Getting a U.S Student VISA when you have a significant other/partner in US

[Fabiola]

Hello,

 

Has anyone ever been declined a student VISA because they had a significant other/domestic partner that was an american citizen?

Thanks!

[Gvh]

I have never been declined, but I recently went to the border to get a visa (it was a visa you get approved of at the border), and though my boyfriend was with me at the time, I "skewed the truth" when they asked about the nature of our relationship. Seemed like the best thing to do since they want you to not have permanent ties to the US -- though this obviously depends on the type of visa you're applying for.  

Edited June 20, 2014 by Gvh

[ahlatsiawa]

'Skewing the truth' is never advisable when appearing for the visa interview. If, for any reason, the officer determines that the case needs more looking-into and during that time they find out that the person was not completely truthful in their answers, the consequences can be severe. To answer Fabiola's question, if someone gets admitted to a reputable school and they can satisfactorily answer the officer's questions about why they are going for further studies and how they are going to fund their education, there shouldn't be any problem in securing a student visa even their partner is an American citizen.

[Gvh]

To clarify: I agree with ahlatsiawa that truth is usually the best option; whenever you can be truthful, be truthful. However, there are no hard and fast rules as to making sure you are accepted for a US visa; often, if an officer is not "satisfied" with your case, s/he can deny you. My only advice is, don't give them a reason to deny you. I have been asked each time I had to get a new visa f I had a -- quote unquote -- "internet friend" or significant other in the US..I usually said no since it's really not worth saying yes. I doubt them "looking into" you so far is going to show you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, unless you are married to them of course, though this is a whole other can of worms. 

[TakeruK]

I noticed that you are a Canadian from your other related thread. It is very easy for Canadians to enter the US!

 

We don't technically get a Visa ever. Here is the general flow of events for an international student wishing to study in America:

 

1. School issues I-20 to student to certify that they will sponsor student on F-1 status when they arrive.

 

2. Student uses I-20 and other necessary proof (proof of income/savings etc.) to apply for permission to enter the US. This is called a visa, sometimes referred to as a F-1 Visa because it's the permission to enter the US on F-1 status. The Visa is a page that goes into your passport and has your photo and all that biographical stuff on it as well as a potential expiry date. **Canadians skip this step**.

 

3. Student takes the visa and I-20 and crosses the border. At the border, the customs official reviews your documentation and grants you F-1 status. They do this by stamping your passport with the date and location of entry and they will write "F-1" and "D/S". The first is your status that you were granted and the second is the length of time your status is valid for. D/S means "Duration of Studies", so you will be legally on F-1 status as long as you are a student, or until your I-20 expires, whichever comes first. You are also issued an I-94 form at this point, however, this is all electronic now (when I first crossed, it was a page stapled into your passport). 

 

Generally, at step 3, you do not go through a very thorough interview. This is not the visa interview that other citizens have to do. My border agent just asked to see all required forms, asked where I was going to go, and asked if I had ever been issued any visas/statuses in the past. However, it is possible for you to have to go through "secondary screening" at this point. In case it matters, my crossing was at the Vancouver International Airport. 

 

I am writing all this stuff because I wanted to make sure that you knew that Canadians do not actually get a visa at all, and that you knew the difference between the F-1 visa, F-1 status, and what actually happens at the border! In summary:

 

F-1 visas are generally issued by a US Embassy or Consulate and grant permission to enter the country for a purpose. An interview is required. These may expire or have limited entries. Canadians do not get this. 

 

The I-20 form is issued by your school's international office and is proof that you are eligible for F-1 status.

 

F-1 status is actually granted by the border agent when you actually enter the US. This is indicated by a passport stamp and an electronic I-94 record. The I-94 also proves you entered the US legally. You can print a paper version of the I-94 record after you enter the US. 

 

Once you are in the US, you will use your I-20 form whenever you need to prove that you are a legal non-resident alien (for getting a driver's license, signing up for health care, getting a social security number etc.) When people had paper I-94s, some places wanted this too, but with electronic I-94s being more common, you are not asked for this as often. Still, I would recommend printing your paper I-94 as soon as you are able to, just in case.

 

Hope this all makes sense! 

[ExponentialDecay]

How is the immigration officer gonna check that this gentleman is your boyfriend? It's not like there's a paper trail or a stamp in your passport.