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bertho_coder's blog

WF Visa Application
By bertho_coder, history, 8 years ago, In English

My post may seem irrelevant, but I found no other suitable place for discussing this. This post is for the teams going to the World Finals this year(2017). Three Teams are going to the World Finals this year from Bangladesh. We are having trouble getting the U.S visa. Two of our teams got rejected in visa interview(including my team) and another team is going to apply soon. So, We have some queries regarding visa application. We are going to reapply for the visa and this information may help us.

  1. Have you not applied for the visa yet/Have you got rejected from getting the visa?
  2. If you got rejected then did you get the visa in the second try?
  3. If you got the visa then what was your type of visa? B1 or B2 or B1/B2?
  4. If you got the visa then did you book return flight tickets to show it to the interviewer?
  5. If you got the visa then what were the main documents provided by you? I mean how am I supposed to make them believe that I have a strong tie in my country?

Also, sharing your interview experience might also be helpful.

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8 years ago, # |
← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it +36 Vote: I do not like it
  1. No. My team mate did get rejected however.
  2. Yes, my team mate got his visa on second try
  3. B1
  4. No
  5. I had the team invitation, but honestly she didn't check any papers. Just asked me why I'm going. I think having strong ties like finishing your education helps. Just be confident, and explain what is ICPC, and why you are going.

I wish your team the best of luck! :)

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    Did you mention that , you are listed in the U.S. Department of State Intranet for Conferences in the United States. If yes, what was his/her response to that ? Did he/she check whether you are really in that list ?

    Thanks .

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8 years ago, # |
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  1. My team (from Poland) all got visas with no problems.
  2. -
  3. B1/B2
  4. No. I don't think booking any flights (return or not) before getting a visa would be a good idea if you have a high probability of being rejected. When you apply it even says in various places that you shouldn't make final travel arrangements before you get a visa, so I think they shouldn't take that into account (but I might be wrong?).
  5. I had the ICPC invitation with me, but they didn't check, although they asked me to explain what ACM is. There was also an email from ICPC some time ago saying that they are sending information to embassies explaining the situation, do you know if your embassy received this before they rejected you? If they want you to prove ties in your country, then I guess you could mention your university/family.

Wish you good luck :)

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    Did you mention that , you are listed in the U.S. Department of State Intranet for Conferences in the United States. If yes, what was his/her response to that ? Did he/she check whether you are really in that list ?

    Thanks .

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    It must be much easier to get a visa if you are from Poland than if you are from Bangladesh.

    About 4: some countries require flights when you apply, some require prepaid hotel reservations. So it depends. I don't know about USA though.

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
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      Due to rather high rejection rates, for US it's explicitly recommended not to make any certain (non-refundable) reservations before your visa is approved.

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    In Poland it's not problem to get US visa but in another country it is totally different

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8 years ago, # |
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In case you haven't done so already, make sure you contact the ICPC people: "All visa related questions should be sent to Barb Dolan, 2017 Host Visa Coordinator, at visas2017@acmicpc.org."

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8 years ago, # |
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  1. Yes, we have apply for the visa. 1 person got rejected.
  2. yes.
  3. B1/B2
  4. no. we book the flight after all of our visa confirmed.
  5. Honestly, the consulate didn't bother to check any documents that you bring. They will ask u some questions. What helps are:
  • Show friendly faces.. (SMILE a lot)
  • Be Confident
  • You need to explain in fluent manner (don't stutter), they will ask you what ICPC is, What kind of contest it is, Have you ever fly overseas for contest like this before, What your parent jobs are, etc..
  • With B1/B2 -- you must demonstrate that internship or any other future endeavours regarding employment in the US never cross your mind. (demonstrate this through your answer with questions above)
  • demonstrate that you go there ONLY for the competitions and any other matters never cross your mind.
  • look at the eye when talking
  • disclose your sponsor (university pays the expenses, etc2..)
  • GOOD LUCK!

Btw, even though they didn't check the documents, Be sure to bring it in case needed. We brought team invitations, host invitation, last 3 months of bank statements, university letter, university bank statements,Birth Certificate, Family photos, etc..

Hope this can help!

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    Did you mention that , you are listed in the U.S. Department of State Intranet for Conferences in the United States. If yes, what was his/her response to that ? Did he/she check whether you are really in that list ?

    Thanks .

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
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      I tried to give the consulate the notice. But the consulate said he didn't need that paper, and simply answer his questions. You can mention it, but it won't be any help though.. I think the enlistment only help to strengthen your purpose of visit.

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8 years ago, # |
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  1. My team is from Brazil and we no had problems with visa.
  3. B1/B2.
  4. No.
  5. I didn't have to show any documents, I just answered some questions. You can request the original signed invitation (manager@acmicpc.org), they send by mail (it takes a few days), maybe this will help you.

Contact visa support (visas2017@acmicpc.org), if I am not mistaken they sent an email saying that they could contact their consulate if they had problems with visa.

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8 years ago, # |
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  1. My team applied for the visa yesterday. Currently, all three members and the coach have the visa.

2.

3.B1/B2

4.No

5.I showed them the invitation ticket, the confirmation of my university.

Interview experience: They asked me some question like what will I do in the US?, have I gone to any other country?

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8 years ago, # |
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  1. We have applied and rejected.
  2. We did not try once more, I do not think it would make any difference, and it costs a huge amount of money since we have to travel to Lebanon for it!
  3. B1/B2, didn't get it.
  4. Nope!
  5. I didn't get it, but I brought everything, all the invitation, the note to the consular officer, proofs of being a student, having a job, getting a scholarship, etc. She neither asked for any documents nor did she accept to take any. She said that they are aware of the contest.

I did everything I could, I also smiled all the time (just like my profile pic!), I did just like most of other contestants have done, but the result was different!

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    Have you contacted the contest manager or Bill Poucher regarding this?

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
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      Yes I did, ICPC managers seem to be collaborative, but I think they can do nothing about issuing the visa.

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
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    We applied 2nd time for the visa today and we got accepted. May be you can think about applying for the second time if it is possible.

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