All you need to know about the F1 Visas

Here’s a short article for those applying for F1 US Visas…

A lot of us dream to study abroad but when the question of financing arrives several students have to take a step backward. Most of the times this happens due to not knowing the right way of displaying the funds.  A lot of students also hear scary stories of showing more than Rs50 Lakhs in the account for 6 months. Some are unaware that funds can be shown from 2-3 sponsors together. A lot of confusion prevails in this area and several fall prey to it and skip their dream to go to the USA. So let us have few basic fundamentals cleared here.

How many fund resources to show?

You have to show one-year funds for whatever duration course you are going. One year Tuition fees + One year Living Cost. This cost is typically mentioned in your I20. Before I20 you would have it on the college website.

Who can sponsor my education?

Several Entities can be your sponsor. So let us see all possible options:

1. Parents – First resort is always your Father or Mother.
2. Relatives – Blood relatives are also allowed to be your sponsor. So the form needs to mention the relation how they are linked to you. So grandparents, immediate uncle aunt from both maternal and paternal side can support you along with cousins also.
3. A mix of Both – You may have Parents + Relatives making it 2-3 sponsors as well to show the entire one-year cost.

Note: It is always preferred to have your sponsors from India and not USA. If overseas but not in USA it is still ok.

How to show those funds?

US universities and embassy accept only liquid cash. You need to show these funds twice.

1. a) Release your I20
2. b) Visa Interview

Parents/Relatives can show that fund in the following manner:

1. a) Fixed deposits receipt – attested by bank
2. b) Savings account statement – balance certificate by bank attested
3. c) PF/PPF – passbook or statement

However, if we do not have liquid cash in the above formats we can choose Solvency letter. Solvency letter is one of the options, which we can use to show funds and get our I20 released.  This option is suitable for people who look forward to arranging a loan at the later stage.

Solvency Letter- A letter from the bank stating your sponsorer is capable enough to raise funds of approx Rs 25 – 30 lakhs for your higher education. This is a not actual fund in your account it is like a capability certificate a bank provides looking at your history and assets which you would mortgage to acquire a loan.

Note that 90% of times solvency letter work but there have been certain cases where in university rejects this letter and in this situation, we have no other way but show liquid cash in above formats.

Loan Letter- Sanction letter is typically received post-receiving I20 by all national and public banks. Only private banks provide loan letters before I20 on the basis of students admit letter.  So incase if you have received the loan letter prior to I20 you may use that also to show funds to university.

So after showing the necessary financial documents university releases the I20 and we can now proceed for Visa. We should certainly maintain what we showed in the I20 as they have records. But not necessary to hold the money for so long in the account. You may have your transactions but when the student goes for visa interview you may again have the necessary balance and may also add a Loan letter in addition which you received post I20 in hand.

A lot of permutations and combination are possible apart from this. So you need to find out as each case is very subjective and hence different solutions are provided.

Preparing for a Visa Interview

Visa interviews are the final hurdle before you can begin to leave for your studies abroad. Often we find that students are not prepared or do not know what to expect when going to a visa interview. At EDUCATION STREET me run complete visa counseling.  We assist you and your parents both. Funds and all other documents are checked and placed in the visa file. We run Mock interviews for you to get a feel of the D-day. So once you join EDUCATION STREET you can be rest assured.

Here are some tips that we think every student should know when going for a visa interview:

1. Make sure you have all your admissions documents – The visa officer will want to see everything from your acceptance letter to your I-20, so remember to carry all copies of all communication you have had with your college of choice. EDUCATION STREET assists you for the same.
2.  Carry your financial documents – The most important records that a visa officer is concerned with are your financial statements and proof of how you are planning on funding your education. EDUCATION STREET assists you for the same.
3. Be ready to answer all questions – Particularly about what you are studying and what your plans after graduation are. EDUCATION STREET assists you for the same.
4. Dress to impress – You don’t need to wear a suit, but make sure you are respectably dressed for your interview
5. Be polite – Your visa is dependent on the visa officer taking your interview, so remember to be clear and polite when answering all their questions.

Follow these steps and you should ace your visa interview. Good Luck!

If you have any further doubts and need clarification on crucial decision about USA education and Visas you may write to me at: ankita@educationstreet.in. I am an overseas education counselor and Educator.  You may find more about us on www.educationstreet.in or FB page: https://www.facebook.com/educationstreet/