Advice on getting student visas

My husband is attending culinary school in Sept. and boy, am I nervous.  We can't apply for our visa until June 19, and if any of you have advice on what to prepare, I would be immensely grateful!!

Also, is anyone the dependent of a student?  They say I can work a 40-hr week, but I just want to be sure. 

Thanks!!!

Hi, Maramallow!

See pittpanther36's postings under Student visa--Proof of funds.  She is going through the process right now.  I hope to be going through the process next month.

You can't overprepare when it comes to dealing with Immigration.  Get all of your ducks in a row and make it easy to present your documents.  One woman used a 3 ring binder to present all of docs for a fiance (I think) visa.  The Immigration Officer complimented her on the folder.  I'm picking up a binder today!

Yes, you can work full time while hubs is in school. 

Good luck!

Thanks so much!  I'll try to keep people posted as well, if they're interested... I love this forum, so much help!!

Oh, we *are* interested!  The more we relate our experiences, the better for those who come after us.

Right now I'm stressing over how much money we have(i.e. not very much!!!).  Has anyone out there been denied because of insufficient funds?  Other than that, everything is a go.  Too bad culinary school is so much more expensive...I have to pay a lot for a hubby that will make me dinner

I can say that they will be concerned about funds! I am getting my loan approval hopefully in the next 2 weeks and I'll be sending off my visa asap. I have spent the last few days getting it in order b/c now that I've been there and have an idea of what to expect, I am putting everything and anything in it! Every little bit helps, so even though my brit bf is my sponsor, I am putting my measely savings account statement in there. I think even 800 pounds savings will help. Anyway - do some research and really review the required docs carefully before sending it and think of any doubts/holes or questions they may think of when seeing it from new eyes. good luck! Let me know how it goes - I'm sending mine shortly after yours. 

Well, I suppose we have really more than I think.  Really, we have his tuition covered, and a decent monthly rent for two years, so hopefully they will see that I will get a great job in a good salon, become a *madly* famous hairdresser, and never have to bother the Brit government for anything ever again.  Hopefully...

I can't find the search button, but I'm pretty sure someone got a work permit (not that you would need one) for a job at Tony and Guy.  Hairdressers with certain skills may be in demand!  If you had a job offer in writing when you apply for hubs visa, it sure would help.

That's very true!!  I asked my current boss for a letter of rec,  but she's leaving out of town tomorrow, right when I need to apply.  Do you think it's worth waiting a week for her to come back and write one for me?  I asked the Visa Dept(I talk to them entirely too much!) and they said "It can't hurt."  That was the extent of their guidance...

I asked the Visa Dept(I talk to them entirely too much!) and they said "It can't hurt."  That was the extent of their guidance...

Good thing we don't have to pay for their advice!  Come to think of it, with the fees they change, you'd think they could be just a little more helpful.

Yes, I'd wait and get the letter when your boss returns.  I lost out on an HSMP visa because I gave them exactly what was asked for and no more.  Bury them with paper!

Yeah!!  We have a place to live!  So we're covered on that issue  *Phew*  As far as money, I've got a really nice and *generous* dad, should I ask him if we can put some money in my account for the purposes of the visa, then remove it later?  Or is that cheating....? 

doing that now w/ my sponsor. His mom gave us a lot of dough and we're taking it right out after it clears

Good, me too.  I'm getting everything ready now, getting the little report cover for our applications.  I will turn them in on Monday(including the lovely letter of recommendation from my awesome boss!).  If anybody has advice on how to organize the apps--I'm thinking table of contents and and a bibliography with footnotes --please let me know.  I'm just going to be the brown-nosing, curve-ruining Honors student on this one....

I am getting my loan approval hopefully in the next 2 weeks and I'll be sending off my visa asap.

Speaking of loans, hubs will be applying for culinary school scholarships, but they won't award anything until after we apply.  Do you think it's worth including the scholarship app with the visa, or will they turn around and say, "Come back when you've won some money"  ? 

Hi:

I applied for my student visa here in NYC, and the process was exceptionally easy.

1. They are NOT nearly as intimidating as you think they will be
2. They didn't ask for my bank statements AT ALL
3. My appointment TOTALLY wasn't necessary - all you do is walk right in and stand in a long line

They only wanted to see my driver's license, passport, copy of my student loan papers and my acceptance letter to graduate school. I was approved within 2 minutes LITERALLY (she barely looked at my paperwork), and I came back in 2 hours to pick up my passport and student visa.

Maybe I went on a good day -- when the British authorities were being slightly lazy  , but it's SERIOUSLY not a situation to stress out over. I know several other people who have had similar situations at the NYC visa office. It was amazingly easy for me, and I hope your process will be easy as well.[/color]