Fall 2018- F1 Student Visa Experience: (Chennai Consulate | University of Illinois at Chicago | Electrical Engineering- Approved)

Applicant Profile:

University: University of Illinois at Chicago Course: MS in Electrical Engineering

Chennai Consulate Date: May 2018 Status: Approved Visa Interview Experience: Arrived at the VAC at 1:30 pm and gained entry. After the initial security screening at the first desk, a staff member requested my DS-160 and passport. At the second checkpoint, the DS-160 details were checked against the passport. At the third desk, a barcode sticker was affixed to the back of the passport, and I was directed to join the line for fingerprinting and photo capture along with my token. I waited until my token number appeared on the screen and then moved to the designated counter.

Arrived at the consulate at 10 a.m. and entered at 10:45. The line moved through a security screening before entering the main building. A staff member asked for my passport and directed me to proceed to another building.

At the first counter, a staff member requested my passport and university name, then directed me to the next counter where my fingerprints were verified. Afterward, I was told to join the queue for the visa interview. It took about 15-20 minutes for my turn to arrive.

ME: Good morning sir VO: Good morning. Pass me your passport. ME: Handed over the passport. VO: Why are you going to US? ME: To pursue my Master's in Electrical Engineering. VO: Pass me your I-20. ME: Handed over the I-20. VO: Which university are you going to ? ME: University of Illinois (interrupted by VO: Illinois at Chicago.. Great).

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VO: What made you choose this university ? ME: Mentioned the guidance I received from my undergraduate professors in comparing the curricula of different universities, the course structure being an ideal match, and positive feedback from current seniors. (nodding while typing) VO: What's your aggregate? ME: 76.7% VO: Laughing.. How do Indians score so much (I had an awkward smile) VO: Any backlogs? ME: No sir. VO: When did you graduate? ME: Last year in the month of June. VO: What have you been doing since then? ME: I work at EMC2 as a SQE. VO: How are you funding your studies? (Looking at my I-20) ME: (Had prepared an answer about liquid funds and other stuff but told) My father will be my sponsor and I also have an education loan sanctioned from HDFC. VO: Have a great stay in the states. I am approving your Visa. ME: Thank you Sir. Have a great day ahead. :)

Documents for OFC: Passport, DS-160 and appointment confirmation. Documents asked during VI: Passport and I-20 Documents carried for VI:

• Passport, I-20, Sevis fee confirmation, Appointment Confirmation, DS-160
• GRE, TOEFL scorecards, Transcripts, Marksheets (10th, 12th and BE), Degree Certificate
• Admit letters from the universities
• CA certificate, Affidavit of Support.
• For liquid funds: Bank Savings statement, EPF Passbook (online statement), FD statement.
• For immovable assets: Property evaluation reports.
• For Current income from India: Father's ITR (last 3 years), Form-16, Transaction statement of last 6 months, Pay slips (mine) and the IT computation statement.
• Loan Sanctioned letter
• CV, SOP

Maintain a positive attitude, be concise and confident. All the best !!