I celebrate the 4th by watching my favorite Canadian program...

[castalia]

Happy 4th to all who celebrate it! Myself, I'm marking the occasion by overdosing on the 1st season of Due South, which I couldn't resist buying as it was available for the amazingly low price of $22 at Best Buy. I'm having a hard time resisting going back for the 2nd season - only $17, geez.

Even after the umpteenth viewing, I still want to smack Benny in the head for his behavior in the Victoria arc.

To rapidly change the subject, any of you ever filled out a visa application? There are some things on here where I just don't know what to put down. Most especially the bit about how much funds are available for one's trip to the country. They want specific amounts and forms of currency. Now, does this include what my tuition will be, or only my living and travel expenses? My loan hasn't been finalized yet, so should I wait until it does? I'm not sure just how much will be in my bank account by September, but should I try and make an educated guess and put down that amount?

They also seem to want official copies of things like my college diplomas. I'm certainly not sending them the originals, so how would I go about getting an "official" copy?

This is just frustrating. Argh.

Comments

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

I would err on the side of claiming any likely source of income that you will have.

For official copies you need to take copy and original to a Notary Public and have him/her notarize the copies. I have no idea what this costs as work has always taken care of that sort of thing for me.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Mm. There's an upper limit as to how much I can get for the Stafford Loan for the year, just not sure how much I'll be getting. I can make a good estimate of how much will be in my account by September, though.

Thanks. Hm, I just asked Mum and evidently our local AmSouth will notarize documents for no charge. Nice.

[icepixie]

AmSouth will also exchange currency for you at no charge. It's lovely.

I think for the question about funds available, I just put something like "My home university is paying my tuition and my parents are paying for my living expenses." (We paid tuition to Kenyon, which then paid Exeter.) If you do know an approximate amount, though, that's probably a good thing to put down. They're really just looking to see that you have some funds available, and aren't going to get over there and immediately avail yourself of every public service.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Mm, that sounds good. The Stafford Loan is paying for the tuition, and I'll be funding most of my living expenses myself.

[les342.livejournal.com]

$22 at Best Buy?!?!? Sweet!!! Thanks for posting that. I'll have to go to my local BB store and see if they have it. I got the third season off a someone on eBay and needless to say, I paid quite a bit more than $22.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I know! The original Canadian DVD sets were quite pricy, but this is a new, single-sided set at a very reasonable price. So far it doesn't look like anyone but Best Buy is carrying them.

[wishfulaces.livejournal.com]

Are you sure they want your diploma and not a transcript or something like that?

I've only ever briefly worked in a state archives, and my supervisor there said people always came in for their high school diplomas, but what they really officially needed (and what the archives could obtain) were transcripts.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

This is the list of requirements (http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=615) on the British Embassy site. It says diplomas or certificates. I hope they don't want more transcripts, b/c I'm tired of paying $5 a pop for those things.

[ceruleanblue3.livejournal.com]

I'd just make an educated guess, including your living expenses and anything else, but if you're really unsure, I'm sure the immigration folks have a helpdesk or a faq section somewhere.

You should be able to get official copies from your college or the examining board, though they'll probably charge.

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

I may have to email the Embassy. Every FAQ I've looked at hasn't been very helpful. Oy.

Diploma

[cteare.livejournal.com]

A diploma is not official proof of graduation here at California State University, Northridge. A transcript with the degree posted on it is required. You should be able to request an official transcript, and keep it sealed when you submit it. If you open it, it becomes unofficial.

Re: Diploma

[castalianspring.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know that. Already had to pay for the transcripts for my application to the university. But the British Embassy site (http://www.britainusa.com/visas/other_show.asp?SarticleType=25&Other_ID=615) lists diplomas or educational certificates under their list of requirements, not transcripts.