Want Help Getting A Student Visa? Call This $3-A-Minute 1-900 Number
Jon is headed to grad school in England and looking to nail down his student visa. Before he can hop the pond he's going through a grad-level course on absurd, pricely hassles. Turns out the U.K. may have outsourced its visa customer service to a contractor that takes calls at a pay 1-900 number.
Jon writes:
I've been trying to figure out how to apply for a student visa. Should be easy, right? Well, aside from the fact that they've just implemented a new "points-based system" for visas (Old system: to get a student visa you had to prove that you were accepted to a university, and that you can support yourself financially. New system: to get a student visa, you need 40 points. You get 30 points for proving you were accepted to a university. You get 10 points for proving you can support yourself financially), apparently the British have handed over visa applications in the United States and a number of other countries to a private company called WorldBridge ( www.visainfoservices.com ). Have questions about the application process? You can e-mail them, or call their 900 number for $3 a minute.
Now, I've lived in some of the weirder countries of the former Soviet Union, so I am no noob when it comes to convoluted visa applications. But I'm also on a pretty tight schedule and I have a very simple and specific question: the guidelines state that I have to provide originals of any "supporting documents" listed on the visa letter from my university. In my case, it says "Documents used to obtain visa letter: B.A. from University of Florida (Usa)." I have two simple questions: Do they need the certification of my degree directly from my university or is it OK to send a certification from the National Student Clearinghouse, which provides enrollment/degree certifications for various institutions for a small fee? And if they DO need the docs from my school, can I have the school send them directly to the visa processing center? My third question, does the UK Border Agency really believe that large state-funded British universities are incapable of checking their applicants' degree status, will have to remain unasked...
I've now sent two very short, specific e-mail requests to WorldBridge's support e-mail address, and both times I've received back irrelevant cut-and-pasted sections of the UK Border Agency guidelines, which I stated in my e-mail I had already read and had not answered my question. Aside from being morally opposed to paying $3/minute for visa information (the Kazakh embassy in Bishkek is the worst den of venal assholes I have ever encountered, but I will say that they refused to take a bribe), I frankly don't believe that they will be willing or able to answer my question. Plus the visa itself is already a whopping $244, which you have to pay before you can even make an appointment.
Really, though, what kind of cheapskate government outsources one of the main functions of their EMBASSIES? Even the US State Department wouldn't do that, and they're the guys who hired BLACKWATER.
John says he did some additional research and found that the U.K., India and China have all outsourced the initial application process, and some googling for "same-day visas" is an effective way to be quickly scammed out of his money.
Just remember, kids. Calls to 1-900 numbers rarely turn out well.
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Comments:
Reminds me of my local city utility service (with which, you pay water, property tax, etc). They outsource the city's billpay system to a private company, and that company only takes credit card. The problem with that (besides the fact you are paying a debt with a debt), is they want to charge you 2% of your bill, plus $1, just to pay your bill. If you call them up to pay, they charge you a "convenience fee", starting at $5 and working upwards. So...guess I'll stick with stamps.
I take it the NY, LA, Chicago consulates are not options? Apparently those locations will set up appointments for tier 4 (student) Points-based visas.
I thought he was talking about a VISA credit card meant for students this whole time.
I wanted to blame this on UK's infamous immigration paranoia, but it looks like the US charges callers from, at least, the UK, Canada, and France for visa information also. And there's no evidence that it's been outsourced.
Is this just standard? I mean, when you're offering a service to the entire world, maybe it doesn't hurt to raise the financial barrier to entry. I can't say I agree with it from a humanist standpoint, but as a way of reducing the number of inquiries, why not?
I had to go through the UK immigration services when I moved from the US. It was an extremely expensive nightmare, and John has my sympathies. Job-less European-Union-ers? C'mon in! Non EU citizens who want to put lots of money into the economy? Not so fast!
I've got no sympathy - as a UK student wanting to study in the US, I too had to pay an out-sourced premium rate £1.50 a minute (about the same as $3p/m at the time) line, as well as nearly $400 in fees. I find it pretty funny that American citizens can complain about EU/UK immigration when their own system is possibly one of the most timeconsuming, nightmarish, and expensive in the world.
Well, I want to pay my bill online, but it will cost me $3-$5 (or more) because the city is outsourcing their billpay to a private company. The alternative is to use a stamp to mail my bill in, and pay .44. Just like the author would like to process his transaction over the phone, but due to it being a private company, he is paying through nose for simply trying to get a visa. I don't think governments should outsource government business to private companies.
I know of someone who lives overseas and was trying to get a visa to come to the US. He also had to call the equivalent of a 900 # in that country in order to get answers to some questions. So I guess we do the same thing.
@Englishee Teacher: I think Saboth is mailing in checks, rather than trying to pay online or by phone.
$244? That's nothing. I'm paying $540 for my Australian student visa.
I have no advice for the person who wrote this, other than to have a lot of patience and contact your grad school for more info on the matter.
Well I can, but there is usually a line with about a 15 minute wait, and I'd have to spend about $2 in gas...not to mention you usually have to pay for parking.
I may or may have not worked at a british consulate and I'm sorry, but it's really a big waste of resources having people answering questions which can be easily answered by reading a webpage. My recommendation (which by any means should not be taken as even a remotely serious response) is, as dealing with any other government agency: use common sense.
- Get papers directly from your university not from a whoknowswhat organization
- Unless specifically directed to do so, all the supporting documents for your application should be send by yourself because if it involves doing extra work, the employee at the consulate will just throw it out and ask you to send it again.
- It is standard European Union procedure that embassies MUST check the "equivalency" of any degree obtained in the country they're established for prospecting students into their home country. Embassies are the ones that know the education systems abroad better, and no, not even large state-funded unis would be capable to determine an equivalency.
Honestly, it's all about common sense. Just give them what they ask for and don't try to bend the rules.
This is very old news (no offense, Consumerist--I don't expect that anyone who doesn't deal with this stuff on a regular basis to know it offhand), and, yes, the U.S. is an equal opportunity offender when it comes to running a fee-based "information line" for visa applicants. I put "information line" in quotes because it was common knowledge, when my now-husband was applying for his U.S. visa back in '05, that the phone line operators generally didn't know anything you couldn't find out for free from a quick Google search.
Better yet, try a well-informed newsgroup like AmericanExpats.com or the international students' office at your prospective university. Even my tiny Catholic liberal arts college had an international liaison, so I imagine your large British university certainly would.
@Etoiles:
Good point--but I, for one, went to a state school nowhere near my state. (Also--he sounds like he's pretty on top of things--if he was near, he probably wouldn't be writing at all.)
@DirectAnon: You summed it up well. Immigration is not for the faint of heart when it comes to paperwork or bureaucracy.
Except... the website didn't answer his specific questions--so all this talk about efficient allocation of resources is a complete canard. Yup, it would be more efficient if these questions could be answered on the web--you can't, so...
Moereover, it's not a common sense process--The National Student Clearinghouse is increasingly the gold standard for transcripts, et al. in the US, so it is, in fact a counter-intuitive, retro processs you describe.
Embassies better equipped to figure out US degrees? I just call shenanigans on that one.
@StowmarKate: There's a reason it's called the European Union. It's almost, but not quite (OK, maybe only like 60%), like if you were from the UK and wanted to get into Minnesota, and you were complaining that they'd let all the jobless hobos from Iowa in, but not you.
@treimel: I beg to differ. Most questions about visa applications can indeed by answered quite efficiently and accurately by a quick web search or an immigration-focused newsgroup, even if they can't be directly answered by a single website. Sure, caveat emptor in terms of what one might find on the Web, but double-check in a few different sources and you'll be able to safely assume that the information is reliable. Many of the immigration newsgroups are monitored by immigration attorneys as well, which helps their reliability.
These hotlines do not have specific information that is not available for free elsewhere.
@Saboth: I don't think governments should outsource government business to private companies.
But they're not outsourcing core government business to a private company. They're outsourcing conveniences, like online bill pay. The alternative, as you know, is mailing a check or paying in person with no option to pay online.
*cue violin*
Well at least having the queen as the head of our country still has some benefits(Canada,)I get to stay in the UK for 6 six months, without a visa, and then sort it all out after which was much simpler.
All I had to show, 4 years ago, was a letter of acceptance from the university and a bank account statement showing I had enough money live off of for a while. I had a bunch of other documents but they didn't want to see any of. Payback for that tea party for you americans?
If St. Peter was British, you'd be charged to enter heaven.
@pax:
I'm talking baout the original poster's queries--not whether websites /in general/ can answer most questions; they can and do. Show me the link on the site that answers his questions. (hint--it's not there.)
So beg away-still not true :)
As to your general "Google" it advice--are you kidding? there's a reason that visas have fees associated with them--governments have a basic moral obligation to provide a means of disseminating accurate information about their immigration procedures, it shouldn't be a treaure hunt.
So does the USA embassy if you have a question about _any_ VISA and you live in Germany.
@treimel: It shouldn't be. Except it sometimes is.
And I stand by my recommendation of newsgroups, by the way. The largest ones are sources of quite good and reliable information on visa applications. If you search for his question, no, maybe you can't find the answer--but if you ask a knowledgeable community, maybe you can. If Jon were to go to AmericanExpats or a similar group, my guess is that others have been in his same situation and could advise him pretty well.
For the record, $3/minute, IMO, is pretty outrageous for ANYTHING, let alone visa information, but my point is that there are ways to avoid paying it. I've been through three rounds with U.S. immigration without paying anyone anything other than the associated paperwork fees and it's possible for most people to do the same with a little research.
University of Florida :D Go Gators!
I am also heading to grad school in the uk in september.
Here is the answer to your question:
On the Point Base System (PBS) Appendix 8 (General) Student form, Question 5.3 "You must send all of the original certificate(s) of qualification and/or original transcripts of results that are listed in the Visa Letter." So you can send an original transcript that states that you received your degree or a certificate of your degree. This should not be sent by your school. It should be included in your visa application.
There is also a flat rate $12(maybe $15) phone number you can call. I agree that charging is ridiculous, but I am sure it cuts down on the number of unnecessary phone calls. Also in the grand scheme of the cost of going to school abroad, this is nothing.
@Michael Belisle: I had to deal with the staff on the UK number when I immigrated to the US. I understand they have to charge for it because of the sheer volume of visa applications they get, but the quality of service was appalling. At least when I was going through the (9 month) process, you had to navigate through a huge phone tree that constantly tried to discourage you from speaking to a person. And with good reason. If you persisted and finally got a human, they would be mostly incapable of independent thought and just read the text straight off the embassy website.
The actual embassy staff were fine once you got to them, but getting any information beforehand was a complete nightmare.
This isn't anything new, and it might be that the Brits are just reciprocating what other embassies in London do. The USA Embassy in London charges gbp1.20 (around $2) a minute for any kind of appointments and information and has done for years. The Visa application fee is $131 (for anyone not covered under the visa waiver when travelling to the USA). I had to do this several times with my work visa over in the past.
Psh. I make my own passports at home.
@RChris173: Looks like he's having trouble going.
Sounds to me like the Tebow-verse does not extend to England.
WRONG!
"Even the US State Department wouldn't do that, and they're the guys who hired BLACKWATER"
In Mexico, the US of A charges 10 dollars for an 8 minute call to ask for information or to make an appointment to get a visa.
Of course, if you pay and then get disconnected, tough luck! you have to accept the charge again
A third of what England is trying to charge you, but they charge in 10 dóllars chunks
@tryingnotto:
I had to go through a similar thing with the US embassy in Brussels.
If you call them, the first thing that happens is that someone asks for your credit card. (No introduction, just straight into "give us your credit card number.)
They charge you 25 euro to ask any question or to make an appointment to come the embassy.
Yes, Jon needs to contact other expats... honestly, in my journey towards immigrating to other countries, it's been the expats and not any agency that has given me the most information, and for free. There's plenty of expat communities online.
If it makes you feel any better (and there's no reason it should) if you are British and want to speak to the embassy about something (like renewing your passport), you also need to call a 1-900 number. It's not just because you are foreign.
To the OP:
I am fairly confident that a notarized transcript from your university, sealed in an envelope will do. Maybe even without the notarization, if the university seals it for you. I then am pretty sure you need to bring it in yourself. I doubt the visa clearing place or embassy wants parts of your application coming in from different places via mail. I think you need to bring or mail it all together yourself.
However, as others have said, try and ask the international office at your host institution in England. THey must have dealt with this before.
Lastly, if you just can't get the right answers anywhere, take your best guess at how to prepare and schedule your appointment well in advance, so that, if something is wrong with your papers, you have time to reschedule your appointment without missing flights, starts dates at your host uni. etc.
Good Luck and enjoy your stay in England!
The UK was the first foreign country I lived in (I'm in Norway now) and I still miss London. Anyway, having gone through the visa application process a couple of times, here are my suggestions:
For question #1: Call your school's alumni office or registrars office and tell them you need a degree certification for a UK visa. Most schools charge about $10, although they may do it through the clearinghouse. --That was sufficient enough for me.
For question #2: No, have them send it to you. You need to send everything together or they'll send it back.
And finally, this is why America needs to work towards an agreement with Canada, the UK, and the EU to make it easier for Americans to work and study overseas, and for their residents to do the same here.
I understand the craziness of visa applications. My fiance is Australian, and we're deciding which country we'll live in. Either way, the process is going to involve 6-10 months where we can't see each other and $2-3,000. :/
Actually, I had to go through the exact same thing last year after getting accepted to a Scottish university. Fortunately I applied under the old system and it was a smidge easier.
Unfortunately, I had to call the 1-900 number as I was a military dependent and although born in another country, only had the one passport number. Long story short, I had to go through three different reps to get my questions answered, which resulted in almost $100 worth of credit card charges. The best part? You don't even get put in queue until you submit credit card info.
Just wait until you have to submit yourself for biometric data collection. There wasn't a facility in my area, so I got to fly to New York to get my stuff handled. Awesome.
Actually, looking over the post again, I had one of the same questions as you, regarding originals.
They have to ALL be mailed at the same time, in the same packet of information. They will not accept information direct from your university, etc.
Visa fees are all driven by the concept of reciprocal rights. This means that if country X charges US citizens $100 for a visa, then the US will charge citizens of X $100 for a US visa.
For example, the US charges Indian citizens $131 just to apply for a visa. If the application is successful, there is an additional visa fee. Also, all the US consulates in India have outsourced the initial work to a third party which charges another set of fees for providing the service.
I hope you see this, it's pretty far down the line. I actually did this two weeks ago for the UK so I know exactly what's required. First you have to fill out and pay for the online visa application here:
When you're done with that (I recommend paying online although you can mail it in) you click to make an appointment to have your biometrics taken (pic and fingerprints). They will guide you to the closest center, you make an appointment, BRING THE APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION LETTER WITH YOU.
When the application is completed you mail all the required paperwork to your local UK Border Agency/Entry Clearance center. They will find it for you based on your location, it's part of the questionaire.
You will need to mail them the following:
Copy of passport
Completed visa application
Completed biometrics appointment letter (it will be signed and stamped by the person who takes yours)
ORIGINAL visa letter from the school (the school mails you one)
Bank statement showing you have the funds (outside london it's £5400, inside london i believe it's £7200) on top of tuition and fees. This is ON TOP of tuition and fees for the year. The statement must show that the money has been in there for 28 days so you may need to provide two consecutive months. If you have already paid the balance of your tuition, you will only need that money in it.
If you have a criminal record you'll have to provide info on that.
The visa costs $240ish to file.
If you still wish to call the world bridge people, they're actually quite nice, call the second number which is to charge to your credit card, it's a $12 flat fee which is what I did since I don't have a plan/landline to charge to. It's not that expensive that way. I hope that helps.
To call the US Embassy in London you have to call a premium rate phone number. Maybe this is common practice?
As far as I recall US embassies belong to the Department of State, right? Meet the US embassy in Moscow, Russia, which outsources the delivery services to Pony Express (trademark of USPS). Pony will gladly help you, at a humble rate of 70rub/min ($2.2/min at the current exchange rate).
@Michael Belisle: @Michael Belisle:
Hey, I'm actually from the UK, and some of us don't like it! Using your Iowa/Minnesota analogy, the EU makes laws then the countries implement them, it's like the federal government (made up of tri-parte of state governors, a parliment and a set of appointed bureaucrats) make a law that each state has to implement - usually in the UK gold plated.
As to letting foreigners in, there were abuses so were trying to stop them.
@pax: The problem is, at least from my experience with the Italian government, everyone's situation, depending on which specific town government they're dealing with and which state consulate they go through is very very different. Expat sites have been very good to me (during my continuing two and a half year and I'm sure upwards of $1K saga in getting dual-citizenship), but when one state's consulate is extremely picky, and another's is fairly lenient, there's only so far you can actually go by others personal experiences. There are times when you really just need to call (or visit) the specific parties you're dealing with and get it all settled.
And yeah...my consulate does a $2.49 a minute information/appointment making call number, but I've circumvented it every time by calling directly to the specific office number I need from Skype instead of the general info number. Don't know if there's a similar loophole with the British Embassy, but I'd run a google on that as well.
Did india just outsource it to itself?