Episode 243
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Hi! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thanks for joining me for a new episode of the Speak English Now podcast.
Okay, let's start!
If you’re planning to visit the U. S., you must first obtain a visa. And even if the process can be complicated and time-consuming, you still need a visa to enter the U.S. Therefore, it is essential to understand the different types of visas and the information you need to provide.
For today's episode, I have put together some general tips about getting a visa to enter the U.S.
First, you must determine which type of visa you require. Depending on your purpose for visiting, you may need a business or a tourist visa. Once you have determined the type of visa you need, you will gather the necessary documents. These may include proof of identity, evidence of financial stability, and a letter of invitation from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
After all the necessary documents, you must fill out the visa application form and submit it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
This form requires personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address, and additional information related to your trip.
After applying, you'll schedule an in-person interview with a consular officer. You will likely need to provide additional information about your trip and answer questions about your eligibility for a visa.
Once your visa application is approved, you will receive the document with an expiration date.
It is vital to keep track of the expiration date of your visa, as staying within the timeline of your visa is essential. Otherwise, you may be required to apply for a new one.
Okay! Let’s review the 5 steps you must follow to get a visa:
1. Determine the Type of Visa You Need.
2. Gather Required Documents.
3. Complete the visa application.
4. Schedule an in-person interview.
5. Wait for your visa to be approved.
As you can see, applying for a visa to the U.S. can be a bit of a hassle, but with the right information, you can make the process much easier.
Now, let’s practice.
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GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story in two different points of view and notice how the grammar changes naturally.
Past Tense - Third Person
A young man named Lucas always wanted to visit the United States. However, he had a big problem. He was anxious to get a visa. Lucas tried everything he could think of, from filling out endless forms to hiring lawyers. But no matter what he did, he couldn't get the visa he desperately wanted.
One day, he saw an ad that said he could get a visa in 24 hours. All he had to do was fill out a few forms. Hopeful, he went to the place, filled out the forms, and was given an envelope the next day. Inside was supposed to be the long-awaited visa.
He opened the envelope and... Yes, there was a visa, but it was.... a Visa credit card!
Lucas didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so on the day of his flight. He showed his Visa card, and after a few minutes of arguing, they had to let him travel to the United States because, technically, he was right. The law required a visa, and he met the requirement.
Present Tense - Second Person Plural
A group of young people, including Lucas, always wanted to visit the United States.
However, they had a big problem. They were anxious to get a visa. The group tried everything they could think of, from filling out endless forms to hiring lawyers. But no matter what they did, they couldn't get the visas they desperately wanted.
One day, they saw an ad that said they could get a visa in 24 hours. All they had to do was fill out a few forms. And were given an envelope the next day. Inside were supposed to be the long-awaited visas.
They opened the envelopes, and there were visas, but Visa credit cards! The group didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so on the day of their flight. They showed their Visa cards, and after a few minutes of arguing, they had to let them travel to the United States.
Ok! This is the end of this story. Poor Lucas. He almost didn't get to visit the United States because of not getting a visa. Obtaining a visa is not that easy. And carrying a Visa credit card is not enough to enter the United States.
In any case, I hope you enjoyed this short exercise. Notice that the changes between grammar points are subtle but important.
With this method, you don’t need to memorize any boring rules. It’s better to see the changes in the proper context. And with a story, it is much easier to remember all this.
And if you want to improve your English fluency much faster:
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
visa
official permission to enter or stay in a country.
consulate
an office representing a country in a foreign city.
application form
a document used to request something officially.
supporting documents
papers provided as evidence with an application.
visa interview
a meeting in which an official asks about an application.
valid passport
a passport that has not expired.
approve
officially accept or allow something.
deny
officially refuse a request.
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