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F1 student visa interview question- A sample guide for your preparation

F1 student visa interview question- A sample guide for your preparation

F1 student visa interview question A sample guide for your preparation

The thought about studying in the U.S can bring you joy. Once you get approved from your university the next step is to apply for the student visa in the embassy of the United States in your home country.

Don’t be fooled that getting a student visa is easy. You have to face an interview for that. For that you need solid preparation because you don’t want to be rejected after putting so much effort and time in gathering information, sitting for GRE/TOFEL, applying in universities and then being selected by one. You don’t want all that to go into waste.

The date and time of the interview will be fixed by the embassy. Questions on university, family, relatives, financial support and many more topics will be asked by the interviewer. So here are some possible questions that the visa interviewer might ask you. Note that the same question may not be asked to you rather the interviewer might twist it but your answer should remain the same.

Question related to your college or university

  1. Which college or university are you planning to study?
  2. Why did you particularly choose this college/university?

Tip: Say that you have checked on the website about their ranking, education quality, faculty details, alumni information, etc. never say that only one university has accepted you even if it true as that won’t be justifiable. Your studying is U.S university should seem exciting rather than you being complacent regarding whichever university you go to.

  • From where did you get information about this university?
  • Do you have any friends or relatives studying there?
  • Why are you in interested to study in the USA?
  • How many colleges/universities have you applied so far and what are their names?

Tip: don’t say 1 if you have applied in 7-8 universities. If you just say one the visa officer might think you are not serious to study there. So it is better, to be honest, and not provide misleading information as the interviewer will ask the relevant question of what you have said.

  • How many colleges/universities have accepted you?
  • Tell us more about your university. Where is it situated, which degree are you planning to pursue and why?
  • Have you contacted any professors from the university that selected you and what are their names?
  • From how many colleges/universities have you faced rejection from?

Tip: here too you should not lie. Provide the visa officer real fact no matter what.

  1. From which college have you completed your bachelors’ degree?

Tip: Name of your college or university name. If your university is ranked nationally or internationally mention that also.

  1. When was that year when you have finished your bachelor’s degree?
  2. Where is your college/university located?
  3. What was your GPA/percentage in your undergraduate program?
  4. What are your plans after your Masters? Do you wish to pursue a Ph.D. in the U.S or work?
  5. Do you wish to settle in the U.S or return to your country after you complete your studies?
  6. What is your educational background?
  7. The same course is available in other universities so why did you choose this university rather than the others?
  8. What is the duration of your Master’s program?

Question related to your bank and finance

  1. Your education is sponsored by whom?

Tip: if it is your family member or relative just say father or brother or uncle etc. if you are receiving scholarship give the name of the scholarship.

  • What is the annual salary of your sponsor?
  • What is the occupation of your sponsor?

Tip: Mention the real occupation of your parents if they are sponsoring you. Be specific by saying my father is a govt. job officer and my mother work in a multinational company named ‘XYZ’. Rather than saying they are in the business or service sector. The reason why an interviewer would ask you this question is to know if your parents are capable to support you.

  • What do your father and mother do for a living?
  • How much do your parents earn monthly?

Tip: This question is asked to verify if your parent’s income can support you will all your finances and needs. Based on your answer the interviewer will make a decision. You should show the application of I-20 where you filled annual income to prove your financial stability.

  • For how many years have your parents been working?
  • Why is your uncle chosen to be your sponsor?
  • What are the reasons for your parents not sponsoring your studies?
  • What is the yearly fee of your university that you have applied to?
  • We would like to look at your recent bank statement.
  • Did you apply for a student loan? If so, how have you planned on repaying it?
  • Will, your sponsor pays for you throughout your course?
  • How are you going to finance your education for the rest of 2 or 3 years when your bank balance is not sufficient after 1 year’s expense?
  • A large amount has been deposited recently as we can see from the bank statement. What is your say for this?

Question-related on relatives and family member

  1. How many siblings do you have? Are any of them residing in the U.S? If yes, do they study or work here?

Tip: The visa officer wants to know this because he wants to get an idea of how your parents will be supporting you. Are they also financing their education? If they are studying in the U.S how are your parents supporting them or did they get some scholarship.

  • Will your parents be able to pay for your cost since you have got brothers and sisters?
  • Do you have any relatives residing in the U.S?

Tip: These relatives indicate your immediate family members your father, mother, brother or sister. So just answer it in a closed-ended way. You don’t need to mention uncles or aunt unless they are sponsoring you.

  • Are you seeing anyone?
  • Have you tied the knot yet? If yes, what does your spouse do?
  • Do your parents live here in the U.S or back in your country?
  • Did your parents ever studied in the U.S? If yes, where?
  • After completing your studies would you settle in the U.S or work?

  Question related to your job

  1. If you already have a job why are you planning to resign from it?
  2. How much do you earn per month?
  3. Do you maintain savings?
  4. Can you show us your appointment letter or work experience certificate?
  5. Have you thought about the idea to work in the U.S after your studies?
  6. Do you plan to work side by side along with your studies?

 General questions

  1. When most students opt for Canada or Australia, what made you choose the U.S?
  2. Have you heard any good things about America?
  3. What are your plans after completion of your studies?
  4. Have you ever visited America before?
  5. Can you give us an explanation regarding your low score on GRE/TOFEL?
  6. Do you have an idea about the U.S system of education?
  7. What were your thoughts behind taking admissions in the Spring semester rather than Fall?
  8. What do you plan to do on academic breaks? Do you plan to stay there or come home?
  9. Have you received any scholarships? Why has scholarship been granted to you?

Tip: The interviewer wants to know if you are aware of the financial aids provided by the U.S universities and the purpose why the university is granting you this award and. If you have received a scholarship mention the name and from where did you get it and do carry a copy of the document in case they want to see.

  1. Your stream of the study was changed. Can you explain to us why?

Tip: Talk about the interest of your study and convince them that you have great potential rather than saying in this that the job market is good in this field and more money can be earned.

  1. How can you prove to us that you will come back to your country after your studies are completed?

Tip: When the visa officer thinks that you are a potential immigrant and won’t return relax and say that there is good bonding between your families back home and they still reside there. You can also add that you have got family businesses and properties there. Or you can also say that you work for a few years to gain work experience so that you have edge over others when you are back home.

  1. Once you go back to your home country what are your plans?
  2. Why didn’t you want to study in your country?

Tip: You can say that there aren’t many options or no offer in your country to do this course. You want to choose your course because you want to make a career out of it and highlight that the USA is perfect for its quality education as it updated and there are resources for you to study there.

  1. Why should we allow you to study in the U.S?
  2. What will you do if we don’t accept your student visa?

Conclusion

So these sample questions along with few hints will help you to prepare well for your F1 student visa interview. You must answer these questions very calmly and with confidence. Do not be nervous and fumble or hurry while answering.  Smile when you answer. Try not to fake your accent in English.

The interview’s job is not to reject you purposefully instead to validate your purpose in the U.S so that you don’t stay there illegally. Most students underestimate the interview and often fail to appropriately answer the question asked.

Also carry all necessary documents along with you like academic, financial, work documents, etc in case the visa officers ask. If they don’t ask about documents you do not need to show them. So if you prepare yourself very well you will nail it.

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