VISA DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

· Students leaving for the United States need to hold a F-1 visa. This indicates that you are a single student, with no dependents

· The following is a checklist of papers you need for your visa interview. When ALL documents are ready, e-mail us OR call us for your mock interview. We can either do a MOCK on the PHONE OR send you Mock Questions on the E-MAIL.

· All of the following documents must be in separate clear plastic folders and NOT in files and all in ORIGINAL

Prepare the following Documents:

1. VISA APPLICATION - These form/s are available at the US Application Center or check with our office. Xerox the form and fill it to the best of your ability, keep the original one for later. Please get it checked by us.

DS 156– This form has to be filled by all the applicants.

DS 157 – This form has to be filled by the male applicants less than 45 years of age.

DS 158 – This form has to be filled by all the applicants applying for F, J and M Visa.

2. PASSPORT - Must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you apply for your visa

3. COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS – 50mm by 50mm. Confirm this size from the Visa Application form (or call & check this at the US Consulate)

4. I-20 FORM - When you receive this form and have it checked by us immediately. In the event of any errors, this form must be returned to the University and a new one has to be obtained, all this is very time consuming, so work on it immediately. The I-20 form has to be signed by YOU in the required space.

5. ACCEPTANCE LETTER - Admission letter from the University

6. LETTER OF FINANCIAL AID - Scholarships if any

7. BROCHURES - Catalogs of the University

8. LETTERS/ EMAILS of ADMISSION and REJECT of all the colleges you have applied.

9. TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/SAT - Original mark sheets

10. SCHOOL/COLLEGE MARK SHEETS - You may take certified true copies only if you have handed in the previous mark sheet and degree certificate for college admissions. Otherwise CARRY the ORIGINALS.

11. INCOME TAX ORDER FORMS & CHALLANS – (If your parents pay any taxes in India.) Parent’s originals of last two years. Take yours too if you file taxes.

12. SALARY/EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATE - Letter of Appointment and/or Salary Certificate from your Parents Company/ Employer. If tax is deducted at source by the company, then your parents have to include the TDS certificate as well.

12b. BUSINESS DOCUMENTS – If your parents have business then please carry following documents –

ü Income tax papers of the company for the last 2 years

ü Partnership / Ownership deeds

ü Balance sheets of the company (Highlight Turnover and Profit)

ü Bank Pass books of the company

13. PROOF OF FIXED & LIQUID ASSETS - in your name, as well as those of your parents. With a summary of the assets you and your family holdings. Example: UTI, Life Insurance, Stocks, Bonds, Fixed Deposits, Property Deeds, any paper which indicates that your family has money.

14. BANK ACCOUNT - Your 1^st year’s fees must be currently in the account. Hence proof of this in the form of a Pass Book entry/Bank Statement Printout.

15. VISA FEES - PLEASE CHECK WITH OUR OFFICE

16. SEVIS REGISTRATION FEE – Student’s whose I – 20 were issued after September 1, 2004, are required to pay $ 100 as SEVIS Registration fee.

We recommend paying the fee electronically, by completing Form I-901 through the Internet and using a credit card. Persons submitting the fee electronically will be able to print a receipt at the time of payment. Receipts must be presented to a consular officer at the time of taking the Visa Appointment, at the time of the visa interview, and again to an immigration officer at the port of entry into the U.S. The SEVIS fee is non-refundable. However, if the visa is denied, the fee will not have to be repaid if a subsequent visa application is submitted within 12 months of the initial denial.

IMPORTANT NOTES -

1. Dress Code: Remember that you are a student and hence must not look like you are appearing for a formal business meeting at the US Consulate. You need to be neat, but casually dressed. Wear western dress, NOT Indian.

2. Students appearing at the Mumbai US Consulate: You DO NOT require any Chartered Accountants Statement, since you will be actually carrying your Originals, and you will prepare the Summary Statement as outlined above.

3. New International students may ENTER United States to begin studies ONLY 30 days prior to the start on I – 20.

4. You can APPLY for the Student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the date mentioned on I – 20.

If your sponsor is a US Citizen or "Green Card" holder:

1. FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT - also called the I-134 form filled, this must be signed and notarized by your sponsor. This form is available at any US consulate or post office

2. SPONSOR’S LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT - on the employer's letterhead. For example, "Mr. X. has served as a Production Engineer with our organization for nine years, beginning January 03, 1982. His annual earnings currently stand at US $ ............

3. BANK LETTER - verifying the sponsor's credibility. This must be on the bank's letterhead. For example,

"Mr. X. has held a Savings Account with this bank since January 04, 1982. His average balance stands at US $ .......... To the best of our knowledge, his account is in good standing."

4. A LETTER FROM YOUR SPONSOR - stating his willingness to sponsor you.