by ATAHER SAMS

Go to CGI portal → Emergency Appointment

Category: If there is any option like ‘Students or visitor exchange’, you should select that. If not select ‘business.’)

Tentative travel date: Same as DS-160

Document Submmission (up to 5 docs):

Here, only I-20 is the absolute mandatory.

1. I-20 (must) [Signed/ Unsigned does not matter. But you can just sign digitally. As you are over 18, you do not need sign of guardian]
2. Admission letter
3. Offer letter
4. SEVIS confirmation
5. You can also add any supporting document from department grad co or your prof. ( Not mandatory )

PS: Do not apply if you have not still submitted your DS-160. I paid SEVIS before applying for ER, although I saw multiple friends (funded) whose ER got approved without paying SEVIS.

Reason:

Mention you are fully funded PhD student. Mention your orientation time, and that you must be present before that. Mention you might lose funding if not arrived on time. Mention you need to buy plane ticket. Finally, ask them to expedite your appointment date.

I have given three samples below. You can follow any one of them. All three got approved. First one was mine and 2nd, 3rd one was collected from other people.

Sample 1: