.

In case if student is applying for an expensive university generally visa documents are thoroughly checked.