Hello All:
This review will be based on my recent experiences at the American Embassy at New Delhi, where I applied for the student F-1 visa.
In general, all those who apply for the F-a student visa should keep in mind the following details, which will assist your application.:
Fill out all the forms completely. Incase there is some box which is not applicable to you, then write NONE. Do not strike off or write NA anywhere. It could be detrimental.
If you have an appointment in the morning then start out early. An hour earlier would be good enough. This embassy is situated in Chanakyapuri and for those coming from south Delhi, (infact for anyone) there could be road blocks for VIP’s cavalcade. I had a similar ordeal and had to wait for approx. 15 minutes before the cavalcade passed.
Be sure to carry the printed appointement letter that you get. If you do not carry this, then you will not be allowed to enter the embassy.
Do NOT carry any electronic gadgets with you. Not even a mobile phone.
So this was in general for all those applying for the F-1 visa. At the ND embassy, one has to pass through a pre-screening. This is nothing but a fancy name to a scrutiny by some indians of your passport, I-20 and the visa forms. A note of caution: the indians sitting at the counter can be quite impolite. Don’t loose your patience.
Once inside, you would have to normally queue up and wait for your turn. There are refreshments and you could take some. The consulars are normally (this was my experience) very polite. Be yourself. Don’t shout there: I say this because I have often noticed a lot of indians speaking at the top of their voice to the person right infront of them. Say at a good enough decible level so that the officer can hear you. Answer all the questions to the fullest and to the point and this is important. Do not produce a document if not asked for.
An easy and good way to arrange your docuiments is in these three categories:
Academic Documents: Includes your grade cards, certificates, I-20, etc.[You have to prove that you are a good student and that you will be able to finish your studies well in time with flying colours. If there was a break in studies then give a good and convincing reason and prove it if need be.]
Financial Documents: Documents to prove that you can support yourself in the US.
Ties to your motherland: Since you are applying for a non-immigrant visa, it is important for you to prove that you have binding ties to your country. Lists of immediate relatives living in the country could be useful. Also if you have some property in your name that would be good.
Take a covering letter with all the items written in order.
My interview went like this.
Consular: Hi.
I: Hello Sir.
[Goes through my passport]
Consular: So why did you go to Germany.
I replied as to why am here adding that I would first go to Germany from India and then to US.
Consular: SO how do you plan to support yourself.
I: I have an assistantship.
Consular: [chuckles] So they are going to make you work?
I: Yes sir.
Consular: Ok, go to the TK (the courier service that delivers the passport with the visa at your home) and arrange for your passport and visa delivery.
I: Thank you sir.
Consular: Good Luck.
Further information regrading the application can be obtained through the US embassy (New Delhi) website: https://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
All in all, in my presence I saw absolutely no visa application being rejected. Some interviews were lengthy but every applicant got the visa.
Good luck to all who apply.
PS: Among all the embassies I have visited so far the staff at this embassy was among the most professional and polite.