Addressing the high demand for US educational opportunities among international students, INTO University Partnerships has rolled out its Pre-Arrival Success Services (PASS) programme, specifically designed to ease the US visa application ordeal, especially in locales where obtaining a visa is notoriously difficult.
Crafted by INTO University Partnerships, the PASS programme aims to deliver exhaustive visa guidance and support to international students desiring to pursue education in the US. This complimentary initiative has successfully assisted over 2000 students from a slew of countries, including India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan, in securing their F-1 visas.
The PASS programme stands out for its in-depth approach, which includes simulated interview scenarios facilitated by expert advisors, going a step beyond the usual visa guidance offerings. It encompasses personalised mock interviews, dynamic workshops, and detailed webinars, covering the visa application process from start to finish.
Underscoring the customised nature of the support, Jacquie Serr, INTO University Partnerships’ Vice President of Enrolment, remarked: “When it comes to a students’ enrolment journey, it is vital that we meet them where they are, offering support and services in areas of high stress. The US visa process and how decisions are made on an F-1 visa can be confusing for students and their families to navigate. What makes PASS different is that we take the time to work individually with students – each student, their goals and background are unique, and so is each 1:1 session our advisors have with students. Human interaction is important here, not just for visa success but for student success.”
Highlighting the programme’s fundamental objective, Laura Nye, PASS Programme Manager, stated: “The US international student visa application and interview is a complicated and challenging process for many students. Our primary goal with the PASS program is to build students’ confidence throughout the visa process as they prepare to embark on their academic journey in the US.”
Initiated in 2020 to specifically aid students from low visa success rate regions, the PASS programme has rapidly evolved into a critical support system, significantly boosting the chances of visa approval for its participants.
The programme’s webinars extensively explore various topics related to the F1 visa application, document scrutiny, and more, culminating in a Q&A session for students to voice their queries.
Expounding on the programme’s comprehensiveness, Laura Nye added: “Our program is designed to cover every aspect of the US visa process for students. We provide students with comprehensive information and the opportunity to address any concerns or questions they may have. We also facilitate connections with student experience teams at our partner universities and provide insights into campus resources. This ensures a smooth transition into university life, where students can leverage the available support.”
The PASS programme facilitates personalised mock interview sessions with INTO’s visa specialists, priming students for their visa interviews by fostering confidence and effective communication of their academic objectives.
The effectiveness of the programme is echoed in the testimonials of students like Emmanuel, Muhammed, and Pablo, who attribute their improved interview readiness and confidence to the PASS programme, leading to successful visa outcomes.
The programme’s impact is further recognised by INTO’s US partner universities, witnessing an upsurge in campus diversity with the inclusion of competent international students.
Officials from The University of Alabama and INTO Hofstra University, Vince Milam and Oscar Del Rio respectively, have commended the PASS programme for its crucial support in readying students for visa interviews, highlighting its invaluable service.
Since its inception in 2005, INTO University Partnerships has been pivotal in connecting over 150,000 students from 180 countries with premier universities in the US, UK, and Australia, facilitating their journey towards achieving their academic dreams.
