Where can I get information on how to look for a job in the US?"

If you wish to work in the United States, it makes sense to do some groundwork in India itself, rather than hunting for a job after landing there.

In a chat with Get Ahead readers on November 22, visa expert Dr Arun Vakil suggested, "Visit www.nostops.org. It is an excellent website that takes you to a list of possible employers in the US."

Dr Arun Vakil conducts orientation courses for students going to the US, organised by the United States Education Foundation in India and the Indo-American Society. He also lectures on US visas and immigration laws. Dr Vakil has authored Gateway to America, in 1984.

For those of you who missed the chat, here's the transcript.

Part I: Why you may be denied a US student visa

Pranav Kukade asked, Dear Sir, I am B.E. in Polymer Engineering. I have work experience at a PVC Cable manufacturing company between Jan, 06 to Sept., 06. At present, I am not working anywhere. I intend to do M.S. in Plastics Engineering at University of Massachusetts Lowell. I have already received I-20 form. Last week, when I approached the US Consulate, Mumbai for F-1 Student Visa interview, Consular Officer asked me to submit a Technical Qualifications Questionnaire available on VFS Site and my CV by e-mail, which I have already done. Please guide me how much time will it take to get the visa, since I should be at the University in the first week of January.

ARUN VAKIL answers, Difficult to say. However, you can email to US Consulate, asking for your case after a few days on mumbainiv@state.gov.

Sudheer asked, My fater is having 20 years of experience in teaching, Now he is interested in teaching at americal schools..which visa he should look for

ARUN VAKIL answers, First, he should get a job as a teacher. If he is successful, he can get H-1B without waiting.

amigo asked, Sir, I have a few companies that are willing to sponsor me. But I am not sure how to go about the process. I have heard a lot of companies, asking for a lot of money for visa fees. What do you suggest ?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Go to only genuine companies. Do not go to companies that act as agents asking for money because that is risky.

arun asked, Sir, i am a Software Engineer,I want to know tax rate in US to calculate how much money will be deducted from offered salary?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You have to ask your company. They will explain.

Patel asked, Hello Dr. I got my F-1 Visa rejected twice in 2005. I have MCA and B.Sc. Computer science. Now I am going for H-1B visa at Mumbai in December 2006. Will my f-1 rejection have negative impact in getting H-1B ?

ARUN VAKIL answers, No.

jitto asked, My name is Jitto,I have passed B.COM Degree and I am working as a Web Programmer and Online Marketting. I am doing some projects for US clients also and I want to study in US computer related courses I mean Online marketing. What are the things I have to do that? Please guide me ! It is my dream to study in US

ARUN VAKIL answers, Look for universities that teach what you wish to learn, through the Internet or USEFI offices.

Manish asked, Hi, I wanna know can we apply through international training programs???????? Can we trust on them?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Very vague question. You have to apply yourself.

Kapil asked, Hello, I have done my B.Com in 2003 and MBA in 2006. I am currently working in a leading IT company. I wish to do another MBA program from ivy B-School like a Wharton,Stanford or Princeton. Can u plz suggest me what kind of a candidate do these B-Schools look for in terms of Work experience. Will my MBA help in getting me an admission?

ARUN VAKIL answers, It can. You are a good candidate. Try your luck with several IVY universities.

arun asked, I got one offer form US company, they are going to file my H1B VISA for 2007 quota, when the H1B quota will be opened??

ARUN VAKIL answers, October 01, 2007.

Vikas asked, Is it possible to do the second year of MBA in US/Canadian university? what is the procedure? Does such student get good prospects for settlement over there?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You can transfer to another US/ Canadian university in second year. However, settlement is a different issue. It depends on the job that you can get.

Sudheer asked, Hi, I have applied for Working holiday maker visa to UK, to go on a vacation. However the interview was postponed for June 2007. In the mean time i got I20 from a university and iam planning to do my masters in US. The british embassy has put stamp while returning my passport. Q1) Will that have any problem on my F1 visa stamping Q2) I have completed IELTS 6.5 and as per the univeristy rules GMAT can be completed any time before the completion of course..will it be a problem at the embassy

ARUN VAKIL answers, I don't see any problem.

karamjot asked, sir tell me about ur website(if any) or ur emailid by i can get information from you.

ARUN VAKIL answers, www.arunvakil4usvisas.com Email: ask@arunvakil4usvisas.com.

Amit asked, Sir can i apply for Visa for US living in other country ( Third Country) I am holding passport of India and now a days i am in Africa.

ARUN VAKIL answers, You still have to prove that you have permanent home and property in India to which you will return.

saurabh asked, Good afternoon sir, could you please advise about the procedure for an M-1 visa

ARUN VAKIL answers, Visit the VFS web site.

raghav asked, Hello Sir. I'm a 26 yr old banker interested in doing my MBA fro US.i have picked up UTD (university of Texas at Dallas) Cohort program as my aim. Does Gmat becomes THE MOST crucial factor or other things (acads, workex, strong appln etc play a great role as well?

ARUN VAKIL answers, All aspects are taken into consideration. Entrance tests alone do not decide about admission and visas.

rani asked, Sir my once a student visa nad Visit visa to US got rejected.Later Spouse visa got declined due to wrong information given by husband.can she apply for student again?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Take professional help. Someone will have to study all papers before advising in this case.

Geezer asked, I did masters from uk with 18 months of experience,I got a I20 from university where GMAT AND toefl is not required. . So my question is -can the entry clearance officer reject my application on this basis( no GMAT AND TOEFL SCORES)

ARUN VAKIL answers, Normally not, but entrance tests are more acceptable tools to decide on the issuance of student visas.

student asked, i have an I-20 with me for a university..but i wants to wait for the other univ I-20..now the problem is that time is running out so I have apply for the F1 visa based on docs at hand.wat if i want to change the school before/after visa?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You can explain to the Visa officer at the time of the interview if you want to take up another university and you have another I-20 in hand. He will decide. If you get second I-20 after first visa is issued, then you have to start the procedure all over again.

USABOUND asked, thanx sir. where can I get some information on how to look for a jon for him? i wish to make some ground from here and not start looking for a job after landing there...

ARUN VAKIL answers, Visit www.nostops.org. It is an excellent website that takes you to a list of possible employers in the US.

jimmy asked, i'm in the 2nd year of H1B visa, can i convert it to F1 visa

ARUN VAKIL answers, You can but take professional help.

rahul asked, how can i get work permit to go to US. i have done my B.com in 1999 persuing my MBA now. i have more than 6 years of working experiance. do u have any agencies for this

ARUN VAKIL answers, You have to get a job first. Visit www.nostops.org and also www.dice.com for jobs.

raja asked, hello Sir Iam in d verge of completion of my Masters in Sweden.Iam planning for a second Masters in US what woudl be my chances of getting a visa and Can i apply my visa from Sweden.

ARUN VAKIL answers, You can apply from Sweden but you have to show your family property, to which you will return ultimately, in India.

krishna asked, Where can I get to know list of college/universities approved by US Education body

ARUN VAKIL answers, Go to Google and type 'Accredited US universities and colleges'.

karamjot asked, sir,what is the difference between GMAT and TOEFL.Is GMAT apply in canada? sir actually i want to study in canada. please tell me about the sites,books which can prepare me for these exams ,which can tell me about the procedure to get visa,fees in different colleges etc.

ARUN VAKIL answers, GMAT is the entrance test for admission to business schools in US for master's programme. TOEFL is English language test. Go to Google and type 'Canadian universities'.

rani asked, I am told as there is so much gap I won't be getting admission for M.S(Life Sciences) is it so?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You have to try and find out.

aaman asked, can u suggest me of a good placement in IT world

ARUN VAKIL answers, Visit www.nostops.org

anurup asked, Sir i m now doing my B.Tech in Mechanical in G.I.E.T.,Orissa, I want to do M.Tech in Robotics .What i have to done

ARUN VAKIL answers, Look for US universities that teach Robotics on the net and apply to them.

frankyd asked, I'am in the process of applying for a M-1 visa for Commercial Pilot's License course. I've got my I-20 and I have exactly the same amount in my bank as the total cost of the course all inclusive. Is having more money at my disposal beneficial in getting a visa and is there any different policies/procedures followed for a M-1 after 9/11 for a CPL course?

ARUN VAKIL answers, No different procedure after 9/11 for CPL. Show US sponsorship and/ or loan to finance your studies.

student asked, lets assume tht applicant has a good financial bkgrnd..but still if a VO is skeptical abt his arrival back home..in this case how can an applicant acc to u convince a VO of his arrival back in india? I mean what will abolish his doubt? how shud an applicant handle such a scenario..any tricks? i am sure only u can answer this..

ARUN VAKIL answers, Show your finances and specific future plan in your area of discipline.

Nikky asked, I want to work in USA. I need H1-B visa sponsor. Please help me.

ARUN VAKIL answers, Visit www.nostops.org and www.H1Bsponsors.com

mohit asked, hello sir i am preparing for GMAT and toefel and want to pursue MBA from top US universities like Harvard or Stanford n the likes... could you tell me what is the best time to apply for Student visa, the expenses and an other details?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You have to check with universities for expenses which differ from place to place. Applying for visa is 120 days before start of your course.

Trupti asked, Hello sir plz ans this Q.I am apotetial Fall 2007 student for PhD .I intend to marry my boyfriend in 2 yrs(families approved) but since we r not engaged i cant show him as a dependent and ask for F2 rite now.can he get F@ midway through mmy course also can he work there with F2

ARUN VAKIL answers, The spouse can get F-2 after marriage, provided the F-1 applicant can show that financially he/ she can support F-2 person.

Rajeshwari asked, Sir, I had applied for H-4 Visa in Dec'05. I got a date in June 06. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I did not have the need for that visa. I did not attend the interview on the prescibed day and also did not bother to inform the officials abt me not attending it, did not cancel the appointment either. Will this affect my future applications for a visa, esp. F-1

ARUN VAKIL answers, No.

Rajeshwari asked, Sir, I had applied for H-4 Visa in Dec'05. I got a date in June 06. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I did not have the need for that visa. I did not attend the interview on the prescibed day and also did not bother to inform the officials abt me not attending it, did not cancel the appointment either. Will this affect my future applications for a visa, esp. F-1

ARUN VAKIL answers, No.

suhas asked, My Vissa was rejected in the august 2006 I have submitted fresh application My interview date is 28th November 2006. sir please let me guide how to clear my vissa sir my e-mail is sdasgekar @yahoo.com

ARUN VAKIL answers, Which visa you are talking about?

deshit asked, Sir, I had applied for H-4 Visa in Dec'05. I got a date in June 06. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I did not have the need for that visa. I did not attend the interview on the prescibed day and also did not bother to inform the officials abt me not attending it, did not cancel it either. Will this affect my future applications for a visa, esp. F-1 .

ARUN VAKIL answers, No.

amigo asked, why are H1 visa ppl have to pay taxes sir ?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Those who earn have to pay taxes.

Faiyaz asked, I am currently working in Eire. Can I apply for Green card from here.

ARUN VAKIL answers, We have to evaluate your situation to decide.

hasmukh asked, Sir, Can I show my part time experience during my MCA study for H1 B?

ARUN VAKIL answers, You can, but your experience should match your advertised job.

anant asked, Hello Sir, I would be going to US for a two year MBA program in Fall 2007, on F1 visa. Do I need to show my income tax returns for the visa?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Yes definitely.

deshit asked, how r u sir ? in which city u r currently ?

ARUN VAKIL answers, Mumbai.

ARUN VAKIL says, Well, friends. I have to close now. Write to me on ask@arunvakil4usvisas.com if your questions are unanswered. There are many questions and it is not possible to answer all of them in 60 minutes. Trust all of you get visas. Cheers.

Part I: Why you may be denied a US student visa

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