In response to the ongoing demand for US educational opportunities among international students, INTO University Partnerships has introduced its Pre-Arrival Success Services (PASS) initiative, aimed at easing the US visa application process, especially in areas where securing a visa is notably difficult.
The PASS initiative, a brainchild of INTO University Partnerships, is designed to offer comprehensive visa support and guidance to international students eyeing higher education opportunities in the US. Offered free of charge, this initiative has been a crucial support for over 2000 students hailing from various countries including India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan, helping them secure their F-1 visas.
What sets the PASS initiative apart is its immersive, interactive interview simulation, conducted by a team of expert advisors, surpassing the basic visa guidance offered elsewhere. It includes customised mock interview sessions, dynamic workshops, and in-depth webinars, covering the entirety of the visa application process.
Emphasising the personalised approach, Jacquie Serr, Vice President of Enrolment at INTO University Partnerships, said: “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.”
Laura Nye, Manager of the PASS Initiative, highlighted the initiative’s main goal: “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.”
Launched in 2020 to assist students from countries with low visa success rates, the PASS initiative has quickly become a vital resource, significantly boosting the chances of visa approval for those who engage with it.
The initiative’s webinars address a broad spectrum of topics, from F1 visa application procedures to document review, providing students with a platform to resolve their queries during a Q&A session.
Laura Nye further explained: “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 initiative ensures students are well-prepared for their visa interviews through one-to-one mock interview sessions with INTO University Partnerships’ US visa specialists, enhancing their confidence and communication skills.
Feedback from students like Emmanuel, Muhammed, and Pablo illustrates the initiative’s success in bolstering interview confidence and readiness, ultimately leading to positive visa outcomes.
The initiative’s effectiveness is further endorsed by INTO’s US partner universities, which have benefited from increased diversity and the inclusion of skilled international students on their campuses.
Officials from The University of Alabama and INTO Hofstra University, Vince Milam and Oscar Del Rio respectively, have commended the PASS initiative for its critical support in student visa interview preparation.
Since its inception in 2005, INTO University Partnerships has been pivotal in connecting over 150,000 students from 180 countries with premier educational institutions in the US, UK, and Australia, aiding them in realising their academic goals.
