visa appointment

[cafueles]

16 hours ago, PokePsych said:

 

Is this from the department or International office/HR? Departments are horribly uninformed about the legal aspects in general. Have seen them almost break the law for international students now a couple of times and stories are common in that regard. 

This was a joint statement by International Office and the school's Provost. Allow me to apologise, but I don't see how your comment is helpful or you can be better acquainted with the matter than the people I've been speaking with.

Given the high level of anxiety admitted students are experiencing right now, I believe sticking to the facts and trying not to spread unsubstantiated rumours to be of the utmost importance. I think this is especially true if you're not in the same position as we are.

I will continue to post on this thread only as facts, i.e., communications from both my school and my local embassy, evolve.

Edited June 29, 2020 by cafueles

[Anthony Tong]

My appointment in 7/9 in Hong Kong was canceled yesterday. Just reschedule another one in 8/10. Really stressed out every day.....

[biochem899]

21 minutes ago, Anthony Tong said:

My appointment in 7/9 in Hong Kong was canceled yesterday. Just reschedule another one in 8/10. Really stressed out every day.....

I'm in a similar position! I have an appointment for 24th September, but my uni said I'd need to get a visa by 15th September at the latest to be able to enrol for the fall semester. I am now hoping I can apply for an earlier 'emergency appointment' but am unsure if this will be granted as US borders stay closed for Europe. Have you considered this option? I believe starting a degree counts as an eligibility criterion for the emergency appointment, at least this is the case in Germany. Are you currently able to travel from Hong Kong to the US should you get the visa? Fingers crossed, trust me I'm as stressed as you are!

[niazche]

I have my F-1 Visa interview appointment at Toronto US embassy on 20th July, no notice of cancellation yet. Anxiety is going high as each day passes by! Is there anyone else scheduled for F-1 visa interview in Toronto US embassy? Thanks!

Edited June 29, 2020 by niazche

[biochem899]

2 hours ago, niazche said:

I have my F-1 Visa interview appointment at Toronto US embassy on 20th July, no notice of cancellation yet. Anxiety is going high as each day passes by! Is there anyone else scheduled for F-1 visa interview in Toronto US embassy? Thanks!

If I may ask, are you a citizen of Canada? I thought Canadian citizens don't need visas to study in the US, but I may be wrong. I was also considering whether I could get a visa appointment in another country, which is not affected by the US travel ban, but as a German citizen I am not sure if/how this would affect my chances of getting the visa. That being said, my F-1 visa appointment at the US consulate in Munich for 24th September was just cancelled earlier today.. 

[niazche]

1 hour ago, biochem899 said:

If I may ask, are you a citizen of Canada? I thought Canadian citizens don't need visas to study in the US, but I may be wrong. I was also considering whether I could get a visa appointment in another country, which is not affected by the US travel ban, but as a German citizen I am not sure if/how this would affect my chances of getting the visa. That being said, my F-1 visa appointment at the US consulate in Munich for 24th September was just cancelled earlier today.. 

No, I am a Canadian permanent resident. I received an e-mail from Toronto US embassy this afternoon mentioning cancellation of my visa interview. I have rescheduled the interview in 18th September but my class will start on 17th August. I sent them an e-mail explaining my situation but they replied back saying all the visa appointment in Canada are being cancelled through the month of July. It seems deferral is my only option. Very sad news for me, I was mentally well prepared to start my PhD studies. My admission was through a professor and now I have to contact him explaining my whole situation.

[PokePsych]

7 hours ago, cafueles said:

This was a joint statement by International Office and the school's Provost. Allow me to apologise, but I don't see how your comment is helpful or you can be better acquainted with the matter than the people I've been speaking with.

Given the high level of anxiety admitted students are experiencing right now, I believe sticking to the facts and trying not to spread unsubstantiated rumours to be of the utmost importance. I think this is especially true if you're not in the same position as we are.

I will continue to post on this thread only as facts, i.e., communications from both my school and my local embassy, evolve.

Ok - well all I can say is that my grad school literally send out an email to not tell bullshit (not with those words) to international students after some faculty member apparently made a promise to an incoming international student about the current situation they can't (legally) live up to. This seemed to be the case because the student was part of a grant that didn't this. And can say I have been misinformed by my own International Office also more than ones (regarding work authorization on campus for J1s and it not being needed - my friend got in trouble over this), but that was in person (their website is correct). But then again, my advisor also told me last year there wasn't an issue if I would arrive about a month - month and a half late (so I could take more time of some other paperwork issues), even though that is not allowed. 

it will generally be correct indeed in official communication. I don't know what rumors I'm spreading other than to cross check any information you're given if it is not through 'official' channels (e.g., your advisor saying things with the best intentions; other grad students). All I'm spreading here is the offical information I got from MY international office - I guess you could also call them facts? Or because they're from a different school they're rumors?

I may not be in your situation but I am just as much an international student 

 

Just FYI: Policies vary a lot per school too (Duke for example has an excellent webpage; but see also how it differs from for example Cornell) 

 

 

[holdencaul]

Hello everyone. Here in Uruguay the US embassy is issuing visas under expedite requests for students, I already received mine and I know other students that have their appointments scheduled for these days. This means that consulates elsewhere can resume visa services if they choose to do so, depending on local conditions. Good luck!

[MMP]

Just now, holdencaul said:

Hello everyone. Here in Uruguay the US embassy is issuing visas under expedite requests for students, I already received mine and I know other students that have their appointments scheduled for these days. This means that consulates elsewhere can resume visa services if they choose to do so, depending on local conditions. Good luck!

Wow, that's great! Thanks for sharing...!

[darkclouds]

Just received an email from the embassy in my country:

All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews scheduled through July 31 are cancelled.

[niazche]

2 hours ago, darkclouds said:

Just received an email from the embassy in my country:

All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews scheduled through July 31 are cancelled.

If it is okay to share, may I ask from where you applied for the visa?

[niazche]

Update: I have been in constant touch with Ottawa US embassy and I must say they have laudable communication skill. The summary of my correspondence is- Ottawa US embassy will only issue a visa if it is related to COVID-19, e.g. health care workers, COVID-19 researchers, and family of COVID-19 affected people. All other visa issuance are postponed until further notice. I am pretty sure, I will have to defer my admission to 2021 spring.

[cruel optimism]

8 hours ago, darkclouds said:

All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews scheduled through July 31 are cancelled.

all interviews scheduled through july 19 are cancelled at my local embassy (sg), but i suspect that they'll soon also start to cancel other appointments through to the end of the month (or even next month). 

[kevinxladd]

Hey everyone!

I thought I was all alone in this madness. Thanks for creating this topic!

My appointment was formerly set on 15.07 but got cancelled. Then I requested for emergency appointment and it turned out denied (without any reasons provided).

My new appointment is 13.08 while the semester will start at 24.08.

I really don't know what to do during this waiting time, to be honest.

I was anxious, not yet depressed... but what I'm trying to do is living in the present.

It might sound lame but I really have no choice lol.

Ps. I live in Bangkok, Thailand where new case out of state quarantine has been 0 for 35 days.

 

[Anthony Tong]

13 hours ago, holdencaul said:

Hello everyone. Here in Uruguay the US embassy is issuing visas under expedite requests for students, I already received mine and I know other students that have their appointments scheduled for these days. This means that consulates elsewhere can resume visa services if they choose to do so, depending on local conditions. Good luck!

Good to know that some places issue expedited visa for students. My expedited visa application is still under review status, finger crossed...

[time_consume_me]

In Osaka I was able to book one of the first available slots opened up after weeks (maybe months) of 'no available appointments.' It was the first time I had ever seen the calendar on the homepage!

Booked for Oct. 7 -- obviously wayy after the semester starts. The plan is to ask for an expedited or emergency appointment once within the period defined by US diplomatic authorities here in Japan for students. That is: within 30 days of the start of the program.

Note that this period of eligibility is different for each country!

FYI: this interview is for the j-2 dependant who will come with.

[SULI]

This is the latest information I got from my university in regards to getting a visa on time for the fall semester, but I am not sure if this applies to all US universities. 

Can international students study fully online?
A.  Newly Admitted (no visa, in-home country): Yes, they may begin their program online with no restrictions.
B.  Current F/J (Visa Holders): We are currently waiting on guidance from SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) to declare whether they can take classes online. At the moment, we are unsure of when the guidance will be published. 

[niazche]

Guys, I have a question regarding DS-160. I have deferred my admission to Spring 2021. My current DS-160 which I created fro Fall 2020 has 10th August 2020 as an intended to entry to USA. Now, do I have cancel that DS-160 and create a brand new one? My fear is, if I do that, I have to cancel my current appointment on 18th September, and in the process may not be able to book another one very soon as all the US consulates in Canada are booked till November. TIA!!!

Edited July 3, 2020 by niazche

[time_consume_me]

On 7/1/2020 at 1:19 AM, Anthony Tong said:

Good to know that some places issue expedited visa for students. My expedited visa application is still under review status, finger crossed...

For reference, the emb/consulates in Japan show this on the panel (under "Emergency Request Instructions," after login):

 

• Students or exchange visitors
• Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 30 days for Japanese applicants and 60 days for non-Japanese applicants when no regular visa appointments are available. This option is limited only to applicants who have not been refused a visa within the last six months at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
•  
• Essential documentation:
•  
• Original Form I-20 or DS-2019
• Evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee (when applicable).
• The first available date would be 7/13/2020.

• Click HERE to request an Emergency Appointment

 

Going to be trying this route soon. Emailing today to ask more about it/confirm.

 

 

[niazche]

On 6/30/2020 at 12:19 PM, Anthony Tong said:

Good to know that some places issue expedited visa for students. My expedited visa application is still under review status, finger crossed...

Any update on your expedite processing request on visa application?

[Anthony Tong]

16 hours ago, niazche said:

Any update on your expedite processing request on visa application?

Have not received any reply yet, my case is still under review.

[niazche]

3 hours ago, Anthony Tong said:

Have not received any reply yet, my case is still under review.

Keep us posted!

[ExponentialDecay]

On 6/29/2020 at 10:38 AM, cafueles said:

This was a joint statement by International Office and the school's Provost. Allow me to apologise, but I don't see how your comment is helpful or you can be better acquainted with the matter than the people I've been speaking with.

Given the high level of anxiety admitted students are experiencing right now, I believe sticking to the facts and trying not to spread unsubstantiated rumours to be of the utmost importance. I think this is especially true if you're not in the same position as we are.

I will continue to post on this thread only as facts, i.e., communications from both my school and my local embassy, evolve.

Not commenting w/r/t the specific situation with your visa, but I wouldn't attack @PokePsych for trying to be helpful and saying something that is very true. Moreover, not only are departments usually clueless about visa policies, but HR, legal and even the ISO can make mistakes and give bad advice. From the State Department's perspective, you and you alone are responsible for maintaining your visa status, so if you have problems because of some bad advice you followed - from your school, your lawyer, who cares - you are screwed. So just as a general piece of advice from someone who has spent a decade on F1, by all means listen to your provost and the international office, but double check everything they say with a second (qualified, of course) opinion or by reading all of the relevant legal documents yourself. Most visa stuff is handled on the USCIS website, but you may need to look up tax treaties etc for financial matters. Seriously, your visa status in the US is serious shit, especially in this administration. So stay vigilant and don't get nasty with people who try to help you out

[AP]

55 minutes ago, ExponentialDecay said:

Not commenting w/r/t the specific situation with your visa, but I wouldn't attack @PokePsych for trying to be helpful and saying something that is very true. Moreover, not only are departments usually clueless about visa policies, but HR, legal and even the ISO can make mistakes and give bad advice. From the State Department's perspective, you and you alone are responsible for maintaining your visa status, so if you have problems because of some bad advice you followed - from your school, your lawyer, who cares - you are screwed. So just as a general piece of advice from someone who has spent a decade on F1, by all means listen to your provost and the international office, but double check everything they say with a second (qualified, of course) opinion or by reading all of the relevant legal documents yourself. Most visa stuff is handled on the USCIS website, but you may need to look up tax treaties etc for financial matters. Seriously, your visa status in the US is serious shit, especially in this administration. So stay vigilant and don't get nasty with people who try to help you out

Absolutely agree.

Departments are not obliged to learn the legal framework of your status. Always, ALWAYS verify their information with HR, Lega, ISO. In my institution, ISO was not very good (they catered for the rich international undergrads rather than the poor international grad students). As a result, my program and my school were better allies in helping me figuring things out. What I did was CC'ing them in every conversation about my status, taxes, etc. Even leading to my graduation there were some hiccups that they helped me resolved with their advocacy and because I had kept them in the loop for seven years.

 

[niazche]

Have you guys saw the recent tweet by Donald Trump on school opening in fall? Some ray of hope!