The US Student VISA Interview - How They Evaluate a Student

After rejection of student VISA, many would be wondering about the criteria in which the Consular Officer decided that your VISA should be rejected. Are you one of them?

Here we go. At the outset, please do not feel that the Consular Officer is very rude and don’t want to help you. In fact, they are not at desk to help anyone; they are very much worried about the US VISA law. It is their responsibility to ensure that the purpose of applying for VISA is genuine. Many people come up with fake documents to get an entry to the US at any cost and once they get it, they vanish. The US government does not want to encourage these illegitimate activities. That is the reason why the interview for US student VISA is very tough and demands high concentration on what you are going to say.

Below given are the things that run through the Consulate Officer while interviewing a student VISA applicant:

Genuineness:

It is a very difficult and crucial part in the interview for a consulate officer. Is this student heading to the US for studying or faking? Is this student’s intention is to work in the US during academic year? Will he/she leave USA after completion of education? The officer would ask tricky questions to unveil the real intention of the student sitting in front. In this situation a student might get confused or feel demotivated. The only solution is to think a lot about this part of interview and be ready with a convincing answer. If you are not sure, say it honestly. This is just to express that you have done homework about the matter.

About the academic program:

Yes, it will be a brilliant question from the officer. Why USA when there are many universities in your homeland and other parts of the world? You should explain the reason for selecting USA for your higher education with convincing facts. It is very important to link your academic program with the employment situations available in India. This will throw an impression that you are not planning to continue in the US after studies. That’s what Consular Officer is looking for.

Financial situation:

Education in the US is expensive compared to other countries. Other than fees, you should possess enough money for food, accommodation, traveling, medical etc. So, it is important that you should furnish details about the source of finance to study in USA. Some students would go with scholarships but most of the students are self-depended. Convince the Consular Officer that you have enough financial resource to stay and study in USA.

About your family:

The officer will be interested to know about your family in India and abroad. This is to ensure that you have enough reasons to study abroad and come back for a prosperous future in India itself. If you cannot give satisfactory answer, the officer may assume that you are planning to continue in USA after education.

Current situation in India:

You don’t have to worry much about this part of interview; it’s not in your hands. The embassy officers have clear idea about the financial, employment and political situation of each country. They are ready with all the latest information about the country they are working in. The reason they connect the situation in India with your VISA application is to make sure that you have opportunities in India when you come back after education. There are numerous incidents from citizens of poor or unstable countries to provide fake documents to get into USA and find a better living.

Read more »

Tips for Students Who Plan to Travel Abroad

Are you a student ready to fly abroad for the first time? Most of the times, students do not plan well or seek advice from experts which would result in obstacles or unsatisfactory experiences. You can avoid such unexpected impediments by following a few simple tips regarding travel, accommodation etc. Don’t worry, here are a few things which will help you save money and get other needs done in 

satisfactorily. 

Book tickets much in advance: You might be waiting for your visa approval and plans to buy flight 

tickets after the arrival of visa. This is not a good practice as by the time you go for ticket booking prices may go high due to increased demand. It is wise to get the tickets booked in advance because you can save money and do not have to worry about ticket availability. There are airline companies who refund the ticket amount if your visa gets rejected. 

Get Special Offers for Students: Airline companies announce special offers for students throughout the year. But, most of the times you will miss it or ignore it. Approach a travel agent and look for offers available exclusively for students during your time of travel. This way you can enjoy benefits like discounts on airfare, carry more luggage for free etc. 

Seek the help of a travel agent: It is a misunderstanding that travel agents charge more money from 

you. In reality, they can help you save money. Travel Agents are well connected with airline companies and keep updated on offers and deals provided by each service provider. By getting tickets booked by travel agents will definitely bring you savings in travel cost and other benefits.

Finding Accommodation: It is very important to find suitable accommodation in the country you are going to live for a while. Do the arrangements before you leave. You got to know about the 

neighbourhood areas in that country and facilities for food, transportation etc. Consult appropriate 

agents who can help you find a convenient accommodation for affordable rates. This way you ensure 

that you live in a most comfortable place and also is within your budget. 

The crux of planning well before travel is to make sure that you will get satisfactory services while travelling and after reaching destination. You can ensure a safe and effortless travel once everything is arranged in a proper way.

Read more »

Why Student Visa to USA Gets Rejected?

A VISA to USA is not an easy apple to pluck. Consular Officers in the US embassies are well trained and experts in smelling the true intention of the applicant. They may not ask too many questions but will be observing your body language, expressions and all. Those who have applied for student VISA in USA should be very careful while answering questions. The reason for rejection may sound silly, but Consulate Officers are very sure about their decision.

Most of the times, the reason for VISA rejection will be ‘Section 214(b)’ of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.  As per section 214(b) the Consulate Officer should be convinced that the applicant has a true intention to leave her/his home country and shall return after completion of the purpose to visit USA. If a proper and convincing answer is not provided by the applicant, it is likely that the VISA gets rejected.

For e.g., a student was asked why did he chose that particular University for doing his course. He sincerely answered that he has a few years of experience in the same field and wants to go for advanced studies which will bring him better opportunities. Immediately his VISA got rejected. The Consulate Officer assumed that he is planning to continue in the US even after his studies which the officer is not happy with. So always be ready with a convincing answer which does not kill the purpose. The consulate officer will be looking into your social, economic, family and other ties to India which will ensure your return from the US after studies. Give them proper information which will guarantee your return from the US.

Another reason for rejecting VISA is that the officer is not satisfied with your qualifications for that particular VISA category. In that case always be ready with documents which will prove that you are eligible for getting the VISA. Clearly demonstrate your qualifications and experience with the help of supporting documents and do not get panic if the consulate officer looks unhappy. Remember that they don’t spend hours to analyse you; they are well trained that from the first look itself they can judge you. Be confident and speak clearly with good accent and don’t show your tensions to the officer.

Remember that you alone are responsible for the rejection of VISA. Do not try to fake any information related to you which has been submitted to the embassy. They all are stored in their database and you cannot make any changes to it when go for reapply. So be sincere and always give exact information to them. Many VISA consultants train you to fake but the consulate officer can easily identify it and it may lead to permanent VISA rejection.

Read more »

It’s time for Holiday-Makers – Easy Going

Holidays are stuffed with moments of fun, happiness and entertainment. It is a break from all the worries and busy schedules of both professional and personal life. It’s a hilarious time to spend with family or friends. There are uncountable holiday spots around the globe to visit and experience, packed with everything and anything that you expect from your dream vacation. Still, unplanned or misguided holiday packages are enough to spoil your good days and return with bitter memories.

Expectations of Holiday-Makers:

Travel with ease:

Yes, you plan to go for holidays in another country and you need excellent travelling experience. You look for cheaper fares and at the same time good quality services. Many a times a cheaper fare doesn’t guarantee a better travel experience. At the same time, getting your travel planned with the help of an expert travel service provider, like us would give you the satisfaction you are expecting. We know the exact quality of services that are available in the market. We can advise you on choosing the service that is cheap and best.

On-board services:

It is a matter of concern while travel abroad for holidays. A smiling response or assistance that you get from flight attenders can add cream to your memorable journey. Sometimes you may need immediate attention from flight attenders and it will be mind-blowing when you get it. Ask us and we can ensure your comfort and safely during travelling by help choosing the best known service available ever.

Food and Beverages:

This part has an important role in making your holidays mesmerizing. To taste and celebrate the special and regional cuisine is one of the main plan-of-actions for holiday-makers. But, where to find the food and beverages that are famous for its traditional elements is something confusing. The hotels or resorts where you stay might serve you with all those famous dishes, but what if it is much tastier and cheaper in some other nearby location? Ask us for the locations that are recognized for serving the best food in town. You may not get a second chance to experience the finger-licking taste of a masterpiece cuisine.

Entertainments, Fun and More:

It is fun time and you need to be flourished with entertainment. Your kids want to experience the fun at its peak. Entertainment facilities differ place to place and it is unique everywhere. We can help find you the spots where you will have attractive and fun-filled entertainment facilities for children and adults. All you want to do is to get ready to go for the hyper level of entertainment and fun that is meant to fill your holidays with sweat memories.

Read more »

Top 5 places to visit in Jaipur

Jaipur aka The Pink City is the capital of Rajasthan in Northern India. The city is famous for its palaces and forts with tailor-made architecture which evokes the glorious past of the Rajput era. Jaipur is called the pink city because of the pink buildings and walls in the city. It is one a major tourist attractions in Rajasthan, to say India. Below are some of the important attractions in the

Amber Fort and Palace:

Overlooking the Maota Lake, Amber Fort is a major tourist attraction in Jaipur. It was the home of Rajput Maharajas and its architecture is filled with breath taking palaces, gardens, halls and temples. The fort is just half an hour away from Jaipur city. The light and sound show in the evenings held at the fort will be a mesmerizing experience for a tourist. If you are an art lover and wants know about traditional block art, visit Anokhi Museum near the fort where workshops on block art are conducted. Night tourism called ‘Amber by night’ allows visitors to roam around elegantly illuminated Diwan-e-Aam, Jaleb Chowk, Sheesh Mahal and Mansingh Mahal

City Palace:

City palace showcases the richness of the Royal Family of Jaipur. The architecture of the palace is a combination of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. The Palace has huge breath taking courtyards, gardens and buildings. Peacock gate for example is a wonderful example of detailed workmanship and artistic talent of that time. There are museum, art gallery and displays of royal costumes and old weapons inside the palace. The palace is a door opener to the history and legacy of Royal Family of Jaipur, The Rajputs.

Hawa Mahal:

The most recognized building in Jaipur, hawa Mahal is a perfect example of craftsmanship and architectural intelligence. It was constructed in 1799 and has five floors with small windows in every side to make wind flow inside without any disturbances. The palace faces towards the main street of Old City, the legend is that the women of royal family can watch the street below without getting noticed. However, wind is no more flowing inside the palace as most of the windows are sealed now.

Jantar Mantar observatory:

Build by the Kind Jai Singh II, Jantar Mantar is a perfect example of technological advancement at that time. This is not just a collection of sculptures but is meant to calculate time, track stars and predict eclipses. Samrat Yantra Sundai is a major attraction here which is 90 ft. tall and has a shadow that moves every minute to show how quickly is time passes by.

Jaigarh Fort:

Jaigarh Fort is a favourite place for lovers of military and amours. The world’s largest cannon on wheels is in Jaigarh Fort. Towering gateways and watch towers in the fort furnishes the history of militancy in Rajput Era. 

Read more »

How to Plan a Trip?

Plan wisely for a memorable journey:
Is it that easy to just pack and leave for a journey? No, it is not. You have to think about lot things before you start your travel. There are important matters like expense, tickets, time and all. It is always sensible to plan your travel a few months before the journey and you can save more money for traveling, you can see more places where you go and what not. Here are a few tips for planning your travel to make it a memorable experience ever.

Where am I going?

Ask yourself this question hundred times. Where to go, which place you want to see, why I want to visit that place etc. Look through a binocular the answer you got. Is it really a place you want to see? If the answer is positive, narrow your focus. Think about Machu Picchu than Latin America.  Hit a nail on the map. Now you have a clear idea about the place you are eagerly waiting to visit. Good job, you have done with the first and most important step in your travel planning.

How long I want to be there?

Now that you have come to a conclusion about the place you want to go. The next question behind you is how much time you are going to spend in your favourite location. Is it for a week or a month? Relax and think well. Is your holidays allow you to stay there as per your wish? How many days, including the time you have to spend in flight/train/bus. Pen down the time you have to spend on traveling and calculate the exact time you get to be in your destination. This is not a hard thing to do. Your travel agent can give you all the information on traveling time and all. Once it is finalized, you are ready to go ahead with other things that matters a lot.

Do I have enough money?

Nothing is free in this world! You need money for tickets, food, accommodation and other expenses. Take a paper and pen and start filling the expenses column. Ticket charges, expected food and beverages costs per day, hotel/home rent, attractions which need tickets etc. You can figure out average cost per day by including all the expenses in the list. This makes an easy way to plan your total expected travel costs.

Gather money:

You have plenty of time to gather money for your dream journey. This is the farthermost advantage of planning a trip well in advance. Identify the loops where money is wasted more. Avoid unnecessary expenses which you really don’t need. Cut down a beer or a pizza from your routine. You can save some handsome amount by carefully using telephone. Stop having food from hotel and learn and try cooking. Keep away from parties with friends and all. There are numerous things in your life that steals money like steal someone blind.

Check for updates:

Be flexible, that helps you in finding a better travel planning. There will be offers that you missed to see. Keep on searching for latest offers and deals announced by tour operators and travel agencies. Sometimes you may come across a great dear which can give you double impact on your budget. The word ‘flexible’ is very important at this stage. You still remember the first question you asked yourself rite? What if you can enjoy a trip to another location for much lower expense? Don’t think much, just grab the opportunity. It won’t make any difference if you go to Singapore instead of Mauritius. What you want is a trip that will give you a sweet memory. Let Mauritius wait for you some other time. This way you can enjoy all the benefits of a budget travel and don’t forget to do a shopping with surplus money.

Read more »

7 attractive places in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is a southern state in India which is known for its historical aspects and cultural diversities. Tamil Nadu was under the ruling of ancient dynasties like Chera, Pandya, and Chola. The long history of Tamil Nadu under various dynasties contributed to the land a lot of monuments and attractive temples which are now major attractions in the state. Tamil Nadu is very particular about its culture and traditions. There are a number of attractions to explore for a keen tourist. Let’s go through some of them.

Chennai:

Earlier known as Madras, Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. The city houses major heritage structures like light house, railway stations, museums and more. Chennai is an important place for South Indian cinema because in earlier times the cinema world was totally depended on film studios in Chennai. Neat and beautiful beaches are another attraction of Chennai. Though the climate in Chennai is always hot and humid, no one would deny the fact that beaches in Chennai are wonderful. An evening walk in Mount Road or Burma Bazar in Parrys Corner will be most enjoyable places for those who love shopping.

Mahabalipuram:

Mahabalipuram is one of the prominent tourist places in Tamil Nadu. Also known as Mamallapuram, the place is known for ancient monuments and has been classified as a heritage site by UNESCO. The monuments built with granite display the architectural brilliancy of Dravidian culture. The carvings in the monuments are fruit for eyes and other than monsoon tourists flow to Mahabalipuram to see the craft shown by artisans. There are numerous temples which are perfect examples of sculptures and there is a story behind each monument too.

Kanyakumari:

Kanyakumar is one of the favorite tourist destinations in India. The coastal town is famous for its diverse culture and historical constructions. This is a place where one can view sunrise and sunset at the same beach. The water body of this enchanting beach includes Indian Ocean, Arabian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Kanyakumari is also a favorite destination for pilgrimage. You can taste unique Dravidian cuisine here in Kanyakumari which food lovers will never forget.

Madurai:

Madurai is special; it is one of the oldest cities in the world to be inhabited. Madurai is known for the temples which stand as the hallmark of the city. Tourists visit Madurai to explore the temples in the city showcasing the ancient artistic brilliancy. Madurai Meenakshi Temple is the most visited temple and which was mentioned in ancient scripts. Madurai is the most important pilgrimage for Tamil people.

Kodaikanal:

Kodaikanal, is a hill station famous for thick forests and cool weather. Kodaikanal is mostly preferred by honeymooners for its beautiful lakes, forests and waterfalls. This place is located in the Palani Hills. Tourists, especially photographers and trekkers choose Kodaikanal as their favorite destination. There are many places like Bryant Park, Coaker's Walk, Bear Shola Falls, Green Valley View (Suicide Point), Pine forests, Shembaganur Museum of Natural History, Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Pillar Rocks, Guna caves, Silver Cascade, Dolphin's Nose etc.

Ooty:

Ooty is one of the favourite hill stations in India for tourists. Situated in the Nilgiri Mountains, Ooty also is a primary choice for honeymooners. Throughout the year, Ooty maintains pleasant and cool climate and it has many lakes, mountains, valleys and graders to wander around. Ooty holds a major place in Tamil Nadu tourism. Like Kodaikanal, Ooty ensures a chilled memory to its visitors.

Kanchipuram:

An ancient city known for silk, Kanchipuram situates in the banks of river Vegavathy. Kanchipuram also was ruled by various dynasties and the monuments in the city exhibit its rich cultural ethnicities. This place is famous for its natural and man-made attractions and has bird sanctuary, temples, backwater and beaches for its visitors.

Read more »