US Student Visa Application (F1 Visa)

[Ikkinnn]

Good Luck Kim1119.

My schedule for interview will be next Friday, the 20th. I'd like to hear more from your experience Kim1119. Maybe you can share it to us here?

[kim1119]

Yaaaay! My F1 visa got approved!

Mine was really a short but question-filled interview. But most of the questions were just basic and I think the VO just wants to confirm the answers I indicated on my DS-160.

@Ikkinnn: Sure, I'll share my experience. Here it is:

Me: Good morning officer.
VO: Good morning, how're you?
Me: I'm doin' good, how're you.
VO: Not too bad.
(I slid the confirmation page of the DS-160 and my passport through the window)
VO: So what is the purpose of your travel to the United States?
Me: I'm going to the United States for College.
VO: I can see here that you've been to the US before on a J1, is that right?
Me: Yes, that is correct.
VO: How long did you stay in the US using that visa?
Me: More than three months.
VO: Do you have photocopies of your former visas?
Me: Oh, it's all in my passport.
VO: (opens up my passport and sees all of the stamps from my travels) *I saw an expression of approval from his face.*
Me: I was on WORK AND TRAVEL program for three months.
VO: Okay, so why the United States?
Me: 'cause I will put up my own hospital here one day. It's my life long dream. That's why I'll be taking a BIS degree with concentrations in Biology, Public Health and Business Administration. Plus I'll be taking up the M.D.-M.B.A. program after that. As far as I know, those programs are not offered here in the country.
VO: Okay, so where do you want to go for College?
Me: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
VO: Why?
Me: In my *** for three months last March to June, I stayed in Minnesota. In that three months, I was able to visit the UofM and talk to professors and students. I think it's a really great school and the International Student Community is really Awesome! It's also a famous public research university.
VO: So what do you plan to do after graduation?
Me: I'm gonna party real hard. Then I'll party again then again, then again. (VO Laughed) Then I'll go to Med School for the M.D.-M.B.A. program.
VO: Where do you want to go for Med School.
Me: I think I'll still go to the UofM for that.
VO: *smiles* *types, types, types.* We're dealing with the new guys, we have to keep up. *smiles again* (he's referring to the new automated system)
Me: That's fine.
VO: Alright, it says here that you've been denied a B1/B2 visa a long time ago but then you were able to get it after some time. You came back, then got approved of a J1.
Me: Yep, that is right.
VO: Alright, so who is financing your education?
Me: My dad is financing for me.
VO: What does he do?
Me: My dad's a Businessman.
VO: What kind of Businessman?
Me: Oh, he's into lending and finance.
VO: Oh okay. *types, types, types* Alright, just one more security check and we'll get you out of here.
Me: No problem, that's just cool.
VO: Have you paid your SEVIS fee?
Me: Yep, do you want me to slide the receipt?
VO: Please. *talks to another VO for about 20 seconds* So, do you have any relatives in the US?
Me: No, not that I know of.
VO: Okay, looks like everything's right. Just go to the Air21 Counter at the Pavilion and your visa shall be delivered to you as soon as it's done.
Me: Alright, thank you so much.
VO: You're welcome.
Me: You have a great day officer.
VO: You too.

There! the VO that interviewed me is a young White guy, maybe on his late 20's.

I hope this helps. Good luck to you!

[n7610]

wow! congrats!

by the way, can you share details why you were initially denied of your tourist visa and yet a week after that was eventually approved?

and what organization/program was your J1 based? I am interested.

[Ikkinnn]

Congrats Kim1119.
thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[kim1119]

Thank you!

During my first visa interview, I was denied because I wasn't able to fulfill the requirements of Section 214(b) of the INA.

However, 3 weeks later, I applied again (for the same TRAVEL reason and same docs at hand). I got approved and was given a 3-month multiple entry VISA. I used that visa twice.

I then applied for a J1 Visa last March under GEOVISIONS. Their local agency here in the Philippines is Dream Search International. I was then sent to Minnesota to work at a McDonald's restaurant for 3 months.

There. I hope it helps.

[ubermensch]

Congrats Kim!
Ang dami ngang tinanong sa iyo. Pero okay lang, ang mahalaga ay approved ang F1 mo. Kelan ka nga pala magsisimula? Sa September pa ba kayo? O sa Spring sem ka na magsisimula?

[SuPeR_MaN]

congrats kim1119, i told you, you're good to go.

[kim1119]

Salamat! I can never be happier! To God be the Glory! Prayers work miracles talaga!

I got admitted for Fall Semester so I'll be coming back to Minnesota na din in 10 days to attend all orientations, welcomes, etc.

Hayy, problem now is I NEED A CHEAP FLIGHT! Any suggestions? Hmm

Good luck to all other F1 applicants! You can do it! Just RELAX DURING THE INTERVIEW and BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR ANSWERS.

[putopaopao]

Hi PEXers! I've been reading through the forums here for quite some time now and I think the opinions are very helpful to visa applicants like us. Anyway, here's my case:

I have already been to the US 3 times.

5 October 2009: B1/B2 Visa DENIED
27 October 2009: B1/B2 Visa APPROVED (3 months MULTIPLE ENTRY)
*I used that VISA twice, first in Nov 09, second in Jan 10.
18 March 2010: J1 (Exchange Visitor Visa) APPROVED
*I went to the US as an exchange visitor and stayed there for 3 months, I went to MINNESOTA.

Now, I am applying for an F1 (Student) Visa. I got accepted to the University of Minnesota and the University of Utah. I chose to attend the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA because it's a better school and I've already been there during my exchange visit. I've seen it personally and I really like it. GREAT SCHOOL, GREAT International Student Community, etc.

My parents will support me. Tuition and fees for 1 year is $32,600. We have a fixed deposit of $33,000 to present.

BTW, I am currently an undergrad student at the University of the Philippines but I want to finish my Bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota because I want to pursue a Bachelor of Individualized Studies Degree which is not offered at any institution here in the Philippines. My track here is Pre-Med and I'll take the same track in Minnesota.

I have above average grades and HIGH TOEFL iBT score.

BTW, I have also been to other Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia.

Please tell me my chances of getting a F1 (Student) Visa.

I would appreciate replies! Thank you!

You can apply for a F-1 visa(student visa) as long as you show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself there and pay the tuition. Also, you need to show the letter of acceptance from the school you chose to study because it is a requirement. check this out. http://bit.ly/cmnHiZ

[Ikkinnn]

HI Kim

If I may ask, did the VO ask for your I-20?
Thanks

[beltranBALDO]

kim1119, anong Financial Support document ang ni-present mo? Bank Statement ba or Bank Certificate? Did you bring ITR of your dad? and Business registration?

thanks

[kim1119]

@Ikkinn: of course he did.

@beltranBALDO: I have a bank cert with me but the VO didn't ask for any documents from me except for my passport, I-20, and SEVIS receipt.

[silvermug]

Congratulations!

[senyaless]

@Ikkinn: of course he did.

@beltranBALDO: I have a bank cert with me but the VO didn't ask for any documents from me except for my passport, I-20, and SEVIS receipt.

hi kim.. are you a high school grad or college grad na? im a college grad na kase but i want to pursue further studies in the u.s., im already an RN but i dont think i love this field so im opting to study fashion or business related courses not offered here in our country. do you have any advice for me? i have not traveled outside the country and this will be my first hopefully. and by the way, my aunt in the states will be sponsoring me.

[yennnnn]

Guys may tanong ako. Tourist hawak ko. Andito ako sa NY ngayon. Ngayon, magaaply ako ng student visa for masteral, may sponsor nako at lahat. ang tanong ko, GANO KATAGAL YUNG PROCESSING? Hanggang November lang yung binigay saking visa e. Gano kaya katagal?

[yennnnn]

ang kelangan ko na lang pala TOEFL exam. Baka magexam ako 3rd week ng october.

[senyaless]

Guys may tanong ako. Tourist hawak ko. Andito ako sa NY ngayon. Ngayon, magaaply ako ng student visa for masteral, may sponsor nako at lahat. ang tanong ko, GANO KATAGAL YUNG PROCESSING? Hanggang November lang yung binigay saking visa e. Gano kaya katagal?

yen ano ba kukunin mo for masteral?

[yennnnn]

^nursing. MAN. Wala kasi ako papel e, e baka iconvert ng F1 *** visa ko e.

[TiffanyisFunny]

ang processing takes about 3 months, depends but most likely youll get approved if all your papers are in order, which include TOEFL, acceptance from your university or college. Change of status yang papasukan mo. Pero once ma-change of status ka and got approved, you can go back home but voided all rights to go back to the US, unless you have your greencard.
Just wondering, mag-Masteral ka doon? hhmmm.... may kamahalan yan ah.

[ubermensch]

Guys may tanong ako. Tourist hawak ko. Andito ako sa NY ngayon. Ngayon, magaaply ako ng student visa for masteral, may sponsor nako at lahat. ang tanong ko, GANO KATAGAL YUNG PROCESSING? Hanggang November lang yung binigay saking visa e. Gano kaya katagal?

First, dapat matanggap ka muna ng isang university. Since international student ka, then from around late December to early next year ang deadline sa pag-submit ng application mo. Tapos around April o May lalabas ang decisions. Then you start Fall semester (start August 2011).

Kung ang hinahabol mo ay Spring semester (start January 2011), I believe around October/November ang deadline. But since international student ka, alam ko mas maaga ang deadline. Gaano kaaga? Dun sa case na Fall semester (August 2011) ang hinahabol, around June ang karamihan sa deadlines na alam ko for US students, tapos around January for international students. So yung October/November na deadline for US students, mas maaga for international students.

I don't think you have enough time to put everything in order by the time your tourist visa expires this November. First, you have to get accepted. Then once you get accepted, they will give you this document (called I-20) which will legalize your stay as a student in the US. You actually cannot be given an F1 (student) visa inside the US. If you want an F1 visa, you'll have to go out of the US and apply at any US Embassy/Consulate that issues visas. Anyway, an F1 visa is not a strict requirement to stay legally in the US as a student. It's the I-20 which you need. And for that you might still have to wait some time for it to be issued. Yung kaibigan ko, F2 ang visa niya (dependent ng asawa niyang F1 visa holder). It took him about 3 months para makuha I-20 niya.