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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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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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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Thank you so much guys for replies. How about 11 months MBA? They got 1 year OPT as well? Same as other MBA courses?

Posted from my mobile device

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

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.

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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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?

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

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.