Inviting Parents/ Family / Friends for GRADUATION!! Eagerly awaited post! Warning: Long post.

pc: blogs.sjsu.edu

Hello Spartans!!

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 website here.

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.  

Read more on the payments here : http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-paymentinfo.asp

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.

More information on Applying US VISA: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visaapply.asp

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!

1. Methods of Fee payment : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/09/methods-for-payment-of-fee-by.html

2. How to apply for California Driver's License : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-apply-for-california-dl.html

3. Getting SSN : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/09/all-about-ssn.html

4. Internships OPT's at SJSU : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/all-about-cpts-and-opts-at-san-jose.html

5. Exploring Resources at SJSU : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/exploring-resources-at-san-jose-state.html

6. On-Campus Jobs at SJSU : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/getting-on-campus-job-at-san-jose-state.html

7. How to get SJSU Tower card and VTA Pass( free transportation around sjsu with this pass)  : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-to-get-sjsu-email-newly-admitted.html

sources for this graduation post : UStraveldocs,Umich
Cover pic credits: Sjsublog : 

How to reach SJSU !!

Hi there,

 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


Wish you a Safe and Happy Journey to USA .

SJSU ISO Welcomes you !!

Here are some other Useful posts for you! :
1. Methods of Fee payment : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/09/methods-for-payment-of-fee-by.html

2. Getting SSN : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/09/all-about-ssn.html

3. Internships OPT's at SJSU : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/all-about-cpts-and-opts-at-san-jose.html

4. Exploring Resources at SJSU : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/exploring-resources-at-san-jose-state.html

5. On-Campus Jobs at SJSU : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/getting-on-campus-job-at-san-jose-state.html

6. How to get SJSU Tower card and VTA Pass( free transportation around sjsu with this pass)  : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-to-get-sjsu-email-newly-admitted.html

7. How to apply for California Driver's License : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-apply-for-california-dl.html

If you have any further questions, feel free to comment. i would be happy to assist u!

All about Fee Waivers upto $5000, Assistanships @ San Jose State University.

Getting fee waivers ( at least partial) is very rare cases at SJSU. If you have exceptional profile then you might get fee waiver. The following is applicable to every department at SJSU.

Teaching Assistant ( TA) : TA'ship is completely based on your knowledge and teaching skills, you need to be super proactive to get TAship in the first semester of your graduate study. Thing that you might need to do to get TA ship in first semester are :
1. Find out which professor offers which courses.
2. Find out the fields of interest that match your expertise.
3. Drop an email to the professor about your skills and expertise in that particular field/course focusing on what all you have done like projects,thesis,internship during your undergraduate study.
4. Finally meet professor in person by checking the office hours.

Now lets move on to the benefits of being a TA

Benefits of TA'ship:
1. fee waiver upto 2 courses which is approximately $3000 along with the Montly stipend of $354.
2. You will build a Professional Network and links with industry. Because, when you work under a professor, for sure he/she is going to have a tie up with industries all around.
3. Knowledge,Happiness is only when it is shared! so, you will definitely reach to a point where it make u feel happy about yourself being learnt something and shared what you know with the students.

Duties of TA would typically involve teaching.


Student Assistant, Instructional Student Assistant ( SA, ISA) :

This is a hourly basis(  varies from $10.50 to $12 ) job in respective departments. Duties involve grading, proctoring.

Same is the case with Research Assistantship (RA) you will need to work on a project under a professor. and pay varies based on the project your working on and the professor.

read more about from SJSU Website : http://www.sjsu.edu/meteorology/graduates/assistantships/


Here is another post on Working On-Campus,Offcampus :

http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/getting-on-campus-job-at-san-jose-state.html

Internships and Full time Opportunities : CPT's and OPT's at San Jose State University.

                     There are two ways you can get employed ( Only possible on F- 1 Visa status )  : on campus and Off campus.  On campus job u can do up to 20 hours during spring/fall and up to 40 hours in Summer. number of working hours is the same during off campus work period too which is after 2 semesters of graduate study. you will need to contact International Program Services to do some paper work to get work authorization.  You can do any number of On campus jobs but the total number of working hours should add up to the limit i.e,., 20 hours during spring/fall and 40 hours during Summer semester.  Here is something i would like to share with all of you about off campus Employment  which is made in form of flow chart to make it easy for you to understand. : sorry for my Ms paint flow chart. i hope this serves the purpose .




Curricular Practical Training or CPT is done during your Studies at SJSU. SJSU Allows 3 CPT's , either you can take them for spring/fall/summer semesters. but, you will have a restriction of working hours as mentioned above.  read more about CPT here : http://www.sjsu.edu/isa/employment/curricular_practical_training/

Optional Practical Training or OPT is of two types : Pre Completion and Post Completion of your Masters degree at SJSU to get a work permit even after you graduate. Opt can be given for 17 months.  read more about OPT here : http://www.sjsu.edu/isa/employment/optional_practical_training/

You would have to apply for this atleast 90 days ahead of time from the planned start date of work. Since processing at IPS(international Programs and Services Office in Clark hall 5th floor), & then shipping to the USCIS for approval and waiting for the approval takes about 75 ~90 days. Hence please plan accordingly.

Key suggestion:

1) when you are only left with One course in the last semester, It would be ideal to take Pre-OPT and work fulltime ( if you have an offer letter/ job after your graduation).
2) If you donot have job offer after for Post gradution, then its wise to apply for OPT period directly after Graduation.
3) Good thing about Pre-OPT is that, the un-employment days are not counted towards the total final un-employment days.

Exceptional Case : 

You can Do Off campus Job in extreme cases like  Severe Economic Hardship and is permitted only in cases where there is economic necessity due to unforeseen circumstances. This work authorization is to cover up your expenses along with the school fee. You may not apply for this work permission until you have been in full-time F-1 status for two academic semesters.

I hope this post helps you!

Thank you for taking your time in reading this post.! feel free to share this post with your friends. comment if you have any questions. stay tuned by subscribing to the Blog, lot more posts to come. Have a great days ahead!

37 Student Clubs and Organizations at SJSU you never heard of !!! With Weblinks! Share it!

Hey everyone., i was exploring the campus once i got here in Spring 2014. here is one i found when i dug  my phone cam today. i hope this help you find the group that matches with your interest.

Check my other post on "Exploring SJSU Campus" . : http://iso-sjsu.blogspot.com/2014/08/exploring-resources-at-san-jose-state.html

Exploring Resources at San Jose State University!

***WELCOME TO ALL ADMITTED STUDENTS of San Jose State University ***

Hello Everyone!! A special Welcome to the Newly Admitted Spartans for Fall 2014 semester :) :) Here are the few things which i wanted to tell you about what you could do with the resources of the campus to shape your career.

Note : You will need the tower card for everything . so make sure you get that asap after reaching here. You can utilize many facilities for FREE.  here is the post on how you could get Tower card which i made earlier in this group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/isosjsu/10152147483491207/

1. YOU WILL GET a MAC,Windows Machine , Ipad ( any one of these ) for FREE UPTO 1week. you can give it on the 7th day and u can take another one!! go to MLK library 4th Floor - Student Services : here is the link to that section on our SJSU Website :) : http://library.sjsu.edu/student-computing-services/student-computing-services-center
This thing helped me alot ! i was able to manage whole semester!!!!!.

2. If you are Passionate in Music, playing piano, you can make real good friends from college of MUSIC at SJSU! you can go anytime you want to practice GRAND Piano. as the music rooms are open untill 10Pm during the semester!!.. Map location : https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+School+of+Music+and+Dance/@37.3351953,-121.8806731,19z/data=!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x808fccb8794c2123:0x2ac4b282366dbcf9!2sAquatics+Center,+San+Jos%C3%A9+State+University,+San+Jose,+CA+95112!3b1!3m1!1s0x0:0x65c6c982263779c1

3. If you are a Sports Freak, you will have basket ball , racketball for free in the sports club here are what Sports club at SJSU Have !!
4,500 square foot aerobics room
Two Dance Studios
8 Racquetball Courts
1 Basketball Court ( indoor) ,  Gym ( omg you will love this gym, it contains almost everything !!! )
Cardio Equipment (Ellipticals, Stationary Bikes, Recumbent Bikes, Treadmills, Rowers)
10, 000 square foot Weightroom.
Location : https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sports+Club+Fitness+Center/@37.3349223,-121.8800669,19z/data=!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x808fccb8794c2123:0x2ac4b282366dbcf9!2sAquatics+Center,+San+Jos%C3%A9+State+University,+San+Jose,+CA+95112!3b1!3m1!1s0x0:0xdc34605ae7380765

4. You Can go Swimming at the aquatic Center during these timings :) : . check the website link for that : they provide you all the equipment you need for swimming but make sure you don't go with jeans, shorts ( thin ) would be ok. they will allow!. : http://www.union.sjsu.edu/Aquatic_Center/aquatic_center.html
map location : https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aquatics+Center,+San+Jos%C3%A9+State+University,+San+Jose,+CA+95112/@37.3349351,-121.8793722,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x808fccb8794c2123:0x2ac4b282366dbcf9

5. You can checkout( take ) Projector, Recording equipment,camers ( HD) , Microphones , Headsets, at Media Services Department in Dudley Moorehead Hall.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dudley+Moorhead+Hall,+San+Jos%C3%A9+State+University,+San+Jose,+CA+95112/@37.336252,-121.8840009,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x808fccbeb3394b49:0x9713b3a014780dc6 .  ( here is the map location) .

6. You will have big Canteen in Student Union Building and beside aquatic center. Explore the food items :) . . $11 is the entrance fee in the Canteen beside Aquatic center you can eat anything you want :D .

7. checkout Associated students building ( it is established in 1901 )  , Spartan Bookstore, Sparta Shops , New Student Union.

8. You can checkout books required for your courses at martin Luthur King Library. Do it asap as if there won't be many copies of the same book.

9. Study rooms are sooo awesome at SJSU!! You can go anytime you want. you can book room online : https://library.sjsu.edu/reserve-studymeeting-room/reserve-studymeeting-room

10. Most important thing is , every SJSU Student will get 150 pages FREE Printout / Semester . you can logon to your departmentla Labs with your Student ID and your Last Name as your password( first letter Capital).

 I hope this post helps !! :) :) :) Take care and Happy journey guys ! :) Very welcome to everyone! :)

ON-Campus Jobs at SJSU

With the experience of not having an on-campus job for a semester :D ..
I wanted to share my job search experience with all of you. I hope this helps you all in some way! :)

I started my MS in SJSU in Spring 2014. I came to the US on December 27th 2013. Since then I have been applying online but it was of no use until April 9th. That's when I got my first call. That day I was called for an interview. And I joined that job on June 1st.

BEST PRACTICE:

GO to every single department on campus and tell them that you have joined so and so semester and you can work upto 20 hours. Just prepare a normal resume and take 30-40 printouts and distribute them in every department. And then wait for the call. If u only rely on sparta jobs it won't be of any use : sites h can look f0r jobs :

Sparta shops
Student Union
Associated students
San jose library
Sparta jobs.
spartan book store.
Departmental websites.

I hope this helps many.