Lately, securing a US visa appointment has been an arduous endeavor for residents of the UAE, with many facing a year-long wait. To circumvent these extended delays, some residents have chosen to travel to nearby GCC nations to apply for a US visa, where they can secure appointments within weeks or months. As previously reported by Khaleej Times, a UAE resident successfully obtained a US visa in just seven days through a US consulate in Saudi Arabia.
There are various types of visas available to UAE residents, including those for tourism and visits, study and exchange, business, and employment. Misconceptions about the US visa application process can impede one's progress. Begaim Kadyrbekova, the leading US visa expert at The Visa Services, debunks five common myths and provides case studies to illustrate how addressing these misconceptions can improve an applicant's chances of success. She emphasizes that no document, including the I-20 form, guarantees visa approval due to the unpredictable nature of the process.
During visa interviews, officers typically request only the passport, with rare exceptions for additional documents like a bank statement or an employer's letter. Kadyrbekova advises that while it's crucial to have a standard set of documents, their mere presence does not assure approval. She also clarifies that the inclusion of distant relatives in an application is unnecessary if there is no intention to visit them. Additionally, prior participation in the Green Card Diversity Visa lottery need not be disclosed, as it does not equate to an immigration petition.
For international students on an F-1 visa, staying continuously in the US allows them to maintain their legal status even if their visa expires, provided they receive an updated I-20 form each semester. Kadyrbekova shares a case where a student's visa was renewed using an updated I-20 form after she returned to her home country during a break. She also dispels the myth that young, unmarried female applicants have a lower approval rate, stating that consular officers assess each application individually based on various factors.
