International students heading to the US for college now have an extra step to complete when applying for a visa.
Under rules that went into effect earlier this month, students and most others seeking US visas will be asked to disclose their social media screen names.
Continue reading Students Seeking US Visas Must Supply Social Media Details
The number of student visas issued by the US State Department fell again this year, a decline that experts say is tied to stricter immigration policies.
In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the US issued 393,573 student visas — representing a 17 percent decline from the year before and a 40 percent decrease from 2015.
Immigration is one of President Trump’s most publicized policy priorities, and even amidst legal challenges and opposition he has continued with efforts to curb immigration. NACAC supports international students as they seek to study in the United States, and wants to ensure that individuals follow the proper procedures as they apply for visa applications.
During this state of flux, some individuals and companies are trying to capitalize on the uncertainly within the immigration system. Some tech companies have created online services that help individuals submit their visa applications to the US government for a fee. These include at least one company that promises to link individuals with immigration lawyers or visa specialists for personalized support through the process.
Continue reading Study in the US: Avoiding Scams During the Visa Application Process
Ten cities. Thirteen days. From London to Shanghai to meet with newly admitted students. It’s my version of The Amazing Race, but without the $1 million at the finish line.
The first question I’m asked when discussing my itinerary is, “Are you nuts?!” The answer, from my perspective anyway, is, “No, I love doing it and I’ve found two weeks to be the perfect trip length.”
The second question is either, “Wow, how are people feeling about our country?” or “Do international students still want to come to university in the US?” Like any good admission officer, my answer is, “It depends.”
It depends on the country.
China is a vital market for many universities, and the political climate didn’t appear to be too much of a concern in Beijing and Shanghai. There, families were much more concerned about the “usual” topics—safety, academics, and post-graduation opportunities. I was surprised by the number of families more concerned about the legalization of marijuana in California than the political situation! Having said that, I had large-group and one-on-one conversations about the international environment in every other city on the trip—London, Dubai, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Seoul. Families are legitimately concerned about whether their child will even get a visa, how welcomed international students will be upon arrival, and whether they will be targets for bullying and/or racial discrimination on campus or in the surrounding area. Not too surprisingly, this was a HUGE topic in India, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore, all countries with a large Indian population. And all countries that add to our international diversity on campus.