VISA Application (do not read unless you wanna get bored)

This is definitely a boring post... Nonetheless, its a little more interesting than my job. As of now, i don't have anything to do and i'm more or less cooped up in the office. I just got a new thumbs up for my US Trip. My Letter of Eligibility sent from UPENN. This means that I can start to apply for my US VISA. The VISA will cost me S$160 and 2 x half days worth of time. Nonetheless, this is my last obstacle to the US trip.

Let me share with everyone about the VISA application process. For Singaporeans to go to the United States, there is no need for a VISA if you are staying in the country for less than 90 days. That means that IF you are going there for exchange, there will be a need for a student (F-1) or a Exchange Program(J-1) VISA. The application process can be found at the folllowing websites:

Singapore US Embassy
http://singapore.usembassy.gov/how_to_apply2.html
http://singapore.usembassy.gov/visa_types2.html
http://singapore.usembassy.gov/faqindex.html

If you're not interested in read the websites (and I know you probably are not), here's a general idea of how an Exchange Student can apply for his/her US VISA. After your school has nominated you for the exchange program with the receiving party (i.e. universitiy), The receiving institution will send emails to you to ask for your information (they might take a while to get back to you). After filling up all your data, the school will get back to you with a certificate / letter of eligibility (this is what i just got). With this certificate, you can now go register an appointment with the US Embassy to process your application.

For me, the waiting for the letter / certificate part took up a very very long time. So for those who are undergoing similar problems, relax... It'll come... you just have to make sure that you submitted all your information.

*Freaking Boring Post*