Visas for international students in the UK who want to visit the USA
UKCOSA
Following difficulties experienced by some international students in the UK in securing visas for the USA from the US Embassy in London, UKCOSA has had discussions with the Visa Chief at the US Embassy, Robert L Fretz.
The formal position is that under US immigration law, all applicants are considered intending immigrants unless they can prove otherwise. That means demonstrating to the satisfaction of a consular officer that they have a residence outside the United states which they do not intend to abandon and that their ties to another country are strong enough to compel them to leave the United States after a temporary non-working stay.
Most refusals of visas for international students to visit the US are on the grounds that the student cannot demonstrate adequate ties to the country from which they are applying. A consular officer in London cannot verify claims about an applicant’s circumstances in the home country, so will be looking for evidence that the applicant is going to return to the UK.
Visa refusal rates overall at the London Embassy were 18% in 1998, 17% in 1999, 19% in 2000 and 21% in 2001. But for nationals of a number of countries refusal rates on first application are as high as 50%.
Bob Fretz told us that he personally reviews all refusals proposed by his vice-consuls and grants visas to perhaps 15% of the case he reviews. After initial refusal, applicants have the option of submitting a fresh application or of coming to London for an interview on the basis of their current application. About a half of those seen at interview after an initial refusal receive visas.
Bob Fretz also gave us a number of helpful indicators about the submission of applications for US visas in London and the factors taken into account in considering applications, and has agreed the following note for the guidance of international student advisers.
Good practice in applying for non-immigrant visas
at the US Embassy in London
Application and processing times
Apply six weeks in advance (this allows for a re-application if the first is refused), but not more than 90 days in advance (particularly important for those nationalities - e.g. Iran, Iraq, Sudan - for which a 90 day visa is the maximum issued)
Most straightforward applications are dealt with in three to five days
For some nationalities, extra security considerations apply, and the application will take an extra 20-30 days. (This affects less than 1% of applications in London.)
If the application is refused, the applicant can re-apply free within one year at any US Embassy or Consulate or can request a face-to-face interview at the Embassy in London. Many refusals are reversed at interview, so it is worth considering this option.
Most refusals of visas for international students to visit the US are on the grounds that the student cannot demonstrate adequate ties to the country from which they are applying. A consular officer in London cannot verify claims about an applicant’s circumstances in the home country, so will be looking for evidence that the applicant is going to return to the UK.
Information that may help the application:
Purpose of visit: a serious study visit (e.g. for a field trip or conference) may be viewed more favourably than a short holiday break. If a field trip is an integral part of the course, say so. Similarly, if a student is attending a conference, include a short statement about its importance to the student’s study and, if applicable, to the department or institution.
Organised group travel: if the student is travelling as part of an organised group, say so and give details. See ‘how to present the application’, below.
Scholarship conditions: if a sponsor requires the student to return home after their studies, this should be made clear, especially if the student faces penalties (e.g. financial) for failing to do so
Prior travel: prior trips to the US or European Union countries may be viewed favourably, provided the student did not stay on illegally or break the conditions of stay. If the present passport does not show this evidence, include old passports in the application as evidence of the student’s travel history.
Progression and attendance: A standard letter confirming the student’s progress and attendance on their current course of study, including examination successes and marks/grades where relevant
Cost of study: a student (or their sponsor) may have invested large sums of money in their UK education: this is an incentive to return to the UK to complete studies. Give details of what the course is costing the student.
Length of stay in the UK: If a student has spent a considerable time in the UK pursuing a course, this may indicate that they are unlikely to jeopardise completing their studies by attempting to stay illegally in the US. Give information about length of course, qualification being studied for and what stage the student has reached in their studies.
Future plans: include any information on a career plan in the student’s home country, any links with sponsors or employers .
Leaving family behind: if the student is leaving dependant relatives behind in the UK (or home country), say so
Any other information indicating an incentive to return to the UK and complete studies.
Factors that may hinder the application
Previous refusal of a visa for the USA. Refusal in the student’s home country almost guarantees that the application will not succeed elsewhere.
Applying within six months of first arriving in the UK, especially applying within three months of arriving in the UK. If a person knows before coming to the UK that they wish to travel on to the USA early in their stay in the UK, they would normally be expected to apply for their US visa at the US Embassy in their home country before coming the UK.
Having relatives in the USA may further weaken an already weak application. It is unlikely to be decisive if the application is otherwise strong.
How to present the application
Each application receives only a very short initial consideration. Refusals are, however, reviewed by a senior member of staff. In addition to providing the standard information required by the form, the following may also help:
Enclose a cover sheet on headed paper listing all the main points in the students’ favour on one sheet
Back this up with supporting documents that expand the information given in the cover sheet (letters from sponsors and place of study, information on field trip itineraries, conferences etc).
Include an explanation of any points you anticipate may cause the Embassy concern.
If more than one student on a group trip needs a visa, make a group application (i.e. send all the forms together with accompanying information about the trip). If only one student in a group needs a visa, give details of the group (e.g., how many students are travelling, length of stay, purpose of visit, itinerary, where they will stay, whether staff are also travelling and give details of those staff).
Above all, keep all the information concise and relevant.
Other good practice points:
Students should not buy their ticket until they have secured a visa.
Send the applications by recorded delivery, and keep a note of both the outgoing recorded delivery number, and the number of the vignette provided for return of the passport.
If a student anticipates before coming to the UK that they may wish to visit the US at some point during their studies, they can apply for a US visa in their home country. Even if that visa is not used, it will count in their favour that they had been able to apply for a visa successfully in their home country.
If a student is travelling to their home country, they may wish to apply for a US visa there. The US Embassy in their home country will be better placed to assess their ties to their country of origin than the US Embassy in London.
Good practice in applying for non-immigrant visas
at the US Embassy in London
Application and processing times
◆ Apply six weeks in advance (this allows for a re-application if the first is refused), but not more than 90 days in advance (particularly important for those nationalities - e.g. Iran, Iraq, Sudan - for which a 90 day visa is the maximum issued)
◆ Most straightforward applications are dealt with in three to five days
◆ For some nationalities, extra security considerations apply, and the application will take an extra 20-30 days. (This affects less than 1% of applications in London.)
◆ If the application is refused, the applicant can re-apply free within one year at any US Embassy or Consulate or can request a face-to-face interview at the Embassy in London. Many refusals are reversed at interview, so it is worth considering this option.
Most refusals of visas for international students to visit the US are on the grounds that the student cannot demonstrate adequate ties to the country from which they are applying. A consular officer in London cannot verify claims about an applicant’s circumstances in the home country, so will be looking for evidence that the applicant is going to return to the UK.
Information that may help the application:
◆Purpose of visit: a serious study visit (e.g. for a field trip or conference) may be viewed more favourably than a short holiday break. If a field trip is an integral part of the course, say so. Similarly, if a student is attending a conference, include a short statement about its importance to the student’s study and, if applicable, to the department or institution.
◆ Organised group travel: if the student is travelling as part of an organised group, say so and give details. See ‘how to present the application’, below.
◆ Scholarship conditions: if a sponsor requires the student to return home after their studies, this should be made clear, especially if the student faces penalties (e.g. financial) for failing to do so
◆ Prior travel: prior trips to the US or European Union countries may be viewed favourably, provided the student did not stay on illegally or break the conditions of stay. If the present passport does not show this evidence, include old passports in the application as evidence of the student’s travel history.
◆ Progression and attendance: A standard letter confirming the student’s progress and attendance on their current course of study, including examination successes and marks/grades where relevant
◆ Cost of study: a student (or their sponsor) may have invested large sums of money in their UK education: this is an incentive to return to the UK to complete studies. Give details of what the course is costing the student.
◆ Length of stay in the UK: If a student has spent a considerable time in the UK pursuing a course, this may indicate that they are unlikely to jeopardise completing their studies by attempting to stay illegally in the US. Give information about length of course, qualification being studied for and what stage the student has reached in their studies.
◆ Future plans: include any information on a career plan in the student’s home country, any links with sponsors or employers .
◆ Leaving family behind: if the student is leaving dependant relatives behind in the UK (or home country), say so
◆ Any other information indicating an incentive to return to the UK and complete studies.
Factors that may hinder the application
◆ Previous refusal of a visa for the USA. Refusal in the student’s home country almost guarantees that the application will not succeed elsewhere.
◆ Applying within six months of first arriving in the UK, especially applying within three months of arriving in the UK. If a person knows before coming to the UK that they wish to travel on to the USA early in their stay in the UK, they would normally be expected to apply for their US visa at the US Embassy in their home country before coming the UK.
◆ Having relatives in the USA may further weaken an already weak application. It is unlikely to be decisive if the application is otherwise strong.
How to present the application
Each application receives only a very short initial consideration. Refusals are, however, reviewed by a senior member of staff. In addition to providing the standard information required by the form, the following may also help:
◆ Enclose a cover sheet on headed paper listing all the main points in the students’ favour on one sheet
◆ Back this up with supporting documents that expand the information given in the cover sheet (letters from sponsors and place of study, information on field trip itineraries, conferences etc).
◆ Include an explanation of any points you anticipate may cause the Embassy concern.
◆ If more than one student on a group trip needs a visa, make a group application (i.e. send all the forms together with accompanying information about the trip). If only one student in a group needs a visa, give details of the group (e.g., how many students are travelling, length of stay, purpose of visit, itinerary, where they will stay, whether staff are also travelling and give details of those staff).
◆ Above all, keep all the information concise and relevant.
Other good practice points:
◆ Students should not buy their ticket until they have secured a visa.
◆ Send the applications by recorded delivery, and keep a note of both the outgoing recorded delivery number, and the number of the vignette provided for return of the passport.
◆ If a student anticipates before coming to the UK that they may wish to visit the US at some point during their studies, they can apply for a US visa in their home country. Even if that visa is not used, it will count in their favour that they had been able to apply for a visa successfully in their home country.
◆ If a student is travelling to their home country, they may wish to apply for a US visa there. The US Embassy in their home country will be better placed to assess their ties to their country of origin than the US Embassy in London.
多谢烤炉mm的信息。
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
只可惜是英文的，看起?肀容^費時間
于 2003-10-23 07:32, kaolu 写:
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
![]()
只可惜是英文的，看起?肀容^費時間
还好拉，英文版更加准确
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
是かおる(薫)mm啦，笨
于 2003-10-27 10:48, punk__ass 写:
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
是かおる(薫)mm啦，笨
这是我们一贯的称呼，你不了解，下次不要那么冲动。
多谢
于 2003-10-27 18:28, stanfordwu 写:
于 2003-10-27 10:48, punk__ass 写:
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
是かおる(薫)mm啦，笨
这是我们一贯的称呼，你不了解，下次不要那么冲动。
于 2003-10-28 08:38, kaolu 写:
于 2003-10-27 18:28, stanfordwu 写:
于 2003-10-27 10:48, punk__ass 写:
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
是かおる(薫)mm啦，笨
这是我们一贯的称呼，你不了解，下次不要那么冲动。
![]()
stand GG,把俺名字的日文也打出来了
![]()
是我打的啊，还有没有天理啦？？
于 2003-10-28 10:14, punk__ass 写:
于 2003-10-28 08:38, kaolu 写:
于 2003-10-27 18:28, stanfordwu 写:
于 2003-10-27 10:48, punk__ass 写:
于 2003-10-23 04:06, stanfordwu 写:
多谢烤炉mm的信息。![]()
是かおる(薫)mm啦，笨
这是我们一贯的称呼，你不了解，下次不要那么冲动。
![]()
stand GG,把俺名字的日文也打出来了
![]()
是我打的啊，还有没有天理啦？？![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
我是男的啊
太伤自尊了
于 2003-10-28 22:24, punk__ass 写:
我是男的啊
![]()
![]()
![]()
太伤自尊了![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()