<p>I am an international student from the UK and I’m worried about my visa because there are things about my family that need to be sent with my application for the visa that I don’t really want to mention. It’s not like I’m a terrorist or something but more so things on a personal level I would rather my university didn’t know about. </p>
<p>Simply put: I was kidnapped a few years ago and its something I don’t want to mention. It’s something I don’t want to tell the embassy staff either because I just don’t want anyone to know and especially not my future university. So if they don’t ask, I won’t tell but I am worried they might do a long background check and find out still.</p>
<p>I really don’t want this to be recorded and I dread that my university will find out. What can I do? Is it worth the risk for me not to tell them for the sake of pride or what?</p>
<p>Would your university actually see the visa application? Or just the final visa stamp, which I imagine wouldn’t have that sort of information? Actually, the university likely wouldn’t even see the visa, maybe, because that’s just between you and the immigration officer at the port of entry.</p>
<p>At any rate, I would definately counsel full truth and honesty when dealing with governments and borders. No one has any sense of humor about these things any more, if they ever did.</p>
<p>If the kidnapping was a criminal act (i.e. just for money), it should deservedly stay in your past. If, however, it was a political act due to family connections, there is a possibility it could happen again, and your university should be aware of it.</p>
<p>I would take this one step at a time. Get the visa application and see what it asks. Keep in mind that there are confidentiality procedures for all that type of paperwork, both in the embassy and in the university. They won’t just go telling everyone, it will stay confidential.</p>
<p>Don’t let your worry about your past possibly being revealed keep you from living your life to its fullest.</p>
<p>You should answer all questions fully and honestly. According to something I just read, “Misleading or lying could result in a permanent visa denial.”</p>
<p>Moominmama is especially right in that if the kidnapping was due to political ties, you could be placing yourself and your future school at risk, especially if you do not alert them. Many schools are used to dealing with celebrities, the children of politicians, etc. Don’t assume that a school would not be interested in you because of your past kidnapping. That is something that you absolutely cannot help and should not be punished for such. Lying or electing to refrain from being totally honest, though, would be punishable in that you may never get a visa. Good luck! Please let us know how things progress for you.</p>
<p>Your University will by no means have access to your visa application. Your visa application falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, as far as I know and your university has no valid reason to demand seeing said application.</p>
<p>I am sorry I didn’t explain myself clearly. I do not intent to lie on my application form. It will be noted although my college is still in the dark. I haven’t told my college and I am worried at my visa interview they will ask me: “why didn’t you notify your college because your college application doesn’t mention this” or later when I do get my visa my college asks me “why didn’t you tell us about it- its mentioned in your visa”???</p>
<p>Don’t tell them anything that they don’t ask. Your university will not see your visa application, they will only see the visa in your passport. The immigration officers are more concerned about you enrolling in the university and being able to afford, and not being a terrorist than anything else. On your visa it will say that you will be enrolling in x university and nothing else about about your school will be on it.</p>