Moving to a new country, even for a few years, is a life-changing experience.
But how can you ensure safe travels and a smooth start?
Dr. Arun Vakil, US visa expert, chatted with Get Ahead users and provided tips for travel and transition. He discussed procedure at the port of entry, adjusting to college life and visa related issues.
Here's part two of the chat transcript:
Gautam asked, Sir, Are interest rates for international student loan from within USA significantly lower compared to India?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Yes at the moment.
kultej asked, getting admission in Pharmacy is difficult or not, what are entry requirements for the program, and wat are career prospects after this
ARUN VAKIL answers, University offering these courses will tell you about requirements. Scope is good.
shastri asked, I want to know how to get good education in america. india is too corrupt.
ARUN VAKIL answers, US offers the best education in any faculty of displine due to its higher quality of teaching and teachers, research facilities and flexibility of the education system.
mayur asked, What is off campus work and where is it mentioned, is it hard to get? If it is not written and I work in motel is it illegal?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Off-campus work is disallowed for the first 9 months of study. It is allowed only if you run into financial problems thereafter. Don't run afoul of the law.
sridhar asked, hi sir i dont know how to apply for visa tell me processe
ARUN VAKIL answers, Visit
www.vfs-usa.co.in for details.
sahib asked, Sir, my daughter is going to minnesota. Any travel tips. Isn't mineesota coldest state in US?
ARUN VAKIL answers, It is not the coldest but could be quite cold in winter. Just as we use AC in warm Indian climate, people use heater in cold climate there.
kultej asked, Hello sir, i want some information for my brother, He has recently cleared is +2 in Medical stream with 76% marks.Now we plan to send hium to USA for further studies in Pharmacy,could you please tell me some courses and universities in California
ARUN VAKIL answers, Approach the office of United States Education Foundation of India for guidance or contact good study abroad counselor.
archana asked, Will schools pay for transportation fees to and from airport? Taxis are very expensive.
ARUN VAKIL answers, No.
Nandini asked, Hello, I have a question about accomodation..Im admitted to NYU..when is the right time to start looking for accomodation? Most rental listings want immediate responses..my course starts in august. Also, Is it better to go there and hunt for housing or try from here itself ?
ARUN VAKIL answers, If someone known to you can do something before you arrive then it is fine. Otherwise better to go there first, stay in a motel for a few days and look for accomodation to your liking.
ashwin asked, Hi, Wat r da food stuff we r allwd to carry in our baggage for example can we carry packed food in cans and packed masala powder while travelling to the US.
ARUN VAKIL answers, You get all these in Indian stores in the US. No need to carry this weight from India
pk asked, I will be going to US this Fall for my MS. I want to know what kind of questions the immigration officer asks at the port of entry. Is there anything that I need to worry about? Or will I get smooth entry in US?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Good question. Normally Immigration Officer would like to know the name of the university you are going to, how long you need to stay there and how you will finance your studies. If all answers are genuine and satisfactory, there is no problem.
mayur asked, Do they give F1 visa for 5 years evrytime?
ARUN VAKIL answers, F-1 is given according to course of study duration mentioned in your I-20.
mvkviswanadham asked, My daughter is leaving for US on F1 visa. How to find accommodation nearby the Univesity (I mean private accommodation) as the University accommodation appears to be bit costly.
ARUN VAKIL answers, One has to make inquiries with Foreign Student Office, International Centre on the campus, Campus notice Board, Campus newspaper announcements and other Indian acquaintences you get to know. You have to try combination of all these
aparna asked, hello sir, i am going for PhD and my husband is getting an internal transfer to the same place.how would you rate our visa chances.we have appointment on the same day @ same time.
ARUN VAKIL answers, I see no problem if your intentions are genuine and you have financial ties to return after your studies.
dhruva asked, what is the name of VISA meant for Jobs there in US?
ARUN VAKIL answers, H-1, L-1 and employment based 5 categories.
archana asked, what is difference of I-94 form and disembaraktion card?
ARUN VAKIL answers, It is one and the same.
mvkviswanadham asked, My daughter is shortly leaving for US with F1 visa. She is a first time traveller. Any important tips for her?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Let her read 'GATEWAY TO AMERICA' and articles here on Rediff.
vikas asked, i am master's in tourism management,just wanna know can i have some scope for further studies in US
ARUN VAKIL answers, Yes, you can. Either you can do second masters or even PhD.
gkkk asked, Hi, this september i will complete my course in US. Before that i Want my MOM should stay with me for 6 months. What is the procedure
ARUN VAKIL answers, Mom has to apply for tourist visa.
proudfather asked, My daughter, shifra, earned admissions at MIT!! She's the pride of my family. How can I send her money when she studies in America? By wire transfres? I want her to concetrante on studies and not on money.
ARUN VAKIL answers, Wire transfer or Western Union.
Deb asked, Sir, I am currently doing my PhD from IISc, Bangalore.Though my residence is in Delhi,infact my passport was also issued from there. In this case for US visa interview, do i need to go to Chennai consulate or I can also go to Delhi embassy for Visa interview?
ARUN VAKIL answers, You can apply at Chennai as well as Delhi. Go to the one that gives you an earlier appointment date.
tristarsk asked, hi i have got green card so will i be consider local student or international etc
ARUN VAKIL answers, You will be resident (local) student.
visaholder asked, I'm very excited to begin at Berkely this fall. Can you tell me a way to network with school officials before I leave? Thanks sir, you provide great service to all of us!
ARUN VAKIL answers, Find out local associations of Indians in Berkeley and email them. Alternatively there are many internet sites for contacting people.
achar asked, Dear Arun, Will the emergency appointment date for visa interview be a hindrance if the student applies for the same within 120 days of the start his MS Course (F1 visa)?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Emergency appointment will be logical for a student when less than a month is left for study to commence. 120 days is a long time.
bado asked, my son has visa interview tomorrow. his I-20 requires him to show funds of upto 44,000 dollars per year......i have FD,PF and shares worth 20Lakhs(equivalent to 48,000 dollars).......however i intend to sell one of my house to fund his year 2 and 3.......do you think he will have any problem to get the visa tomorrow?
ARUN VAKIL answers, He has to show that enough funds are left after his education investment is made. If all funds are wiped out then how would family survive? You have to show alternative sources of funds.
conju asked, Dr. Vakil, is america the 'golden land of opportunity'. should i really go there?
ARUN VAKIL answers, It has promising education and career opportunies. To go there or not is an individual choice.
helpmeplease asked, URGENT HELP! I've gotten admissions at top schools but visas was rejected last month! What to do? I'm in big toubrle!
ARUN VAKIL answers, Try to consult someone. Something must have gone amiss in your interview.
devs asked, sir...i am married with a child. i want to know that if i go to the US as a student, can i take my spouse and child along with me. if yes, where can i get the procedures and relevant details for this. Thanks.
ARUN VAKIL answers, Dependents can go on F-2 visa but you have to prove that you have funds in the US to support them while you study.
ramprasad asked, Sir, May I have your e-mail ID?
ARUN VAKIL answers, ask@arunvakil4usvisas.com or
arunvakil@gmail.com
ashlsey asked, will school officilas pick me up at airport?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Some foreign students help arriving new foreign students at campuses. You have to find out if such system exists at your university.
chotamou asked, is it possible to fly for free in scholarship? is it possible to go by boat to america? I'd like to cruise this summer and through greece and end up in US in time.
ARUN VAKIL answers, There is no scholarship that allows you to travel for free. You can go by ship if you wish.
milind1984 asked, i have taken a visa date at mumbai embassy with 1 university i20 but m still wtng for rply frm an another univ... is there any way i can change my university after the visa interview??
ARUN VAKIL answers, Yes, but you have to take a new visa after informing
VFS.
Ami asked, Hi sir!I have gained admission in case Western reserve university to major in biomedical engineering.What are the primary things to be tahen from india?
ARUN VAKIL answers, Read
rediff.com articles and the book, 'GATEWAY TO AMERICA'.
ARUN VAKIL says, All missions of life, including studying abroad, require meticulous planning and careful preparation. Well informed is well armed. I therefore suggest that all of you headed abroad for futher studies prepare well and familiarise yourself with the country you are visiting. If you do this, you should have a great experience!
Part I-- Chat Transcript
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