Idle ramblings of a wandering mind...

I have been a loyal user of LaTex and over the years have come to appreciate it even more. Now with LaTeX output commonly available as pdf files, I see no reason to use such WYSIWYG document editors as MS-Word. However, LaTeX remains more difficult to use (for the lay user) than MS-Word. For the brave at heart - here is my remedy - a system of emacs-latex-auctex-ispell-flyspell that is as easy to use as MS-Word and miles ahead in quality of documents and control over the document generation process.

The only difficult part in using this system is installing all this stuff. This system was essentially designed for Unix workstations - so it takes a bit of workaround to get these working fine on Windows. An excellent reference for installing the emacs-latex system on Windows is this site.

Labels: Emacs, LaTeX

   

I have just been through the ordeal called "COS", meaning change of visa status. This post has details of the dos and don'ts while applying for COS. This post specifically covers changing from F-2 to F-1 visa. I have organized these as an FAQ. Hope this helps. In case of question - don't hesitate to drop me a mail and I would be happy to help. The good news is that I found the COS process to be overall much simpler and less subjective than the visa process (at least in Indian consulates). Only restriction with COS is that if you go out of country, you will have to get a visa before entering back.

Q 1: Do I need a cover letter with I-539?

Yes you absolutely do. You have to attach a cover letter which answers the following questions:

• Why do you want to change your visa status?
• Why did you come to US on a different visa status? When and how did the need to change status arise?
• How will you support yourself during your proposed F-1 study? You have to show that you have access to enough funds to take care of your living while in F-1
• How do we know whether you will go back to your home country after your F-1 study? F-1 is a non-immigrant visa so you have to show that you have strong ties with your home country and do not have an intent to immigrate.

Q 2: What all documents do I need to send with I-539?

Many sites provide an exhaustive list of documents needed with I-539, so I am not going to repeat that here. Basically you should be careful to err on the side of caution and don't hold back anything. Send all admission letters, scholarship award letters, immigration papers (I-20, I-94, Visa, Passport) and Financial Documents. Make an easy to read summary of financial documents and attach in front of all financial papers. Remember that only the new I-20 and I-94 need to be original - all else are copies. Some people even decide to send a copy of I-94 and thats OK - USCIS seems to accept that.

Q 3: How long does it take? How can we shorten the processing time?

I-539 processing may take less than a month (during off-season which is like Oct - Mar) to more than 4 months just before the start of Fall term. Here is what you can do to minimize the chance that you are ready to join school and your COS has not happened:

• Look at the USCIS Service Center Processing Time website and select the one which is the fastest. Usually the Vermont service center is the fastest while Nebraska is the slowest. Find a friend/relative who lives in a state under the jurisdiction of the fastest center and send the I-539 to that center with your friend's address as your mailing address. Of course make sure to talk to your friend first to forward all your mail. For avoiding any mail trouble put your friend's name as C/O in the mailing address. USCIS does not object to this practice.
  
• Send all the documents together and do not give USCIS an opportunity to ask for more documents leading to more delays.
  
• If it is possible then apply before May for studies beginning in Fall. This will give you enough time to take care of any delays
  

Q 4: How do I arrange the package?

It is essential that you prepare your package in a way that makes the adjudicating officer happy. Remember that this is a subjective decision and if the officer is inconvenienced from the moment he/she opens your package - it will be difficult for you to get the benefit of doubt, if needed. Follow the following guidelines:

• Attach a "List of Enclosures" with the cover letter. Arrange documents in different groups: immigration, financial, admission, misc etc. Give a serial number to each document and include a description of what the document is. Make sure to make a summary of financial statements as they can get really complex and difficult to understand.
  
• Attach a post-it on each document and mention the document serial number and name of the document
  
• Separate different groups of documents with colored dividers
  
• Use pins and not staples to put the documents together. USCIS suggests 2-hole punch on the top (the width side) - you will make the visa officer really happy if you do that and thats never a bad thing.
  

Q 5: Any other misc advice?

• Don't worry. Be calm and prepare your documents well. Send them on time and wait for the result. The incidence of horror stories in COS process is much lower than in visa process - so unless you screw up big time, you are safe.
  
• Subscribe to the e-mail case update of USCIS. Its a great help.
  
• Remember that when your case is approved, USCIS will send you your new I-94 but not the I-20. Don't panic - the I-20 comes separately after about a week or less. This is not well known and many people start calling up USCIS the moment they don't see the I-20 in the packet (I surely did). No need.

Thats it. Good Luck.

Labels: How-To

   

Why am I writing this blog? That has to be the first question answered - and well - the answer is - I want to record my thoughts - mostly for myself - hence the blog. Also - I wanted to learn how to do this stuff - on my own server, on my own site. So here is the blog. I welcome all readers, comments and feedback. Please write to me at sanjeev@imdeng.com if you want to drop me a note.

Labels: Blog