The I-20 form

What is an I-20 form?

This is US departmant of homeland security form that is issued by Colleges to students. It is a suppourting document to help you get a US visa. It basically verifies the fact that you are a legitimate student.

How do I get it?

The process starts after you confirm your acceptance to the college. Initially, college sends you a document asking you to show that you have sufficient liquid funds to cover your first year fees. You have to mail the requested documents back to the college's International student servies director. Once they recieve these documents, They will mail you the I20 form.

What is this form used for?

You need this form to complete your Visa application. After you get your visa, this form will need to be updated each and every time you leave or re-enter United states.

What is the documentation I need to submit for getting a I-20?

• For a student funding herself or himself: A current ORIGINAL bank statement showing a minimum of US$ 8500.00 on bank letterhead, indicating the student's name and including a bank officer's signature and official seal. This statement must be written in English, and it must show all amounts in United States dollars. (If the amount shown is not in United States dollars, an equivalence to United States dollars must be included.)
  or
• For a student sponsored by another person: A current ORIGINAL bank statement showing a minimum of US$ 8500.00 on bank letterhead, in the sponsor's name, signed by a bank official. This must be in English, and it must show all amounts in United States dollars. In addition, your sponsor should complete an "Affidavit of Support" form including the student's name and date of birth, the sponsor's name and relationship to the student, and a small paragraph which states exactly what the sponsor will provide (for example, money for tuition, living expenses, room and board). The sponsor must sign this letter. If the sponsor is a United States permanent resident or citizen, s/he must fill out a government document entitled I-134. This document may be obtained from our office, or from another university or establishment that carries government documents. The sponsor must also sign the financial certificate found on the application form.
• For a student receiving a scholarship: A scholarship award letter, on the organization's letterhead, in English, indicating the student's name and stating the specific expenses that the organization will cover.
  AND
• The financial certificate (completed and signed) and all original bank documents attached to the application form.

The format for the bank letter can be found here.

How does this form look like?

Websites for buying MBA books

You have got accepted, the visa is through and you have paid your security deposit. What next? One of the things that students have to do before joining MBA is buying the required books for the course. Books for MBA in United States might be quite expensive. I personally do not recommend buying books from a college bookstore as it might turnout to be the most expensive proposition. People from India, Pakistan, Srilanka and Bangladesh can purchase international editions which are very cheap compared to American editions. Most books have the same content. I found the following resources to be very helpful.

Good resource for first hand books:
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com

Good resources for used and discounted books:
www.half.com
www.ebay.com
www.collegebooks.com
www.varsitybooks.com
www.classbook.com

Good resources for students from India:
http://www.sapnaonline.com/
http://www.firstandsecond.com/

Sample documents to help you fill in visa application

Some sample forms that you need to fill for completing Visa application:

• DS 156
• DS 157
• DS 158

Your visa conformation letter will look like this

Please note: These forms are from another resource. (www.immihelp.com) This site contains many useful links and helpful information for people who want to take a visa appointment.

Preparing for the F1 visa Interview

After getting accepted into a college, one of the major hurdles that any international student has to overcome is the Visa interview. Visa interview can be very intimidating for many people given the fact that so few people get accepted. However, as daunting as it may seem, Visa interview is a relatively simple process.

Visa application procedure: (For students from India, for other international students, procedure might slightly vary)

§ Prior to confirming a visa interview appointment online, you need to pay the following fees and obtain a Visa Fee Receipt from HDFC Bank.
§ After you have paid the fees wait for 2-3 days (compulsory) before scheduling interview.
§ Visit https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml to pay the SEVIS Fee.
§ Now go to www.vfs-usa.co.in
§ Click on "Apply for Non-Immigrant Visa" link. Click on "Continue" Question will be asked, "Do you have BEP User Id", and if you have it click YES. Most of us don't have it so click "NO" Click "Create a new application" link and fill up the relevant details.
§ You will now asked to fill up the visa application forms (DS-156,157,158) VFS office by taking a print out. Fill the forms and schedule an interview date. Please Note: You will be required to enter SEVIS details before scheduling.

What happens in the consulate before the interview?

Step 1: You stand in the "Q" outside the visa consulate until they call out for your time slot.

Step 2: When your time slot turn comes, they will check the passport and appointment letter and let you in.

Step 3: You will pass through a metal detector and there is you will be frisked. (Ladies by ladies and gents by gents). Your files and folders will be checked for metallic objects and storage devices.

Step 4: You will be asked to wait for a while and then they will put you in 'Q's where your I20, DS156,DS157, DS158 and passport will be put in a folder and be given back to you.

Step 5: There is again a wait involved after which you will be asked to do the finger printing. (Left index finger and right index finger)

Step 6: After some more waiting, you will be finally asked to come to the VO.


What types of questions are asked in the visa interview?

There are really only very few variants of questions being asked at the Visa interview:

• Why do you want to go to United States?
  (Flexibility in curriculum, diversity of student body, international recognition an reputation)
  
• Which college are you applying to?
  
• Why this college?
  (Rankings, Faculty, innovative programs)
  
• Do you have any backlogs?
  
• How do you plan to finance your education?
  
• What are you planning to do after completion?
  
• Why would you come back?
  (Family ties, Properties, Business)
  
  

What are the documents needed for the visa interview?

Mandatory:

• Passport
• One color photo with white background ( 50mmX50mm)
• Visa application forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158
• I-20 form from the university you wish to attend
• SEVIS fee payment receipt.
• Visa application fee payment receipts
• Visa interview appointment letter
  

Supporting documents:

Education related:

• GMAT score report
• TOEFL score report
• College degree certificate and mark sheet
• High school certificates and mark sheets
  

College related:

• College acceptance letter
• College rankings
• College faculty profile
• Correspondence with faculty.
  

Finance related:

• Original tax returns for the past three years.
• Original bank statements for the past three years.
• Scholarship letter (if any)
• Loan sanction letter (if any)
• Liquid assets
  § Fixed Deposit
  § LIC policies
  § Mutual Funds
  § Shares Bonds
  § PF / GPF
  § Proof of rental income if any
  
• Property Documents
  § Residential
  § Commercial
  § Ancestral
  § Farm Land
  
• Affidavit of support from Parent

General tips for the Visa interview:

• Organize your papers neatly in a small binder separated with sections like College related, Transcripts, finance related, work related etc., this will help you retrieve documents faster when the VO asks
• Smile and greet the Visa officer. Create a positive first impression.
• Three things you should keep in mind during the interview: Confidence, preparation, truthfulness.
• Not getting the visa is not the end of the world. Be indifferent to the result. (It can help calm you). It also helps if you don't pay attention to Visa applicants appearing before you. If they get rejected, your confidence level goes down so don't pay attention.
  

On Campus housing or Off campus?

‘About the decision to take graduate housing or opting to stay outside- It is a tough call. I mean, whereas staying outside the campus would be less expensive compared to staying on campus. However, if you factor in costs like Internet, TV, phone, Water, electricity and commuting costs, graduate housing might prove advantageous. I personally prefer staying the graduate housing as it helps me be in touch with my classmates and broaden my circle of friends which would not be possible while staying outside the college. I also like the fact that I am able to use the college resources like the library and gym and the ability to walk down to my classes in 5 minutes. We also have a strong community feeling in my graduate housing and we organize some fun events from time to time. I feel that people staying outside are missing out on such opportunities. It is really a personal thing and I would not like to emphasize too much on this.

Sample Bank letter for I-20 form

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

This letter is to certify that Mr. GG has been a highly valued customer with the BANK for a period exceeding 7 years. All his financial dealings have been extremely satisfactory. Mr. GG is a resident of ___

Mr. GG is in possession of the following funds:
Current Account (Balance as at 31st October 2004) Rs. ___ Equivalent to US$ ___
(rate of conversion used 1 US$ = Rs. __ as on 31st October 2004)

Savings Bank (Balance as at 31st October 2004) Rs. ___ Equivalent to US$ ___
(rate of conversion used 1 US$ = Rs. __ as on 31st October 2004)

Fixed Deposits (Balance as at 31st October 2004) Rs. ___ Equivalent to US$ ___
(rate of conversion used 1 US$ = Rs. __ as on 31st October 2004)

Any other financial instrument which can be converted to liquid cash with ease and within a very short time duration (Eg bonds, mutual funds, Demat Account (Shares))

Altogether, Mr. GG is in possession of Rs. ___ equivalent to US$ ___(rate of conversion used 1 US$ = Rs. __ as on 31st October 2004). Please find attached a certificate stating his bank balance as on date.

Mr. GG has informed me that his son intends to pursue an MS in Computer Science.
Mr. GG will be using these finances to support his son Mr. HH’s higher education in America.

Authorised signatory
Designation Manager