Visa Document Checklist:
- An "initial" I-20 issued by the Louisiana Tech University
- A valid passport (valid at least 6 months from visa interview appointment date)
- Proof of payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee ($100):
You may pay the SEVIS fee
online.
- Proof of returning home: Students must adequately convey to the visa officer their
intent to return home upon the completion of their studies. This means communicating that you have strong ties to your
home country and you have no intention of abandoning.
-
Visa Application form
- Money: Application fee (non-refundable), cost of the visa (varies with country), and
miscellaneous expenses.
- Photographs: Contact the U.S. Embassy in your country for specific dimensions.
- Evidence of financial support:
- Funds from your sponsor or personal account: Get a current bank statement (should not be
more than 2 months old) or official letter from the bank stating the amount of funds in that account. If the sponsor(s)
is/are not your parent(s) or U.S. citizen(s) or permanent resident(s), the sponsor(s) must complete an I-134 Affidavit
of Support form.
AND/OR
- An official letter stating the amount of your awarded assistantship (for graduate
students only) or on-campus employment per year, if any.
The Visa Interview:
The visa application process includes an interview with a visa officer at the U.S. Consulate. Most frequent reasons for
visa denial are under the following sections:
- 214 (b): Intention to immigrate to the U.S.
- 221 (g): Insufficient documentation
- 212 (a) (4): Likely to become a public charge (insufficient funds)
Of the three reasons listed above, 214 (b) is the most often cited for visa denial. The visa officer will assume that it
is your intent to immigrate to the U.S. It is your responsibility to convince him otherwise. Having family living
permanently in the U.S. is often seen as a reason for you not to return home. Also, the documents you present should be,
and look, authentic. Remember, you only have a couple of minutes to present your request. You should be organized in the
presentation of your request and prepared to clearly express your desire to return home upon completion of your studies.
Transportation:
If you are traveling by air, you can fly into either Monroe (Airport Code: MLU) or Shreveport (Airport Code: SHV),
Louisiana. Monroe is approximately 40 miles from Ruston. From either airport, you can take a taxi to the bus station
and ride the bus to Ruston. If you would like to arrange a pick-up at
Monroe Airport, please complete the
pickup request form at least 7 days
prior to your arrival date. The Association of Indian Students (AIS) at Tech makes the arrangements for pickups each
quarter. You will receive e-mail confirmation of your pickup and will be given the phone number of the student that
would come to pick you up.
If your arrival in Monroe should be delayed, please contact the pickup person
immediately with your new arrival time. You should be prepared to pay the person who picks you up from the airport
$25 ($40, if you fail to contact your driver in case of delay). There is
NO pickup service from the Shreveport
Airport.
If you are traveling by road, you may choose to come directly to Ruston by
Greyhound bus service. If you are driving on your own, take Exit 84 on
Interstate 20 to enter the city of Ruston.
Orientation & Registration
This is
mandatory for all new students whether you are arriving in the United States for the first time or you
are transferring from another school in this country. Orientation will provide you with valuable information to help
make your adjustment easier.
The orientation and registration program is scheduled every quarter in Tolliver Hall, Main Floor. Your attendance will
help you understand the difficult and sometimes confusing process of registering for your first quarter on campus, as
well as give you critical information to help insure you maintain your visa status in the U.S. Please arrive in Ruston
on or the day before the date mentioned on your I-20 (See
item #5
for "no later than"date.) in order to attend Orientation.
