F1 Visa (India) - DS 160 mistake - help

[foreignstudent]

I have a fully funded PhD admit which I received this May. Now my doubts are whether would I be required to show any more funds? I have read that the VO would ask who would be paying if the funding is cancelled !!! I have not thought about that scenario as the solutions seems unthinkable!.. So is there any financial documents needed to be shown as I have very less of that?

 

I have also made the mistake of answering "self" in DS 160 "who is paying for your trip" question.. will that be a cause for concern??

 

I am too scared as the possibility of being rejected for the visa looms over my head.. 

[fuzzylogician]

You should tell the VO that you made a mistake at the interview. I believe that they can fix the form, and this is a common mistake (in fact, it's being discussed right now in a post probably 2-3 threads below this one). As for being asked about who will fund your studies if the funding is cancelled, I have never heard of that happening, but if it does then just like in all other cases, answer truthfully. First, say there is no reason to expect that to happen. Second, say whatever you would do in that situation (take out a loan? ask your parents? if it were me, I'd stop studying because I would not go into debt for the degree). I understand that you are worried, but you have a letter from your department saying that you have guaranteed funding, so there is no reason to worry. I doubt too many people have actionable plans for what they would do if an unthinkably terrible thing would happen, and I doubt you would be expected to have one, either.

[foreignstudent]

thanks fuzzylogician your reply is very assuring. I am yet to receive the hard copy of my I 20 and I have the soft copy of that. I have checked the status and it says the document is being processed. Now I will be sending a mail to the school, but in case it does not arrive before my Visa Interview would it be fine if I take the printouts of the I 20 sent to me by the University by email?

 

And in the interview do I tell the VO about the DS 160 mistake or wait for them ask me? I really hope they dont question my funding and reject me as a possible immigrant

[foreignstudent]

BTW I have another question... I do not have any research publications.. Would that stand as a block for me while granting the F1 Visa?? Would it make them think that I am not a worthy candidate??  My GRE and GPA are average also!!...

 

I am really worried now... I have got an admit and if my visa gets cancelled it would be a very cruel joke...

Edited May 12, 2015 by foreignstudent

[fuzzylogician]

I don't know if you can attend the interview without the official I-20. I would guess not, but you should find out from a more official source. If it comes to it, maybe you can ask your school if they could Fed-Ex you the document and you will pay for it. That would speed the process along.

 

As a first pass, I would let them talk and lead the interview. If it doesn't come up, you can bring it up as a question: tell the VO that you think you may made a mistake in your DS-160 after you submitted it and explain exactly what it is. I think it should be easy for them to fix it in their computer. 

 

Not having publications, etc. should not be a problem -- you have been accepted to your program and it's their job to decide academic fit, not the VO's. As long as it's a reputable school and not a visa mill, there should be nothing for you to worry about. You may get asked what you are going to study, why you want to study in the US, and why you applied to your particular program, but I have never heard of anyone being asked why they didn't have any publications (which most people don't, btw).

 

(Disclaimer: I am NOT an immigration expert. This advice is based on experience and common sense, but I could be wrong. Ask your ISO if you have any doubts.)

[cs_phd]

From what I know, you cannot go to interview without original I-20. You can cancel your appointment. Then, you can fill a new DS-160 and use the same receipt number that you used for paying visa fees and schedule a new interview once you get your I-20. This is what I read in some forum and from what I heard from people who have done this. You can check with people who have done this and also consult the vfsglobal.

[techboy]

I put self and funding for a year exceeded slightly my expenses. I brought bank statements, property documents etc, but VO just asked me what I would study and whether I have assistantship. I said "yes" nothing more. He said "you get your visa tomorrow". The interview lasted only one and half minutes

they didn't even ask for my printed photo and SEVIS payment confirmation printout. I come from a country where many people get rejected

[foreignstudent]

@fuzzylogician: I just got a mail now saying my I20 has been dispatched!!.. Hopefully the VO shouldnt ask such questions but I rad in forums where the VO questions the GRE scores and rejected the visa entry!!!

 

@cs_phd: I got a mail saying it has been dispatched and it would take 2-3 days..You are right without the I20 it is not possible to attend a interview

 

@techboy: Wow that is so cool.. I just hope mine goes the same way too!!!  i will be scheduling by  May end hopefully I should clear it..

 

 

Thanks all for your responses....I am glad to hear some assuring replies

[Crafter]

@fuzzylogician: I just got a mail now saying my I20 has been dispatched!!.. Hopefully the VO shouldnt ask such questions but I rad in forums where the VO questions the GRE scores and rejected the visa entry!!!

 

Now that is bizzarre. VO is not who decides if you are a good prospect for a PhD student, only your admissions department is. Probably in those cases (in case that is what really happened) they rejection of the visa was for some other reason and either the VO wanted to justify it by saying something about the fit of the candidate (but I think that is odd) or the applicant just misunderstood the whole interview and reasons for visa denial. You see, I can think of a VO asking your GRE scores and GPA as part of their interview and to make sure you are the prospective candidate and not someone else (or just to make you nervous... even just to small chat while he fills out a form, and sometimes if you have english a a second language, certain language nuances will be lost to you). But if your scores or GPA are or not enought for a particular program in a particular school is nothing the VO can actually assess. Actually, I don't even think they know those numbers anyway. If asked you can say you got skyrocket scores and won't need to prove it. 

 

Honestly, I don't believe that story of a VO denying a visa BECAUSE he/she did not think your scores are suitable for a PhD program. 

 

Remember this is the internet, anyone can post anything and it will not necessarily be true. 

[foreignstudent]

@Crafter

 

thats so true..you have a good point based on common sense there.. I have my visa this month end and hopefully I should get it.. I have already quit my job and they seem to say I did the wrong thing as there are high chances of being rejected!! talk about employee relationship.. they want me so badly!!!!

 

Now this has me worried and I am re-thinking on why I quit and probably ask to be re-instated if I should fail the VI.

[Maxtini]

Relax~ It's important that you don;t feel nervous when answering the questions. The key is keep your answer short and simple. Only answer what is asked and always make eye contact with the VO.

I've just had my interview and there's no difficult questions asked.
VO: So you're going to study in the US?
Me: Yes
VO: To which university?
Me: XXX University
VO: So why do you choose this university

Me: Because XXX hosts several Professors whose research really suits my interests.
VO: What's your interest then?
Me: (It's important that you answer in easily understood terminologies. Don't use too much jargon especially if your major is on the TAL list) My interest is in the application of chemistry to find new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
VO: I see... you have a fellowship from the university. May I have a look at the documents from your university?
Me: (Gave my admission letters to him)
VO: Congratulation for your scholarship. 
Me: Thank You.
VO: So where do you studied before?
Me: XXX Universities.
VO: Welcome to US. Good luck on your studies. Congratulations. (Handed me a white receipt indicating VISA approval)
Me: Thank You.

Thank goodness there were no background check (considering I'm majoring in chemistry) and my visa was promptly approved. Hope this will help. 

Edited May 14, 2015 by Maxtini

[Crafter]

Be confident.

 

I do think you should have waited until your visa approval before quitting your job. But now that it is done, be confident you will get it.

Many visas are denied in my home country as well, but think about this: you are not some guy trying to go to the US to visit a relative or to check out the statue of liberty. You have been INVITED by an american higher education institution to join their advanced program. Feel confident in the fact that:

 

1) You are regarded as someone skilled and smart (yes, that's what the VO will think of you, because getting into grad school as a foreigner is hard).

2) You don't have criminal record or have overstayed your visa or broke any law.

3) Visas are denied if the consul thinks you have "nothing to do" in the US and will likely stay illegally. That is not your case.

 

Take it easy. Be prepared to offer good and intelligible answers. Be cool and confident. Everything will be fine.

 

I don't have a visa interview scheduled yet (I got mu MS in the US too, so this is not my first student visa). I am a bit nervious because I am travelling with family and I know I will be granted the visa. I just hope my husband get's his too. But I am keeping positive.

[foreignstudent]

@Maxtini

 

Wow you had an easy one there..that's glad to hear and I hope mine goes the same way too.. About the TAL my research interest is in Game AI (i.e) Building intelligent agents in games. I hope this wouldn't considered to be too trivial for a PhD as I don't want the VO to think I am just going to go the USA to visit the various game parlors (if they do exist there) but to do some serious study on AI algorithms used in games..

 

@Crafter:

Ohh I should have waited then!!! I hope I don't regret it and get my visa I have no ways about.. One of the main reasons visa get rejected in my country is the possible immigrant notion of the VO. The strong home ties has to be driven in strongly and I don't know how good I will fare