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Student Visa (F1, F2, M1, M2)
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Successful F-1 renewal.
Since I referred to other people's experiences a lot on this forum before I ventured into renewing my F-1 visa at the
Chennai consulate (Jul 3 2007), I feel obliged to write about my experience. I am a continuing PhD student. My course
started in Jan 2005. My first F-1 visa was issued in Aug 2001 for pursing MS and it expired in Aug 2006. During my stay
in the US, I had worked for a company for about 6 months (on H-1B for the last one month and the remianing on OPT). I
got back to school to start my PhD after that and reverted back to F-1 status. Apart from this I did a couple of
internships in companies off-campus. COnsidering all this, I was a bit nervous before the interview. The change of
status twice in between could have served as a reason for intent to immigrate (although H-1B is a nonimmigrant visa, it
indicates work not study). To my surprise the visa interview went really cool. Although I saw a few rejects in front of
me, it did not affect how my case was treated by the same VO. As with the other cases before me the VO assumed I was
also a new student for first time F-1. After the initial "Hello, How are you?", she asked for my degree certificates
and transcripts. Once she saw that I was a continuing doctoral student and had full support from the university (I
think), she said she would not need all those and asked me to take them back. She did ask a couple of questions:
Q. Are you with the same university?
A. Yes.
Q. Are you working with the same Professor?
A. Yes.
Q. How much research do you think you have accomplished till now?
A. I would say about half of it. i still need to write my dissertation and submit it.
Q. Describe briefly your research?
A. (I had a well thought out answer -- a laymanish description of what I was working on without delving into too many
details and not using any complicated and sensitive terms!)
After that she said I will get my stamped passport by courier. The research area question is the only place where I
think a renewing student might face problems assuming all other aspects (funding, etc) are OK. Be well prepared for
this question as it is bound to occur. Otherwise be cool and confident exhibiting you are not too excited this time and
things will mostly work your way. And if you have an old passport make sure your surname and given names are separated
in the first page. Otherwise although not a problem, it will lead to weird names ("FNU") appearing on your visa, as in
my case :). Good luck!
Chennai consulate (Jul 3 2007), I feel obliged to write about my experience. I am a continuing PhD student. My course
started in Jan 2005. My first F-1 visa was issued in Aug 2001 for pursing MS and it expired in Aug 2006. During my stay
in the US, I had worked for a company for about 6 months (on H-1B for the last one month and the remianing on OPT). I
got back to school to start my PhD after that and reverted back to F-1 status. Apart from this I did a couple of
internships in companies off-campus. COnsidering all this, I was a bit nervous before the interview. The change of
status twice in between could have served as a reason for intent to immigrate (although H-1B is a nonimmigrant visa, it
indicates work not study). To my surprise the visa interview went really cool. Although I saw a few rejects in front of
me, it did not affect how my case was treated by the same VO. As with the other cases before me the VO assumed I was
also a new student for first time F-1. After the initial "Hello, How are you?", she asked for my degree certificates
and transcripts. Once she saw that I was a continuing doctoral student and had full support from the university (I
think), she said she would not need all those and asked me to take them back. She did ask a couple of questions:
Q. Are you with the same university?
A. Yes.
Q. Are you working with the same Professor?
A. Yes.
Q. How much research do you think you have accomplished till now?
A. I would say about half of it. i still need to write my dissertation and submit it.
Q. Describe briefly your research?
A. (I had a well thought out answer -- a laymanish description of what I was working on without delving into too many
details and not using any complicated and sensitive terms!)
After that she said I will get my stamped passport by courier. The research area question is the only place where I
think a renewing student might face problems assuming all other aspects (funding, etc) are OK. Be well prepared for
this question as it is bound to occur. Otherwise be cool and confident exhibiting you are not too excited this time and
things will mostly work your way. And if you have an old passport make sure your surname and given names are separated
in the first page. Otherwise although not a problem, it will lead to weird names ("FNU") appearing on your visa, as in
my case :). Good luck!
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