Student Visa (F1, F2, M1, M2)

Interview date - May 2015
Location - Chennai
Purpose - Doctoral program in US
Dependent - J2 for wife and son

Here is sharing my experience of J1 student visa to USA. Mine was 1 of the rarest of rare cases where I had a private organization that is not my current employer sponsoring me for study. I have not been able to locate any documentation of such case anywhere on the internet and hence sharing my experience with you all.

My doctoral program was not funded by university hence I was required to create a source of funds. Through my network I found a private organization which was willing to fund me (for more than 50% of tuition plus living expenses for the whole family) in return for minimum 3 yr employment contract with them in India after finishing doctoral program. I had saved to fund the remaining part myself. The sponsoring organization, its legal advisor and me realized that J student visa will suit our needs the best since it necessitates (in most cases) return of the student back to his country after the course is over. Another advantage of J1 visa is that spouse of the J1 visa holder can apply for employment authorization in US. I have read that in most cases the employment authorization is granted (in my case too it was granted within the timeline specified). I was happy since this would ensure that my wife does not remain unemployed in US even as I study.

Since my objective was to return to home country anyway, J1 student visa suited me. I understand that the clause of returning to home country after finishing education can be waived off if such a request is made.

I was apprehensive if university will accept private organization which is not my current employer as sponsor to issue DS 2019. Though I had read on various websites about this being an acceptable practice, my university had not clearly stated or agreed to this. However on submission of all documents viz. letter from sponsor, sponsor bank statement, my bank statement and other university forms, we were (me & my family) were issued DS 2019 by the university.

The DS 2019 I received had mistakes. I wrote to the university and they sent me the corrected form. The fresh form and the original were a bit different in their content and hence I decided to retain both.

The visa application process after receipt of DS 2019 is well documented on various websites hence I would not elaborate on it.

For my visa interview, I ensured that I had impeccable documentation which included the following
Primary documents set that I created
- DS 160 with bar code
- SEVIS fees receipt
- Form DS 2019
- Passport
- Visa appointment confirmation letter with bar code

Supporting document set
- Documents to support sponsor’s commitment and financial ability
o Sponsors letter (original). Ensure that when sponsor issues a sponsorship letter to university, you are in the CC and hence you also receive an original copy of it.
o Sponsor’s bank statement for last 6 months
o Employment contract document

- Documents to support my financial soundness
o CA’s certificate about my asset valuation.
? Liquid assets - Money in bank
? Other liquid assets - Securities, MF, PF
? Immovable assets – Properties etc
? Other movable assets – Gold, silver, vehicles, furniture etc
Note - I had to pay good money to CA for this, however I was not asked for it by the consular. I am not sure if this is needed. My visa consultant had repeatedly mentioned to me that this is not required since it’s not considered very reliable by the consulate.

o My bank statement showing balance to support the 1st year’s fund needed
o Last 3 month salary slips
o IT return acknowledgement of last 3 yrs
o Form 16 of last 3 yrs
o My PF statement
o My LIC statement
o My shares/MF statements
o Print of the mail by program director mentioning that they were considering me for research assistant’s position.

- Documents related to academics
o Photocopy of DS 2019
o GRE and TOEFL scorecards
o Original transcripts along with original degree certificates
o Original marks cards of all courses attended
o University admission confirmation letter

- Other documents
o Marriage certificate
o DS 2019 of wife and son (they did not apply with me, they applied shortly after)
o Son’s birth certificate
Note - Out of all the above documents, the consular asked me only for my primary documents. He did not ask for any other supporting documents.

Preparation for visa interview –
I had looked up the internet and prepared answers (by writing down answers exactly the way I would be saying them) for questions asked for J1 visa (most of these were relevant but others were suitable for other kinds of J visa and not J1 student visa) and questions expected for F1 student visa.

Appearing for the interview -
- You might know that visa process in India is conducted across 2 days. I went 20 minutes before scheduled time on 1st day for finger printing. We were however let in with a delay of good 20-25 minutes. Hence the wait in queue outside the VAC, on the road was really long, tiring and embarrassing. I also felt insulted for being made to stand on the road for such a long time. Hope the consulate takes note of this and ensures that appropriate waiting arrangements are done. The process after getting in the VAC was quite quick.
- On the next day my visa interview was scheduled for 9.30am. I reached just 10 minutes before schedule. I was asked to go in immediately while there were many others waiting as they had arrived too early for appointment. My guess is that in mornings the ‘on road’ wait time is relatively less. Hence for morning appointments you might want to go just a few minutes before time.
- Finger printing was done again inside the consulate before the interview. I guess it was just a check to ensure that the same candidate has walked in for interview.
- Within 15 minutes after finger printing I was before the consular. He was a cheerful gentleman. I greeted him with a smile. He asked me for my passport and DS 2019 only. He then asked couple of very basic questions like
o Which course are you planning to do?
o Who is funding your education?
I answered both questions confidently. He then signed on my DS 2019, made a mention that 2 year home residency was required due to country skill list and congratulated me on my visa approval. He handed my DS 2019 to me, retained my passport on which the visa was stamped in a few days and sent back to me. We have been in US for last 1 year now. My wife got a job soon on arriving here. I am engaged in the full time doctoral course and son is in pre school. Will be happy to answer any questions or help others.