USA – Expedite Travel Services

Benefits of studying the U.S as an international student

Expedite Travel Services — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 17:32:22 +0000

Work while studying in The United States

Students are given the option to work part-time while studying to help in offsetting their expenses. It is important however, to be mindful of the strict guidelines that must be followed prior to commencing part time job opportunities. F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. M-1 student may only work in practical training positions after they have completed their studies. Both students must ensure any off-campus employment they engaged in is related to their area of study and is approved before the start date by the Designated School Official or USCIS. The US Department of Education issues work permits to students who meet certain work requirements.

Study at The Best Universities or College in the world

In choosing to commence your tertiary studies in the United States, you are exposed to some of the best universities and colleges in the world. . The top 10 best universities in The United States are MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Duke, Princeton, Rice, California Institute of Technology, Brown and the University of Pennsylvania. Apart from these universities or colleges, there are large numbers of other outstanding universities or colleges that you can study in the US. A degree acquired from a university in The US is recognized globally, which will make you a valuable and attractive candidate in the International Job Market.

Choose from a wide range of programs to study

The job market is very competitive these days. It is best to choose a program or professional field that is unsaturated. In the United States, with the wide array of universities and colleges to choose from are various programs within which to major. There is no other country in the world where you can find such a diverse range of programs to choose from.

Improve your English

English is the universal language of the world; studying in a country where English is the primary language is an excellent way to learn the language and prove marketable on the international work market. Competency in the English language is an entry level requirement for most jobs.

How can you finance your tuition fee while studying in the U.S?

Expedite Travel Services — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:17:30 +0000

There are several ways of showing that you can cover your tuition and living expenses while in The United States, these guidelines include the following:

Personal savings

When applying for a US student visa, the best option is when you can fund your tuition and living expenses without having to rely on a sponsor. The amount of money available in your bank account should cover at least one (1) year of tuition and living expenses. However, it is good to show the tuition and living expenses for the entire duration of your studies. When you have the money for the entire duration of studies, this will better convince the visa officer that you can finance your educational expenses without relying on a sponsor. If you cannot show the funds for the entire duration of your studies, there should be a clear indication as to how you will finance the remaining tuition and living expenses. Most applicants do not have the full amount to show at once. However, showing the exact amount of your first-year tuition and living expenses without any clear indications about how you pay for the remaining duration of your studies may leave the visa officer with questions and uncertainties which will result in your student visa being denied.
Finally, before considering to apply for a student visa, it is paramount that you have sufficient funds available to pay for your studies and living expenses.

Sponsorship

Most applicants who apply for a student visa seek financial assistance from family members and /or close relatives to offset their educational expenses. A sponsor can be anyone; however, it is best when your sponsor is an immediate family member such as your parents, spouse, or siblings. If you plan to use a sponsor to aid your educational expenses, they must have more money in their bank account than what is required for your educational expenses.

Realistically, if the money in your sponsor’s bank account is the exact amount that you need for your educational expenses, the visa officer may wonder why this person would give you their entire life saving to study in the United States. When your sponsor gives you all the money in their bank account to study in the United States, what will they do if an emergency situation arises and they need cash? Therefore, it will be more believable if your sponsor’s bank account reflects more than the required amount for your tuition and living expenses.

Likewise, it is best when your sponsor is your parent/s, spouse or a close relative. The reason for this is the visa officer may wonder why someone who is not a close relative would give you their life savings to study in The United States. Additionally, you must provide documentation to show your relation to your sponsor. For instance, if your mom is sponsoring you, you will need to submit your birth certificate so that the visa officer can see that your sponsor is your mom. In the event the relationship with your sponsor is not clearly established, the visa officer may ask himself, is it believable that this person who is a family member, friend or employer would give all this money to you to study in The United States?

When you are ready to attend an interview at the Embassy, your sponsor must give you a bank statement showing the amount of money they are sponsoring towards your educational expenses. If your sponsor cannot provide you with a bank statement with the required amount of money that they are paying towards your tuition or living expenses, it is unwise and often futile to apply for a study permit as it will be overlooked. Why would the visa officer grant you a student visa when it is not clear as to how you will be paying for the tuition and living expenses? Many applicants state that someone is sponsoring them, but fail to produce a bank statement.

When someone is sponsoring you, the visa officer will thoroughly review your application, because they want to make sure that funds will be available for the duration of your studies. Advisably, though someone will be sponsoring you, it is best to have savings available in your bank account, especially if you are traveling with your entire family. Please don’t rely on your sponsor for the entirety of your educational expenses. At least try to have some finances of your own, especially if your sponsor is not an immediate relative or extended family member.

The sponsor will need to provide a photocopy of the following documents:

Bank statement/ 4-month transactional history.
Passport (front page)
Sponsorship letter
A job letter, if employed
Pay slips for the past four (4) months (optional)
Business registration, if the sponsor has a registered business

Financing for international students

EducationUSA | Financing U.S. Studies (2018)

What should I know before applying for a U.S. Student Visa?

Expedite Travel Services — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 10:53:45 +0000

Two main factors that must be taken into consideration when applying for a US student visa are:

Your reason for wanting to study in the US as opposed to your country of residence

Once you make the decision to apply for a US student visa to study in the United States, you must possess a valid reason for wanting to study in the US as opposed to your country of residence.
During your interview, the visa officer will inquire about your choice to study in the US instead of your country of residence especially if you can do the same program in your home country. Many applicants are of the misconception that they are automatically eligible for a study visa once they receive an acceptance letter from a university or college. On the contrary, acceptance to study in the US is only the first and easiest step of the student visa application process. Some universities or colleges have a high acceptance rate, especially the low ranking university or college. Most low ranking universities or community colleges have a low tuition fee, and a lower quality of education. The visa officer may wonder why you would choose to leave your country of residence to study in the US at a low ranking university or college; when there are universities or colleges in your country of residence that offer a higher quality of education, and a lower tuition fee.

How will you finance your tuition fee while studying in the U.S?

Finances play a crucial role in determining if your student visa will be approved.

Having sufficient funds available to finance your tuition and living expenses is the most crucial factor in a visa officer’s decision when granting a US student visa. Studying in the United States can be a very expensive venture depending on the program of study and the university or college that you choose to study. You will need to prove that you are able to cover your tuition and living expenses. Consider this, if you are unable to show proof of funding, how will you be able to cover your tuition and living expenses while studying in The United States?
There are several ways of showing that you can cover your tuition and living expenses while in The United States, these guidelines include the following:

Learn more about financing your tuition fee while studying

Interview at the U.S. Embassy

Expedite Travel Services — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 20:50:04 +0000

In the interview, make sure you answer the questions accurately and in a complete sentence. Here is an example of a successful interview.

Successful interview between the visa officer and Kimberly

Visa Officer

Kimberly

What is your purpose of travel, Kimberly?

I am planning on traveling solely for tourism and visiting my grandmother

With whom do you live?

I am currently living with my husband and our three (3) children.

How long will you stay in the US?

I intend on staying for two (2) weeks starting from March 1, 2017, to March 14, 2017

What is your occupation?

I am a sales representative

How much money do you make monthly?

I am currently earning sixty thousand ($60,000) monthly

How long have you been with your spouse?

I am currently living with my husband for over three (3) years.

How long have you been working in your current job?

I have been working for over five (5) years.

What type of work your grandmother does?

My grandmother is a registered nurse

How long has your grandmother been living in the US?

My grandmother has been living in the US for over 20 years.

How did your grandmother become a citizen in US?

My grandmother was file for by her husband.

Congratulation Kimberly! Your US visa been approved to travel to the United States.

Kimberly was granted a US visa because she demonstrated, to the visa officer, that she has strong ties in Jamaica. Everyone’s situation is different; anyone can get a visa regardless of their status.

At the end of your interview, you will know if you were granted a visa or denied depending on the color of the slip that you get from the visa officer.

White slip

Your visa is approved if you receive white slip. It takes seven (7) working days for the Embassy to stamp your US visa in your passport. After the visitor visa is stamped in your passport, the Embassy will either return it by DHL or pick it up at the Document Service Centre depending on the mode of pick-up you have chosen.

Pink slip

If you receive a pink slip, the Embassy is requesting additional documentation to process your visa application. The pink slip does not mean that you were denied a visa but rather, that your visa application requires other documentation or information for the processing of your visa visitor. For example, if you were arrested and declared it in the interview, the visa officer might request a letter from the court.

Green slip

A green slip, indicates that you were denied a US visa.

How soon can I reapply for my U.S. Visitor’s Visa, after denial?

Expedite Travel Services — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 20:39:18 +0000

At Expedite Travel Services, we know how disappointing it can be when someone got denied a U.S. visitor visa. However, you can reapply as soon as you are able to provide new information or documents that you initially failed to submit. However, it is best to wait until after 6-12 months before reapplying. As if you opt to reapply and your situation has not changed, they will deny you once more.

These common factors are the reasons applicants are denied a U.S. visa: inaccurate or irrelevant answers to interview questions, improper structuring of the application, failure to prove that you will leave the U.S. after the duration of the stay, and inadequate supporting documentation. A visa officer can deny you based on how you respond to the interview questions, along with the information you provide on your application.

For example, on the application, you stated that you are unemployed, which further indicates no legitimate source of income. The visa officer will assume, based on this response that you are ineligible for a visa as without income you will not be able to sufficiently finance your trip to the U.S.

Though you may have money saved to fund your trip, the visa officer wants to know that you are employed. Additionally, regardless of the amount of money in your savings, the visa officer will want to know how you were able to accumulate the money.

Did you know that a person can meet all the requirements and still be denied a U.S. Visitor’s Visa?

Expedite Travel Services — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 03:52:46 +0000

Yes. Everyone will not be approved a visa on their first visit to the U.S. Embassy. A visa officer may be having a bad day and on that basis denies you a U.S. visa, though you are fully qualified based on your ties to your country of residence. Fortunately, some applicants will receive their visa the first time they apply; while other applicants will visit the Embassy up to four (4) times before they are eventually issued a US visitor visa.

However, visa denial is not the end of the world. You can try again; hopefully, with more success. Though you will be disappointed, be optimistic; everything happens for a reason! Kimaya is one of our successful applicants. She was denied a visa the first time she applied. Nonetheless, she contacted us within a year and reapplied without changing any information on her previous application and luckily she was granted a visa.

Whenever you are ready to apply for a U.S. visitor visa, one of our expert visa specialists will be more than enthused to provide you with the best advice and guidance on how to increase your chances of obtaining a U.S. visitor visa.

Example of an interview in which James was refused a visa

Visa Officer

James

Whom, do you live with?

Grandmother

How long will you stay in the US?

2 months

What is your occupation?

Carpenter.

How much money do you make monthly?

$100,000 monthly.

How long have you been working as carpenter?

2 years

Is your grandmother married?

I’m not sure

I'm sorry you are not qualified for a visa at this time. Please re-try when your situation has changed

James was denied a US visa because he did not demonstrate to the visa officer that he has strong ties to Jamaica.

James was denied a US visitor visa because he did not convince the visa officer that he has enough ties in his home country that will compel him to return home after a short visit to the US.

Obtaining a US visa is not as difficult as many are led to believe, however due to the large number of successful applicants overstay their visit, visa officers are now led to scrutinize each application thoroughly to ensure that you have enough ties that will compel you to return home at the end of your short stay. If James plans to reapply, it is advised that he waits until his current situation has changed.

When someone gets denied a visa, they can reapply at any time. However, before James reschedules another interview, he should understand that the main reason he was rejected a visitor visa was due to his inability to convince the visa officer that he would return to his home country after a short stay.

From our experience, we recommend that James wait at least one (1) year before reapplying for a visa. When James decides to reapply, he will have to demonstrate what significant changes have happened in his life within the last year? If nothing has changed, he might be denied a visa again.

Ways to improve your ties within a country after being denied a visa

Expedite Travel Services — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 00:30:56 +0000

After being denied a visitor’s visa, try to access why you were denied. Here are a few ways to help increase your chances before reapplying:

Travel to countries that do not require a visa for entry

When you travel to other countries, spend limited time, for example, 1-2 weeks per visit.

If you were single when applying, try dating to start a meaningful relationship, this can improve your social status over time.

If you work for an organization, try to work towards a promotion to increase your salary; This will improve your financial stability.

If you are working in the company for a few months, reapply after one(1) year

If you have a business, work towards growing your business and ensure it’s registered to conduct business and pay your taxes as well.

If you are ina relationship with a civil servant who earns a substantial amount per month, you both can apply together for the visa, it’s not a guarantee, but it helps in most situations.

If you were denied as a family, try re-applying after one year by yourself, given that you have social and economic ties to your home country.

Psychological factors that affect you getting your visa

Expedite Travel Services — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 21:56:20 +0000

Intimidation

Most persons are intimidated by the visa officer’s presence at the interview; this, in turn, causes one to be fearful and start to show signs of doubt by trembling. Therefore, proper preparation is vital in achieving success at the US embassy. The first approach is to ensure the application is complete with all the relevant information. Once the information has been submitted, an option will be available for you to print the entire application. The printed document should be used as a guide for answering the questions. Study the information thoroughly; This will help to instill confidence even when feeling pressured by the officer. When answering questions, always give an immediate response, for open-ended questions like “what’s your purpose of travel?”. The best approach to answering the question at first response is to extend that response with a statement that conveys to the officer that you will be returning after your trip to the US. Here is an example of an appropriate response, “I will be attending a business summit to learn about new technological systems to help improve our services in Jamaica. This response advises the officer that you are only visiting the US for the duration of the summit. You will be returning home to use the knowledge gained for the company’s benefit by expanding their services; this allows the officer to understand your motive and your purpose of travel in one complete statement. Of course, there will be follow-up questions for you to answer; that’s why you must know as much as possible before your interview.

Strict environment

The US embassy is heavily guarded to protect itself from persons who see the US as a threat and wish to oppose their jurisdiction. Such, you have to follow a strict process when entering the embassy. The process is necessary and valid, but to you as the applicant, it will be seen as a nuisance because it’s hassling at times. This environment tends to have a psychological influence on weak-minded persons. If you know you abide by your country’s law and fill out the application thoroughly with the correct information, you should be fine. It’s a standard procedure; take the time to build mental confidence that will help you to be calm before seeing the visa officer. When you are at the embassy for an interview, you will see persons getting denied, and this may strike fear in yourself and destroy your mental mindset, but here are a few techniques that you can follow to help build your confidence:

Have someone coach you the day before your appointment

The emotional comfort of having someone coach you by asking a few questions can make a drastic change in your mood. The person will ask interview questions by playing a visa officer and applicant game, where questions are asked, and you would respond as though you are at the actual interview.

Speak with someone who motivates and encourage you

Having a meaningful conversation with someone who motivates others can help relax your mind and make you feel at ease, making you relaxed and confident.

Meditate and relax to build self-confidence

Doing something relaxing the day before your interview and getting a good night’s rest can do wonders for your self-confidence, mind, body, and soul.

Typical reasons why your U.S. Visa can be revoked

Expedite Travel Services — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 19:19:34 +0000

Phone conversations

Be careful of the type of conversations you have saved on your phone. If your phone is searched at the port of entry and there are messages that reveal plans to work in the US- your visitor visa will be immediately terminated.

Be aware of how often you visit the US in a year

Try not to take several trips to the US within a year, as this may raise suspicions of trafficking contraband into the country. US Custom officers may stop you at the port of entry and interrogate you by asking you more questions than the standard procedure to see your intentions and reason for making so many trips to the US within a year. If they uncover that you are traveling for other reasons than vacation purposes, they may revoke your visitor’s visa. Therefore, if you intend to make several trips to the US within a year, ensure that you have a valid reason.

Duration of flight to and from the US

Never book a four (4) month ticket on your first trip to the US. Try to make your first trip to the US as short as possible, preferably two (2) weeks to one (1) month. Most persons who apply for the US visa specifically state that they are planning on traveling for two (2) weeks and spend almost six (6) months on their first trip to the US, which will raise suspicion to the fact that you may be working in the US. On your next trip to the US, customs officers may interrogate you to figure out your reason for spending six (6) months in the US prior. If you cannot provide a valid explanation, they will revoke your visa under the reason of failure to adhere to your initial travel plans.

Be aware of what you travel with

Do not collect anything from anyone to take to the US on their behalf. Ensure that you are 100% sure of what you are traveling with because if you are caught with any contrabands, your visa would be immediately revoked.

Do not work on your visitor visa

A visitor visa is issued only for vacation purposes. If you are caught working, your US visa would be immediately revoked.

Typical reasons for US visa denial

Expedite Travel Services — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 19:01:08 +0000

Incomplete Application

Many applicants are denied a visa because their US visa application was not properly completed; as such gave inaccurate answers to questions asked in the interview.

Limited Employment and Job Stability

Being employed or working at a previous establishment for less than one (1) year shows inconsistency and inability to settle in a job. The visa officer wants to know that you are working in a stable job for at least (1) one to one (2) years. The longer you are working in an organization, the better are your chances of being granted a visa.

Employment Status

Some applicants are denied a visa because of their work status. Low-income earners are more likely to be refused than those with a higher wage margin.

Marital Status

Single applicants stand a lesser chance of obtaining a visitor visa. This is the case because an applicant with children and spouse has stronger ties to their home country, making them more likely to return home than someone that is single.

Age

The visa officer can reject your application because of your age. For instance, a 28-year-old person is more likely to return to his home country than a 19-year-old applicant. However, while age can be a factor, people of all ages can still acquire a visa.

Working on your Visitor Visa

You can be denied a visa if the visa officer discovers that you have abused your previous visitor visa, by working especially if you have stayed in the US for up to five (5) months on more than one occasions.

Lack of proper documentation

An applicant may be denied for lack of proper documentation. The visa officers do not ask for supporting documents on every occasion. However, if you state on the application, that you own a registered business it is advised that you have a business registration certificate to prove that your business is registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica.