Is a U.S. Visa Difficult to Obtain?

"Once bitten, twice shy" is a suitable idiom to describe the expression on the races of many people when they hear the words U.S. visa mentioned.

"There's not much hope if you've been rejected once!" is a common saying that has always gone around. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) has been described as a dreaded government office. Is it really so?

According to statistics, AIT has issued more than 650,000 U.S. visas. If we compare this to the population of Taipei, one out of every four persons has obtained a U.S. visa.

In June 1988 tourist visas to the U.S. totaled 14,842, ninety percent of the total applicants.

Why the ten percent? Is there some secret to getting a visa?

"Be honest--it's really very simple," says Shih Chi-sheng, chairman of U.S. Air's Taiwan branch, "but everything must be played according to the rules."

He said that people on Taiwan once thought AIT made things difficult on purpose because it didn't want to issue tourist visas. Actually, this erroneous idea stems from not being clear as to how AIT operates. "Their rule is to first assume that you want to immigrate to the U.S. as an illegal immigrant. If you can take along evidence that you won't stay in the U.S. indefinitely then it's easy to pass over the hurdle," says Shih. One of the best ways to avoid delays is to have everything prepared before you go. Persuasive material includes: employment certification, bank statements, household registers, company tax statements, tax write-offs, and home deeds. The above documentation is all useful and the more complete the better.

If you want to take a tour and can present evidence that you will return after your visit then there's no reason why Uncle Sam will not have you as a welcome guest. 

[Picture Caption]

Almost every tourist to Paris makes a stop at the Louvre. Seen here is the Victory of Samothrace. (photo by Chien Fu-yu)

Every year the opera "Aida" is performed at the Verona Coliseum. Tourists should get information concerning the event beforehand; don't miss out!