Colorado State University International Students: from mountains of paperwork to the Rocky Mountains

Some let out a giant sigh of relief, others cry tears of joy, and many lower their head in disappointment. The process is finally over.  

“The line was one of the longest I had ever seen,” said Colorado State engineering graduate student Naveen Kumar. “There were hundreds of people.” 

Kumar stood outside on a street corner in the blaring heat. He waited patiently as the line snaking out of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, slowly made its way to the glass double doors at the front. 

U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan

Prospective scholars from around the world jump through more hoops than they can count, fill out mountains of paperwork and endure nerve-wracking interviews. All just to get a little stamp in their passport in blue and red lettering that spells out the words “U.S. Customs and Border Protection: ADMITTED.” 

Conceptually, obtaining an F1 or J1 student visa is simple. If the United States is going to let someone into the country, he or she needs the proper documentation.  

Step one is being admitted to the university. Next, the university will mail you a sponsorship form called an I-20. Then you bring all personal and financial documents, along with your I-20, to the closest U.S. Embassy to get your student visa approved.  

In practice, the process is more arduous and complex, with little to no guarantees for approval at each step of the way. Those who understand the amount of work and perseverance it takes to handle this process can appreciate the commitment and dedication of international students attending U.S. schools.  

Not only do students wait hours in line for the opportunity to apply for visas, but for those like Naveen, who come from areas like Pakistan, the success rate falls under 50%. Compared to the 80% success rate in European and Oceania countries, these students are much less sure about their chance to secure their dream opportunity.  

Example of F1 VISA

China also has lower success rates, but it has developed resources to assist students who want to study abroad. Mike Sun, a graduate student from China, worked as an agent for a company that helps students in the process of applying to American schools. Later, he decided to come to the United States himself.  

“Using the contacts I made, I was able to use a partner organization that aligns with CSU,” Sun said. “‘Into-CSU’ is a third-party program sponsored by the university that makes it significantly easier for international students to get into the university, pass the English proficiency tests and get visas approved.” 

University-sponsored language programs and third-party agencies provide support for students around the globe, but what if the student’s country doesn’t have programs readily available? What if their country doesn’t even have an embassy? 

Mike Sun after graduationg with his Masters degree from CSU

Electrical engineering Ph.D. candidate Fateh El-Shariff, who hails from Libya, needed to put in the legwork to get to apply. After the Benghazi incident in 2011, the United States pulled out of the country completely and shuttered its consulates permanently.  

“I had to fly to Morocco to get mine,” said El-Shariff said. “It was extra money, but I decided to make a vacation out of it,” he added with a laugh. 

Going outside of the country to find an embassy isn’t the only stressful part for Libyans either. Libya is one of the few “single-entry visa” countries, unlike the “multiple-entry visa” most other students like Kumar and Sun receive.  

Students with single-entry visas must reapply for the F1 visa every single time they leave the United States. That means going through the process all over again, and it is far from a guarantee for re-approval.  

“It can be difficult for some people when you have a single-entry visa,” El-Shariff said. “Some have to stay for years without going home because they worry about not being able to get approved a second time.” 

Dr. Fateh El-Shariff (right) with his adviser, Dr. Edwin Chong, after defending his PhD thesis

All of them said that telling the embassy what you plan on doing with your degree is extremely helpful in obtaining your visa but be careful how you answer. 

“They try to be sneaky… to make sure you aren’t planning on overstaying your welcome in the U.S. after you graduate. If you don’t apply for a different visa, you have to come home as soon as you are done,” said Kumar.  

Sun said, “There are a few loopholes you can take to stay a little longer, but you can’t even mention them in the interviews, or you will get denied.” 

Being denied is one of the most common and worst fears among the international students. So much relies on obtaining that visa, and the prospects of it are low. 

“I remember finally getting to the front of that line several hours later,” said Kumar. “Literally right next to the interview rooms, you see the big line of people who just got denied. Some were crying, and a lot of them were just staring at the ground with a look on their face like they just got crushed.” 

“If I got denied I could’ve worked some bullshit government job back in Libya, but I would’ve been really disappointed, because I know I can do much more,” said El-Shariff said.  

Some wonder whether there is a way to make the burdensome process easier. Answers vary, but many think the little things are what matter. 

“I think if the programs, like what I used, were more widespread, it would be very helpful,” Sun said.  

“I just think making the process much more comfortable could make people feel more at ease,” Kumar said. “Give us waiting rooms. Maybe some better air conditioning and I would be much more willing to wait in that line.” 

After the tiresome process, they all said the feeling of finally receiving their visa was like a dream. With passport in hand and plane tickets booked, they finally had a guarantee.  

“It was so crazy. I didn’t even tell anyone I was applying for the visa until it was over,” Kumar said. “I told my parents the day before I went to the embassy. They were shocked, but happy for me. I was scared and nervous of being rejected. Once I finally got approved, I ran outside and immediately called my parents. I couldn’t sleep until I could pick my passport and visa up two days later.” 

Naveen Kumar (left) and close friends after graduating from CSU, May 2019

International students say they want their peers to understand the hard work that was put into the journey just to be in the same classroom. Many are humble and chalk it up as just part of the process, but most will also exclaim that their approved visa applications are a proud accomplishment.