F1 visa urgent help plz

[sivapriya]

Hi

My interview is onthe 13th dec for F1 visa. I am starting asa teaching assistant with stioend and scholarship. My sister and her family live in USA. She is ona H4 and my BIL on H1.
My query is

On the DS 156 from it asks if any family member is in uSa nd their visastatus. Should I mention about my sister? My stipend would be enough to cover the cost of education and living.
Are my chances of rejection more if I mention about my sister and her family, although she is not sponsoring me.
If I do mention, I hve the documents showing my BIL's job, sister and BIL's visa status etc. Do i produce these documents anyway or is anything needed more???

PlZ help.

Thanks

Sivapriya

[abaner]

Priya,

Put the names & visa types in the DS156 forms but do not bring them up yourselve in your interview or volunteer any other 'extra' information. If the Consular asks then only answer that they are ona H1 & H4 visa and yes they live in US & if only asked give your BILs' occupation and city where they live. If they ask are you going to depend on them then tell the Officer 'No Way' (to show that your BIL - sister and you are different entities and that you are self-reliant and have enough mony to cover the cost of MS & expenses besides the stipend). If asked are you going to visit them say yes on vacation time. Put your colleges' address as place of stay in US. Make sure your BIL has not filed for a GC.

Most importantly sound confident and make eye-contact , smile & say a lot of 'Please'/Excuse me/Thank you, etc.'. have your documents in hand and keep your BILs' docs nearby in a folder but do not show them unless asked for.

Hope this helps, All The Best.

Senior Members please add any other inputs/feedbacks.

ps: No Legal/Moral Advise.

[sivapriya]

Hi Abaner

Thanks a lot for the advice. I really appreciate it.

Priya

[sivapriya]

I successfully got my F1 visa in Delhi.

Thanks to all those people who helped me through this.

Sivapriya

[abaner]

Priya,

Congratulations on getting the F1 visa. I was wondering if you can please let us know what kind of documents you took with you and what kind of questions were asked. Also i was wondering if you can pl. let us know the finacial documents you took with you for the interview. Did you take out a school loan from an Indian bank.

Your feedback shall jelp the aspirants for the F1 visa.