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abhimahna
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 15 Jun 2018, 10:54
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Ask your Visa Questions and Share Visa Interview Experience


Welcome - This forum has been created to help applicants who have already won the battle of getting admitted to B Schools and are now in the process of Visa Applications.

You can use this forum for following purposes:

  • Ask questions on How to fill DS160 form
  • What is Sevis Fees? When and how to pay it?
  • When to book your interview slot?
  • What is bio-metric process and how it differs from the interview process?
  • What is 221G paper slip?
  • How should I be dressed for the inteview?
  • What all documents should I carry for Biometric process?
  • What all documents should I carry for Interview process?
  • And many more general discussions!

If there is a particular resource you looked for but cannot locate, please post a request on this forum and we would love to help! :-)
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 27 Jun 2018, 02:41
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If I go for 2 years study at USA will allow me for 2+3 years work visa and followed by H1B. HOW ABOUT ONE YEAR FULL TIME COURSE? Will get same work visa ??? Thanks

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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 27 Jun 2018, 05:01
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KCP479
If I go for 2 years study at USA will allow me for 2+3 years work visa and followed by H1B. HOW ABOUT ONE YEAR FULL TIME COURSE? Will get same work visa ??? Thanks
Show more

Hey KCP479 ,

Thank you for your query. I am happy to help. :-)

As per my knowledge, F1 visa is issued for 5 years to everyone irrespective of the study you are going to do.

What matters is how much is going to be your duraction of study and the OPT period. You cannot stay beyond that period no matter whether your F1 is still valid.

For example,

If you do 2 years MBA, you can use F1 for 2 years study and 1 year OPT.

If you do 2 years STEM Course, you can use F1 for 2 years study and 3 years OPT.

If you do 1 year MBA, you can use F1 for 1 year study and 1 year OPT.

I hope that helps. :-)
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 28 Jun 2018, 02:07
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Thanks for reply mate.

What is stem course? That means one year study plus one year OpT or 2 years study plus 2 years OpT.

However website says all F1 applicant gets 60 months visa validity.

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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 28 Jun 2018, 02:19
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Hey KCP479 ,

STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

So, if you do any course that touches above fields, you will be considered for 2 years course + 3 years OPT.

Other than that, rule is simple: MBA duration + 1 year OPT.

I hope that helps. :-)
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 10 Jul 2018, 03:02
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abhimahna
Hey KCP479 ,

STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

So, if you do any course that touches above fields, you will be considered for 2 years course + 3 years OPT.

Other than that, rule is simple: MBA duration + 1 year OPT.

I hope that helps. :-)
Show more

Nice Forum abhimahna :thumbup:

I would like to highlight important piece of info as people may miss your point. Any STEM program MUST be declared officially as STEM. Some people assume that the program is STEM just because of some scientific courses or math courses. STEM program has a registered number at the government.

Also the STEM could be 1 Year of study (or other duration such as PHD) but the critical point is that it is 3 years OPT.

I hope it helps.
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 15 Jul 2018, 09:15
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Thank you so much guys for replies. How about 11 months MBA? They got 1 year OPT as well? Same as other MBA courses?

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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 10 Aug 2018, 07:55
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Hi abhimahna,

What do you think about the current visa scenario in the USA. Many of my friends who did a non-STEM course (e.g. LLM, Environment Policy, etc) are finding it very hard to find a job. One was a batch a topper and still could not land a job. Companies look hesitant to hire international students. Is it the same for MBA grads?

I would really like to hear your views on this.
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 10 Aug 2018, 10:35
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j.shivank
Hi abhimahna,

What do you think about the current visa scenario in the USA. Many of my friends who did a non-STEM course (e.g. LLM, Environment Policy, etc) are finding it very hard to find a job. One was a batch a topper and still could not land a job. Companies look hesitant to hire international students. Is it the same for MBA grads?

I would really like to hear your views on this.
Show more

You can read the recent article. It may help getting a closer look. My advice is to target big schools.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-worker ... 1533124800
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 10 Aug 2018, 13:01
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abhimahna
Hey KCP479 ,

STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

So, if you do any course that touches above fields, you will be considered for 2 years course + 3 years OPT.

Other than that, rule is simple: MBA duration + 1 year OPT.

I hope that helps. :-)
Show more

if stem gets that much more, why would anyone do MBA over a stem course?
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 24 Aug 2018, 18:08
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Even a international student with STEM degree finds it hard, because of the change in H1B policy. Don't pin your hope on visa. Gaining knowledge from the program should be our motto.
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 04 Nov 2018, 07:24
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Hi,

I have been admitted to Fuqua daytime MBA program. I am an Indian citizen and was rejected a B2 visa in July’18. I also have a relative in US (green card holder) and I mentioned his details in my previous VISA application. How should I prepare myself for the VISa interview, considering I have double fold disadvantage:
1) Have been rejected US visa once already
2) have a cousin living in the US

Also do I need to apply for loan before going in for my VISA interview? In there a minimum amount that should be kept in my bank account at the time of my interview.
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 04 Nov 2018, 07:52
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lakshaychopranitj
Hi,

I have been admitted to Fuqua daytime MBA program. I am an Indian citizen and was rejected a B2 visa in July’18. I also have a relative in US (green card holder) and I mentioned his details in my previous VISA application. How should I prepare myself for the VISa interview, considering I have double fold disadvantage:
1) Have been rejected US visa once already
2) have a cousin living in the US

Also do I need to apply for loan before going in for my VISA interview? In there a minimum amount that should be kept in my bank account at the time of my interview.
Show more

Hi lakshaychopranitj,

I am no expert in visa forum but I would like to let you know my opinion from my experience with US visa.

Having a cousin living in the US is not a disadvantage. In fact, it is good that you mentioned it in the past application. I don't think this is the reason for your past visa rejection.

During your past visa interview, you might have received a letter citing the reason for your visa rejection. Just make sure how you are going to explain why that reason is not an issue.

Also, I guess you should have some proof of funds to show to the Visa officer about how you are going to fund your MBA like any scholarship/fellowship you have received etc. I carried a letter from my sponsor as financing proof for my interview.

You will receive a lot of help from Duke admissions office regarding your visa. They must have helped many India applicants in this matter. I advise you to reach out to them.
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 04 Nov 2018, 08:06
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lakshaychopranitj
Hi,

I have been admitted to Fuqua daytime MBA program. I am an Indian citizen and was rejected a B2 visa in July’18. I also have a relative in US (green card holder) and I mentioned his details in my previous VISA application. How should I prepare myself for the VISa interview, considering I have double fold disadvantage:
1) Have been rejected US visa once already
2) have a cousin living in the US

Also do I need to apply for loan before going in for my VISA interview? In there a minimum amount that should be kept in my bank account at the time of my interview.
Show more

Hey lakshaychopranitj ,

I am happy to help.

Rejection of US visa of different type won't be an issue since this time you are going for studies.

You did a mistake of mentioning the details of your cousin. But I think if you can somehow prove them that you will come back after studies, you should be good. Just tell them that you have a passion for coming back to XYZ industry and implement something/take bigger roles.

Finally, you need to show them that you have the expenses you need for your MBA. You can either show that via your bank account or via a loan approval application. I showed the later and it worked fine for me.

Usually, they don't ask for these documents but you should always be ready with such documents because who knows they ask you.

Let me know if you have further questions.

All the best :-)
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 05 Nov 2018, 00:05
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Thanks a lot for the revert. I have written down an email to Fuqua, meanwhile what are the suggested documents to be carried during the interview. If someone else is partially sponsoring my education then what am I supposed to carry apart from a letter from that person and his/her passbook. Is there a minimum amount that one should have in his/her bank account at the time of the interview?
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 05 Nov 2018, 19:09
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lakshaychopranitj
Thanks a lot for the revert. I have written down an email to Fuqua, meanwhile what are the suggested documents to be carried during the interview. If someone else is partially sponsoring my education then what am I supposed to carry apart from a letter from that person and his/her passbook. Is there a minimum amount that one should have in his/her bank account at the time of the interview?
Show more

Hi lakshaychopranitj ,

There is no requirement of any minimum account. You need to show that you have the money. If you can do so, you should be good.

If someone else is sponsoring, then you may need to have a letter head from that person saying he/she is sponsoring. I think you might need to have this written over an affidavit. I am not sure though.

Good luck :-)
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 22 Jan 2020, 02:00
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Hi,

I got rejected a year back for my tourist B1 visa.
I wanted to spend my Christmas with a friend in the US who was studying back then in Indiana.

Does it at all affect my F1 visa chances? I have a full-ride from the University of Wisconsin Madison?
Also, how early should I apply for my F1?

Thanks,
Ashish
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 22 Jan 2020, 04:32
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ashish148jain
Hi,

I got rejected a year back for my tourist B1 visa.
I wanted to spend my Christmas with a friend in the US who was studying back then in Indiana.

Does it at all affect my F1 visa chances? I have a full-ride from the University of Wisconsin Madison?
Also, how early should I apply for my F1?

Thanks,
Ashish
Show more

Hey ashish148jain ,

I don't think B1 Visa rejection would impact your student visa application. All you need to do is the following:

1. Make sure you inform them about B1 rejection, if they ask.
2. Make sure you have all the right documents required for student visa
3. Convince them that you have plans to come back to India post graduation.

I think once you do the above mentioned points, you will be all good.

All the best :)
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 10 Feb 2020, 07:50
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I would like to highlight important piece of info as people may miss your point. Any STEM program MUST be declared officially as STEM. Some people assume that the program is STEM just because of some scientific courses or math courses. STEM program has a registered number at the government.
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Welcome to Visa Forum for International Applicants 02 Mar 2020, 21:11
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Hi everybody,

I and my wife are planning to study MBA in USA together. I got offer from Emory Goizueta for the incoming Fall 2020 intake but my wife is still in the progress of preparing for the interview with the school and applying to other schools in Round 3.

Now I have come to the phase of completing the I-20 Form to prepare for the VISA application. This form requires me to indicate whether I would come alone or bring dependent(s) with me during my studies. My dilemma is that the answer for that question would entirely depend on my wife's application result which would come no early at all and I am afraid that if I wait for such result, it would be too late for my VISA application.

Anybody here has the same issue? Any thoughts and advice would be highly appreciated.

Thanks and regards.
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