My younger brother recently went for his F1 visa stamping, for his MS studies at a very prestigious school in US, at the US embassy in Delhi . After looking at his I-20 form and admission letter, the visa officer was very pleased and satisfied with his credentials, and asked my brother to collect the passport the next day as he will approve the visa. Srprisingly, he did not even ask any questions in the interview or looked at any other paperwork.
However, the next day after receiving the passport we found out that he had only issued a one year F1 visa!. This was done inspite of the fact that all our documents and university papers (including I-20) clearly mentioned that it is a 2 years Masters of Sciences program. In addition, there were other students who had applied for the same course and university, and they were issued with at least a 3 years F1 visa (which is the norm). We have tried to contact the embassy several times but their front staff would only state that what's been done is the final decision and can't be changed.
I understand that there should not be any problem for my brother to enter US on his current visa as his I-94 will be issued based on his I-20 (which is valid for 2 years). However, after a year when the visa expires and my brother plans to go back to India to visit parents and family, he will have to get a new visa stamped. Now what's the guarantee that it will come through! And if for some reason, this stamping doesn't comes through he will be stuck back in India after having spent a year's worth of money, time and effort. Worse still, he would not be able to finish his MS.
Here are my questions - Is there a possiblility for us to appeal this decision of the visa officer for a one year stamping?
Can we apply for an extension once he gets here.
What's the likelyhood of him getting a confirmed visa the next time when he applies after a year.
Would this become a problem once he starts his OPT?
Please Help !!
Ashish
401-369 1317
However, the next day after receiving the passport we found out that he had only issued a one year F1 visa!. This was done inspite of the fact that all our documents and university papers (including I-20) clearly mentioned that it is a 2 years Masters of Sciences program. In addition, there were other students who had applied for the same course and university, and they were issued with at least a 3 years F1 visa (which is the norm). We have tried to contact the embassy several times but their front staff would only state that what's been done is the final decision and can't be changed.
I understand that there should not be any problem for my brother to enter US on his current visa as his I-94 will be issued based on his I-20 (which is valid for 2 years). However, after a year when the visa expires and my brother plans to go back to India to visit parents and family, he will have to get a new visa stamped. Now what's the guarantee that it will come through! And if for some reason, this stamping doesn't comes through he will be stuck back in India after having spent a year's worth of money, time and effort. Worse still, he would not be able to finish his MS.
Here are my questions - Is there a possiblility for us to appeal this decision of the visa officer for a one year stamping?
Can we apply for an extension once he gets here.
What's the likelyhood of him getting a confirmed visa the next time when he applies after a year.
Would this become a problem once he starts his OPT?
Please Help !!
Ashish
401-369 1317