With a strong commitment to fostering diversity, INTO University Partnerships is offering valuable support to international students in navigating the US visa process, particularly in countries with historically low success rates. Their Pre-Arrival Success Services (PASS) programme aims to assist students with visa applications and improve representation of diverse backgrounds on US campuses. Hundreds of students from various countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Vietnam, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, have already obtained their visas successfully with the help of PASS.
Distinguishing itself from standard visa guidance, INTO’s PASS programme provides dedicated and personalised support through a team of experienced advisors. This comprehensive assistance includes one-on-one mock interview sessions, workshops, and virtual webinars covering every step of the visa application process.
“The US international student visa application and interview can be complex and challenging for many students. Our primary objective is to instil confidence in students throughout the visa process as they embark on their educational journey in the US,” said Laura Nye, INTO PASS programme manager.
Initially launched as a pilot in 2020 to aid students from countries with low US visa success rates, the PASS programme has rapidly expanded into a fully-fledged service. It has already helped over 1000 students secure their F-1 visas, with an average increase in visa success rate of 50% compared to traditional methods.
The PASS digital webinars and workshops cover various topics, including “How to apply for the F-1 visa,” “Document review,” “DS-160 visa application overview,” “Interview advice and tips,” and a “General Q&A Forum.”
“Our programme is designed to address every aspect of the US visa process for students. We provide comprehensive information and the opportunity to address any concerns or questions they may have. Additionally, we facilitate connections with student experience teams at our partner universities and offer insights into campus resources. This ensures a seamless transition into university life, where students can take advantage of the available support,” added Ms Nye.
The one-to-one mock interview sessions with INTO’s US visa specialists equip students with the necessary skills for their visa interviews. This immersive experience helps students build confidence and effectively articulate their academic plans and goals.
Ebilayefa, an undergraduate pathway student from Nigeria at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), expressed, “The PASS sessions I attended were immensely helpful as they allowed me to practice speaking confidently and naturally, without sounding rehearsed. My advisor taught me to think quickly on my feet by conducting numerous question practice sessions. Without PASS, I believe I wouldn’t have been adequately prepared for the interview due to lack of confidence and poor responses. But with the coaching I received, I learned how to answer questions effectively.”
Ziraddin, a graduate program student from Azerbaijan enrolled at Long Island University Brooklyn, stated, “After my support session, I felt more prepared and confident about my visa interview. We reviewed crucial points and documents that were essential for my success. I highly recommend other students to take advantage of PASS.”
Chris, an undergraduate pathway student from Kenya at Drew University, shared, “Working with PASS was an added benefit to the preparation provided by my agent for the visa interview. My advisor helped boost my confidence and guided me through explaining why I chose Drew.”
This innovative programme has garnered appreciation from INTO’s university partners in the US, as it enables them to enhance campus diversity by attracting talented students from around the world.
Vince Milam, Director of Marketing & Recruitment at UAB, expressed gratitude, stating, “We truly appreciate the efforts of the entire INTO PASS team in helping our students feel more confident and successful during their interviews. We have a significant number of applicants from South Asia and other markets who greatly benefit from the support provided by the PASS team. We have even had students who were previously denied visas twice but succeeded on their third attempt with the help of the PASS team. They provide an invaluable service.”
Oscar Del Rio, Director of Marketing and Recruitment at INTO Hofstra University, commented, “The PASS team has been a tremendous support for our students. They are readily available for advice and offer valuable information and insights into the visa interview process. Speaking to students who have interacted with a PASS team member, their appreciation for the guidance received is evident.”
