To get a US study visa or tourist visa you must use Visa Facilitation Service. But do you know how?

 VFS was appointed in October 2005, to provide information, appointments and courier services to applicants throughout India. Under this system, applicants are asked to complete their visa forms online using an interactive website that assists applicants in avoiding data entry errors.

Dr Arun Vakil, US visa expert, chatted with Get Ahead users on July 26, 2007. He discussed how to use the VFS web site and several other visa issues.

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

Ratan asked, hello Dr Arun, My H1 Visa has been approved for year 2007. Do i need to submit my Degree Convocation Certificate at time of Visa Stamping. I dont have the Convocation certificate but i do have the Provisional degree vertificate

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Provisional certificate is ok.

HPatel asked, How many time we can change job on H1B? Can we invest in sharemarket in USA on H1B VISA

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Change of job is possible on H1B. There is no numerical limit but if you do frequently, it will be questioned by US immigration. You can invest in sharemarket in US.

ash asked, say somthing about the retrogression of nurses

Dr Arun Vakil answers, This happens according to demand and supply situation. There are slow movements for availability of visas for nurses even though there is heavy demand.

jigar asked, hey arun. i am studying m.sc biomedical science in london metropolitan university in london. i will finished my degree in sep-07. and my parents live in u.s.a permenent base and they allready send my file but it take 8 to 10 years becoz they have green cards. so can u tell me which visa i applay for as soon as posible i go there.??? plz reply me .

Dr Arun Vakil answers, If they have filed for your immigrant visa, you cannot get non-immigrant visa. However, it cannot take eight to ten years as you state.

vcprabhu asked, Afternoon Arun, My application for H1-B did'nt get through the random selection process for this year, yet my consultant says that my aplication could be taken up again since it's come back with some sort of a stamp from USCIS. How true is this?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, It can be taken up again only next year in a normal course.

abhinav asked, hello sir, i am leaving to pursue my MS from UCLA, i have recieved an F-1 Visa valid up to 5 years,but the duration of my course if 2 years.Why is it so,can u give me a reason.Regards Abhinav Singh

Dr Arun Vakil answers, You are lucky to get long term visa. However, after you finish your education in two years, legally you can stay for one more year if you apply for 'Optional Practical Training.' After that, you have to return even if your visa is valid for five years.

Debashis asked, Hi Arun, I ahve an L1 for the company I am working with. I am in India, what do I need to do to get an H1?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, An employer in the US has to file for you first which gets approved by US Departmentt of Labour and USCIS and then you can file.

kartik asked, Hello sir, There are sometime one star(*) or two stars printed on the visa? what do they signify?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Technical information for official purposes of Immigration officers. You have not to bother about it

Amit Kumar Arora asked, Hi Dr Vakil,I am a Physiotherapist in a reputed delhi Hospital,with 4 yrs workink experience.what are my future prospects 4 woking in USA.ALSO I HAVE BEEN REFUSE TOURIST VISA in june07,as I am single and young with no previous travel outside india.can i reapply tpurist visa and what are the chances 4 getting the visa.

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Try to appear for student visa with admission in advanced Physiotherapy.

Anu asked, Can a married lady apply 4 h1b visa? If not then which else category she'll follow

Dr Arun Vakil answers, If you have special skills for which you can get a job in the US, you can certainly apply for H1B. But first you must have a job.

Jino asked, Hi arun , I have 9 years experience in servicing of medical equipments, and have done a diploma in
electronics.I would like to work in USA. how shold I proceed to apply for the visa

Dr Arun Vakil answers, You have to get a job first before applying for visa. From your present background, it does not look that you have special skills to qualify for H1B visa.

gopi asked, Hello sir, please let me know, is there any plan to increase the H1B quota for 2008? becuase mine is not selected in the lottary system. what to do next, plese guide me. thanks

Dr Arun Vakil answers, No immediate plans for increase in H1B quota in 2008 though pro-immigrant groups are pushing for it. Picture may become clearer after US Presidential elections scheduled in 2008.

shroffy1 asked, Hi, My brother is a US citizen how should he go about filing F4 petition and what would be the wait time?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, He can file from the US form I-130 for you, but wait time is considerable. You should try other options.

janak asked, Hello Sir, My questionis thati was deportedfrom us for 5 yrs for overstaying can go there again?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Tough situation. Seek professional advice.

Murugu asked, Hi Dr.Arun, My H1-B has been Approved for 2007. I stay in Bangalore. Can I schedule Visa interviews at Mumbai or New Delhi, instead of Chennai US Consulate? Thank you.

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Normally it should be Chennai. If there is very long delay, only then you can try elsewhere if you are not refused before.

Santosh asked, Hi Arun,i have a my Visa for Australia,its a permanent Visa ? Can i apply for H1B ???how much time does it take it take to get the H1B,if applying from india ??

Dr Arun Vakil answers, You can. Timing could be one year if you get it in next year quota available from Oct 1, 2008.

amanjeet asked, My H1-B has been Approved for 2007 .Now i'm only worried about the Interview like what exactly VISA Officers ask and what should we say or don't say in the interview.?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Read my book GATEWAY TO AMERICA which covers all these details. It is available at all major bookstores in India.

rahul asked, hi arun, iam student in paris, i got h1b approval and i want to make changes to my resume for interview, i dont want to keep the same as which i applied for uscis when applying and my other question is, can the people in us consulate can access my old resume online , which i had applied for uscis??????what do u suggest me to do

Dr Arun Vakil answers, You could take new resume at your interview time and explain to Visa Officer of the change made by you.

hari asked, Hello Dr. I had applied for a H1B in 2000 june. they referred it to AFU. what does it signify. iam i eligible again to apply for a visit visa? or is it as good as the door is shut?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Looks like a old case. Forget it. Try with a new employer for new H1B.

Anju asked, If company sponsorship is not allowed then how will I find out h1b employers???? Plz tell me the process

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Company sponsorship is required for H1B but not considered for B2 visa.

Manju asked, Hi Arun, I work for IBM in Kolkata,but my hometown is Bangalore and my passport carries Bangalore address.....so can i apply from Kolkata for a H1-B visa..and in 2001 i was rejected a F1 Visa...will this make a difference to the current visa... Also i will be getting married in around October...so is it preferable for both of us to go for interview together or seperately?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, If you are in Kolkata for more than six months, you can apply from there. Your F1 rejection will not come in the way. You can apply with your spouse.

kaushal asked, hie... i am still waiting for my I129 Notice by when i should b getting this? any idea?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Check with your employer or the Immigration office where it was filed.

debjani asked, Does an L1 applicant hve to prove anyhing ectra ,even if he has an invitation to work in The US from a parent company?
Dr Arun Vakil answers, No. Only meet conditions of L1.

Jitesh asked,  I am applying for my H1 b Visa.I want my wife and daughter to travel with me...should i apply for their visa's along with me or shoud i wait for my Visa to be issued first ? Does my US employer have to provide any papers if i want to apply for my wife and daughters H4 Visa.or should i apply directly for them?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, You can all apply together. Your salary will be seen to check if that can support your family. Your employer can give a letter of no objection of getting family with you.

Ratan asked, hello Dr Arun, My H1 Visa has been approved for year 2007. i hv my visa interview on september 20 2007. are there chances of my application getting rejected.

Dr Arun Vakil answers, I do not see any problem unless there is something not right in the application or the employer.

TAJAY asked, Good Afternoon Sir, I am holding multiple entry 10 years US B1 visa expiring by Year 2016. Now i want to go for L1 visa. Please let me know procedure for it? Regards, Ajay Thite

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Your employer files for L1 which when approved, you go through the process through VFS web site.

debjani asked, Hi Arun,Cud u diffrentiate between an H1 and L1 Visa?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, H1 is temporary work visa for 6 years for which an employer files from the US. After due diligence approval comes and you apply. L-1 is intra-company transfer which means you transfer from India to the US in same company with same employer for 7 years. You can change employer in H1 but not in Lq.

bala asked, The reason for me applying was cuz my uncle wanted my grandma to come over and she is extremely old and cant speak english...when i went to the consulate the VO asked me to go and sit seperately and asked my grandma questions seperately even tho we had applied for a joint interview..5 mins later they called me and said that my visa has been rejected under 214b...how do you propose i proceed?

Dr Arun Vakil answers, Consult a professional for your case.

pandey_kgp asked, Hi Arun, My company wants me to attend a training at their head office in Chicago. For the same they have applied a B1 visa for me. Can you tell me the potenial areas of concern to avoid a reject ??

Dr Arun Vakil answers, You have to prove that you have your financial and social ties in India to which you will return after your intended visit.

saggy asked, Hi. is it a problem to get a US tourist visa also? i am single female aged 32.

Dr Arun Vakil answers, No, provided you meet the condition. You should be productively occupied in a job or business.

Dr. Arun Vakil says, Time is up friends. Will have to stop. Visit me on www.arunvakil4usvisas.com for more information and contact me on arunvakil@gmail.com for professional advice. All the best to all of you. Cheers

 Part I: 'You need financial ties in India'