After Submitting Visa Docs...What Then?

[binojmatthew]

I know I could call MEAS but then I am certain there are others who may want to know the answer. So in the spirit of camaraderie towards my fellow batch-mates I am posting this query.
Once the Visa docs are submitted in their entirety to MEAS.. do I expect to get a document stating that I have been granted the student visa from the Netherlands Antilles?....or is nothing forthcoming and I do merely arrive at SXM and present my US passport to immigration w/my acceptance letter, vaccination evidence and evidence of a return ticket to California? (assuming they ask!). My thanks for your response...in advance. Cheers!!

[lsmith55uf]

Bring your passport, acceptance letter, and proof of a flight home, and the rest of it. Doubtful they'll ask for more than the 1st 2, maybe the plane ticket too.

From what I hear, there are 5th semesters just now being told their Visa's as ready...

[Itempest]

I believe what Lsmith said is all there is to it. I don't think you will be getting any document in return. Apparently people have gone through their whole 2 years on the island and only got their official residential permit a month before they left for rotations, so it appears to be merely a formality. As long as MEAS has all the required documentation I think all that is expected of you is to show up with the stuff lsmith mentioned.

[binojmatthew]

Thank you both LSmith and ITempest for your replies. Good to know the formalities are done with and I now have to deal with disconnecting my life at one end.....very trying if you have a daughter and a wife....while attempting a reconnection to something completely new a long way away.
Hey.... on the bright side...we all have a goal to reach and nothing good ever came without sacrifice.
So to that....here's my toast to those of you already in the cauldron....and to my future classmates. See you on the rock.
:toast: Cheers!!

[lsmith55uf]

I agree. Trying to get out of the states with a wife and newborn daughter is a lot of work. But it's very doable.

See you in about a month!

[animal_lover81]

I agree. Trying to get out of the states with a wife and newborn daughter is a lot of work. But it's very doable.

See you in about a month!


yea; i agree; i did it and it wasnt that bad; just the plane tickets prices build up

[sdnorton]

Try it with a wife, 2 boys and a dog...

[kemper6036]

Try it with a wife, 2 boys and a dog...

mine is bigger than yours! what kind of dr are you?

[lsmith55uf]

Fine, I'm gonna get another wife, 2 more dogs and adopt 3 boys.

[binojmatthew]

Actually they are staying behind in CA. My wife and daughter will visit every 6 to 8 weeks or so. It's the separation for my 3 year old which is going to be really hard...since she really does not understand the concept...yet!
Our US Airways frequent flier program will be utilized to its greatest potential.

[Lemacfar]

well I never go into the whole frequent flyer miles thing... how does that work? do you accumulate flights fast enough?

[binojmatthew]

well I never go into the whole frequent flyer miles thing... how does that work? do you accumulate flights fast enough?

O'kay here's the breakdown regarding frequent flier miles w/regard to US Airways. I'm originating from California so it makes sense for me. Otherwise it will simply take you longer if you are not going transcontinental. You still accumulate.. so not signing up for it is a waste... since its free!

1. Qualify for a US Airways Mastercard (premier world) = 15,000 miles. The interest rate is steep but if you paydown you'll be fine.

2. Balance transfer = up to 10,000 miles depending on how much you transfer from another CC considering they'll give you 6 months 0% interest.

3. By obtaining a Dividend Miles account (free) from US Air anyone can add miles so long as you buy a ticket (from anywhere) and fly them. Just make sure you provide your account number when you buy the ticket - say from any web travel company or US Air itself. I received 6000 miles for a single round trip when I flew into St Maarten and back this past April.

4. Finally it takes 30,000 miles for a one round-trip coach ticket anywhere in the US to the Caribbean and back. You qualify for this when your account says 30,000 miles or more.

5. I currently have 25,000 miles ( 'cause I did the CC thing stated above and purchased my ticket using this card which also gives you a mile per dollar spent).

So this essentially means as soon as I make this trip and go back, or when my wife purchases 2 tickets at about $1,000 each including my daughter (3 years of age so full-fare) added to what I accumulated when I flew one way to SXM, I would have qualified for a free ticket worth $1,000. Of course they accumulate miles as well but this won't add to my account since you have one number per person. Then again, I can always transfer miles to anyone.

I lost nothing in the process except a $80 annual fee for the CC and maybe some trivial amount for the excessive APR that Barclays' Bank charges (which issues the card).

You are going to fly regardless so find the best airline for you and sign up for their frequent flyer program. 10 trips back and forth is a lot and you will subsidize your expenses over time. So bottom line do it...it makes sense.

This is of course assuming the airline survives or dosen't change its policy which they can do.

I'm not much of a fan of US Air but they are the best for my situation based on connections and frequency. All the major airlines have this so just investigate a little and find what fits you best. It's really only a means for the the airlines to keep you as a repeat customer since you have a vested interest in accumulating miles which translates into rewards of various kinds including tickets..there are no other hidden agendas.

A couple of caveats:
One is that based on your origin and the distance to and fro to SXM it would make sense to calculate whether you would accumulate 30K miles over the 20 months - assuming you are just matriculating. If you went abroad, US Air is a member of Star Alliance and there are many other airlines in which these miles can be used and accumulated just as if you were flying US Air. The point is eventually you'll get a free ticket if you get the 30K. If you didn't sign up you wouldn't qualify for anything. Its 25K for a ticket w/in the US I think.

Finally, and just in case this wasn't made obvious, the credit card stuff is optional.