F1 - US Visa Application Process

After a month long hiatus, it feels good to be writing again. I wanted to share with the world, how streamlined the F-1 Visa application process is. The US consulate announcement on Sept 5th    US Consulate's announcement about the streamlined VISA application process has details about the changes in the process.

In short, following are the changes I found most-welcomed:

• All the fee payments are done online. DS-160 Fees and SEVIS fee - both can be played online. ( Earlier, the DS-160 fee had to be paid in one of the designated bank branches - Although this option is still available, we have an additional option of paying the fee online, which makes the process very convenient ) [It was 160 USD during December 2012]
• 2 Appointments - 1 for providing biometrics data at the US consulate and the second one for the Visa interview itself. First appointment has to be scheduled at least one day prior to the Visa interview appointment. - more importantly, both the appointments need not be at the same consulate office. This is a convenient option, especially for those people on the move and/or working.

I will summarize the steps involved in applying for F-1 Visa

1. Complete the DS-160 form - Keep a digital photograph that meets US Visa photograph requirements handy to complete the form. ( Fill and submit DS-160 here )
2. Fix the appointments - 1 for biometrics and the 2nd for Visa interview
3. Pay the SEVIS fee here [SEVIS fee was 200 USD during Dec 2012]

SEVIS - Students/Exchange Visitors Information System - SEVIS fee is towards maintenance of the SEVIS. If one gets an I20 from any of the Universities, the SEVIS will be updated. The Visa officer will have access to all the details regarding the I20s issued against one's name. So, during the Visa Interview, you might get occasional questions like 'Why are you applying for Visa for A eventhough you have I20s from A & B &...'. (Just a pointer)

Once the Visa is issued against a University name, if a student changes his/her mind to join a different University, he/she has to submit a fresh application for F-1 Visa.

My first post this new year. Wishing you all a very happy new year. I must say that the application process is much streamlined and it is just about following the steps, one by one. Happy New Year friends! - I hope to be active in this space this year. Fingers crossed. 

Ref: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visaapply.asp