美国签证官解答60个美国留学签证问题!!!
Welcome Message
Thank you for joining us for this online discussion on student visas. Some of you posted
questions already while others I hope are writing more questions for us to answer.
Before we get to the questions, I would like to remind you that this discussion is for
student visas only. If you have questions regarding immigrant visas (visas to live in the
U.S. permanently) or other types of non-immigrant visas, please visit our new website at
http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/.The easiest way to learn about non-immigrant visas and the
visa process is to visit http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/ where we explain the different types of
visas and the process for obtaining a visa.
Students can go online to http://ustraveldocs.com to get information about visas,
schedule an interview appointment, and pay the visa fee.
Please feel free to look over our PowerPoint presentation on student visas. We often
use this presentation when speaking to Chinese students and their parents interested in
studying in the U.S. We hope you find it helpful.
We’re sorry, but for privacy reasons we cannot answer questions regarding why a
specific visa application was denied.
Answered
Answered Questions (60)
--------------------------
1. John: Hi, I am currently an undergraduate student in United States with an F-1 visa, I
will continue my master's program in same university, and I will change a new I-20. My
question is: When I come back China during winter break, do I need to go to embassy or
drop off to Citic bank? Thank you.
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi John, you will need to complete a new application and pay
the visa fee upon your return to China. You may be eligible for the drop off
renewal
service. Please go to http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/ to submit your visa application, IF you
are eligible for drop-off, the system will let you know.
2. Zihao: How much I need to pay now?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi Zihao, currently, you must pay $160 for the application fee.
To receive more information, please refer to the following website:
http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/
3. John: Same university but different program (different I-20), should I go to embassy or
I can drop off at a Citic bank? Thank you.
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi John, as long as you maintain your student status and you
do not plan to leave the U.S., you do not need to extend or renew your visa, even if the
expiration date has already passed. If you do travel to any other countries, including
China, you will need to make an appointment and apply for a new F1 visa. If you are
renewing your visa, you may be eligible to use our drop off renewal service. Information
regarding this option is available on http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/.
4. Xin: 毕业后，如果申请OPT，I-20是自动过期么？如果I-20过期，是否意味着即使F1
VISA在有效期内也不能再次入境呢？那毕业后如果想回国探亲应该怎样办手续？
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Xin, 你好，你必须在毕业后一年内申请OPT. 如果成功申请
OPT, 学校会帮你修改I-20的第二页(OPT的信息). 如果你要回国探亲, 而你的 F1签证已
经过期了, 你需要重新申请签证.
5. Erik: My mom was asked to send her passport to Guangzhou through Shanghai CITIC
bank. Her visa was denied and she was asked to reinterview in Consulate Shanghai. At
the window, the officer only asked what your job is and then issued the visa. Why plays
such a hard game?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Erik, even though your mother was eligible for the drop off
renewal option, it is still up to the discretion of the visa officer to request an in-person
interview. We appreciate your mother's patience in this process.
6. Bujian: I am tired of the new appointment system. I have to go to the CITIC bank again
and again. First pay money and then submit documents. And then told me my B1/B2 visa
was denied last time and have to go to interview. For the rest people in the group who
are not denied but used the same account, they have to set up a new account. * Vice Consul - Natalia: Bujian, we are very sorry to hear about your inconvenience.
Our policy dictates that if a person has prior refusals, they must appear at the Consulate
for an in-person interview.
7. Lam Wu: 请问去美国个人旅行，需要什么签证材料？
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Lam Wu, 你好. 如果你想去美国旅行, 你要申请 B1/B2 的签
证. 需要提供什么材料请登录这个网站地址: http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/.
8. Xueli: My place of birth is Meizhou county, Guangdong province, China. After I put that
into the online form, the last confirmation page shows Meizhou, China. I think it should
say Guangdong, China. Does this matter? I am not able to change it now. Should I have
it changed? Will it be considered inconsistent information?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Xueli, since you are not able to correct your place of birth on
your DS-160 at this time, please make sure that when you come for your interview, you
bring documentation to prove your place of birth (birth certificate, national ID card) and
also inform the Consulate staff. Thank you.
9. zlx: F1签证在有效期内，原先的I20是学校的语言中心发的，现已进入本校，I20也换了
新的。如果回国后返回美国学校，是否需要重新签证？如需要是否可以中信银行代传递。
谢谢
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: zlx, 你仍然可以在美国继续学习。但是如果你中途回国，再次
返回美国前必须重新办签证。 如果新的学校与上一签证所注明的学校为同一学校，你可以
通过中信银行代传递申请。
10. Evelyn: so must we use English, right?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Evelyn, 你好, 如果你有关于签证的问题, 你可以用中文问我
们。
11. Evelyn: My passport was issued by Shanghai, couldmy F2 be issued in Guangzhou?
My husband holds passport issued in Shenzhen, and he will apply for F1. Thanks
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi Evelyn, if your passport was issued in Shanghai, you are
still permitted to apply for an F2 visa in Guangzhou.
12. Iris: Excuse me, Sir. I have some questions about DS-160 form. Can I create a new
form if I make some mistakes in the old one?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Iris, if you stop working on your application for more than 20
minutes, your session will expire. You will have to start over, unless you have recorded
your Application ID Number or have saved your application to a file on your computer.
Write down the Application ID displayed on the top right-hand corner of the page. If you
need to close the browser before submitting your application, you will need this Application ID to continue your application. Thanks!
13. 用手走路: Hi, this is the first time for me and my wife to apply the student visa to USA;
shall we make one appointment or two if we apply one F-1 visa and one F-2 visas?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi 用手走路: Please visit http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/ to make
your appointment, complete your DS-160 application and pay your visa fee. You will
notice that our new system will allow you to add dependents to your appointment - your
wife - when you are completing your application. That way we can ensure you are
scheduled to the appointment at the same time and your applications are linked.
14. a1ison: hey hi, (:
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hello Alison! Thanks for joining us tonight. Please feel free to
ask us any questions you may have about applying for a U.S. visas.
15. James: I want to travel US. how can I do ?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi James, I'm glad to hear about your interest in traveling to
the U.S. To apply for a B1/B2 visa, please visit http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/ for more
details. The website will guide you through the application process and will
inform you of
the documents you will need to provide to complete your application.
16. North: What do you expect for a study plan? How much/what kind of details should
be involved? Thanks
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi North: Supporting documents in general are only one of
many factors a visa officer will consider in your interview. Visa Officers look at each
application individually and consider professional, social, cultural, and other factors
during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family
situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence.
Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.
When it comes to research/study plans, please include detailed information about your
planned studies or research in the United States, including the name and e-mail address
of your advising professor and/or the head of your department in the United States.
Please visit http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/StudyPlan.pdf for a sample research proposal /
study plan.
17. James: 你好，我可以提问非学生签证的签证问题吗？
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: James, 你好, 我们两个现在负责非移民的签证 所以你可以
提问关于非移民签证的问题。 但是,如果是关于移民签证的问题, 我们无法回答。
18. 胡: 办一个签证要多少钱？从提交资料到最后拿到需要多久时间？
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: 胡, 你好! 目前如果你要办个签证需要支付160美金的签证费.
关于需要等多长时间才能签证, 每个案子都不同. 大部分的案子会在一周内获得签证.有些
案子有可能需要做进一步审查. 所以, 要等起码三个星期的时间.
19. Evelyn: another question, when I am applying F2 visa, should I tell my plan clearly in
US to VO? Or what information should I provide to VO? Thanks a lot
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Evelyn, I believe your question refers to the F2 visa category,
which is the visa class that the spouse or child of someone studying on an F1 is eligible
to apply for. When an applicant is applying for an F2 visa, the most important
factor the
visa officer considers is the relationship between the F1 and F2 applicant. If it’s a child,
the visa officer may ask for the birth certificate for example, for spouses, the visa officer
may ask to see a marriage certificate, wedding pictures, etc. Please let us know if this
answers your question. Thank you.
20. 用手走路: does this matter the result of visa interview: a passport with visas and
records of different countries or a totally new passport?* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi 用手走路, we evaluate each applicant based on his/her
overall circumstances. If I understood your question correctly, the fact that you will have
a new passport will not have a negative impact on your application. Since your old
passport (containing your visas to other countries) can demonstrate your prior travels,
we recommend that you bring both your old and new passports when you go to your
interview.
21. Bella: Hello, I'm a F1 visa at the consulate in Guangzhou in June last year, until now
you haven't give me back my passport and I-20 .I send email many time, the staff reply
me that my case is in administrative processing. So what should I do?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi Bella, Unfortunately, we are unable to answer questions
about specific cases. Usually, the majority of applicants will be issued visas within a few
days. However, a small percentage of visa applications will require additional administrative processing. Currently, this processing generally takes about three weeks.
Please feel free to contact our Education Officer at [email protected] if
you have further questions about your case. In the meantime, we thank you for your
continued patience.
22. 剑豪: 移民美国有咩途径啊
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: 剑豪, 你好. 我们两个现在负责非移民签证. 所以, 很抱歉无
法回答你移民签证的问题.不过, 如果你有非移民签证的问题, 我们很乐意地回答.
23. Iris: Hi, the major name shows in my I 20 form is different from the name of
my
program, which should I use in the DS-160 form?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Iris, if there are mistakes on your I-20, we highly recommend
that you get in contact with your school representative to fix any mistakes before your
interview. The major or course of study indicated on your I-20 should match what you
indicate on your DS-160 form. Thanks
24. 用手走路: I get an admission of a MS program, which is a course only program, no
thesis or projects involved. Since there is almost no research contents in this MS
program, then how to prepare my research plan?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: For a sample on how to prepare your research plan, please visit
http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/StudyPlan.pdf. You may also want to prepare a CV, please
visit
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/china/196482/PDF%20File/Resume%20Sample_Englis
h.pdf for a sample.
25. Iris: Hi, the major shows on my I 20 form is a little different from that of my program,
which should I use in the DS-160 form? Thanks!!
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Iris, if there are mistakes on your I-20, we highly recommend
that you get in contact with your school representative to fix any mistakes before your
interview. The major or course of study indicated on your I-20 should match what you
indicate on your DS-160 form. Thanks
26. Rick: My company applied a B visa for me to have training in US, but it was denied in
March. Does it have a bad effect on my personal coming F1 visa application? Thank you.
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Rick, please be advised that you must disclose any prior
refusals on your DS-160 visa application. When considering an applicant for an F1
student visa, the most important criteria for a student visa are whether or not the visa
officer believes you have been accepted to a real school, whether or not you are truly
going to the U.S. to study, whether you and your parents are able to pay the tuition for
your studies, and lastly, whether you plan to leave the U.S. after your studies. Thank
you.
27. North: my family just started to do some small business like selling sth popular which
is not that official but legal, so can I use that money (enough) as my funds to study in
US?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi North, there is no specific amount of money that you must
have in any one bank account, and it doesn't matter what kind of deposit or account it is
-- what we are most interested in is you and your family's overall financial situation:
who is paying for your tuition? Are the people paying for your tuition employed with
steady salaries over many years? Do you own houses or other property or assets?
At the time of your interview, you should be prepared to present financial and any other
documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence
that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of
study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you
remain in the United States. Hope this answers your question.
28. Iris: I have contacted the school official and am informed that the name is correct.
And the duration of my program is 1 year while what the I 20 shows is 3 years. Which
should I use when answering the question about the travel plan?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Iris, please verify with your school official for clear guidance on
the duration of your program. Your I-20 and your DS-160 must have the same information.
29. gzwujb: 您好，我咨询一个问题，我的孩子已被一所美国高中录取，相关材料如_I-20
也拿到了，但孩子的护照今年10月20日到期，_根据规定换护照的申请时间必须到4月20
日，而学校的入学时间是6月份，我是拿旧护照去签证还是等换了新护照才办签证，请予
以指导？非常感谢！
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: gzwujb, 你好, 在你孩子进入美国当天他的护照有效期必须有
六个月以上. 否则, 我们建议他去换发新的护照再来办签证. 祝你的孩子学有所成!
30. Peter: Hey, I am a graduate student in US now, I want to come back to China to
renew my Visa, what documents should I hand on? Thank you
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Peter, upon your return to China, please visit
ustraveldocs.com for a complete list of documents needed to apply for an F1 visa.31. 用手走路: Thanks for your explanation, that's really helpful.
* Vice Consul - Natalia: You're very welcome.
32. Peter: I want to renew my Visa, should I hand on some documents from my university ?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi Peter, if you're an undergraduate student renewing an F1
visa, you should provide an official transcript covering coursework at your university. If
you're a graduate student renewing an F1 visa, you should provide the following
supporting documents: (1) official transcripts covering coursework at your university; (2)
Research/study plans with detailed information about your planned studies or research
in the United States, including the name and e-mail address of your advising professor
and/or the head of your department in the United States; (3) A resume/CV that provides
detailed information about your past academic and professional experience, including a
complete list of all publications to which you have contributed; (4) An advisors biography,
CV, or webpage printout.
33. Bella: Thank you for helping, I have paid SEVIS for a year, so do I pay again?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Bella, there are a few circumstances where a student MAY
have to pay the SEVIS fee again. It must be repaid when: 1) Filing an application for
reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than five months, 2) Applying
for a new visa or returning to the United States after an absence of five months or more
that did not involve authorized overseas study, and 3) Filing an application for a
change
of status to an F, M or J classification except for changes between F-1 and F-3 or
between M-1 and M-3. For more detailed information on the SEVIS fee, we invite you to
visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq.htm. Thanks!
34. Evelyn: Thanks a lot for your response, and does our marriage certificate need
official notarization? of course our marriage certificate was issued by Chinese government. Thanks again
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Please bring your original marriage certificate, no notarization is
necessary.
35. Yui: 请问退役士兵去留学有什么限制吗？谢谢！
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Yui, 你好. 美国欢迎来自各种背景的学生. 在学生申请的时候,
我们必须确定以下的因素: (1) 被有资格招收外国学生的学校录取; (2) 有足够的费用; (3)
达到所学课程最基本的学历要求; (4) 在完成学业后有意图离开美国.
36. Emma: I want to apply for the doctor degree course in America. Is it difficult? And I
only can get the visa after I apply successfully, or if I want to visit the school and professors first? What can I do? Thank you!
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Emma, the US has many options for medical school. To find
out more information about various programs and universities, you may want to visit
www.educationusa.state.gov or
http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/study_in_usa.html. In order to attend a US
university as a foreign student, you must first apply to the school, once you are accepted;
you will receive a document called the I-20. Once you have the I-20 you may apply for an
F1 student visa to the United States. IF you wish to visit the US as a prospective student,
meaning that you'd like to visit various universities and perhaps meet with school officials
before making your choice, you will need to apply for a B1/B2 visa. For more information
on non-immigrant visas, please visit ustraveldocs.com. Thank you for your question.
37. Kenny: summer school回国，2周左右后再回美国继续读书，但是回国后通过正常方式
签证可能会来不及，请问有什么更好的办法在2周内办好去美国的签证？
* Vice Consul - Natalia: 就算所有程序都可以通过上网完成，一个中国学生如果已经在美
国学习并希望续签签,他必须回到国内才可以获得新的签证。学生们可登陆 http://ustraveldocs.com 了解关于签证的信息，预约面谈时间，缴纳签证费. 大部分申请
人在一个星期内获得签证.
39. Evelyn: sorry, but I was asking about our marriage certificate not birth certificate,
should marriage certificate need official notarization?* Vice Consul - Natalia: Evelyn, the marriage certificate needs to be original or a
certified copy.
41. Yummin: I am going to apply F1 visa. My parents have deposited money in my
account. Do I need to provide any proof of my parents' income? Thanks。 * Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Yummin, at the time of your interview, you should be
prepared to present financial and any other documents you believe will support your
application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available
funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds
sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States.
42. Emma: I'm so sorry for the type mistakes. I mean Doctor Degree. Thanks for your
answer so much.
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Emma, you can find information on all types of degree
programs and universities on the websites I provided to you before. Good luck!
43. 用手走路: Sorry for confirming a basic question: it reads on my I-20 that "The normal
length of study is 24 months". Does that mean I shall declare to apply a F-1 visa for 2
years?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: At this time, due to visa reciprocity rules, we are only able to
issue one-year student visas, so you would need to apply for a new visa if you come
home after one year of study in the U.S.
44. Emma: But if I apply for B1/B2 visa. I don’t think I have enough files to apply for.
Because I don’t have file from the school and plus I go by myself. So what are the files
needed that can make my visa proved?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Emma, please visit
http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-niv-typeb1b2.asp for an overview on applying for a B1/B2
visa. You will also find information on recommended documents for your interview.
Thank you.
45. 用手走路: Thanks for previous answer. My next question is how do VOs judge
whether an applicant “在完成学业后有意图离开美国." or not?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: When evaluating an applicant's intent to return to their country
after their studies, we assess whether your family enjoys favorable overall conditions in
your home country, and at the same time, we also understand that it's natural for
students to accrue social ties to America over the course of their study.
46. Yui: 我准备自己申请签证，不找中介可以吗？
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Yui, 你可以自己申请签证, 不需要找中介.
47. gzwujb: 护照10月20日到期，我可以先签证后，再换护照，入境时_持新旧护照入境吗？
谢谢！
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: 你的孩子可以用旧的护照申请签证, 然后必须在护照过期前
六个月进入美国. 如果他想申请新的护照, 他可以在中国驻美国的使领馆申请.
48. 用手走路: Thanks for the study plan link, I've studied it and here is a further question:
the guidance mentions only "NOT coursework only program" situation, but mine is a "full
course of study"(what I read on my I-20) Master program, that means I probably could
not provide "a basic description of my research". Thus my concern is whether a pure
course study without research content will undermine my application?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: We approve students planning to study pure courses without
research, all the time. You may want to prepare a brief description of your study plan
regardless of whether research is involved or not. Most importantly, just be prepared to
discuss your plans as a student.
49. Iris: Does my travel plan have anything to do with my duration of study? If I want to
come back after one year of study, should I indicate it in the travel plan?
Thanks！
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Iris, students studying abroad in the US return to their home
countries for holidays, to visit relatives and friends all the time. If you have plans to return
to China after one year of study, you may wish to include that in your travel plan.
50. Yui: 我看了大使馆网站上让留学准备的材料，如不找中介，不知还需什么材料？* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Yui, 你需要提供什么材料, 请登陆这个网站: http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/.
51. April: 我工作5年了，我虽然有一定存款但不够。如果我的资金证明是我妈的账户开的，
sponsor 是我妈可以吗。用证明我和我妈的关系吗，如果用，要如何证明。 * Vice Consul - Natalia: 如果你是自己支付教育费用， 你必须证明你有足够的资金。你
有可能会被问到资金的来源. 为了证明有足够的资金，你有可能会被问到过去几年中你的
家庭收入和财产. 证明的关系，可以提供出生证明。
52. Iris: Thanks Natalia. Does my duration of study in the I -20 form automatically include
the OPT time?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi Iris, this may be a question for your designated school
official.
53. Xuechan: 您好！请问F-1签证有效期只有一年吗？我的MS program 时长只有一年半，
这是否意味着我必须在一年后回国续签？那么续签后的F-1签证有效期是多长呢？谢谢！
* Vice Consul - Natalia: 目前来说，中国公民所获得的学生签证最长有效期是一年。签证
的有效期与你在美国的合法逗留期是两个不同的概念。所以如果你一年后回国，仍需要申
请新的签证。
54. gzwujb: 非常感谢您的解答，还有一问题，若护照有效期若不足半年，对签证有影响
吗？谢谢
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: 如果你孩子的护照有效期不足半年, 我们会要求他带新的护
照来才签发签证. 所以, 我们建议你孩子先去办新的护照, 然后用新的护照去申请美国的
签证。
55. April: can I book my flight before getting my visa approved?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi April, we would suggest that you wait until your visa has
been approved before booking your flight.
56. MANDA: 您好 我想知道我和阿姨一起办旅游签证 成功率高吗 我只是单纯想去美
国旅游的
* Vice Consul - Natalia: 可登陆 http://ustraveldocs.com 了解关于签证的信息，预约面
谈时间，缴纳签证费
57. April: if my financial support is from my mom, do I have to provide any evidence to
prove my relationship with my mom?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Hi April, if your mother is providing financial support, you may
be asked to provide financial documents, asked about her employment, any property she
might have, etc. You may be asked to provide proof of your relationship; you can provide
a birth certificate, your mother's passport or national ID or other supporting documents.
58. 用手走路: Thanks for all explanations, have a nice evening. :)
* Vice Consul - Natalia: Thank you for your participation. Have a nice evening!
59. Yan: Hey, I want to know what's the requirement of the money we need for the visa?
* Vice Consul_Thao Anh: Hi, Yan. At this time, the visa application fee is $160. As for
how to demonstrate that you have adequate funds to pay for your education, there is no
specific amount of money that you must have in any one bank account, and it doesn't
matter what kind of deposit or account it is -- what we are most interested in is you and
your family's overall financial situation: who is paying for your tuition? Are the people
paying for your tuition employed with steady salaries over many years? Do you own
houses or other property or assets? At the time of your interview, you should be prepared to present financial and any other documents you believe will support your
application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available
funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds
sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States.
60. 用手走路: Hi, the name appears on my bank statement is my wife's, is it enough if
we bring our original marriage certificate aside?
* Vice Consul - Natalia: You may provide any document that demonstrates your
relationship to your wife, that may include marriage certificate, birth certificate of children
you might have together, photos, etc.
Closing Message
Vice Consul - Natalia: Thank you for joining us for this online discussion on student
visas. As a reminder the easiest way to learn about student visas and the visa process is
to visit our new website at http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/ where we explain the different
types of visas and the process for obtaining a visa. Remember this site is available in
English and Mandarin Chinese.
联系人:凯利国际
电话：[1**********] QQ: 1792799214
网址：www.kaili-visa.com
地址：北京市东城区东直门东方银座A座7层
B.