Visa Document Checklist:
- An "initial" I-20 issued by the Louisiana Tech University
- A valid passport (valid at least 6 months from visa interview appointment date)
- Proof of payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee ($200):
You may pay the SEVIS fee
online.
- Proof of returning home: Students must adequately convey to the visa officer their
intent to return home upon the completion of their studies. This means communicating that you have strong ties to your
home country and you have no intention of abandoning.
-
Visa Application form
- Money: Application fee (non-refundable), cost of the visa (varies with country), and
miscellaneous expenses.
- Photographs: Contact the U.S. Embassy in your country for specific dimensions.
- Evidence of financial support:
- Funds from your sponsor or personal account: Get a current bank statement (should not be
more than 2 months old) or official letter from the bank stating the amount of funds in that account. If the sponsor(s)
is/are not your parent(s) or U.S. citizen(s) or permanent resident(s), the sponsor(s) must complete an I-134 Affidavit
of Support form.
AND/OR
- An official letter stating the amount of your awarded assistantship (for graduate
students only) or on-campus employment per year, if any.
The Visa Interview:
The visa application process includes an interview with a visa officer at the U.S. Consulate. Most frequent reasons for
visa denial are under the following sections:
- 214 (b): Intention to immigrate to the U.S.
- 221 (g): Insufficient documentation
- 212 (a) (4): Likely to become a public charge (insufficient funds)
Of the three reasons listed above, 214 (b) is the most often cited for visa denial. The visa officer will assume that it
is your intent to immigrate to the U.S. It is your responsibility to convince him otherwise. Having family living
permanently in the U.S. is often seen as a reason for you not to return home. Also, the documents you present should be,
and look, authentic. Remember, you only have a couple of minutes to present your request. You should be organized in the
presentation of your request and prepared to clearly express your desire to return home upon completion of your studies.
Transportation:
If you are traveling by air, you can fly into either Monroe (Airport Code: MLU) or Shreveport (Airport Code: SHV),
Louisiana. Monroe is approximately 40 miles from Ruston. From either airport, you can take a taxi to the bus
station and ride the bus to Ruston. If you would like to arrange a pick-up at
Monroe Airport, please e-mail
the ISO
at least 7 days prior to your arrival date. Alternately, you may use the
online form to request a pickup. The Association of Indian Students (AIS) at Tech makes the arrangements for
pickups each quarter. You will receive e-mail confirmation of your pickup and will be given the phone number of the
student that would come to pick you up.
If your arrival in Monroe should be delayed, please contact the pickup person
immediately with your new arrival time. You should be prepared to pay the person who picks you up from the airport $35.
There is
NO pickup service from the Shreveport Airport.
If you are traveling by road, you may choose to come directly to Ruston by Greyhound bus service and take a taxi
cab from the bus station. If you are driving on your own, take Exit 84 on Interstate 20 to enter the city of
Ruston.
Contact information for Greyhound Bus Service:
Address
1012 E Georgia Ave
Ruston LA 71270
Phone: +1-318-255-3505
Website:
www.greyhound.com
Local Taxi Service in Ruston:
Courtesy Cab - +1-318-255-5500
Arriving to Louisiana Tech:
Once you arrive in Ruston, we suggest that you come directly to the International Student Office (ISO) at
Louisiana Tech. Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Note: The ISO is closed
for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Money/Currency Exchange:
We recommend that you bring at least $100.00 in U.S. currency for airport transportation and one meal on the
day of your arrival. Do not carry a large sum of money with you. Travelers checks and bank drafts are safer.
University housing is available for single students. We encourage students to live on campus to better
integrate into university life and to gain more experience using English skills. You may get an application for
University housing from the Office of International Affairs. Once you arrive on campus, you need to go to the
Housing
Office to get your room assignment. You may contact the Housing Office by calling +1-318-257-4917.
Residence halls are either exclusively male or exclusively female; there are no co-ed dormitories. Most rooms on
campus are double rooms. There are a few private rooms, but students must pay more money to get a private room.
All students who live on campus must participate in the meal plan. There are several options in selecting meal
plans.
If you choose to live off-campus, it is your responsibility to find housing. The ISO staff will not be able to
help you find an apartment.
