Must have documents for F-1 Visa Interview
Anyone who wishes to move to the United States has to obtain either a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa based on the duration they will stay in the country. Students who are willing to pursue their higher education in the States have to obtain a student visa which can either be an F or an M visa. Those who will attend institutions like University, High School, Private Elementary School, Seminary, Conservatory, or any other academic institution including a language training program require the F visa. If you are going to attend a vocational or other recognized institution that does not include a language training program, you need the M visa.
An F-1 visa is issued to Academic and Language students who will be attending a US college or university. Applying for an F-1 visa requires you to book two dates, one for verification of documents and the other for an interview with a consular officer. The interview is the most important part of your F-1 visa application so make sure that you are well-prepared for it. Listed below are 10 mandatory documents that you must carry for the interview -
1. Passport
A valid passport or travel document is required for travelling to the United States. In general, your passport should be valid for 6 months when you apply for the visa but Indians are exempted from this rule. Indians can apply with a valid passport with no such constraints associated with validity period. If a family member listed in your passport accompanies you, they have to submit a separate application.
2. DS-160 Confirmation Slip
Carry your Form DS-160 Confirmation Slip which signifies your intention to come back to your home country. The DS-160 is an Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form that must be submitted to the US Department of State. It is issued for temporary travel to the US and for Nonimmigrant Visas for a Fianc(é)e (K-1).
3. Application Fee Payment Receipt
You need to show the application fee payment receipt that you had to pay to book the interview. Applicants have to pay a non-refundable, non-transferrable visa application fee that is referred to as the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee. It is required for visa processing and an MRV Receipt Number is generated after the payment.
4. SEVIS Fee Receipt
After you accept the offer of admission from your preferred University, they will enter your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) database. You will have to make a one-time payment for this process followed by which you will receive the SEVIS payment receipt. You must carry that during the day of the interview.
5. Interview Appointment Letter & Photograph
Do not forget to bring the Visa Interview Appointment Letter on the day of your interview. You must bring a photograph in the format laid down by the US Department of State. The requirements entail one 2 x 2 inch photograph taken within last six months with a plain white background.
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6. Form I-20
Once you are registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System, your university will send you Form I-20. If your spouse and/or minor children accompany you, they will also receive a Form I-20. It is an extremely important document that signifies your visa status and serves as proof that you can support yourself financially throughout the period of your stay in the US.
7. Academic Documents
Provide evidence of your educational qualifications by presenting the following documents:
a) Transcripts
b) Diplomas
c) Certificates from the educational institutions you attended
d) Standardized Test Scores which include scorecards of GMAT/ GRE/ SAT/ IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE as per the requirements of your US school
8. Proof of Funds
The financial documents that you can present to the Visa Officer can be any of the following:
a) Account Statement
b) Loan Sanction Letter
c) Confidential Statement of Sponsored Studies; if any of your family members are ready to sponsor
d) Property Documents
e) Fixed Deposit Certificates and Tax Returns if any
9. Documents Proving Home Ties
Convince the consular officer that you intend to depart the United States after completion of your study program. Provide documents which prove that it is absolutely necessary for you to return home. For example, you can present a letter from your employer stating that they have granted you permission to study overseas and rejoin after the termination of your program. You can also provide documentation of monetary bonds paid to government scholarship funders, assuring that you will return.
10. Employment Documentation If Any
If you were employed, you should also bring your work-related documents namely, offer letter, salary slips, citation for excellence, or any other important document.
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