F1 VISA

[Mrs S91 0]

Hi Everyone,

I applied to study in the US back in Dec 09 and was accepted for the Fall 2010 semester. I sent the relevant paper work to the school in regards to finance. I was sent out the I-20 form and booked my appoinment with the embassy in the London (home country). I was denied back in July on the basis that i did not have ties in the UK, after enquire with the embassy what i could show as ties i booked another appoinment on was denied again on the same reason that i have no ties in the UK. However, the school has deferred my start date to the spring semester 2011 and i am providing relevant docs again for them to issue an up to date I-20.

My question is has anyone gone through this and had a approval on the third application and what did they do different.

I have listed below what i provided when i applied.

v College Acceptance letter

v I-20 – Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Visa

v SEVIS form

v Visa application form

v Passport photo

v Council Tenancy Agreement

v Proof of family members in the UK (passports, bills, birth certificates)

v Bank Statements

v Marriage Certificate

v Statement of Service from London Borough of Lambeth

v CV

v Qualifications Certificates

[Boiler 43,687]

None of the documents you mentioned show ties to the UK.

[Dakine 26]

None of the documents you mentioned show ties to the UK.

You need documentation showing why you basically "Have to" return to UK and won't "run" when you get to the US.

Edited October 13, 2010 by Dakine

[canadian_wife 1,791]

You mentioned marriage certificate, are you married to a USC or a UK citizen?

Also, none of the things you mentioned showed ties that you MUST return to the UK. Unless you increase your ties, you'll be denied again. When I applied, I had

A job offer pending graduation

property ownership in Canada

Family ties

Bank accounts

Student Loans

Even then they gave me a hefty time

Good luck

[sachinky 464]

At the time of my F-1 interview, I showed my parent's tax statements, my mom's balance sheet, my personal and my parent's bank account statement. Property deeds. Plus, I am the only child of my parents, so I suppose that helped. I, on my own, didn't have too many ties to India apart from family ties and a bank account.

Edited October 14, 2010 by sachinky

[Mrs S91 0]

Hey,

And thanks for your response…..what exactly can I show as having ties to the UK. I am married to a UK citizen, I have a council property in my name though rented, these properties or very hard to get. I currently work for a local authority and they are only willing to leave the job open for 6 months as with the economic climate, most of the jobs or being cut.

If you guys can give me some hint/ideas as to what to provide to show ties to the UK I would be more than grateful. Cos I thought having a husband and relatives was proof enough.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

I assume your husband will travel with you to the US? If not, try and show how he must remain in the UK for the period of your study

How long do you intend to remain in the US?

[Boiler 43,687]

Did you submit a letter from your employer saying they were keeping your job open.

Perhaps the letter could also include how the course you are doing is beneficial to your job and would lead to promotion?

[Mrs S91 0]

I assume your husband will travel with you to the US? If not, try and show how he must remain in the UK for the period of your study

How long do you intend to remain in the US?

My husband will not be travelling to the US with me. What can i use to show that he will be staying...

I will be studying for 2yrs..

[Boiler 43,687]

So you do not have a job to go back to?

They know you are married and they know that he has not applied for a F2 so will not be going.

You just have to think of what reasons compel your return and then substantiate them.

Edited October 14, 2010 by Boiler

[Used to be broken 143]

My husband will not be travelling to the US with me. What can i use to show that he will be staying...

I will be studying for 2yrs..

if your hubby is employed his employment letter, copies of additional property you own in UK like both your cars. Statement from you husband that he doesn't intent to relocate to US with you now or ever and expects you to return to US on holiday and after your study completion. Letters from relatives attesting to the stable and committed nature of your relationship maybe saying this separation will be hard on both of you but they know you are going to be married forever? Just taking a stab at it. List of names addresses of all your UK relatives which are connections and ties.

[Mrs S91 0]

So you do not have a job to go back to?

They know you are married and they know that he has not applied for a F2 so will not be going.

You just have to think of what reasons compel your return and then substantiate them.

No i will not have a job to come back to. I work for the Local Government and everyone in my section are currently either going through redundancy or deletion. The longest they are willing to leave the job open for me is 3 months as we know we are safe for this financial year.

[Boiler 43,687]

Try another way, you are giving up a lot for this, leaving a secure job at a time when there are 40 applicants for each job available, taking 2 years away from your husband and family and spending an awful lot of money on tuition fees and living expenses.

So it has to be really worth it, something that you consider a life changing experience and will help when you return.

Perhaps this is something you could focus on?

[Mrs S91 0]

Try another way? not sure what you mean... but my job is not that secure as i said we are only secure for this financial year, the government budget was read yeaterday and 500,000 jobs have to be cut fromt he public sector. I will not be staying in the US for the holidays when we break from studying, so i will be seeing my husband. This is something that i really want to do and it will definately change my life. If you guys have any hints on what i can provide or can point me to a post where an sucessful applicant has shared their experience i would be grateful..(i know each case is different)

[Boiler 43,687]

Try another way? not sure what you mean

Focus on the benfits of the course and how will allow you to improve your life etc when you return.

... but my job is not that secure as i said we are only secure for this financial year, the government budget was read yesterday and 500,000 jobs have to be cut from the public sector.

Probably not something to stress.

I will not be staying in the US for the holidays when we break from studying, so i will be seeing my husband. This is something that i really want to do and it will definately change my life. If you guys have any hints on what i can provide or can point me to a post where an sucessful applicant has shared their experience i would be grateful..(i know each case is different)

Years ago my Brother had a L visa, so uneventful that he did not even know what type he had.

Generally for all visa's people who applied with no issues have nothing to tell. It is the ones that do not get a visa or have issues that post.

I can not think of any threads involving the UK where immigrant intent has been an issue, tends to be more India etc related.

Two final suggestions:

Have you spoken to your International Admissions Officer?

Have a chat with an Immigration Lawyer familiar with your circumstances and London Consulate?