'Credible' study funding matters for visa, says US visa chief
Thursday, 11 November 2010
FE Report
Any person can sponsor a Bangladeshi student who wants to study in the United States, although parents' accounts are preferred, a top visa official said Wednesday.
"It's a question of credibility … Anyone can sponsor if it makes sense," Sandra Ingram, visa chief at the US embassy, said.
"We want anything liquidable. It's Ok if the cash is in your account or your parents' or anyone's accounts that are credible," she told a student visa seminar at the American Centre.
The seminar was organised in connection with the international education week 2010.
The visa head said that if a student went to the United States for studying at a university with part-funding system, he or she must show the ability to pay for the rest.
"For instance, if the tuition is US$20,000 and your scholarship is $10,000, you've to demonstrate your ability to pay for that," Ms Ingram said.
She also said obtaining a student visa requires "additional administrative processing" in addition to the proof of financing ability of the applicant.
"Administrative checking takes several weeks. So it's better to apply for the visa much earlier before the session starts," Ms Ingram said.
She said the visa section issues a maximum six-month visa for short-term visit to the US and five years for longer stay for Bangladeshis.
The visa official made it clear that a once-rejected visa applicant could apply for the visa again as "first time people are nervous in most cases."
She noted the embassy has produced a video with information about student visas and it would be available shortly at the American centre.
Any person can sponsor a Bangladeshi student who wants to study in the United States, although parents' accounts are preferred, a top visa official said Wednesday.
"It's a question of credibility … Anyone can sponsor if it makes sense," Sandra Ingram, visa chief at the US embassy, said.
"We want anything liquidable. It's Ok if the cash is in your account or your parents' or anyone's accounts that are credible," she told a student visa seminar at the American Centre.
The seminar was organised in connection with the international education week 2010.
The visa head said that if a student went to the United States for studying at a university with part-funding system, he or she must show the ability to pay for the rest.
"For instance, if the tuition is US$20,000 and your scholarship is $10,000, you've to demonstrate your ability to pay for that," Ms Ingram said.
She also said obtaining a student visa requires "additional administrative processing" in addition to the proof of financing ability of the applicant.
"Administrative checking takes several weeks. So it's better to apply for the visa much earlier before the session starts," Ms Ingram said.
She said the visa section issues a maximum six-month visa for short-term visit to the US and five years for longer stay for Bangladeshis.
The visa official made it clear that a once-rejected visa applicant could apply for the visa again as "first time people are nervous in most cases."
She noted the embassy has produced a video with information about student visas and it would be available shortly at the American centre.