granted tourist visa but then told needed student visa

[CaitlinWoodington 0]

Hi,

I'm attempting to do some investigating for my employer. His daughter has been accepted to a recreational course in the US starting in September. It's not accredited, she won't receive any credits for it and she's the first international student who has done this course. She advised to apply for a tourist visa (B-2), which she did and it was granted. Then she received a call the next day saying that the US Embassy in London had changed their mind and that she needed a student visa. She tried to explain to the woman on the phone but the lady did not seem to understand that it was a recreational course and not one for credit or certificate. Since then she hasn't been able to actually speak to anyone. The phone numbers they have rung have either led them to call centres in India or answering machines. They're trying to determine what their next step should be. We've been doing research but aren't finding many clear solutions. Any advice would be appreciated and if anyone knows how to directly contact the embassy in London that would be great.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Did she receive the actual visa in her passport?

Has she tried emailing the embassy?

There's something missing here.

[CaitlinWoodington 0]

So I was incorrect in saying it was granted. She was told at the interview it would be granted but she did not have the visa in her passport yet. She was waiting to receive her passport when she received the call. There have been several emails sent but no response.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Did they give her any formal denial/rejection paperwork or was it just a phone call? Are you tracking the status online?

[CaitlinWoodington 0]

Just a phone call. The tracking just says processing because the she's been asked to submit the added documentation for a student visa which she can't provide since it's a recreation course. They need to be able to get in touch with someone which they haven't had much luck with.

[RhettVoe 281]

what exactly is the course she wants to take?

[XXXYYYZZZ 20]

I've known many people who've taken non accredited courses in the US on a B2 visa for work with no issue. The only part I find weird is why would a UK national apply for a B2 visa at all for a non accredited course. Why not just use the VWP?

[Boiler 43,429]

I've known many people who've taken non accredited courses in the US on a B2 visa for work with no issue. The only part I find weird is why would a UK national apply for a B2 visa at all for a non accredited course. Why not just use the VWP?

Exactly.

[jan22 2,898]

There are several unknowns in this case.

First, the visa used to enter the US must match the primary purpose of the entry -- so, if the applicant said they wanted to go primarily for this course of study (recreational or not), thoughts of a visa officer turn to student visa. The course of study must be incidental to the entry as a visitor.

Second, there is no indication whether the source of the course is an institution that has I-20 issuing capacity. If so, it may/may not matter whether the individual will receive credit or not. It may require a student visa for the particular course, given the nature of the course.

Third, no indication as to the length of the course -- there's a limit of hours of study for even recreational courses (if I remember right, it's a limit of 18 hours a week). If it's more than that, it's not considered incidental to the entry as a visitor.

It sounds like the visa officer may have done some more review after the interview and found out that the proposed course does not qualify to be done on a visitor's visa. Since she's the first international student to take this course, the school might not have anyone on staff who actually understands the requirements for student visas -- so, when they advised her to apply for a B2, they could have steered her wrong.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

What sort of course is it?