vivsin asks Hi Scott, Do you think having a US Citizen sponsor your VISA makes one's chances of getting VISA much more favourable? Else what do you consider a safe bet on appying (and getting) a student VISA for prospective MBA students ?
ScottRobinson says I wouldn't try to look at it in terms of making your chance to get a visa more favorable or not. If an American citizen is sponsoring your education, you should be able to explain how and why. Students sometimes make the mistake of reciting rehearsed speeches during their interview that I don't believe. Being genuine is a much better approach.

saumen_kundu1 asks Sir I am getting some assistantship still I can prove enough asset in terms of doller. My question is that my parent is having some fixed deposite which showes only indian money. how do i show this money in terms of doller during visa interview?
ScottRobinson says The officer who interviews you will likely be well-versed in the dollar-rupee exchange rate. Again, you really need to be able to explain (verbally) how you will pay for your education. Documents can't do it for you. And congrats on the assistantship!

sundar64 asks Sir, is there any considerations for mature students ( above 22 years) for visa,like the case of U.K waiving Univ fee's?
ScottRobinson says I have interviewed students of various ages for visas. There are no specific regulations or restrictions based on age.

gppimplikar asks HI Scott,Practically how much time will be required to get Student Visa
ScottRobinson says I don't know quite what you mean. Appointments are given out on a first-come-first-served basis. If you qualify for a visa during the interview, you should receive your passport in 2-3 days.

ashkarora asks sir, does scholarship anyhow help in increasing the chances of getting the visa?
ScottRobinson says As I said before, scholarships can help to explain how you will fund your education, but they won't "get you the visa". Consular officers must assess a variety of factors in determining visa eligibility.

suder54new asks Hai Mr Scott, I like to know the regulation for Visa applied to fully sponsered PhDs.
ScottRobinson says The regulations are the same for all students.

ctly what you plan to do after you study, please say that! It's better than making up a story that the officer doesn't believe.

bnm1111 asks Hi Scot....What is the best way to prove to a consular official that he will return ot his country....is a letter from his employer mentioning that he'd like his employee back a good evidence to this effect?
ScottRobinson says It could be - if it's the truth and you are able to explain it to the consular officer. Frankly, however, I generally have a hard time believing applicants who claim that they already know where they will work two or three years down the road. Sometimes applicants listen to often unreliable sources such as visa consultants in preparing for their interview. I prefer applicants who give simple and above all honest answers during the interview. For example, if you don't know exa

saumen_kundu1 asks Hi Scott could please tell what should I write in present occupation in case neither I am doing any job nor current student
ScottRobinson says It's up to you. Unemployed?

sundar64 asks Is that a student with scholarships needed to show some assets or fortune in india for visa? plz clarify.
ScottRobinson says All students need to be able to explain to the consular officer how they plan to pay for their education. Scholarships or teaching assistantships sometimes help in this regard, but they are not required. During the interview, you should be able to explain the sources of your funding.

irst-served basis!

josepanamkulathu asks what should i do for getting a study visa in USA
ScottRobinson says The first thing that you should do is plan ahead. It takes time to research the many programs in the U.S., take the exams required and apply to the programs. One great resource for this is the USEFI office located at the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai. Once you're accepted and ready to apply for your visa, you should visit the website that I mentioned earlier and learn about U.S. visa regulations. The consulate's website chennai.usconsulate.gov will provide you with the specifics on how to apply in Chennai. But plan ahead! Summer is our busiest time for students and interview appointments are given out on a first-come-f

bjchandran asks Hi Scott
ScottRobinson says hi

nt will pay for his/her education and the applicant's likelihood to depart from the U.S. after completion of his/her course of study. It really pays to be familiar with the law before applying.

explorevijay asks sir, tell me about the basic guidelines for student visa
ScottRobinson says Hi everyone. Scott Robinson from the U.S. Consulate here. I have just finished a week of visa interviews and am happy to have the chance to answer your questions. Please understand that it's difficult for me to answer questions about specific visa cases in this forum; I just don't know the details of your particular case. I'm happy to answer questions of general interest. Let's begin... Good question. I first recommend that you visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov, which provides comprehensive information on all types of visas and U.S immigration law. In evaluating students, we look at many factors, including how a stude

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ere. It's a fascinating place!

gayudirect asks What are the most common reasons for Visa rejection?
ScottRobinson says This will have to be my last question. Thanks, the questions have been very good today. One of the most common reasons for student visa refusals is that applicants sometimes try to tell officers what they think that they want to hear. While there's nothing wrong with thinking about how you may respond to certain questions, it's important that your answers are simple and honest. Remember, I try to do a hundred or so interviews per day - I can usually spot who's telling the truth and who isn't! On that note... thanks for your questions. Next month is my one year anniversary in India and I'm grateful for the chance to serve h

pramoda_donkena asks can i reapply for a visa again,for this fall semester, as i have already been refused so many times, but my main intention is to my Masters in US
ScottRobinson says This is a tough one. We currently allow applicants to apply as many times as they want to in Chennai. I recommend that a refused applicant re-apply if there have been significant changes in your situation. If not, it's likely that you'll be refused again. If you've been refused many times, however, I have to say that it's doubtful that you will get a student visa. But a 214(b) refusal is not a permanent ineligibility - I've seen people who were refused as students going to the U.S. as H-1B visa holders a few years later!

saumen_kundu1 asks i didn't get good score in gre and toefl but i have been selected in 6 different universities with assistantship. as i didn't do well in this two exam, do you think it will be difficult to student visa?
ScottRobinson says Congratulations on your acceptances! The GRE and TOEFL are not required by all universities and they are not in and of themselves going to cause a visa approval or refusal. They are just one more piece of information.

bnm1111 asks Is it okay if I were to apply for a student visa a good 6 months before the start date of the program? I would do so to avoid the student season rush and prepare earlier, however, could this be looked upon negatively? Is applying early for a visa enc
ScottRobinson says Yes, please apply early if you can. We can interview you and adjudicate your case but can't actually issue the visa more than 90 days before the start date on your I-20. You also can't enter the U.S. more than 30 days before your start date.

cmahendrakumar asks how to get visas if we want to do Post doctoral felloship (PDF) in USA ??
ScottRobinson says It would depend on the program. Generally this can be done on a J-1 visa.

cmahendrakumar asks how to get visas if we want to do Post doctoral felloship (PDF) in USA ??
ScottRobinson says It would depend on the program. Generally this can be done on a J-1 visa.

saumen_kundu1 asks sir i am planning to stay on campus and already applied. in ds 156 form in 24 column i have to produce the address where i will stay in usa. if i give postal address of my university in this column will it be ok?
ScottRobinson says That sounds logical to me.

kamal_dhir asks hello sir, my wife is studying in us on F-1 visa.what documents are required if i want to join her ,on dependent visa.
ScottRobinson says You need the DS-156, DS-157 (depending on your age), DS-158 and I-20. One factor that you will also need to explain is how your wife will support you, as student dependents generally cannot work in the U.S.

ashwani_seth asks I have passed 10+2 {Medical} from Delhi CBSE Board. What is my possibility of studying medicine in USA,what will be the eligibility criterion,will i get an Visa and also admission to undergraduate medicine course. Neha Seth
ScottRobinson says Hi Neha. Again, the visa requirements for undergraduate and graduate students are essentially the same. You sound like a very motivated person. Good luck!

uttam asks sir i want to go to the us for a holiday for 21 days what are your visa reqirements
ScottRobinson says It sounds like you'd apply for a B-2 visa, but today I'm focusing on students. Sorry!

sundar64 asks What are the basic qualities you look for in an applicant to grant a visa? If it's a clandestine concept, excuse.
ScottRobinson says to U.S. law, students must overcome the "presumption of the intention to immigrate" specified in section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Consular officers assess a variety of factors to determine eligibility, including the student's ties to India, ability to fund his/her study and intent and likelihood of completing a full course of study.

vivsin asks Sir, with the VISA caps being heavily cut down, what do you see as the prospects of students looking forward to pursue their higher education in US? Won't it make the whole process very narrow ? Your comments on this.
ScottRobinson says I don't know what you mean about the "visa caps being heavily cut down." There are no numerical limitations on student visas and there are currently more students from India studying in the U.S. than from any other country, including China.

saumen_kundu1 asks sir please tell at least question. Actually I select us embassy/counsulate option. but my friend told me that i should have select tts brop box appoinment option. i am really worried about this. will i abale to appear visa interview which is next week?
ScottRobinson says I don't understand. It sounds like you are trying to schedule an interview appointment. In that case, you should choose the interview option on the website.

vijayendrabvs asks Hello Mr.Robinson, considering that you'd be well aware of the factual constraints of a typical middle class Indian family when it comes to money, don't you find it hard to reject visas to students, who probably have put in so much of their hopes and aspi
ScottRobinson says My job is to apply U.S. law and determine who does and doesn't qualify for a visa. Of course I sometimes feel for applicants who clearly don't qualify and whose visas I must refuse, but it doesn't stop me from doing my job.

saumen_kundu1 asks Sir in the ttsvisas.com's main page there are list of services.1st one is us embassy/counsulate appointment and 2nd one is tts drop box appointment. to fix an visa interview for student visa for the 1st time which option one should select?
ScottRobinson says You should select the interview option.

bnm1111 asks Is a study loan looked at positively by consular officials? Or is this relative to the official?
ScottRobinson says Like an assistantship, scholarship or funding from an American citizen, a loan is another way to help pay for your education. I do sometimes ask students how they will ay off their loan. Again, just be ready to talk about your funding plan. And just for the record, I am still paying off my own student loans from graduate school!

poobal asks Hi, Scott. I got my visa. but some of my friends say that my I 20 must be sealed when given to me. is it true?
ScottRobinson says No, it's not. I-20s were previously returned with the passport in a sealed envelope, but now we return them to the applicants right after the interview. You should, however, bring your I-20 with to show at the port of entry into the U.S. Good luck!

ganga_sreenivas asks Am from India. My friend's son has got student visa papers and appearing for the VISA. What exactly they expect from this student who is going to join MS
ScottRobinson says The basic required documents are the DS-156, DS-157 (for males between 16 & 45), DS-158 and the I-20 with a valid SEVIS number. The student will appear for a visa interview with a consular officer, who will assess whether the student qualifies for a visa.

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