Hassle-free route to student visa in US-Relatives in the US can give financial guarantee via I-134 form

Dreaming of studying in the United States, but short of finances? Don't worry, aspirants can explore the possibility of a friend or a relative in the US extending financial help for that degree and the lucrative career it brings along.

The US Government allows its residents to give financial guarantee through I-134 form, which is basically an affidavit of support promising to fulfil the financial needs of a prospective student of a US University.


Fake and fail



"This document will convince the visa officer that the student will pay the required fee and so the chances of visa being issued are more," says Arun C. Vakil, a visa and immigrant specialist and the author of `Gateway to America.'

Not many are aware of this simple and more reliable route and students tend to fall prey to the consultants who suggest criminal ideas like "fake" documents of properties or "created" bank balances. Generally visa officers tend to suspect the financial status of applicants in India but since the I-134 document is issued by the US Government its authenticity cannot be questioned. "This clause has been there for several years but not many make use of it owing to lack of awareness," says Mr. Vakil.

The highest visa rejections in India are because of financial statements. Mr. Vakil suggests that applicants can also submit the financial documents of their siblings or close relatives apart from the documents of parents instead of fabricated records.


Directive to officers



Parents' financial statement is very important but Visa officials can consider the documents of siblings and relatives to decide the financial health of the applicant. "They are better than fake documents," he advises.

According to Mr. Vakil the US Government had recently directed its visa officers across the world to relax their critical approach in visa issuanceand it would surely raise the hopes of Indian students. Under section 214 (b) of the Immigration and National Act, Visa officers consider every student applicant as a prospective immigrant.


Good for students



But the new directive will confine the officer's suspicion to the authenticity of the application and his genuine interest in pursuing the course and not what the student intends to do after the completion of the course.

"This is a positive development that will help Indian students," he feels.