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U.S. Official Discusses Study in America, Student Visa Process

USINFO Webchat transcript, October 30

Carolyn Gorman, U.S. consular officer in the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, answers questions in an October 30 USINFO webchat on the educational exchange programs in the United States and the student visa process.

Following is the transcript:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
USINFO Webchat Transcript

See You in the USA: Education and Visa Issues

Guest:     U.S. Embassy Belgrade Consul Carolyn Gorman
Date:       October 30, 2006
Time:      10:00 a.m. EST (1500 GMT)

Question: Dear Mrs. Carolyn Gorman, is there a way of getting visa for work and tourist visa? What are the chances for getting that kind of visas.

My life wish is to study and continue life in USA.

Answer [Carolyn Gorman]: Yes there are various opportunities for studying, working and living in the United States. For example, there are a number of educational exchange programs such as A/SMYLE for high school students. There are also University exchange programs, and the work travel program allows such students to work in the States for the summer. Also, if you have special talents such as being a computer programmer, nurse or engineer U.S. companies can sponsor you for a work visa. It really depends on what you would like to do -- I would encourage you to visit our website for more information -- http://belgrade.usembassy.gov/.

Broadly speaking, most people immigrate to the U.S. based on applications filed by close family members legally living there, or by American employers, or winning the Diversity Visa Lottery. Applications are currently being accepted for the Lottery until December 3, 2006. More information is always available on our website.

Q: Dear Mrs. Gorman, how can I get financial aid for studying languages, Latin and old Greek?  Sincerely, Ilijana.

A: I would ask the folks at the Educational advising center who are represented at the Book Fair in our booth to answer that question. I know there are scholarships available for such programs from different universities in the U.S. and I would encourage you to contact them directly.

Q: Could you please describe what kind of visa I need to study in the United States?

A: Generally, you would need a student visa also known as an F-1 visa. This requires you to apply and be accepted by your university of choice and they will then assist in the visa application process.

IIP Webchat Moderator: Ms. Gorman, could you please describe what is needed to receive a tourist visa to the United States?

A: Essentially, one needs to convince the consular officer that you will return to your country after a temporary and limited stay in the United States. Therefore you would need to show that you have strong social and employment ties to Serbia that would obligate you to return after your trip.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am very happy to know some information about studies in the USA. Many students in My Tho City want to know about information of studying abroad. Please supply us some information. How do we get overseas study visa? What are the best universities in the USA? How about yearly tuition fees?  Best wishes, Tuan Anh

A: Hi Tuan - I would recommend that you speak to Elizabeth Chung who is in our both at this moment. She is the head of the Educational Advising Center and could help you with all of these questions.

Q [kimcuong]: Three years ago, I engaged with an American. I applied for fiancé visa but my interview was failed. After that, we did not progress our marriage because the difference raised between us. The U.S. Consulate returned my document. Now, I want to study master in USA, can I get visa?

A: You can always apply for a student visa to the U.S., but as with all student visas, you must convince the consul that you intend to return to your country after your studies are over. This would also require you to be accepted and enrolled in a university which has the type of program that you are looking for.

Q [Podgorica]: Is there any visa to do both education and practical training in the U.S.?

A: Some university programs include an optional fifth year of training, it really depends on the program you choose. There are also professional training programs in the United States that are not affiliated with universities such as hotel/restaurant courses that are offered to people who want to work in that field. AYUSA or other local agencies can provide more information on these kind of career development opportunities.

Q [MyfairladyUSA]: It seems like consular officers do have the upper hand in making decisions. Those of us in the U.S. have little direction on how to handle this decision making process since it is determined at the American Embassy in that particular country. Any suggestions on this?

A: Yes, it is true that consular officers have the responsibility to adjudicate all visa applications abroad. They make their decisions based on U.S. immigration law - all applicants must qualify for a visa on their own merits. The situation of their friends and relatives in the U.S. does generally have a bearing on this decision.

Q: Dear Mrs. Carolyn Gorman, I'm interested in finishing 12 grade in U.S.  What papers do I have to have in order to receive student visa?  Sincerely, Nikola

A: Hi Nikola, your best bet is to talk to American Councils about the A/SMYLE program which is a high school exchange program. They can lead you through the process of filling out the appropriate paperwork if you qualify for the program.

Q [INAM HAQUE]: …from Lahore Pakistan.  In the past there used to be a provision for foreign students graduating from U.S. universities that allowed 18 months of training in a U.S. organization/company. I am wondering whether this provision still exists.

A: I believe you are referring to the optional practical training year (OPT) offered by some undergraduate programs. Some undergrad programs offer OPTs and some do not. You really need to check with the particular university program you are interested in.

Q [Media Assistant Sierra Leone]: Is there any way to appeal or protest when a prospective student is refused an F-1 visa, even though there is sufficient proof that he/she has been accepted in a U.S. college and has proof that fees have been paid. We have these cased often in Sierra Leone.

A: Each U.S. Embassy has its own policy regarding appeals after refusal of the visa. I recommend that you contact our Embassy regarding the appeals policy in Sierra Leone.

Q [MyfairladyUSA]: Thank you for taking your time for this chat forum -- question -- who can you contact as a visa liason when having problems with visa issues especially if you feel that the consular officer handling a case is not being reasonable?

A: In such unusual cases, I recommend that you send a letter to our consular mailbox at consularbelgrd@state.gov. A supervising officer will read your appeal and you will receive a response via e-mail.

Q [IAC]: Ms. Gorman, since this site seems so very international, I would like to recommend that some of the students outside of the countries of Serbia and Montenegro explore www.educationUSA.state.gov to find their local advising center for any follow up questions on scholarships and study opportunities.

Q: Dear Mrs. Carolyn G., what do I need in order to get visa. Because I want to do the doctorate? Sincerely, Krictijan….

A: If you would like to pursue post-graduate studies in the U.S., you should talk to the representative from the International Academic Center, at our table at the Book Fair. In general, you need to be accepted into a post-doc program that accepts foreign students, the costs of the program must be covered by you or the school or a sponsor, and the school will help you with the visa application paperwork.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am an international student in Canada. My citizenship is Vietnamese. I will graduate in next May. By this time I am applying for a seminary in the U.S. The school said that perhaps I will receive the scholarship from that seminary. I wonder if I need to come back to Vietnam for the interview after I receive the I-20? Can I go to the U.S. Embassy in Calgary to get the interview? I have been in Canada for more than four years by that time. I also have Canadian Social Insurance Number. I also was in U.S. for a summer job last summer.

Thank you very much for your help. May all the best come to you.  Thu.

A: You should contact our Consulate in Calgary with your question. You can find contact information for all U.S. Embassies and Consulates on www.travel.state.gov.

Q: What are the requirements for scholarships for English learner’s students from Serbia.

A: As with the other inquirers interested in studying in the U.S., I would suggest that you talk with the Educational Advisor at the American table at the Book Fair.

Q: I was an exchange student in the U.S. through a-smyle program. I am interested on studying for college in the U.S. Am I able to get another student visa?  Thank You, Nevena.

A: Yes it's possible to get another student visa. You just need to find a university and program that will accept you and you need to meet the basic qualifications for the student visa that were described in the answers to the other questions.

Q: Dear Mrs. Gorman, my daughter is in U.S. on Doctorate. When she was 14 she got enrolled in undergraduate studies. She got MM degree in Belgrade, Serbia and also in U.S. Now she is the youngest student of DM degree. She is an excellent student with the highest marks. She is very talented pianist. I can give you her biography.

My questions are: Can she get a green card after five years spent in the U.S.? Can she get it based on her great achievements? If it is possible, what documents are necessary?  Thank you so much, Vesna.

A: It is very likely that someone with your daughter's talents could qualify either for our visa for people with extraordinary ability or she may find a U.S. company that would like to hire her and cannot find an American who is suitable for the job. In that case, the company would assist her in applying for a work visa. That visa could be in our temporary category or it could be an immigrant visa for working, which is the Green Card. She can find more information about work visas or immigrating to the U.S. at www.travel.state.gov, or she might want to contact an immigration lawyer to assist her in determining which category of visa would best suit her abilities and job prospects.

IIP Webchat Moderator: We'd like to thank Carolyn Gorman for her time today as well as all of the participants. Thank you and we hope to see you at our next chat.

[A transcript of today's Webchat will be available on our USINFO Webchat Station ]