Student visa financial documents

[Danger_Zone]

I'm in the middle of filling out the information needed to get my visa documents sent to me. All I need is a bank statement to show financial coverage. It says if the currency isn't American then it needs to show the currency, but my bank statement doesn't say "CAD" (Canadian) since that's the default currency here, but of course it's in a dollar amount as opposed to the pound or other type of currency. Does anyone know if this is sufficient? I've emailed international student services but it's been a few days and I'd really like to get this stuff over with. 

Edited April 13, 2016 by Danger_Zone

[Happington]

I just wrote a conversion on the bottom of mine myself, and the university said it was enough.  I'm Canadian too.

[Danger_Zone]

On 4/13/2016 at 2:58 PM, Happington said:

I just wrote a conversion on the bottom of mine myself, and the university said it was enough.  I'm Canadian too.

Thank you, this is what I was thinking as well. I am hoping that is enough, but I will have to see what happens I guess.

[Happington]

The reality is your university "shouldn't" issue an I-20 without adequate information.  If they find it inadequate, they'll let you know.  (At least, according to the place I'm going.)

 

That said, if you're funded, this is probably all irrelevant, as your I-20 will be issued based on your confirmation of appointment (at least, that's what the school I just accepted does.)

Edited April 15, 2016 by Happington

[TakeruK]

If you are worried about making the conversion "more official", you can also attach a printout of the Bank of Canada published currency exchange rates (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/). It's what you would use to convert for tax returns and I've used it before to get reimbursements in other currencies. 

As Happington says, the University will have to determine whether it's good enough and issue the I-20 if they find it satisfactory. My advice would be to bring the same proof of funding with you when you enter the US, just in case, but the border agent should be satisfied with the I-20 showing the dollar amounts. 

[Danger_Zone]

1 hour ago, Happington said:

The reality is your university "shouldn't" issue an I-20 without adequate information.  If they find it inadequate, they'll let you know.  (At least, according to the place I'm going.)

 

That said, if you're funded, this is probably all irrelevant, as your I-20 will be issued based on your confirmation of appointment (at least, that's what the school I just accepted does.)

So if for some reason they want another financial document instead they would let me know and I could give them something else without any problems? I did follow the instructions they gave on what type of document to submit (what needed to be on it, etc.) but I received an e-mail after I submitted it telling me it also needs to be signed and stamped by the bank, which wasn't at all mentioned in the document criteria. I'm not sure now if I should contact them with a new document or wait and see if they accept the one I gave them or not. I am receiving a tuition waiver and TAship which should cover most of my expenses, but I do have savings to cover the rest.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Danger_Zone

[TakeruK]

37 minutes ago, Danger_Zone said:

So if for some reason they want another financial document instead they would let me know and I could give them something else without any problems? I did follow the instructions they gave on what type of document to submit (what needed to be on it, etc.) but I received an e-mail after I submitted it telling me it also needs to be signed and stamped by the bank, which wasn't at all mentioned in the document criteria. I'm not sure now if I should contact them with a new document or wait and see if they accept the one I gave them or not. I am receiving a tuition waiver and TAship which should cover most of my expenses, but I do have savings to cover the rest.

Yeah, I would wait and see. Did the school specifically request a bank statement from you for X dollars? If not, you might not even need to show your savings, if your TAship + tuition waiver meets the determined minimum funding required for your program. For us Canadians, there is no real rush to get our I-20s because we don't need to get a visa prior to moving to the US. We would just need the I-20 to officially enter on F-1 status and we do this at the border. You would want your I-20 a little bit before you leave so you can pay SEVIS fee (you need your I-20 numbers to do this). But basically, as long as you get it about a week before you plan to enter the US, you will be fine. This leaves lots of time for back and forth between the school and you to get all the documents right. 

[Happington]

^ That.  The magic of being Canadian is that we get to skip the visa process.

As threatening as my offer letter sounded when it comes to documentation, delaying on some of the I-20 related docs most likely won't be a dealbreaker for any students.  At this point the university wants you.  They'll work with you to make sure you've provided everything required.  The school I'll be attending has some strange document requirements (why on earth would I need to send my physical degree parchment, it's written right on my transcripts!), but I've been in contact with them enough that they're clarifying requirements fairly well.  Keep in touch with the school and they'll help you.

As for the signed/stamped balance statement, any teller at a bank can print one off for you.  It took me five minutes at my Scotiabank branch.  But I'd wait, if they ask for the documentation, send them your GRA appointment letter and ask if that's enough, if they still insist on a statement/letter provide one.

[Danger_Zone]

9 hours ago, TakeruK said:

Yeah, I would wait and see. Did the school specifically request a bank statement from you for X dollars? If not, you might not even need to show your savings, if your TAship + tuition waiver meets the determined minimum funding required for your program. For us Canadians, there is no real rush to get our I-20s because we don't need to get a visa prior to moving to the US. We would just need the I-20 to officially enter on F-1 status and we do this at the border. You would want your I-20 a little bit before you leave so you can pay SEVIS fee (you need your I-20 numbers to do this). But basically, as long as you get it about a week before you plan to enter the US, you will be fine. This leaves lots of time for back and forth between the school and you to get all the documents right. 

Thanks, that definitely makes me feel better about all this. I think my TAship covers the minimum living expenses specified, but I still have a small amount of tuition and health insurance fees which would need to be covered by personal funds. I know there is the April 15 deadline and all but I still felt like I should have started this sooner! So it's good to know there is more than enough time. I'd just like to get this whole process over with.  

[Danger_Zone]

2 hours ago, Happington said:

^ That.  The magic of being Canadian is that we get to skip the visa process.

As threatening as my offer letter sounded when it comes to documentation, delaying on some of the I-20 related docs most likely won't be a dealbreaker for any students.  At this point the university wants you.  They'll work with you to make sure you've provided everything required.  The school I'll be attending has some strange document requirements (why on earth would I need to send my physical degree parchment, it's written right on my transcripts!), but I've been in contact with them enough that they're clarifying requirements fairly well.  Keep in touch with the school and they'll help you.

As for the signed/stamped balance statement, any teller at a bank can print one off for you.  It took me five minutes at my Scotiabank branch.  But I'd wait, if they ask for the documentation, send them your GRA appointment letter and ask if that's enough, if they still insist on a statement/letter provide one.

Yeah I'm sure getting the statement signed/stamped will be simple if I end up needing it, I just wish I had known so I wouldn't have to resubmit anything.But it's reassuring to know this process isn't as scary as it sounds!

Edited April 15, 2016 by Danger_Zone

[TakeruK]

2 hours ago, Happington said:

 The school I'll be attending has some strange document requirements (why on earth would I need to send my physical degree parchment, it's written right on my transcripts!), but I've been in contact with them enough that they're clarifying requirements fairly well.  Keep in touch with the school and they'll help you.

I had to do that too! Weird. Also, my school wanted me to get a full physical exam and submit many immunization records and test results. It did remind me that I was due for the MMR booster shot though, so that was nice. 

5 minutes ago, Danger_Zone said:

Thanks, that definitely makes me feel better about all this. I think my TAship covers the minimum living expenses specified, but I still have a small amount of tuition and health insurance fees which would need to be covered by personal funds. I know there is the April 15 deadline and all but I still felt like I should have started this sooner! So it's good to know there is more than enough time. I'd just like to get this whole process over with.  

April 15 is just the deadline for making the decision. Many schools don't even start talking to students about getting the I-20 stuff sorted out until after April 15 craziness is over.

As Happington said, remember that the school's International Office is now your friend and ally in this process. They are here to make life easier for you, not harder! Ultimately, it's still our job and our responsibility to ensure we follow US Immigration laws, but it's their job to ensure the University keeps up their responsibilities too. I might be spoiled because my school's International Office is super great and I've heard less good things at other places due to how busy they are. So while response times might be slow, it's nice to know that this office will be a resource for you during your degree as you have to navigate all the immigration red tape.

[Danger_Zone]

@TakeruK I'm just a worrier I guess. My school's International Office does seem pretty busy, but I guess the school also has a very high percentage of international students, so despite some slowness they are probably quite good at providing them with help.

[Danger_Zone]

Well all of my documents were acceptable and I will be receiving my visa documents soon! I'm really relieved.