<p>Thanks for help, all!</p>
<p>I understand:</p>
<p>I-20 3-page form: they DEFINITELY want that.</p>
<p>Passport, photos: mandatory things they will look at (for passport) and keep (for 2"x2" photo)</p>
<p>All other personal and family documents (financial proof, housing): Just in case.</p>
<p>Is this true for you others? :)</p>
<p>Yeah, I-20, all required forms (at least Polish embassy required some), photo, passport. It should have been all I took instead of going there with ton of papers.</p>
<p>^Heh, does not hurt to play safe. They could find you “fishy” and demand to see your (most likely your parents’) property statements.</p>
<p>Now the thing about passports. Do they really ask to see ALL your passports from the last 10 years? Or just the most current one?</p>
<p>It’s always advisable to take originals.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with taking a ton of documents, just make sure you organize them properly lol.</p>
<p>“Better safe than sorrY” - I went with many documents, but I was only asked for my I-20 haha</p>
<p>Speaking of I-20, you collect that back along with your passport and stamped visa right?</p>
<p>Yes
10char</p>
<p>Sometimes they give you some kinda sealed envelope. DO NOT OPEN IT. You must hand it to the officer at the airport.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone’s tips. I got my visa approved in an easy instant!</p>
<p>Now I’d like to share my tip on attire: Dress like a college student. Especially, with the top, just throw on a casual t-shirt. </p>
<p>The interviewing officer ‘sizes you up’ in a couple of seconds. As theatre majors will say, dress the part to simplify things.</p>
<p>Why dress in your sharpest business suit, and have the officer assume you’re applying for a work visa ;)</p>
<p>I was in a suit, and had no problems. I think it depends a fair bit on which country you’re applying from.</p>
<p>lol they stapled my I-20 to my passport.</p>
<p>I dressed casually on my call back :)</p>
<p>Guys, a one-way ticket to America will be fine right?</p>
<p>Don’t you wanna come back for xmas or the first summer? I think it’s cheaper if the flight dates are less than a year apart (depart and return)</p>
<p>^ ^ ^
Good thinking. Return tickets are always cheaper.</p>
<p>Hello dawncoming, when the visa officer ask you those questions what was your response to it? please let me know.</p>
<p>Any one from Pakistan can share their experiences…</p>
<p>Not from Pakistan but pretty close by.</p>
<p>It’s my honest opinion that visa officers go by first impressions, which is a GOOD thing. If you speak fluent English and look like a genuine student, you will have it easy.</p>
<p>People told me I’d have a hard time (religion, ethnicity, etc) but the interview went very smoothly. It lasted less than a minute and I answered just three or four questions before she approved my visa.</p>
<p>Advice? Be honest and be yourself. If you are interested in simply furthering your education in the States and nothing more, they will know and you will get your visa.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Can everyone state their country of citizenship and how long their visas were valid for? Interested to know if there are any disparities.</p>
<p>P.R. China (applied in Singapore) - 1 year for me.</p>
<p>Got my visa on the 30th.
Bangladesh - valid till May 2014</p>
<p>My interview was a joke. I handed my documents to the officer at the first desk I had to go to. Then I was fingerprinted and waited for the interview. They called 3 people in a row and they said exactly the same to all of us.
Officer: How are you doing?
Me: Fine, thanks!
Officer: Your documents look all right, you will get your visa in 2-3 days.
Me: Okay, thanks.
That was it. Somebody asked bout the visa length. I’m from Bulgaria and it’s valid till May 2014.
By the way, I got my I-20 the way I gave it. I read that it should be enveloped. What about others?</p>
<p>about I-20s:</p>
<p>I think they’re meant for interviewing officer to read (if they bother, that is) to find out about your college name, major and method of financing your edu.</p>
<p>So I think during the visa app process, the I-20 is ‘read-only’, nothing to stamp or sign.</p>
<p>But I’ve read I-20 is REALLY important when you wanna leave USA and re-enter (summer holidays, etc). That’s when u need it signed as the airport will check that.</p>
<p>Some1 confirm this pls?</p>