Will i have difficulties obtaining an F1 visa?

[adot97 0]

Im a recent graduate from a university in the UK, who is looking to start a graduate program in California this Fall. I have been accepted and now need to obtain an F1 visa from the US embassy in London.

 

However, i have been travelling on an ESTA in the US for the past two and a half months (April-June 2019) and before that, my travel history involves a 1 and a half month esta stay from Aug-Sept 2018, and a J1 visa exchange study from Aug 2017 - June 2018 (grace period incl.)

 

My question is, will i run into a lot of issues and risk a f1 denial at the embassy in London if i was to apply for my F1 in July? Would they ask questions about my travels and my frequent visits? Is it likely that i will get denied?

 

During my travels i have been visiting friends, and attending festivals/travelling across the west coast to different cities and states. I have not worked illegally or broken any ESTA rules, and have never overstayed my visa limits.

 

I have only applied to one school for graduate studies, which is also in California, where a large majority of my time has been spent as well as where i went to study on my j1 exchange. Will this raise questions about the nature of my time spent in California, and why i have chosen to go back there for school? Since a lot of my friends live in California, and a lot of festivals i have attended were in that state, i spent a majority of my time there. 

 

Do the lengths of my stays suggest a lack of ties to London? Since i had finished uni in April, i had a few months to do some travelling with inherited savings.

[Dashinka 24,511]

As long as you didn't break any rules, I don't see how it would impact you.  Certainly, the DS160 will ask about travel history, and they may ask about your travels to the US, etc., but again, with no overstay issues, it should not be an issue.

 

Good Luck!

[eliottreid 9]

I don't see why. Actually, if you didn't overstay, it just shows that you won't overstay your F1.

[Rosalind F 178]

I agree with previous replies, I think your previous trips in fact are good for your F-1 application!