frapple_hok

Since there are a lot of threads detailing the troubles some people are having obtaining visa approvals, I thought I'd share my experience in order to reassure anyone in a similar position.

So last month, the wife and I went down to London for our visa interview. I am on a J-1 visa as a research scholar, and my wife is on the J-2 dependent visa.

Despite the numerous warnings about making sure you can demonstrate "nonimmigrant intent", the questions we were asked were really run-of-the-mill. What will your work be, how long will you stay, will you be together continuously? To my wife, they asked if she intended to work, and she told them what she had planned anyway, to do unpaid volunteer work.

It was less than 3 minutes, and our visas were approved. Nobody asked to see any evidence of ties back to the UK, eg bank accounts, home ownership etc, it was really basic.

So I hope this is reassuring for anyone in the same circumstances, and thanks to everyone in the forum for providing so much valuable information.

Rete

Congratulations and thanks for the update and info on your interview.