Visa Application

[laurathistle]

Hi

I guess this is really directed at international staff.


My application with Campleaders is going well, I have had my medical and returnrd all my referances and loads of other boring but essential paperwork.

The next thing I need to do is get my Visa. its an exchange visa and I thinks its
called a J-1 or something.

I was wondering who has had to apply for and go for a Visa interview?
What was the interview like?
Did you go to London or Belfast? (I think I will go to Belfast)
How long did the whole thing take? I have been told it can take up to 16 weeks!

[collissimon]

I've been to London three times, and got my visa four...

The interview is tedious, you spend anywhere from 2 hrs to 4 1/2 at the embassy, of which you'll see a US for about 1-2 mins. They will ask you some simple questions like where do you go to university/which state are you going to/have you been before etc.

The hardest bit is doing the forms beforehand, though you can do a lot of them online now, which is a lot better. After you've been to your interview, you should get a yes/no answer within 7 days I think...

[clarabelle1985]

hi i went to london both times for my visa because the belfast embassy is not in the city center and the first fligth from glasgow in the morning would not allow you to get to the appointment whcih would mean an overnight stay more expensive. the first time i flew to london and got the megabus back as i didnt have anouther form a=of id to fly backt ehy take passport off u. i would agree the hardest part is the forms before hand jsut take ur time and make sure u ahve everything and photocopies with u ont eh day. the questionsa renet hard jsut where going, why, what u do in uk etc u find out immediatly if u ahve it but takes bout 2 weeks to get passport back be prepared to be board both times ive spend about 6 hours in the embassy!!!