Do I need bank balance paper ?

[Sinkha]

Hello !
I am persuing Ph.D in Russian University in full scholarship program. Now in 2nd year. I am invited to attend a conference in USA. As i read above, the appropriate visa will be B1 visa for the conference. Please tell me What kind of documents do I need to show in the counselor? If my university will funding me, do I need to show bank balance? or just enough to show funding paper? please reply me as soon as possible.

[bummerman]

Documents

For proof of finances you can show the following documentation:

1. Bank statement for the past three months. You can mark the scholarship debited into your account.
2. If you receive (monthly/quaterly) scholarship stubs then take them as well.
3. A letter from your professor/supervisor with details of your PhD (date of start, expected date of finishing etc.), it should mention that you are going to the USA for a conference (place, dates etc) and that they will cover your expenses (in case they are) or that you will cover your expenses.

You can also take your funding paper if necessary.

Apply well in advance of travel (~3 months). Other than proof of finances you can take (sometimes visa officer doesnt ask but still take):

1. Invitation letter to present at the conference
2. Proof of residence in Russia (address proof, visa proof)
3. Proof of pursuing PhD (see prof. letter above and take your student ID etc.)
4. Travel itinerary for the stay (can be tentative)
5. medical insurance proof (if there is)
6. Proof of travel to other countries (can show stamps on your passport)
7. Brief CV, publication list and one page abstract of your presentation.

Hello !
I am persuing Ph.D in Russian University in full scholarship program. Now in 2nd year. I am invited to attend a conference in USA. As i read above, the appropriate visa will be B1 visa for the conference. Please tell me What kind of documents do I need to show in the counselor? If my university will funding me, do I need to show bank balance? or just enough to show funding paper? please reply me as soon as possible.

[Sinkha]

Documents

Thanks for replying Bummerman but still I am confused about bank statement. if the university will funding for me, whose bank statement should be shown to VO? Can I show my own bank statement? or do I need to show university's bank statement?

waiting for your reply. Thanks

[bummerman]

You need to show your own bank statement. Past 3 months is enough. If the university pays you scholarship then you can mark those entries in your statement to help the officer read it easily.

Maybe the officer does not ask for your statement but it is better to be prepared.

The purpose of this statement is to show your ties to your country of residence. The objective is to make the officer believe that after you visit the USA you will return to your country of residence

Thanks for replying Bummerman but still I am confused about bank statement. if the university will funding for me, whose bank statement should be shown to VO? Can I show my own bank statement? or do I need to show university's bank statement?

waiting for your reply. Thanks

[Sinkha]

Documents

Thanks Bummerman ! for your kind information !!! if any question arise, I will write down here. Thanks again.

[bummerman]

Sure, all the best.

Thanks Bummerman ! for your kind information !!! if any question arise, I will write down here. Thanks again.

[Sinkha]

Funding paper

Hey bummerma ! I have a question, what should be include in funding paper? There should be mentioned some fixed amount? May be you have any idea about sample of funding paper. I have asked in the university but they don't have any idea how to write funding paper and what should be include there?

waiting for your reply
Thanks

[bummerman]

Example support letter

Dear Consular Officer,

In support of his application for a short term business VISA (B1), this is to testify that
Mr. xxxx, born on xxx, is a full-time employed PhD student at the Faculty of xxx, xxx University.

The details of his employment are:
Position = PhD student
Basic Monthly Scholarship = xxx
Period of Employment = xxx 2013 till xxx 2017

Mr. xxxx is to attend a scientific conference:
18th International xxxxx
USA

and present his research paper entitled xxxxx

His salary, travel and expenses will be fully covered by xxx University. The duration of his stay in USA will be approximately 7 days. Please contact me for further queries.

Sincerely,




Prof. Dr. xxxxx

[Sinkha]

Bank balance

Thanks bummerman !!!
I have applied for B1 visa & my interview is on 18th November.
Can I withdraw all money from bank after making bank balance statement before the interview?

[bummerman]

If possible keep the money in your account for verification by the US consulate even few days after your interview. good luck on the 18th.

Thanks bummerman !!!
I have applied for B1 visa & my interview is on 18th November.
Can I withdraw all money from bank after making bank balance statement before the interview?

[Sinkha]

Bank balance

Hey bummerman !

The problem is that I have very less balance in my account nearly 1500$ but there is regular transaction for 1 year. I am thinking to deposit nearly 4000$ more in my account (taking from some relatives) before my interview to show that I have enough balance for my 1 week US trip. Is it good idea to deposit the money before the interview while my university is sponsoring for my trip and the sponsorship letter is ready already ?

One more question, I am just invited as a listener(participant) not for presenting paper(Author). Actually the organizer told me that just now register as a listener and then submit the paper, if the paper will accepted then they will change my status from listener to author. and in the invitation letter also just written
"we invite you to attend the upcoming conference.......". so in interview if they will ask about this. I have to say that I am going to present a paper or just to say going to attend the conference. Please give me some idea about it.

Thanks man !

[bummerman]

Sinkha, as long as you have the proof (letter) that the univ. will sponsor your trip then the VO wont think much about the balance. If asked, you can tell the VO that univ. will arrange the travel and living expenses. In my case I had half of the money you have and I got the visa anyway after submitting proof of my scholarship.

You can mention that you are going to attend the conference to listen to the the top people in your field and network with them or look for collaborations. If you get you paper accepted before the 18th then you can even add that you will present your work.

Hey bummerman !

The problem is that I have very less balance in my account nearly 1500$ but there is regular transaction for 1 year. I am thinking to deposit nearly 4000$ more in my account (taking from some relatives) before my interview to show that I have enough balance for my 1 week US trip. Is it good idea to deposit the money before the interview while my university is sponsoring for my trip and the sponsorship letter is ready already ?

One more question, I am just invited as a listener(participant) not for presenting paper(Author). Actually the organizer told me that just now register as a listener and then submit the paper, if the paper will accepted then they will change my status from listener to author. and in the invitation letter also just written
"we invite you to attend the upcoming conference.......". so in interview if they will ask about this. I have to say that I am going to present a paper or just to say going to attend the conference. Please give me some idea about it.

Thanks man !

[Sinkha]

Bank balance

Thanks Man !

yeah that's the good idea. Well I will share my interview experience after 18th.

Thanks again !

[Sinkha]

early interview

Hey bummerman !

I have mentioned in DS-160 form that the intended date of arrival in US is 12th of April 2015 and the interview date is 18th November, so it seems that I am applying 5 months early of travelling date. will it cause a problem? but in US embassy website of Russia is written "Non immigrant visa applicants are encouraged to apply at least three months in advance of the intended date of travel. So remember, apply early! ". if you have any idea about this please write me. If it will cause a problem I will reschedule my appointment.

Thanks again !

[bummerman]

As it says minimum 3 months and you are applying earlier, it should be fine. Sometimes applications are held for administrative processing which takes time (weeks to many months). Since you have 5 months to travel, even with delays you can still get your visa before your intended travel dates

Hey bummerman !

I have mentioned in DS-160 form that the intended date of arrival in US is 12th of April 2015 and the interview date is 18th November, so it seems that I am applying 5 months early of travelling date. will it cause a problem? but in US embassy website of Russia is written "Non immigrant visa applicants are encouraged to apply at least three months in advance of the intended date of travel. So remember, apply early! ". if you have any idea about this please write me. If it will cause a problem I will reschedule my appointment.

Thanks again !