Visa issues
March 2, 2010 8:00 AM Subscribe
Help me get my girlfriend a student visa to the US (she's Chinese)
So two years ago while studying abroad in Japan I met a Chinese girl and we started dating. Two years later I'm living in Korea (I'm a US citizen) and she's back in China. We see each other every three months or so and marriage is definitely in the cards. I want to bring to the US for one year so that she can study English. I have no intention of having her immigrate to the US.
She has already been accepted to the ESL program at the University of Washington, and now she just needs a visa.
I am extremely concerned about how we will look to the people at the consulate, as visas are notoriously hard to get for Chinese citizens.
Here are my concerns:
1. She and her family don't have enough money to send her to the US, so my parents are putting up the money (sponsorship). I am afraid that this will look suspicious on her visa application (it shows up on her I-20).
2. The fact that her boyfriend is a US citizen may look suspicious (will the fact the I have lived abroad for the past two years help us?)
I am looking for insight from people who have done this. It would really mean a lot to me if she could see where I came from. I feel like even though our intentions are pure the cards are stacked against us because we look bad on paper. Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
So two years ago while studying abroad in Japan I met a Chinese girl and we started dating. Two years later I'm living in Korea (I'm a US citizen) and she's back in China. We see each other every three months or so and marriage is definitely in the cards. I want to bring to the US for one year so that she can study English. I have no intention of having her immigrate to the US.
She has already been accepted to the ESL program at the University of Washington, and now she just needs a visa.
I am extremely concerned about how we will look to the people at the consulate, as visas are notoriously hard to get for Chinese citizens.
Here are my concerns:
1. She and her family don't have enough money to send her to the US, so my parents are putting up the money (sponsorship). I am afraid that this will look suspicious on her visa application (it shows up on her I-20).
2. The fact that her boyfriend is a US citizen may look suspicious (will the fact the I have lived abroad for the past two years help us?)
I am looking for insight from people who have done this. It would really mean a lot to me if she could see where I came from. I feel like even though our intentions are pure the cards are stacked against us because we look bad on paper. Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
Speak to the immigration workers at the university that she plans to attend. Unless they're dicks (which many university immigration officials are), they'll actually want to/have an interest in helping.
Best of luck!
posted by Neekee at 9:23 AM on March 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best of luck!
posted by Neekee at 9:23 AM on March 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
My mother runs an ESL program at Disney that brings kids (and some adults) from around the world to learn english down in Flordia. I know she has done groups from china without serious issues. I would suspect that having good documentation on the education program she will be entering is key. The ESL program should have lots of information on how they usually process visas for their students, I would ask them for assistance before you start the application process.
Also, FYI, you say US immigration is not planned for the future, which is a good thing, because if you do get her the student visa, even if you get married, she will still have to leave the US for a minimum of 2 years after her education is finished, if my sister's husband's experience as an ESL student who married an American, is any guidance.
posted by nomisxid at 9:24 AM on March 2, 2010
Also, FYI, you say US immigration is not planned for the future, which is a good thing, because if you do get her the student visa, even if you get married, she will still have to leave the US for a minimum of 2 years after her education is finished, if my sister's husband's experience as an ESL student who married an American, is any guidance.
posted by nomisxid at 9:24 AM on March 2, 2010
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Past what excellent advice I hope others contribute, remember that this isn't your last try -- there are other English-speaking countries with less intense visa requirements. More Chinese students seem to end up in Australia, but that might be a result of geography -- I'd look into Canada especially, though, as it would ease some of the family visits you might want to do and because the accent's a little bit closer.
I'd bet you'll do great in front of the consulate, but if they dump you for no reason (which they sometimes seem to be wont to do), you do have the opportunity to take your language learning business elsewhere. Even though I'm sure the US would be better for a million reasons, maybe looking into options will take some of the pressure off?
posted by Valet at 8:40 AM on March 2, 2010