I was in States for 10 years and went back applied for Visa again for PHD. They handed me like piece of cake even though I didn't have any assistantship or fellowship. However they asked me how you going to support yourself w/o funding. I told them my assistantship is pending. I should be ale to get it for next semester . They gave me and my spouse the visa. It was back in 2012. Hope it helps. Documents I provided were: PHD acceptance letter, transkript of first semester, (finished a semester before going to Nepal) , previous degrees from the US university, i20 for me and spouse, marriage certificate, photos, and other stuffs like bank , property etc. questions asked: oh you were in States for Long time, what you studying, how you were going to support your study? Etc. he asked my spouse , ever been outside of the country, first passport? where the marriage took place? I crossed question him while he was checking my documents , where you from in States, he said California, I told him beautiful weather ? He smiled . ;)