From: xiong@bsu-cs.bsu.edu (Bo Xiong)
Subject: [Info] Visa Application in China: What U.S. Visa Officers Look for
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 05:31:13 GMT

The following is carried in August 21's CND-US:

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4. Visa Application in China: What U.S. Visa Officers Look for .......... 40
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From: <LESLIE@CGSADM.CLAREMONT.EDU>
Source: NAFSA Communication Network, forwarded by Bo Xiong, August 20, 1992

Those of you who have admitted students from China are probably aware of how
difficult it is becoming for a student to get an F-1 visa.  Two students we
admitted were turned down at the Consulate in Guangzhou.  I called the
Consulate and talked with one of the visa officers, Sheila Belew.  She gave
me some insight into the visa process which I will share with you.

In the visa interview, the officer looks closely at the following:

English proficiency: Does the student have a high (550) TOEFL score?  How
well does the student communicate in the interview?  In other words, is the
score an adequate measure of the student's english?

Qualifications: If the student is entering a graduate program, is he/she
qualified.  In our case, a student was admitted to a master's program in
political science but her BA was in English.  By itself this was not grounds
for denial, but it was a contributing factor.

Seriousness:  Can the student CLEARLY and IN DEPTH explain how the program
he/she plans to attend with fit in with career plans in China.  A student who
is vague about future career plans does not appear serious about school.

Test scores: Has the student taken the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT?  Of the students we
admitted took only the TOEFL (we don't require the GRE for students without
a degree from the US).  The visa officer said that a serious student would
apply to several schools, at least some of which would require the GRE or
GMAT.  Therefore, a student who just takes the TOEFL is at a disadvantage.

Time Factor: Can the student prove he/she can arrive in time for orientation
and registration.  The Consulate will no longer process a visa for a student
who will arrive late in the semester.  It does not matter what provisions
the school sets up to help the student make up work missed.  Ideally, the
student should go to the Consulate with a plane ticket showing arrival in
time for orientation or, if school does not offer orientation, registration.

Sources of Financial Support: Where is the student's support coming from.
One of our students had a full tuition fellowship with living expenses to be
provided by a distant (father's cousin) relative.  The student could not
explain why a distant relative would be willing to support her, therefore,
the officer suspected that the offer was not genuine.

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