Issuing an F-1 VISA Outside of Home Country

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I have a small issue - I am an Israeli citizen who is going to a known college in the US in August for undergrad.</p>

<p>I am currently visiting family in Toronto and will be here until school starts. I have a B1/B2 VISA, but still need to get an F-1 VISA. I have the I-20 form (I received financial aid for most of the cost).</p>

<p>Has anyone applied and interviewed for an F-1 VISA outside their home country? I called the US consulate here and they claim it possible, but I heard from a variety of source that it is hard / impossible.
Is this true? I DO NOT want to risk my chances, should I go back to Israel to issue the VISA? What happens if I apply for a VISA here and get declined?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>Your biggest challenge is to convince your interviewer that you intend to leave the US when you are done with college. That’s usually done by demonstrating ties (e.g. family or property) to your home country. The US embassy website of my home country warns applicants that applying for a visa outside of your home country might undermine your claims to be attached to your home country. </p>

<p>But as long as you can convince your interviewer that you intend to leave the US after college, you’ll be fine.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the response. Has anyone here actually done it before?</p>

4

<p>Several of my college friends did.</p>

5

<p>Great! What happens if I get rejected somehow? Can I apply again for the same year in Canada? Can I apply again for the same here in Israel?</p>

6

<p>There are no restrictions on reapplying (that I am aware of), but all of your previous denials will be saved in the system and known to any consulate in the world. If your visa gets denied for a lack of ties, your next interview will focus specifically on that issue.</p>