Financial Background Is it Important Factor for getting Student Visa ?

[nonedone]

Essentially, a VISA officer anywhere in the world has the following thoughts in their head:

1) Do you intend to engage in illegal activities in their country, and cause any sort of harm. (Hence the questions of a criminal past/terrorism/etc in your VISA form)

2) Do you intend on abusing your VISA priviliges by engaging in activities outside the scope of your VISA. For eg: Seeking employment while on a tourist VISA, etc.

3) Do you intend on staying and living in their country illegally after the expiration of your VISA? For eg: Studying for 2 years on a student VISA and then "disappearing".

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Therefore, you must remember that all the VISA officer cares about is whether you'll do something you're not supposed to do. As long as you know you're going their for perfectly legal reasons and intend to follow all the rules and regulations laid down under the terms of your VISA, there is no reason they would reject you.

Of course, they may use certain indicators (like your financial statements) to judge whether you are likely to stay back in their country as you have very little to come back to.

Although it's popular belief that they won't give you a VISA if they think you'll be an immigrant, I don't think it's correct. You can study with your student VISA, and then post graduation, if you get a job, apply for your H1 visa, and if the job is long term, perhaps even a green card. They have no issues with the entire process as long as you follow the letter of the law throughout.

As long as you stay within the scope of what you're allowed to do, you'll be fine.

And remember, these VISA officers see 100s of people every day, so don't just barge in there with papers. You may want to try smiling and saying hello! first.

[righty]

Originally Posted by rickyricks

As such, the tough part boils down to getting the I-20 from the Univ and after it is obtained, I think the Visa process shndt be a major problem.

Wont completely agree with you sir... The schools I have an admit from have clearly mentioned that if I dont have sufficient funds, I can simply indicate that I will be applying for a tution + living loan... The 'BIG' Citibank Global Assist Loan that is... They mention this on the I-20 and send it across...

However, the international student cousellors at these very universities advise to make necessary arragements to show atleast some personal / family 'resources' when you apply for a VISA... The number of hidden variables and thus the complexity in obtaining VISA is more as compared to that for availing your I-20...

So do not take it lightly... If you have your I-20, there is a lot of work still to be done.... If you do not have 'resources' to produce in front of the VO and you do not wish to take the illegal route, the best option is to take some amount from an Indian bank....

Please correct me if I am wrong...

[CATullus]

Originally Posted by righty

Wont completely agree with you sir... The schools I have an admit from have clearly mentioned that if I dont have sufficient funds, I can simply indicate that I will be applying for a tution + living loan... The 'BIG' Citibank Global Assist Loan that is... They mention this on the I-20 and send it across...

However, the international student cousellors at these very universities advise to make necessary arragements to show atleast some personal / family 'resources' when you apply for a VISA... The number of hidden variables and thus the complexity in obtaining VISA is more as compared to that for availing your I-20...

So do not take it lightly... If you have your I-20, there is a lot of work still to be done.... If you do not have 'resources' to produce in front of the VO and you do not wish to take the illegal route, the best option is to take some amount from an Indian bank....

Please correct me if I am wrong...

Just my 2 cents..

It can't be more correct than this..You need to show atleast some funds. After all the VISA Officer knows that you will not come back to India Immediately and you are an asset to US as you assist in economy. But he needs to be convinced that you have some funds to sustain yourself..So borrow some stuff and put into your parents account or take a bank loan approval letter. After all VISA is the ultimate thing..

[eng_harsh]

1) I was denied B-1 visa twice around 1 1/2 years back. Will it seriuosly affect my F-1 chances?

2) People say that you should show sufficient funds in ur account. Can someone throw some light as to how much should be the sufficent amount. Let's assume the living+tution fee expenses come out to be around 45 lacs.

[rickyricks]

Originally Posted by righty

Wont completely agree with you sir... The schools I have an admit from have clearly mentioned that if I dont have sufficient funds, I can simply indicate that I will be applying for a tution + living loan... The 'BIG' Citibank Global Assist Loan that is... They mention this on the I-20 and send it across...

However, the international student cousellors at these very universities advise to make necessary arragements to show atleast some personal / family 'resources' when you apply for a VISA... The number of hidden variables and thus the complexity in obtaining VISA is more as compared to that for availing your I-20...

So do not take it lightly... If you have your I-20, there is a lot of work still to be done.... If you do not have 'resources' to produce in front of the VO and you do not wish to take the illegal route, the best option is to take some amount from an Indian bank....

Please correct me if I am wrong...

When it comes to the Visa process for Indian students (this includes MBA, MS and other courses ppl as well), even the bravest of soul does have his/her nightmares.

What I meant by saying that Visa wont be a problem, is that once you do the routine stuff of showing funds in your account (apart from the 100% loan), you shndnt be that worried. My confidence comes from what I have heard from current students. Every1 of them had their doubts abt it, but ultimately none of them faced problems in getting the Visa.

There are two things that a VO office looks at (assuming that we have secured the I-20):

1. Your intent to come back to India. Afterall, F1 is an non-immigrant visa and its but natural that this question is bound to crop up. But like hundreds of ppl who have gone thru the treaded part, we too say the right things and get our visa done with. Family business can also be shown to prove to the VO about this point.

2. Your ability to repay the loan if you come back to India after your studies. This is where the funds need to be shown. Bank Balances, property, Stocks, Bonds, anything can be shown to make up for a decent amount.

Thr r ppl who get lucky and are issued F1 just by looking at that I-20. And thr r ppl who are quizzed on the above two points. So, with adequate preparation, VISA shndt be a problem.

[rickyricks]

Originally Posted by eng_harsh

2) People say that you should show sufficient funds in ur account. Can someone throw some light as to how much should be the sufficent amount. Let's assume the living+tution fee expenses come out to be around 45 lacs.

The answer depends on whether you are talking of funds prior to securing the I-20 or for the Visa purpose.

If, its for the I-20, then ofcourse the entire amount. Otherwise, if its for the Visa, then it becomes very subjective. Usually, one would show the house property, some liquid cash, PF amount, some stocks or whatever one can show as an equivalent of money. It is basically just to show to the VO that we have sufficient funds to make a living/repay the loan if we come back to India after the education.

[ajaypatil_am]

Hi Friends,
Thanks for really good insights,info ! But, I still have few questions ,will post soon.
Thanks,
Ajay

[amitkapoor79]

Guys,

Does anyone know if someone already holds another valid US Visa like B1/B2 or L1 would his/ her case be more convincing to the VO.

Will this appear as a +ve in visa application.

Thanks
Amit

[Suvrat]

Originally Posted by amitkapoor79

Guys,

Does anyone know if someone already holds another valid US Visa like B1/B2 or L1 would his/ her case be more convincing to the VO.

Will this appear as a +ve in visa application.

Thanks
Amit

If anybody holds a B1/L1/H1 it'll definitely be a +ve factor bcoz much of the verification that is required in F1 has already been done. It wud be an added advantage if that person has travlled using that visa

[Eccentric001]

Originally Posted by abhinandan shah

(3) Weak financially Top-Rung B-schooler They should not have much of a problem, if you can prove it that, your B-school is taking care of your financial blues, and you have the capacity to pay back the loan post MBA, they shall not do much ado. This case, one thing helps, stacking up as much saving as you can, because if you are completely dependent on loan it is suggestive of the fact that you did not plan well earlier. If you don't have any savings, it could work well against you in visa interview.</p>

pls elaborate as to how do we prove that the B-school is taking care of our financial blues? IS it through scholarships?And if one i weak financially, then how do we arrange good savings???????Aint the 2 statements contradictory...???The only way out for some1 financially weak is to take a huge loan, then doesnt this show that i could end up being a possible immigrant since i have a better chance of repayment only if i work for quite some time in the U.S???