Urgent: Study abroad provider messed up my visa application and the delay is costing me money

[grfehr]

So, I'm supposed to be studying abroad in Europe this semester and my flight is scheduled to leave on Jan 8th (today is the 5th). I still have yet to receive my student visa due to the 3rd party study abroad program provider messing up parts of my visa application.

I submitted my visa application before the deadline, only for the aforementioned 3rd party company to tell me that some documents they provided to me had issues with them. They sent an email basically saying "we really messed up, but now it's your job to fix it and we are not paying for any costs that arise due to this."

(EDIT) It took approximately 2 weeks to correct the delay - I submitted my application just on time even though I had it ready over a week beforehand because they didn't provide me with those (incorrect) documents until the very very last minute. If all went perfectly the *estimated* processing time according to the consulate would've given me my visa about 5 days before my departure date AT THE LATEST.

While I still have a day or two to receive the visa and leave on time, it probably won't happen. As a result, I will incur at least $2000+ of further expenses as a result of the visa delay. I've scoured the company website and financial agreements i signed and nowhere does it explicitly mention anything about the current predicament.

Do I have any sort of cause to take any sort of legal action, either for the extra costs incurred or even more? I'm a college student so money really doesn't grow on trees and I've entirely self-funded the whole experience. They also told me if I'm more than 2 weeks late that they likely won't allow me to come at all and I'd 1) hate to miss out, and 2) get screwed on all the out of pocket expenses that I've incurred for this.

Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Just Blue]

So, I'm supposed to be studying abroad in Europe this semester and my flight is scheduled to leave on Jan 8th (today is the 5th). I still have yet to receive my student visa due to the 3rd party study abroad program provider messing up parts of my visa application.

I submitted my visa application before the deadline, only for the aforementioned 3rd party company to tell me that some documents they provided to me had issues with them. They sent an email basically saying "we really messed up, but now it's your job to fix it and we are not paying for any costs that arise due to this."

(EDIT) It took approximately 2 weeks to correct the delay - I submitted my application just on time even though I had it ready over a week beforehand because they didn't provide me with those (incorrect) documents until the very very last minute. If all went perfectly the *estimated* processing time according to the consulate would've given me my visa about 5 days before my departure date AT THE LATEST.

While I still have a day or two to receive the visa and leave on time, it probably won't happen. As a result, I will incur at least $2000+ of further expenses as a result of the visa delay. I've scoured the company website and financial agreements i signed and nowhere does it explicitly mention anything about the current predicament.

Do I have any sort of cause to take any sort of legal action, either for the extra costs incurred or even more? I'm a college student so money really doesn't grow on trees and I've entirely self-funded the whole experience. They also told me if I'm more than 2 weeks late that they likely won't allow me to come at all and I'd 1) hate to miss out, and 2) get screwed on all the out of pocket expenses that I've incurred for this.

Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

What state?

 

[grfehr]

What state?

I live in UT and will be going to Czech republic

EDIT - The company is based in Nevada.

 

[quincy]

What “parts” of your visa application were messed up?

Can your school/university assist you?

 

[grfehr]

What “parts” of your visa application were messed up?

One of the application times required was a "letter of stay" from the home university - basically, a document stating that I had a purpose for being in the country. I assume (but not 100% sure - I just asked for clarification) that the local representative of the 3rd party company in question provided the wrong information to the university in the Czech Republic, which resulted in some wrong information being printed (in Czech, so I didn't catch it).

They caught their error after I had submitted the application to the consulate, and since it has to be an original document with the university's seal or whatever it took roughly 2 weeks to replace, which is 2 weeks I don't have because I submitted the visa application on the deadline due to them being a bit tardy with the first (incorrect) copy.

 

[quincy]

One of the application times required was a "letter of stay" from the home university - basically, a document stating that I had a purpose for being in the country. I assume (but not 100% sure - I just asked for clarification) that the local representative of the 3rd party company in question provided the wrong information to the university in the Czech Republic, which resulted in some wrong information being printed (in Czech, so I didn't catch it).

They caught their error after I had submitted the application to the consulate, and since it has to be an original document with the university's seal or whatever it took roughly 2 weeks to replace, which is 2 weeks I don't have because I submitted the visa application on the deadline due to them being a bit tardy with the first (incorrect) copy.

Thank you for the additional information.

First, I can tell you that problems with the application process are not unusual which is why it is recommended that you don’t wait to the last minute to submit the required documents. You know that now.

I suggest you contact the consulate directly and explain your situation.

 

[grfehr]

Thank you for the additional information.

First, I can tell you that problems with the application process are not unusual which is why it is recommended that you don’t wait to the last minute to submit the required documents. You know that now.

I suggest you contact the consulate directly and explain your situation.

I appreciate the input - However, I couldn't submit my application any earlier as my study abroad provider didn't provide me with the documents that only they could provide until the last moment. I have tried getting in contact with both the consulate and the government but they both have basically told me that I'll get it when I get it.

 

[quincy]

I appreciate the input - However, I couldn't submit my application any earlier as my study abroad provider didn't provide me with the documents that only they could provide until the last moment. I have tried getting in contact with both the consulate and the government but they both have basically told me that I'll get it when I get it.

Although this would not be an ideal solution, can you withdraw at this late date without financial penalty?

 

[grfehr]

Although this would not be an ideal solution, can you withdraw at this late date without financial penalty?

I can withdraw for a partial refund, but I still have spent a significant amount of money out of pocket on travel-related costs that I wouldn't get back. Besides, I would still really like to go even if I miss 1-3 out of the 17 or 18 weeks of the program

 

[quincy]

I can withdraw for a partial refund, but I still have spent a significant amount of money out of pocket on travel-related costs that I wouldn't get back. Besides, I would still really like to go even if I miss 1-3 out of the 17 or 18 weeks of the program

Is it possible for you to take virtual classes until your visa application problems are resolved?

When are your classes in the Czech Republic scheduled to start?

 

[grfehr]

Is it possible for you to take virtual classes until your visa application problems are resolved?

When are your classes in the Czech Republic scheduled to start?

No, the classes are strictly in person.They are scheduled to start on Jan 10th.

 

[quincy]

No, the classes are strictly in person.They are scheduled to start on Jan 10th.

If you should you withdraw with a partial refund, what are your specific losses?

Will the program offer a credit for another school term?

 

[grfehr]

If you should you withdraw with a partial refund, what are your specific losses?

Will the program offer a credit for another school term?

I’d have to calculate it all out, I have receipts for everything but somewhere in the range of $2500ish out of pocket $1200 in related application fees the top of my head. Could be off, like I said I’d have to check

They do offer a credit minus a $500 reapplication fee but This spring is the only time I can leave due to school and work among several other factors

 

[quincy]

I’d have to calculate it all out, I have receipts for everything but somewhere in the range of $2500ish out of pocket $1200 in related application fees the top of my head. Could be off, like I said I’d have to check

They do offer a credit minus a $500 reapplication fee but This spring is the only time I can leave due to school and work among several other factors

Okay.

You said earlier that you wouldn’t mind missing 1 to 3 weeks of the 17/18 week program. Have you asked if you can start your classes late, until the problems with your application are resolved?

Of course, it is always possible that you receive your student visa before the start of classes ...

 

[Zigner]

Frankly, the answer to your question lies within the agreement you have with the provider. If you are unable to understand its applicability to your current situation, then you will want to have that agreement reviewed by an attorney.