Hi gamohkei,
It is possible to make your application at the U.S. Consular in
London, however, it would be better to do it at the U.S. Consular in
Japan. My first link gives the reason from the Consular's point of
view but there are other things to consider, mainly time constraints.
I don't know how long you are planning to visit, but it will take a
while to get an appointment for the interview, at the interview you
will have to leave your passport and it will take time for it to be
returned, and it will take time for your application to be processed.
Therefore I have posted instructions using the U.S. Consular in Japan
as a guide. If, after reading the following first two paragraphs, you
still prefer applying in London, I've included the phone number you'll
need to call to make an appointment. The list of documents that you'll
need will be the same as in Japan, with the addition to the travel
documents you are using now.
>>> BRITAIN
Non Residents of the United Kingdom:
"Although we accept applications from anyone physically present in the
United Kingdom, it is often difficult for applicants who are not
permanent residents in the United Kingdom to demonstrate that they
have sufficiently strong ties to a third country, as consular officers
in London have no way of verifying or evaluating information from
other countries.
If you are a temporary resident of the United Kingdom, or are planning
on traveling to the United Kingdom specifically to apply for a visa,
you may wish to consider applying for a visa in your country of
permanent residence where you will be best able to establish your
qualifications for a visa."
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/add_tcns.htm
Visa Interview: London:
How to schedule an interview:
"An appointment for an interview may only be scheduled by calling the
Operator Assisted Visa Information Service on 09055-444546 Monday
through Friday, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, and Saturday, between
9.00 am and 4.00 pm. Calls to this line are charged at £1.30/min from
BT landlines, but some mobile and network providers may charge more."
How long will my application take to process?
"Routine visa applications will take 5 - 7 workdays to process before
the passport will be released to Visa Delivery Services. Applicants
who tick yes to box 38 should be aware that it is difficult to predict
how long the application will take to process, but can expect to wait
a minium of 14 to 16 weeks before being advised of the outcome of
their application. Applicants who are advised at the time of the visa
interview that their application will require additional
administrative processing should allow at least 60 days for this stage
of the application to be completed. Please note that the processing
times quoted are approximate and cannot be guaranteed."
"I cannot wait for my passport to be returned to me by courier. Visa
processing will not be completed on the day of the interview,
therefore, it will not be possible to hand back your passport. Your
passport will be handed to the VDS once we have completed processing."
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/interview.htm
Track Visa Delivery Service:
https://www.visadelivery.com/vdsonline/visas_home.do;jsessionid=6CC540621091EB32B704AFAC4E73BD20
US Embassy London - Consular Section
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/sevis.htm
>>> JAPAN
Embassy of the United States: Japan
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-niv-fm.html
All applicants must present the following documents at the interview
[click on link for full details]:
note: some of the links on the website do not work. I've posted the
correct link for each required document below.
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-nivapply.html
1) COMPLETED DS-156 APPLICATION FORM Nonimmigrant Visa Application:
https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp?lang=1
2) PHOTOGRAPH: A 5cm x 5cm photo with a white background, taken within
the last six months.
3) ORIGINAL RECEIPT: of $100
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-nivfee.html
4) COMPLETED DS-157 APPLICATION FORM Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa
Application for Males:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/7769.pdf
5) STAMPED, SELF-ADDRESSED A4 SIZED ENVELOPE
6) COURT AND/OR POLICE RECORDS
7) CLEAR PLASTIC FOLDER
8) COMPLETED DS-158 APPLICATION FORM Contact Information and Work
History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/12154.pdf
9) FORM I-20
10) I-901 Fee Confirmation
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-sevis20040901.html
11) PROOF OF FUNDS TO COVER ALL EXPENSES
12) SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS: if currently a student
13) PASSPORT
a passport valid for at least six months after your proposed date of
entry into the United States.
Things to Think About When Coming for your Visa Interview:
Please note, that for planning purposes, you can only book an
appointment three months in advance.
Schedule an Appointment in Tokyo
http://210.177.22.41/tokyo
Schedule an Appointment in Osaka
http://210.177.22.41/osaka
Schedule an Appointment in Naha
http://210.177.22.41/naha
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-nivinterviewprep.html
>>> GENERAL
Student Applicants (for F-1 and M-1 visas) - Overview
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html
How Do I Become an Academic Student in the United States?
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/academic.htm
How Do I Apply?
"How Do I Apply if I am Outside of the United States? You first must
apply to study at a USCIS-approved school in the United States. When
you contact a school that you are interested in attending, you should
be told immediately if the school accepts foreign national students.
If you are accepted, the school should give you USCIS Form I-20 A-B/ID
(Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status -
for Academic and Language Students). If you require a visa, then you
should take the USCIS Form I-20 to the nearest U.S. consulate to
obtain a student visa. Only bring the USCIS Form I-20 from the school
you plan on attending for visa processing at the U.S. consulate. You
must also prove to the consulate that you have the financial resources
required for your education and stay in the United States. Please see
the State Department Website for more information on visa processing.
When you arrive in the United States, you should receive a Form I-94
(Arrival-Departure Record) that will include your admission number to
the United States. An Immigration inspector will write this admission
number on your USCIS Form I-20 A-B/ ID. The Immigration Inspector will
then send pages one and two of this form, known as I-20 A-B, to your
school as a record of your legal admission to the United States. You
are expected to keep pages three and four, known as the I-20 ID. This
document is your proof that you are allowed to study in the United
States as an F-1 student. You should see your designated school
official (DSO) if you need a replacement copy of your I-20 ID. You
should also keep safe your Form I-94, because it proves that you
legally entered the United States. If you need a replacement copy of
your Form I-94, please see How Do I Get an Arrival-Departure Record?."
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/academic.htm#outside
THE LAW
Sec. 214.2(f) Students in colleges, universities, seminaries,
conservatories, academic high schools, elementary schools, other
academic institutions, and in language training programs --
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-9985/slb-16317/slb-16805?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-8cfrsec2142f
Well, there you have it. If you have any questions, please post a
clarification request *before* closing/rating my answer and I'll be
happy to reply.
Thank you,
hummer
Google Search Terms Used:
DS-158
DS-157
DS-156
I-20
uscis london consular
uscis japan consular |
Clarification of Answer by
hummer-ga
on
09 Jan 2005 07:16 PST
Hi gamohkei,
I think these links will help you.
>> I have deceided to apply for my Visa in London and I would like to
know if there is any tip for me to show that I do have strong ties in
a third country.
What To Expect In a Consular Interview:
"Ties" to your home country are things that bind you to your hometown,
homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial
prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc."
http://www.uncg.edu/ipg/iss/student_F1J1.html
"... proof of a permanent residence and other ties to your home
country that will compel you to leave the U.S. after you have
completed your studies. Be prepared to show ties to your home country
with papers. If your family owns a business, take letters from the
bank describing the business or papers showing that the business is
registered with the government. If your family owns property, take the
deeds or papers showing ownership. Also, membership in a professional
organization in your home country can show a desire to return after
your studies. If you have the prospect of a job offer, try to get a
letter from the company saying that you will be considered for a job
upon your return or that people with the kind of education you are
seeking are needed. Rehearse what you plan to say to the consular
officer. Some questions that you might be asked are: Why do you want
to study in the U.S.?, Why did you choose [SUNY]? How will your degree
be used in your home country and what are your job prospects? A typed
statement of intent might be helpful."
http://www.artic.edu/saic/life/international/intf1visa.html
3) You must provide proof that you will return home after finishing
your studies in the United States. The best proof is "strong ties" to
your country. "Strong ties" include:
* Family (especially a spouse and children) you leave behind
* A job that you plan to return to after finishing your studies in
the United States
* A business or company that you own
* Property or other financial assets in your home country
* A brother or sister, who came to the US before you as a student
and then returned home
http://www.americanlanguage.org/admissions_new_visa_process.html
>> Also if possible what I can expect during an interview.
F-1 Visa Interview [click on link for more details]:
"The most important thing the applicant can do is provide convincing
evidence to the consular officials that you WILL RETURN to your home
country after finishing your academic program. If the consular
official does not believe that you will return to your home country,
the visa will not be issued."
Here are some specific suggestions to help you prepare for your visa interview:
1. Be prepared to show what you will do with your degree from SLCC...
when you return home.
2. It is often very helpful to have a job offer--in writing-- from an
employer in your home country promising you a good job or a higher
position in the company WHEN YOU RETURN FROM THE U.S...
3. Practice for the interview with friends. Be ready to answer
questions such as "Where did you hear about SLCC?" and ?Why do you
want to study in the U.S.??..
4. Write a "statement of purpose" explaining why you want to attend
SLCC and what you hope to do with the knowledge later on IN YOUR HOME
COUNTRY...
5. If your financial status is an issue, you may want to pay tuition
to the school in advance and present the receipt to the consular
official...
6. Be honest with consular officials at all times...
http://www.slcc.edu/pages/278.asp
What To Expect In a Consular Interview:
" 1. Under U.S. law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are
viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular
that they are not. The burden of proof falls upon the applicant. You
must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to
your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the
U.S. "Ties" to your home country are things that bind you to your
hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family,
financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. If
you are a prospective undergraduate, the interviewing officer may ask
about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family
or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range
plans, and career prospects in your home country after you return.
Each person's situation is different, and there is not a magic
explanation or single document, certificate, or letter, which can
guarantee visa issuance.
2. Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English and
not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English
conversation with a native speaker before the interview. If you are
coming to the U.S. solely to study intensive English, be prepared to
explain how English will be useful for you in your home country.
3. Do not bring parents or family members with you to the
interview. The Consular officer wants to interview you, not your
family. A negative impression is created if you are not prepared to
speak on your own behalf.
4. If you are not able to articulate why you will study in a
particular program in the U.S., you may not succeed in convincing the
Consular officer that you are planning to study, rather than to
immigrate. You should also be able to explain how studying in the U.S.
relates to your future professional career when you return home.
5. Because of the volume of the applications received, all Consular
officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct quick and
effective interviews. They must make a decision, for the most part, on
the impressions they form during the first minute or two of the
interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression
you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers to the
officer's questions short and to the point.
6. It should be clear at a glance to the Consular officer what
written documents you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy
written explanations cannot be quickly read and evaluated. Remember
that you will have 2-3 minutes of interview time, if you are lucky."
http://www.uncg.edu/ipg/iss/student_F1J1.html
F-1 Visa Interview:
1. Be prepared to show ties to your home country.
2. Expect to speak English during your interview.
3. Speak for yourself.
4. Know the academic program and how it fits with your career goals
5. Be brief.
6. Limit to concise and pertinent documentation.
7. Not all countries are equal.
8. Employment.
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/international/new/visa.html
How long can I expect to be at the Embassy?
"You should anticipate being at the Embassy for approximately four hours."
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/interview.htm
How long can I expect to be at the Embassy when I come for my visa
interview and medical examination?
You can expect to be at the Embassy until early afternoon.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/faqs/iv/faq_adminproc.htm
Preparing For Your F-1 Visa Interview
http://www.cafss.nafsa.org/SEVISFee/SFHinterview_IEP.htm
Consular interview for a student visa F1 and M1.
http://www.visa2003.com/visa/f1evidence.htm
When applying for an F-1 visa the applicant needs to show the following:
http://www.ptloma.edu/StudentDevelopment/International/general/visa_interview.htm
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
hummer
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