When did you apply for your student visa?

I actually just got an answer back from my adviser. Apparently one of the documents I have is a "Student Validation Document" or something, and it states on there that my program provider has already prepaid my fees (since I am technically paying my home uni, who is in turn paying my host uni). So apparently I don't have to send any loan information.

Ah, that changes the situation quite a bit- I forgot that you were doing that.  Yeah, when I went on exchange to Sheffield during undergrad I didn't have to provide loan documents, etc because I had already paid tuition to my home uni.

About the place of issue thing- I think I just put USA or US State Dept since that's what it says on my passport.  I don't think it has to be a specific office.

Yay! That is what I thought! Thank you SO much!

 

This process definitely has the ability to make you feel like a total bonehead. Sometimes I read these ambiguous questions and I can't figure out how I'm supposed to reply, and I'm scared to death I'm going to give some odd answer that will totally confuse them and cause my visa to be denied. 

If your program ends in June/July, your visa will most likely be valid until the end of October (this is standard and what they're supposed to do) or almost certainly until August at least (if they mess it up, which has been known to happen.)

For a course that lasts a whole academic year, you should always get permission to stay in the UK for the length of the course plus 4 months, so that would indeed normally be until 31 October.  That is your right.  If you do get short leave, that is the Embassy's mistake and you can get it changed.  If you don't have the chance to ask for a recount before you leave home, ask the International Student Adviser at your college or university in the UK to apply for a correction under the Entry Clearance Correction Scheme for students. 

Okay, I'm starting to really stress out a lot. I have a job, full time, year-round. I make about $2000 a month. My study abroad adviser told me to write that I was unemployed on my student visa application, but the information package I received that told us how fill out the app only said people who were part time workers during school and full time during summer should put that they are unemployed.

I sent an email off to her, but in thinking I wasn't going to get a reply, I reported my job and income on the application because I really don't like the idea of lying. She finally emailed me back hours after I had sent it off saying "don't put that you have a job. You're a full time student, therefore you are unemployed." I don't know if that's because it's supposed to make the app process easier or what, but I'm just not interested in lying and I've already finalized, paid for, and sent the form online.

I'm overnighting my supporting documents today (free at work anyway), so now I need to know if this will somehow be bad for my application, and what documents I should include in addition to the other regular stuff. I've already gotten a letter signed by my direct superior (on company letterhead) stating that I've been granted leave for the dates of my study abroad program, and that I am expected to return to the US and to my position when I am finished. I was planning to include pay stubs for the last 3 months. Should I include anything else?

Thanks! (and thank you all so much for your patient help with me so far!)

Okay, I'm starting to really stress out a lot. I have a job, full time, year-round. I make about $2000 a month. My study abroad adviser told me to write that I was unemployed on my student visa application, but the information package I received that told us how fill out the app only said people who were part time workers during school and full time during summer should put that they are unemployed.

I sent an email off to her, but in thinking I wasn't going to get a reply, I reported my job and income on the application because I really don't like the idea of lying. She finally emailed me back hours after I had sent it off saying "don't put that you have a job. You're a full time student, therefore you are unemployed." I don't know if that's because it's supposed to make the app process easier or what, but I'm just not interested in lying and I've already finalized, paid for, and sent the form online.

I'm overnighting my supporting documents today (free at work anyway), so now I need to know if this will somehow be bad for my application, and what documents I should include in addition to the other regular stuff. I've already gotten a letter signed by my direct superior stating that I've been granted leave for the dates of my study abroad program, and that I am expected to return to the US and to my position when I am finished. I was planning to include pay stubs for the last 3 months. Should I include anything else?

Thanks! (and thank you all so much for your patient help with me so far!)

You did the right thing, in my opinion- you should never ever lie on a visa application (and in this case for no reason!) In my opinion, being employed will in no way hurt your student visa application, especially since you have that letter from your employer about your leave and pay stubs (the more financial evidence the better!)  I don't understand why your adviser thinks that you can't possibly be employed and a full-time student at the same time...weird.  In any case, good luck- from all you've written here it sounds like you have a solid application and there is no reason that you shouldn't get the visa easily.

You did the right thing, in my opinion- you should never ever lie on a visa application (and in this case for no reason!) In my opinion, being employed will in no way hurt your student visa application, especially since you have that letter from your employer about your leave and pay stubs (the more financial evidence the better!)  I don't understand why your adviser thinks that you can't possibly be employed and a full-time student at the same time...weird.  In any case, good luck- from all you've written here it sounds like you have a solid application and there is no reason that you shouldn't get the visa easily.

Thank you so much! I knew I was doing the right thing! Lying on a visa app has bad news written all over it, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I think she wants people to write unemployed so they don't have to gather extra evidence (thus making the process easier). I still didn't view it as the right thing to do, and the worst would be if I somehow got denied. What you've said really alleviated my worries though. Thank you!

Okay I've just sent it off! I included 6 months worth of paystubs (back to the first of the year) and my letter from my employer. Hopefully I won't have any problems. Thanks for your help everyone!

I am amazed that a study abroad adviser would advise you to lie on a visa application.  You were right to ignore such terrible and unprofessional advice.  To be honest, you should think seriously about reporting them to their manager.

Good luck to you.

I am amazed that a study abroad adviser would advise you to lie on a visa application.  You were right to ignore such terrible and unprofessional advice.  To be honest, you should think seriously about reporting them to their manager.

Good luck to you.

You're absolutely right. What I find most disturbing is that she is the highest person in her department (and I have no clue how to go over her), and from the packet of photocopied "FAQs about your visa appliation" questions, I honestly think this is the policy they generally use for everyone. I don't really know how to go about reporting them though. I will definitely start looking into it though. There are rules for a reason!

My visa applications were delivered to the LA office this morning at 10:30am. I'm pretty nervous. I think I have everything covered. My loan letters, MIL's bank statements, her deed to her house showing 4 bedrooms, a letter from her, all of our passports, my son's BC only showing me...I have a final custody hearing which will give me full custody on Friday just in case. I'm a bit worried because I didn't include DH and my bc. it wasn't listed on Britainusa.com and then later (after mailing) read on the email that it was needed.

I'm hoping the 2% holds true and they approve us. I leave Seattle in 3 weeks to visit family and then leave for uk in 6 weeks.

So there's no way to obtain status until they email you huh?

So there's no way to obtain status until they email you huh?

I don't think there is. I took a brief look around, but I didn't see anything. I sent in my docs last week and they arrived at 10am on friday (the 6th). I hope I hear back soon!

Which consoluate did you mail your docs to? Just wondering how soon I'll hear something. I'm so antsy!

Which consoluate did you mail your docs to? Just wondering how soon I'll hear something. I'm so antsy!

I sent mine to the LA consulate. You?

yeah i sent mine to LA also!

yeah i sent mine to LA also!

I'm hoping to hear back soon, but you never know how long it will take  I'll post as soon as I find out!