2) In Spring 2016 there will be University Graduation ceremony in Spartan stadium, You could attend that for free! Because, University graduation happens only in spring end( May ).
3) Buy the guest passes now!! if it gets close to the graduation day, It will be very hard to get tickets.
4) Parking is free for students and family on the 7th street garage on the graduation day! be proactive to find parking space that day!
Hope everything is fine with you :). Here is the long awaited post on how to apply for VISA for family and friends. Graduation is the most fruitful and happiest part of going to a university. It is most revered celebration, occasion for everyone as we all know “Once time passes, it cannot be reverted". It is very heartwarming and special event in anyone's lives. For graduation, you would have immense pleasure when people who you love the most like family and friends cheer for you on that day. So, i have decided to make this post as this might help you do this process of applying visa for your friends and family to invite them to visit you for your GRADUATION!!! How much more excited are you than them? :D .. Here we go!
B-1/B-2 (Business/ Tourist) visa applications are sometimes denied. To help strengthen your B-1/B-2 visa application, It is recommend that you provide additional documents to clarify that the visit is temporary and/or is for a specific occasion (e.g., graduation ceremony), and that the visitor will be supported financially while visiting the U.S. Most importantly, the additional documents should show proof of ties to the home country to prove that the visitor does not intend to immigrate to the U.S. Proof of ties to the home country may include proof of economic, social, family, or other commitments that will help demonstrate that the family visitor intends to return home after a temporary stay in the U.S.
Pre-requisites for people who you are thinking of inviting:
1) Passport. (Go to bottom to see how to apply for one if they don't have one yet)
2) Aadhar card.
3) Financial proof of expenses for the travel and some docs to show that commitments with own country and the stay in US is temporary. - More details as you go down.
Procedure for applying VISA (B2 - Pleasure/tourism visa) to invite for graduation ceremony.
1) Fill out the DS-160 form from the usceac websitehere.
2) Category to choose in that: B-2 (Visa for Tourism and pleasure)
3) Once you have filled all the details, you will get unique number for that applicant. (MAKE a note of that)
4) Keep the copy of the confirmation of DS-160 aside (You gotta take this to the VISA interview). You do not need to print the WHOLE DS-160 application form. They would just need the confirmation page which will come at the END of filling DS-160 form.
4) Go to the US VISA Website here: create one account with their email id, enter all the details ( will be simple but takes atleast 45min to 1 hour - for DS160form and VISA Slot booking), Make sure you choose the language of your choice for the VISA Interview and VISA Location. Pay the fee in the following manners after you choose how many applicants would be together (you will be asked their DS-160 confirmation number). Pay the aggregated fee for the respective number of people individually on their names. Reason being the receipt number will have to be entered for each person separately. You could save the progress of this application during filling it. Do not panic when you close the tab unexpectedly or something, there will always be a save button to save whatever you have entered up-till then :) (Applies for DS-160 & VISA Application).
Just as a heads up: Ways to pay for the US Visa fee. NOTE: YOU can ONLY PAY from INDIA/ INDIAN bank accounts in this case.
6. Once you have paid the fee, enter the receipt number of the payment on to the website and then you should be able to choose the VISA Interview DATE. If you find one that's suitable, book it and go to the interview. Make sure you choose the language of your choice for the VISA Interview and VISA Location.
Things that need to be carried for the VISA INTERVIEW:
1. DS 160 Confirmation page.
2. Valid Passport of the applicant.
3. US VISA Appointment confirmation & fee payment receipt.
4. Aadhar card.
5. Letter of Invitation for Graduation. (Student who is graduating - fill this out and give it to the people who you want to invite for graduation: The Doc is here .
6. Additional Documents for Financial proof :
Proof of employment – The best document would be a letter from the employer indicating that this individual is currently employed and is taking time off, but is due back at his or her job on a specific date.
Proof of property ownership, such as a house, an apartment, or a business, if such a document exists.
Proof of contact with other family members in the home country.
Proof of finances – Proof that your family member can support himself/herself during his/her entire stay in the U.S. without working. Examples include: Bank Statement , Proof of Assets such as stock or property.
If you are funded by SJSU, a letter from your academic department indicating the amount of your financial support / Proof of a scholarship or fellowship
If you are an employee at the University, a document which shows your position and salary
Proof of your family member's salary, employment, and/or income.
Procedure for applying INDIAN Passport:
Procedure for applying has become easy than ever before. Everything is online. You just need to fillout the application after creating the account for the applicant on the main website : here and decide a place for verification center, schedule the appointment by paying the fee! Thats it.
Documents that might be needed for applying passport at the verification center: You could know by entering the details of applicant here on the Indianpassport webiste: here
For Other countries : Family members who are not the children or spouse of the F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to gain entry into the U.S. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. to visit for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program.
Have any Questions? Comment on! :) Would be happy to assist!
Additional info:
1.Details on how to fill DS-160 form : ( choose B2 in the beginning and rest is the same)
2. Applying for VISA - same choose B2 visa in the beginning- rest procedure is same .
Part ONE:
you could find Part TWO of above video in the description of above video.
I hope this helps you, feel free to share this post with your near and dear! if you have any questions, don't forget to comment! Wishing you All the best!!
Go Spartans!!
P.s. Tell your parents to answer the Visa officer ( if asked) saying that they are going to be here for graduation ceremony and around 25 days. but in reality they don't really care unless it exceeds 6 months. Legally they are allowed to stay for 6 months. Usually the Tourist visa will be valid for 10 years. 6 months maximum stay period in US in an year.
How to book VISA for multiple People ( like for family and friends together). : -> Fill Ds160 forms for all the applicants separately. -> Go to VISA Slot booking website, pay the fee for all the candidates separately by mentioned above ways of payment. ( IMPORTANT NOTE : VISA Interview is available in local language also, so be sure to check that option if your parents are not comfortable with english. ) -> While booking the visa( before visa payment page) , there will be an option to add people to the same interview time. Click on that option and it will ask to enter the DS160 form numbers of all applicants. Just enter that and you will be taken to the fee payment. Once your receipt of fee is activated, you could book the slot all of them together. Frequently Asked Questions : 1) Why are you going to US? 2) How long you will be staying in US and where. 3) What do you do and how much is your income? 4) When are you planning to go? Answers to above questions : 1) Graduation of my child. 2) 25 - 30 days is good number. Place : where ever you are staying. 3) self explanatory. 4) tell some tentative dates of travel.
Here are some other useful posts for you!
Hello Spartans. The procedure is same for all the departments. The following image shows EE department as an example.
Here are the things you will need to do before you file Candidacy form at the GAPE office.
1) Become Classified student by submitting the change of classification form : http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/docs/change_classification.pdf and getting it signed by Graduate advisor, Departement advisor and giving it in GAPE Office.
Following Image shows the procedures for :
- MSEE Plan of Study
-Change of Classification
-Course Substitution
-Transfer Creidits
-Advancement to Graduate Candidacy.
-
P.S Please fill the change of classification form as soon as you will be eligible! do not delay it. - If you plan to graduate please keep track of the deadlines posted on the GAPE website. (http://www.sjsu.edu/gape/current_students/deadlines/ ) I hope this post helps you! Here are some other useful posts for you! Kindly share the post with your near and dear. lot of people donot know about all these. so, please pass the information! Have any questions? feel free to comment! Happy to help!
It is really a proud moment whether or not you being the first person to achieve Highest degree in your Family. Everyone dream of studying abroad and here you go! Its time for the party as you have achieved a milestone through the Master's degree at SJSU! Go Spartans! College of EngineeringThis post is especially for people who are planning to invite their parents for the Graduation Ceremony! . Parents can get VISA Very easily .
College of Engineering can provide you with a letter stating that you will be graduating as a proof for your family to attend your graduation. Send an email to Sanela.Latic@sjsu.edu and include the following info: Your full name List whether you are male or female Student ID number List full names of family members who plan to attend and include their date of birth.
The letter needs to be signed by the dean and that may take a few weeks, please plan accordingly. You will receive an e-mail when your letter is ready for a pick up. Last minute requests will not be accepted.
The procedure for Visa for your parents is as follows :
1. Visa type : B2 ( Validity period would be 10 years and maximum length they can stay in US is 6 months).
2. Take letter from IPS and department( stated above).
3. Fill DS-160 form ( Here is the instructional video that i have made : and ask your parents to pay VISA fees.
5. Book the VISA Appointment after filling out DS-160 form. Instructions are in this video in a detail manner
4. Documents required for VISA interview : DS-160 confirmation page, Appointment letter, fees receipt, passport. Supporting documents IPS and department letter, their birth certificate(not mandatory), marriage certificate(since they both will go to take VISA together).
Your Documents: Passport, VISA, I94, state ID or any US identity proof, I20, transcript.
5. Bank balance ( atleast $10,000) as a proof that they are sponsoring themselves for the trip. If there are many family members coming then funding needs to be appropriate enough ( high enough to cover all the expenses of the trip).
and That's all!
I hope this helps you, feel free to share this post with your near and dear! if you have any questions, don't forget to comment! Wishing you All the best!!
Go Spartans!
P.s. Tell your parents to answer the Visa officer ( if asked) saying that they are going to be here for graduation ceremony and around 25 days. but in reality they don't really care unless it exceeds 6 months. Legally they are allowed to stay for 6 months.
Did you know that You will get full access IEEE Digital library ( free access to all ieee papers, publications, journals online ) while you are on the Campus LAN,WIFI. Now, this post will help you have access to these same resources off campus!
Ever wondered how you can get access of the IEEE Digital library ( free access to all ieee papers, publications, journals online ) on to your Computer/laptop without using tightvnc or someother remote softwares?
Here is how you can do it.
You will need your :
1. SJSU Id #.
2. Library PIN ( if you have one)
If your annual income is below $53,000 per annum, this post will help you file the tax return for FREE and this will be applicable if you are a currently enrolled SJSU Student. There are only 2 Places in San Jose, where the tax filing is offered FREE ! DONOT go for some other tax companies like turbotax etc., they treat you as a resident and file the tax return ( of course you will get most of the tax returned but it is illegal if you are a resident alien and use those private tax return firms to file your tax returns . You might need to bare consequences( penalties) if you do file as a resident if you are actually not! ) . The 2 places i mentioned earlier are Govt approved places. You will get shocked that it is such an easy procedure. it will take max of 45 min. The Venues are :
1) Sacred Heart Foundation. 1381 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110 Timings : Tues - Fri 4pm - 8pm. Sat - 10am- 2 pm.
2) Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 2020 E San Antonio St, San Jose, CA 95116 Timings : SAT - 10am - 1pm.
The Documents you might need to carry are : 1. Your Passport ( actually if you know your passport number you don't need to CARRY it ) 2. SSN ( Original copy should be taken. NO Xerox copy . They will just verify and give it back to you) . 3. W-2 Forms ( if you are employed in different places on campus or off-campus ( CPT/OPT) during the academic year, your employer will send you this form. Take all of those forms if you have many employers issuing w-2 forms) and that's all you need! PS. if you have already filed tax return using other companies, then you can cancel it and file back again or, make an appointment with above places and tell them to change your status to appropriate residential status. If you are a US resident then there are lot of centers to file the tax returns. you can go to any of above two centers, or you can find centers appropriate to your timings : http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ Please do not go at the closing time like 15 min before they closes. Try to go an hour early before they close or as soon as they opens. I would suggest you to go to the 1st center mentioned above as it is very close to the campus and has frequent public transport to get there. I hope this post Helps you! If you have any furthur questions, feel free to comment below! Here are some more important posts that will help you alot if you haven't gone through them! Feel free to share with your fellow SPARTANS!!
Most of you would be coming to SJSU for the first time after clearing VISA. So, traveling in US should be of utmost care. Following are the ways you could get to SJSU.
1. Book a ride through UBER ( first ride free if you are making new account and then $20 off for referral) .
2. You can book Super shuttle . ( prices could be found here https://reservations.supershuttle.com/Default.aspx ) afaik the price from Sanfrancisco airport to San Jose is $45/person and $10 for every extra person ( if you are coming as a group ).
3. Same as UBER , u can try Lyft, sidecar .
4. Ask your friend or senior to come in Zipcar ( would be $12.5/Hr ).
5. Check with Hindu Yuva Group on Facebook, Members offer rides frequently!
If you have less luggage then i would suggest you to take VTA bus service which will charge u a max of $4 from San jose airport to places around. and a maximum of
