Student Visa Webchat Transcript

Sea: good afternoon,  visa officers, during the visa interview, how can I convince visa officer that I have enough money for the first year? how much money should I deposit to my bank account? thanks,

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: This is a good question.  Everyone's circumstances are different.  The visa officer may require you to show credible evidence that you have enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study.  We must feel assured that you have sufficient resources, under your present circumstances, to fund the entire education without resorting to unauthorized employment in the United States.

 

iverson: Hello, I am going to study 11 grade at American high school, how can I tell you my future plan, I should tell you my study plan at high school or my study plan at university or my future plan(my future job plan)? Since I will apply for American university in 1 year, should I tell you which major I am interested in now? Since I am only going to study high school now, I think it’s too difficult and too far for me to tell my future job plan and how my study at America will help me find a good job. How can I prove my future plan? I mean which thing I should prepare for. Is the appearance very important? If I am ugly, will it influence me get the visa?If in the meeting day, I feel very nervous so that I can’t speak very fluent English .Will it influence me get the visaThank you very much.

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thank you for your question--actually many questions!

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: You should focus on first things first.  Your immediate goal is to study high school in the US, so you should prepare for this.  You should think about why you want to finish high school in the US and how it will help you.  Then you can think about future plans for college and a career.  If you worry about everything all at once, it will probably be overwhelming and you won't do so well at the visa interview.  You can show that you've thought about your future plans, but we don't expect you to know what the rest of your life will be like when you are in grade 11.  About your appearance; we do not discriminate or favor anyone based on their appearance.  Try and do your best when speaking English,  We realize people get nervous, but we want to hear what you have to say and evaluate it fairly.  Good luck!

 

yiling 2: Dear visa officer,I’m an author who has the contract with Guangdong provincial government. Female, 23 years old, unmarried, I’ve applied School of General Studies of Columbia University. In order to be considered for admission I will need to reach the ibtTOEFL score of 100, now my score is 74. Curtis M. Rodgers, Dean of Admissions of GS, recommended me to enroll in American Language Program at Columbia University before allow me to admission in GS. My question is: Am I qualify for the F-1 visa if I have an I-20 form and Letter of Acceptance from American Language Program at Columbia University? Thanks!

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Each person's circumstance is different.  In general,  someone is apply for an F-1 visa for an English language program.  What we look for is a solid academic plan that is realizable within the time frame you explanin to us.  We look at what you have been doing since your last time in school, to see if it makes sense.  The strength of the US educational system is its flexibility to fit various changes in one's life.  However, you must convince the conuslar officer that your plan makes sense, and that you have the educational bankground and the financial background to carry it out.

 

helen : I want   to ask: bad credit personal impact of which   type of visa？

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thank you for your question, Helen.  We do not ask for credit records or credit histories at the non-immigrant visa interview for students.  So I do not see how bad credit will affect your application.  But if your bad credit affects your finances, you should seriously consider whether or not you would be able to pay for your studies.

 

yiling: I’m an author who has the contract with Guangdong provincial government. Female, 23 years old, unmarried, I’ve applied School of General Studies of Columbia University. In order to be considered for admission I will need to reach the ibtTOEFL score of 100, now my score is 74. Curtis M. Rodgers, Dean of Admissions of GS, recommended me to enroll in American Language Program at Columbia University before allow me to admission in GS. My question is: Am I qualify for the F-1 visa if I have an I-20 form and Letter of Acceptance from American Language Program at Columbia University?

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thank you for your question.  Congratulations if you have and I-20 and letter of acceptance from the language program.  But please remember: this is one part of being qualified for an F-1 visa.  At the interview, you must also show that you have a real, credible study plan.  You must also show that you can pay for your studies, if you are not receiving any financial aid from a university.  You must show that you have a plan for coming back to China after your studies.  You must show that you will not break U.S. laws while on a student visa and work illegally or drop out of school.  You should be prepared to show your transcripts and how you have performed as a student in China.  These are all very important.  So, you can see that the I-20 and acceptance letter are one part of the process.  Good luck with your future plans!

 

谢光希: Hello, Officer. I'm studying in Beijing, but I must leave Beijing back to my hometown Guangzhou at June 27 because of my graduation. I've known that there is no available visa time in Beijing, can I process my visa interview in Guangzhou? Thank you.

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Dear Mr. Xie,  yes, you may apply in Guangzhou. When people apply outside their own consular district, we will ask why.  Attending a graduation here is a valid answer.

 

a waiting student: OK. I am an F1 student visa applicant in Guangzhou who interviewed on April 29th, 2008 (The Visa Officer was probably Kathi Yu).  I was advised that my case needs further processing (221g) and the you told me to allow 2 or 3 weeks; it’s the 7th week now since the interview and I have not received any notice except “pending”. Could you please tell me how it is going on and why do I have to wait an extraordinarily long time, which is not like what you told me about? My plan for graduate study is severely affected by the delay and I'd appreciate your information.

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: HI there!  I'm sorry the process is taking longer than expected.  Occasionally that happens.  Rest assured that we are working on getting every qualified student their visa as quickly as we can, while ensuring the integrity of our system. 

 

Grace Huang: I'm residing in Chengdu, but am I free to apply in any of the U.S. Consulates in China, including Hongkong?

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: please see the answer to Mr. Xie.  Do note that when you apply out of your area, your personal circumstances are harder to judge, and then may be more likely to be refused or sent to further processing.  For example, I simply do not know the Yangtze River Delta like I know the Pearl River Delta. 

 

just let it be: My son is a middle school student, Junior 3. Is it possible for him to start his senior middle school study in USA?

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thank you for your question.  It is possible for your son to study middle school in the USA.  We have seen many impressive students coming to apply for middle school.  But whether or not your son wants to study in the USA is an issue that you and your son should think through very carefully.  Even thought the US is a great place to study, moving to a different country with a different language, customs, culture, etc. can be a very big shock at a young age.  Some students adjust and do well.  Others may have more problems.  If your son has problems or needs you, it won't be so easy to be there for him.  Other things to think about are:  What if your son doesn't like the US?  What if he wants to come back to China and finish high school with his friends?  As you know, the high school system in China is very different from the US and he may not be well prepared to return to China.  What if your son changes and becomes "more American"?  How will this affect your relationship?  I'm not trying to discourage you.  But I want to make sure you've thought everything through carefully.  At visa interviews for younger students, we expect a student to have considered this.  Good luck with your future plans!

 

yiling: I plan to go to study in USA. I’m a female, 23 years old. My parent’s bank deposit is RMB 150,000, which is approximately equal to US$21,561. And their securities account has over RMB 800,000 which is approximately equal to US$119,316. In addition, we have three houses, and one of them is under my name that costs about RMB600,000 which is around equal to US$86,956. Am I qualify to get F-1 visa in this financial situation?

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thank you for your question.  There is no one set formula that makes somebody qualified for an F-1 visa.  I could only answer your question by doing a complete interview, in person, and seeing what your study plan is like, etc.  So, I'm sorry, but I can't answer your question yes or no.  It's not possible in this kind of forum to prejudge whether someone is qualified.  But I'd encourage you to apply and pursue your goals!  Good luck. 

 

进入聊天室 2: hello....is my first time here...just want to ask how often and at what time you have this chat site available for questions and if there is a schedule for topics that will be discussed

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: we do not have a schedule.  Please check back now and then at: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/consulate_host_live_web_chat.htm

 

Grace Huang: My nephew is going to apply for a F1 visa to study in an American high school. Since he has not yet married and has little bank savings, will he be considered insufficient tie to China? If so, what are the returning indicators for high school students?

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Dear Grace,  We understand that high school students do not earn money.  We look at their family resource -- what are their parents' jobs?  where do they live?  where do they currently go to school?  This way we get insight to the family circumstances.  As to determining what are returning indicators, we look for a solid educational program.  

 

Rebekah: Dear Visa Officer, I am wondering if I need to pay SEVIS fee again, for I apply for US Visa last year but was refused?Thank you .

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Rebekah,  to the best of our knowledge, you do need to pay the SEVIS fee again,  each I-20 has specific dates, and the SEVIS is tied to the I-20. 

 

 

bonnie: I have a question. I come back from US for break, so do I need an interview again for my going abroad to continue my college study, or I just need to send you all my materials? Do you have a relative website for that

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Bonnie:  look at your visa.  Has it expired?  Most visas are good for entry into the US within one year of issuance.  If the visa has expired, you need to reapply, and show that you are in good standing at your school.  We try not to make it too difficult for returning students -- you qualified once already.

 

谢光希: Sorry, Kathi Yu. I'm afraid there's a misunderstand. I'm attend university in Beijing, but I must leave Beijing to Guangzhou because I will graduate from Beijing Institute of Technology. The university does not allow me to stay in Beijing, so I must go back to Guangzhou. Can I process my visa interview in Guangzhou in this case? Thank you.

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Needing to resume your residency in Guangzhou also qualifies as a good  reason to interview in Guangzhou.

 

CHEN SHUANG: I'm Chen Shuang, applying to study in WINDSOR SCHOOL. However the class start on 7/1/2008 (1st time visa application) prior to your current visa interview date, could you help me to arrange an experdited interview visa for me? Thank you very much !  

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: You may fax a request for an expedited interview to 3884-4424, but these are not usually granted.  We encourage people to request their interviews  at least two months before their start dates to make sure there is time for any additional processing. Our only restriction is that we can not issue a student 120 days before the start date.  The earlier, the better.

 

Grace Huang: If I am going to study in a lower tier University in the U.S., will it be more difficult for me to get a visa? Visa officers might think I don't really want to study there because the university is lower tier.

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thank you, Grace, for your question.  First, I'd like to say that education in the US is really what you make of it.  You can be admitted into an Ivy League school and be a bad student and waste an opportunity.  Or, you can go to a school that is not so famous, but have a great relationship with your professors and learn a lot.  My point is that just because a school is not 'famous' does not mean that a school is 'bad'.  This is why it is important to think about a good, solid study plan before your visa interview.  So the school you are applying for does not make it any easier or any difficult to get a visa. 

 

Michelle: Good Afternoon,Sir/Madam.I wanna apply for F-1 VISA to go study in the US.I've already got my I-20 form and letter of acceptance.But my financial sponsor is not my parents,but my Amercian informal enployer(I worked for him as an interpreter in China,but we didn't sign any contracts).Will that afftect my chance to get my VISA because my sponsir is not my parents but an American citizen?And also,though my financial sponsor is not my parens,do I need to show my parents' income statement and certificate of household ownership of my parents?Thank you very much.

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: If we are able to read the machine coding on the application it should be okay.  Can you try changing the font size on your computer?  I know my personal computer is set to VERY LARGE FONT!!

 

wgs: In my computer, the DS-156 form is printed into 3 pages, is that OK?

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Dear WGS,  sorry I didn't get the format correct.  The answer to your question is: If we are able to read the machine coding on the application it should be okay.  Can you try changing the font size on your computer?  I know my personal computer is set to VERY LARGE FONT!!

 

wendy: Hi officer, I went to college for 3 years,i am holding associate college degree, and i have 2 years working experience, Can I pursue a master degree in the US?

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Thanks for the question, Wendy.  You might be able to pursue a Master's degree, but that would depend on the individual program that you apply for.  You should contact them with your question.  If they issue you an I-20, you would be welcome to apply for a visa.  You should be able to explain at the interview or show why the school has accepted you given your non-traditional application.  Good luck with your plans!

 

ztsing: Dear visa officer, I have got an admission of graduate study, and will take the lab rotations in the first years. What should the study plan include?

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Dear Ztsing, thank you for your question.  If this is your first year in graduate school, it is okay to give us a very basic idea of what you plan to do, if that is all you have at the time of your interview.  If however, you are choosing a doctoral program because you want to participate in specific research with a specific professor, we would need that information.  I hope this helps. 

 

张女士: 下午好！我持多米尼加护照，想经美国过境回国，请问，需要填哪一种表格？还需要递交什么资料？

Visa Officer Arturo Hines: Ms. Zhang, thank you for your question.  Please see our website at  http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/general_information.html  for more information on applying for the kind of visa you need.  Good luck.

 

Michelle: hello,Sir/Madam.I posed a question under the name of Michelle a few minutes ago,can anyone answer my question.Thank you.

Visa Officer Kathi Yu: Sorry Michelle,  I have clumsy fingers.  Here is your question again:  Good Afternoon,Sir/Madam.I wanna apply for F-1 VISA to go study in the US.I've already got my I-20 form and letter of acceptance.But my financial sponsor is not my parents,but my Amercian informal enployer(I worked for him as an interpreter in China,but we didn't sign any contracts).Will that afftect my chance to get my VISA because my sponsir is not my parents but an American citizen?And also,though my financial sponsor is not my parens,do I need to show my parents' income statement and certificate of household ownership of my parents?Thank you very much.  Dear Michelle,  your I-20 must state the source of your funding.  The consular officer msut be satisfied that this person has the intent and resources to sponsor you for study in the United States.