Kathmandu. Head of the Department of Sociology at Mahendra Morang Adarsha Multiple Campus and life member of Elite Club, Dr. In an article published in Elite Journal-2081 titled ‘Context of Nepali youth going abroad and its social dimensions’, Upadhyay has presented the study conducted from 2020 to 2023 involving students and parents about the struggle of Nepali youths to reach the foreign countries considered as their destination and the success or failure achieved in foreign countries.

In the study, the professor has also mentioned the main reasons why Nepali youths decide to go abroad, the effects of failure in their efforts to go abroad and the main reasons behind the unsuccessful attempts.

The main reason why Nepali youths decide to go abroad

– The status and quality of higher education in Nepal is the main basis for decision-making

– Sustainable economic opportunities available to you

– Expect to live in a destination country in the hope of a comfortable lifestyle in the future

Effects of failure to attempt to go abroad

– Repeatedly rejected in a visa interview of the country concerned

– Losing a large part of the amount paid as the first installment admission fee to a foreign university

– A large amount of money was spent on language test and interview fees

– More than two years of academic loss and falling behind in the course of their studies

The main reasons behind failed attempts are

– Despite good results in the lower level examinations, they failed to give satisfactory answers to the officials who were allowed to study in some developed countries and after reaching there for residency, they failed

– Due to the lack of coordination with the guidelines issued by the High Commissions of the selected/target country for international students by making frequent policy changes, there has been a financial loss

– In the case of some foreign countries of the chosen country, initially the visa approvers allowed the students to choose a special course on the basis of the immigration act of that country, but later they were not satisfied with the visa.

– Confused to know what they can and cannot do in a country with a certain visa restriction

First of all, we need to understand the difference between a student visa and a study permit

Many people may think that a student visa and a study permit are the same. But that’s not the case, there’s a difference between the two. For example, a student visa is required to enter Canada, while a study permit allows you to stay and study there. After getting admission to a Canadian university, a student has to apply for a study permit. When a study permit application is approved, it is not immediately issued to the student.

Instead, foreign students are given a Port of Entry letter that indicates that the student is eligible to study in Canada. In addition, a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is issued. This document works as a student visa, which is required to enter Canada. Upon arrival at the Canadian airport or the Port of Entry at its border, the student must give an interview.

There, the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer conducts an interview for a study permit, in which the student is issued a study permit after checking his studies and related documents. Students are required to follow all the rules of their study permit while studying in Canada. Students may also need to update their permit during any changes related to their studies.

Documents required for a student visa

Foreign students need to apply for an online student visa by visiting the CIC website 3 months before leaving for Canada. Required documentation :

– Educational Certificates

– Acceptance Letter (received from university)

– Recognized passport

– Proof of having sufficient money for study expenses: Educational loan certificate/scholarship letter/bank statement

– Police Clearance Certificate (Police Clearance Certificate Abbreviated Police Report)

– Medical Certificate

– IELTS 6.0 Score, TOEFL

You have to carry all the documents and give an interview to the embassy on the scheduled date. A visa is a privilege, not a right. All the documents submitted are correct but the visa application is rejected. Why?

Reason for Student Visa Rejection

It is currently difficult to get a student visa in the United States for higher studies. Millions of foreigners are studying in the United States. The number of students going to the United States each year is in the thousands. But the biggest obstacle to studying in the United States is getting a student visa. It also happens that all the documents submitted are correct, but the visa application is rejected. There can be many reasons behind visa rejection.

In the US, the F-1 student visa is covered by a non-immigrant visa. The rejection of the visa means that the counselor officer may feel that the applicant is not fulfilling the visa conditions or that the applicant does not want to return to his country after studying. To put it simply, the officer did not find sufficient evidence of the applicant’s strong ties to his country.

What does a strong relationship mean?

A strong relationship means a strong relationship with the applicant’s personal, professional or social bond that connects the applicant to his or her home country. These include family obligations and relationships, continuity of employment and studies in your home country, ownership of property or other financial commitments, and working in partnership with the local community. The Counseling Officer looks at each application and tests each student on the basis of the strong relationships that indicate whether or not the student will return to his or her home country.

If someone’s visa application is rejected, they can reapply. If the applicant’s status has changed and a strong relationship with his country can be proved, then he should apply again. On that basis, the applicant can get a visa.

How to strengthen the application?

Once the application is rejected, there is no appeal. You have to apply for a student visa and pay the fee. During the re-interview, the applicant should be able to explain how the applicant’s relationship with his country is strong. Applicants must show proof of family commitments, property documents, or business ventures.

No rush to check the visa

U. S. officials have said that there will be no rush in visa verification. “It takes as long as it takes, and unless they believe that the applicant is not a threat to U. S. security, they will not issue visas.” The reason for rejecting visa applications may be grounds for rejecting visas under the Trump administration’s recent policy. There can be no single criterion for evaluating such issues.

Every visa decision is a national security decision. The United States is vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying to come to the United States do not intend to harm Americans and their national interests, and that all applicants can credibly prove their eligibility for visas in which they will be engaged in activities consistent with the conditions of their admission. A U. S. visa is a privilege, not a right.

Intent to Leave rule in the U. S. is set to be removed, a ‘boon’ for students

There is also a rule in the US immigration law about the desire to leave the country. Under this, the student has to prove that he has to leave the country as soon as he gets the degree.

In order to get a student visa in the United States, a student has to go to the U. S. Embassy and submit a visa interview. There they are asked questions related to their number, university and study expenses. Most of the time, it is not difficult for the student to answer these questions. However, the problem arises when students are asked – ‘What do you do after completing your studies?’ or ‘Will you return to your home country after completing your studies?’

Such questions give a lot of stress to the students. Even if the student does not want to stay in America and work, the answer to those questions is ‘I will return home’.

Now an immigration bill called the Dignity Act is going to be brought to America, in which there is talk of abolishing the provision of Intent to Leave for students. If the bill passes, students will be able to say “I will stay in the United States after studying.”

What is the difficulty with Intent to Leave?

In fact, student visas in the US are covered under Section 214B of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Under this provision, it is recognized that all visa applicants have an ulterior motive to stay in the United States at some point. In such a situation, they should be given visas only after proving strong relations with their country. This provision is painful for the students. They have to prove that as soon as their studies are over, they should return to their home country from the United States.

During the visa interview, the student tells the officer that he has real estate, business, and the parents he wants to live with in his home country. Many times students also say that after getting the degree, they want to work in their own country.

Visa Interview

You need a student visa to study in the United States, which is very difficult to get right now. The difficulty has increased especially since the order to check social media before issuing visas. At present, it is challenging for students to get a student visa interview slot. However, an emergency appointment can be obtained.

The interview begins with a document check, asking for a passport and I-20 form, followed by a question-and-answer session about study and course selection.

Example of an Indian student: During the visa interview, the student first studied mechanical engineering, then he/she wants to study electrical and computer engineering at the postgraduate level.

Visa Officer: Why don’t you want to do a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering?

Student: I studied 4-5 subjects related to electronics during my undergrad, I enjoyed studying them and I have also worked on some small projects. So I got interested in this field and I decided to study it professionally. That’s why I applied.

Visa Officer: When asked about university selection

Student: I applied for the course at the chosen university.

Visa Officer: How is the funding for the education being done?

A: I have an education loan of Rs. 50 lakhs and my mother has Rs. 25 lakhs as savings.

Visa Officer: How many universities did you apply to and how many did you get admitted?

A: I applied to four universities, out of which I got admission.

Visa Officer: Use of social media in the last 5 years?

Student: I use Instagram and LinkedIn. I have also used Korra and Reddit but have not given this information in my DS – 160 form because there was no option in this regard.

After the interview was over, the visa officer issued a 221(g) slip outlining the administrative process. The visa officer kept the student’s passport and I-20 form with him and said, “I need to do some more administrative checks before I can finally approve your visa.” Visas will be issued after verification.

Another example: A Nepalese had a father, mother, daughter, and son in his house. When her father was still alive, her daughter went to Australia, where she got PR. After some time, the son went to America. When he went to the United States, he had submitted a relationship certificate with his family details. A few years after his father’s death, the son decided to call his mother to America. In a visa interview at the U. S. Embassy,

Visa Officer: How many days are you going to go?

Female: For 3 months.

Visa Officer: After that, who will be seen in Nepal when you return?

Woman: I have a daughter.

Now tell me what the visa officer will decide?

Tips for Students:

Don’t lie about anything. You have to answer confidently and be completely honest with the visa officer.

– Advocate Amar Kumar Mallick