F-1 Student Visa Interview Tips
By HSB
Getting U.S. Visa is the final part after long wait to get admission in Graduate School. Every student have to go through the U.S. Visa interview process, interview tips in this article will help students prepare for the interview. If you have good knowledge about F1 interview process, then you have won half the battle and with confidence and positive thinking, you will get visa stamping in no time.
F1 Visa Interview Basics
- Proper Documentation
- How you present yourself during the interview
- Way you answer the questions.
In this article I’m going to go behind and into the visa process. You could have read lots of student visa experience but things techniques and tips listed below will give different insight about Visa interview process.
U.S. F1 Visa Interview Process
Visa interview officers are well trained persons. Their job is to find
- Who you are?
- Do you have academic capability to complete the studies in U.S.
- Do you have enough financial resources to cover the cost of education in U.S.
You could have done mistakes in documents, or they could carry fake documents related to finance, degree certificates, property documents. VO job is to make a decision about the you in few minutes. They have to make that decision in average 3 minutes or so. For some students it might be more.
You might have all the right credentials, but F1 Visa could be denied and someone with fake documents might get F1 Visa stamping, so its that few minutes, you have to present and express yourself to impress them and get student visa.
Now, lets assume you are in the queue waiting to be called for the interview.
Inside Visa Interview
- When you walk to the window, have a big smile and wish them. You could say Hi, Hello, Good Morning, Good Evening, anything is fine.
- Eye Contact is MUST. From the moment you walk-in towards the window, look deep into their eyes and smile and wish them “Hello”.
- If you don’t make good eye contact, then you are reducing your chances to get F1 Visa. Now, you made good eye contact, then its about how to present your answers.
- Next big thing – DON’T LIE for the questions asked.
- If you lie, then your entry into U.S.A is not possible for lifetime. So, don’t even think about lying to get Visa.
- Some have mastered the art and the lie they speak will be convincing. If you belong to that category, don’t mess it up (again that’s not recommend)
- If you are not sure and not comfortable to make up an answer, then DON’T LIE
- Now, you will be convinced and made a decision, not to lie. Then VO asks this question “What’s your plan after Graduation?”
Majority of student will say answers like this..
+ “My field is growing in India, I will good job opportunities, when I come back”
+ “I will work for 1 year in OPT period, gain the experience and come back”
- Do you really think answers like I will return back to India will suffice them? They know how many student go to U.S. every year, how many return back.
- VO know, why would you have to spend $40,000 for 2 years and come back to India get Rs40,000 per month. They know for sure students returning back to home country is very less. It will be very few percentage of students return.
- So, for such question speak the trust “After Graduation, I will party hard, and then will look to spend my OPT period working for US company” that’s simple and straight forward answer. Other way is to say, I plan to work for few years, get U.S. corporate life experience and then plan to come back.
- I know the above answer is much different from what you have on your list. But, the above answer should work.
- Next, for the question related to finance documents, make sure you know the source of each funds in the bank statement. VO will ask about transactions, only if they feel something might be wrong in the finance documents.
In general, it will be like
+ Who is your sponsor?
+ What does sponsor do?
+ How much is his/her income?
- Make sure you have bank statement for student visa f1 availability.
In coming posts, I will write about bank documents tailored for Student F1 Visa, how much bank balance to show, how to create a fund flow chart for student visa interview. Few of my friends have got F1 student visa after getting rejected for 3-4 times. Some students prefer to use the same bank statement that was used for college admission. Those statements used for college admission will be old and probably funds showed during college admission will be less. For student visa, you would need to show more bank balance.
Related posts:
- F1 Student Visa Interview Questions
- F-1 Student Visa Tips For Fall 2009 Students
- F1 Student Visa Interview – “Why This University”
- What to Expect During H1B Visa Interview
- Large Bank Deposits Before F1 Student Visa Interview?
I am still in touch with happyschoolsblog.com since it has many more useful articles too. Like HOW TO USE STUDENT LOAN FROM INDIA? and HOW TO GET JOB AFTER YOUR DEGREE?
These blogs help a lot and the struggle doesnt ends up at visa. You got to get a job after your degree. So, those who got visa I think we all be in touch with this website since its so helpful in boosting us towards one of the best turnong points in our life. Getting education is good and getting education where you desire is best!
Hi Everyone,
This is Mujtaba Ahmed from Andhra Pradesh. I am applying for F1 visa late this month(November 2009) for University of North Alabama for MBA program(Spring Intake). I would like to ask few questions, if any one can give me their valuable suggestions,feedbacks and their recommendations(advices) that would be very grateful.
1. My University orientation program starts on 02 January 2010. I am taking “Emergency appointment”. As right now, no dates available here in Hyderabad. Is it going to be an issue in the consulate? What should be the appropriate answer to this question if it is asked by VO.
2. I have already paid the SEVIS fee on the same university(UNA), but I got another I-20 from different university and I would like to go that second university, are there any need to change SEVIS fee payment order or any other suggestions.
3. I have a low score in TOEFL(below than ‘Cut off’) and I didnt write GMAT and I have 15 years education background. Does any one have questionaires regarding the situation.
Encourage me, and I may not forget you.
“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks”.
hi i am hitesh . i am rejected for us visa two times . and i take the next date of interview is 20th november for interview.i appplied in govorners state university in ms in analytical chemistry.so suggest me that what type of questions interviewer will ask me and please give me the answer of that…
thanking you
hitesh
my younger brother has been denied a tourist visa before,and he is going in now for his masters degree in the states,his interview is for 18th of november,he has no GMAT etc.his documents re ok,he is working in germany but he wants to go for his masters programes what re is chances pls help him solve dis problems,he is so shy………………GOD bless u d way u handle ppl questions
i have gotten my date of interview,on 12th of november,i dnt have any of GMAT OR GRE,what re my chances 4 geting my visa? and i am also 4rm english country whould dat give me any chances?my brothers re in the usa,all my documentation re ok and finally i am going to study a diffrent course for my masters on like what i studied during my universities days pls help me wit dis questions thx.
hi.
prev 2 visa rejections for f-1 are in 2006 and in old expired passport.now applying again. wat to answer in DS?do they have records before 3 yrs?and tht time they used to stamp appl received.now they r entering electronically.
Hello,I wanted to know if it’s possible that VO issue an F1 visa for US to one person after rejected him 3times?
I stand for visa at 7th augest 2009 i don’t got visa.they ask me about my father’s business ?my father has real asstet business . i can’t answer this question pl give me answer about this question .what can say if i again stand for visa and they again ask me this question
Hi, I have 68% in BE Bio Info from a deemed univ in TN( Salem). I have my I20 from NJIT for masters in Bio Informatics. I have an eductional loan from SBI approved for 1st year, and sponcer for my second year, my uncle with details of source of funds. My visa got rejected. I was asked about the univ of admission, and my grade, and within fractions my visa was turned down.
I am applying again, pls suggest.
hi my visa interview date is 28 july and i hav received i 20 from bridgeport university but i hav 3 yrs of gap i am applying for bachelors
hi friends,
This is akshay n my visa date is 29th july. I’ve got i20 from Fairleigh Dickinson University only. I’ve applied for MS in Biology. So what should i do if VO asks me why only this university? Pls reply quick i m really tensed…
u can say that i want to go to FDU and i got the I-20 from that so i m going in that university. I am not concern about any other universities.
hi, i have seen your site just now nd its quite helpful.can i have answers for my doubts, my interview is on 10th july.
1)i have choosen mississipi college as my friend stays ther. what must be my answer for vo question for why only this college?
2)my percentages are in decreasing manner, what will be the best answer when vo asks regarding this?
3) my branch in b.tech is EEE, but i am going to visa with MBA i-20,then how must i answer when they asks why mba?
plz reply soon as only oneday is left for my interview.
i was rejected on 27th may while saying that there’s no surity of mine that i’ll come back to india, i have been sponsered through my meternal uncle who’s running his store at us… and my father is unable to afford the expense….. my interview is now on 17th of july……….. plz reply me soon………
hii, i have my visa interview on 14th july, a close family friend is sponsoring me, she is from UK, she has her name written in my I-20 as my sponsor. is it ok to show her as my sponsor or should i add my parents as my co sponsors?>
do reply quickly
satyabh
You can have her as sponsor, but you should have all the supporting documents from her.
Also,is it a good idea to take a bank statement domiciled in US dollars to the visa interview?
My interview is close.My sponsor is a close associate of my family.His bank statement is 4 times what is on my I-20.My question:is it Okay to tell the visa officer that a close associate of the family is sponsoring me.Thanks
Hi
I am having a query regrading backlog,i have written one subject 3 times in my entire Btech(4 years).Do i need to say single backlog or 3 backlogs for a VO
Kindly reply me to the mail i am having visa in 2 days
thanking you
shashank
Hello,
My interview is in 10 days. My sponsor is in US, and she is a very close family friend. She is like my aunt and she is sponsoring me. I got rejected last time, and my dad was sponsoring me at that time. My dad opposes my decision to go to US this time, and thus, he is not sponsoring me. Can I tell it during my interview that because my dad does not support my decision to go to US, he is not sponsoring?
Hi,for me I think u can have many sponsors!
I am a graduate engineer and i have applied for masters in C.E. I had 4 arrears in my B.E and i have completed it before graduation. If They ask why so much arrears what should i answer
HI I HAVE DONE B.B.A AS WELL PG DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER APPLICATION.I HAVE TWO I-20`S ONE FROM CON CORDIA UNIVERSITY AND OTHER FROM TRY UNIVERSITY,ALABAMA.MY VISA WAS REFUSED ONE TIME ON 12 DEC 2008.PLEASE SUGGEST WHAT I DO?I
SUKHJIT ,
you need to say why your visa was refused. The officers normally look up at 3 things- your financial support, your interest towards that university/course and what is your background, that creates the need for study abroad rather than your home country.
hi friend even i have aaplied I 20 FOR my higher studies but i hav rejected 3 time can u help me.. how to convince the VO… REPLY
I hve upto 4yrs gap in studies due to sm of my family problems during that time i did a job n a part time deploma from a prive computer institute now my uncle has sponsered me for usa f-1 visa in BSC-IT,so could u assist me for my interview
Hi Paresh
I think your dad should be your sponsor that will be the better
Anamika
I am an engineer, and I stood for 3 times for US F-1 visa. My father is a businessman and my grandfather is a farmer. For my visa interview who is the best as a sponsor. My father or my grandfather??? plz reply
Who do you have in the I-20? It depends on your sponsors financial situation.
Please i will be going for my first interview to seek the F1 visa please give me guidelines before i get there.
Sir, please come online. We want to talk to you regsrding our doubts. Please help us.
hello Gurpreet, I am rejected F1 visa first time. I was also not told properly about the reason of denial. I was in need of rejection letter as I had to get refund of advance fees paid to homestay agency in US. I went to the VFS office for US. They advised me to send request to the embassy for the visa rejection letter. I send them alot of emails. So many emails, I was just very irritated. At last they replied me with visa rejection letter in email. In that letter, it is clrearly mentioned that WHY VISA IS REJECTED. I suggest you to do same. Request them about the visa rejection letter. When they will send you the letter, it will be mentioned about the reason of denial. Then work on that and apply again. Without working on that lacking portion it is immpossible to get visa, no matter how many times you apply. I wish you good luck.
(Response in this blog if you want.)
HI
I am Gurpreet SIngh from Chandigarh. I have been rejected 3 rd time and my answers were very clear this time. but i was rejected and i am not given any particular reason. I am said that i do not qualify of student visa can u help me out with this
Thanks a lot
Hello Raghu Sir
,
Last month, I applied for F-1 visa for US. Unfortunatly, I got rejected. I have decided to reapply. My relatives had sponsered me. I plan to apply after 5 months. I have a querry that “Will I have to make the support affadavits again with new date?”
For how long the affadavit for US embassy can be valid. No information has changed, everything is same. Same college, same country and same amount of money.
Your websites have helped me alot, you are really doing a humantarian job. People waste alot of money to agents. But I just followed the guidelines on your website.
Though I was rejected the visa but it was just because of a foolish mistake. Anyhow, please reply to my querry.
Yours friend,
Varun Kumar
44.
dey wil interview me at the US embassy for my student visa next month and im really nervous bout it. I want to know the possible questions they would ask me…Please help me….
44.
dey wil interview me at the US embassy next month and im really nervous bout it I want to know the possible questions they would ask me…Please help me….
dey wil interview at the US embassy next month and im really nervous bout it I want to know the possible questions they would ask me…Please help me….
sir i want to get my visa…
plz give me a advise……………
raghu Sir, Please tell me that do US consular have any criteria for viewing any application. I had all genuine documents but they did’nt even looked at them. They just saw my I-20 and asked me that why I want to go US. They inquired about my family. But they rejected my visa just on the basis that they are not convinced that whether I will return to my homecountry. I cant understand that I have alot of property in India. Then why will I try to live in US for any fake reason. I want to earn education and work as employee after my study. I have never planned to settle permanently in US. Just my wish is to live in US as long as I work there. I didnt like their culture then why will I settle in US. How can I convince them that I will not remain in US ilegally.
after 6days I have an interview for student visa so sir plz give me some questions with answers which are commony asked.
My father has been in the antique business for a long time.But my elder brother has helped running the business for priti long now.Well my borther has already married.We have a business account showing about 15 lakhs plus my borthers own savings account.My father doesnot have any bank account because he is illiterate.So basically my brother has all the bank account in his name.Well as my father and my brother have differnt houses.But we are living togther right now.Plese could you suggest.
I am applying for student visa for the spring session.I would like to know if there is any chances that i will be rejected if i do not show my brother who is already in the united states.
I am applying for the spring session and i am very worried about my chances for getting a visa if i don’t mention my brother who is in the united states.i would like to know if this wil have any effect on my visa.
I have got admissions into an associate degree program at a community college. Honestly, I choose the community college bcuz it meets my needs. I feel comfortable at a community college as I want me to first improve my basics. After completing the study at the college then i will transfer to university.
I want to know a question – ” I have enough money for my college study which is for 2 yrs…….after college I will transfered to a university. WILL THE EMBASSY ASK ME TO SHOW MONEY FOR UNIVERSITY STUDY ALSO., THE UNIVERSITY STUDY WILL START AFTER 2 YEARS.
Will I have to just show money for my college or will I have to show money for the university too?
@Varun: You will have to have enough money to show proof for your educational expense in U.S. you will need to get affidavit from all the relatives who are sponsoring you.
My other doubt is that “Can we have student loan for first year”?
Hi, I am Varun from Punjab. I have my interview at US consulate in the near future. My parents and my relatives are sponsering me for study. I have a doubt that how the embassy will come to know that my sponser is my relative. The relative who is sponsering me is of other relegion. Thats why I am little bit doubtful that- “Am I required to present the proof of relationship with the sponser?”
What kind of proof it can be?
Please tell me?
Hi, I am Varun from Punjab. I have my interview at US consulate in the near future. My parents and my relatives are sponsering me for study. I have a doubt that how the embassy will come to know that my sponser is my relative. The relative who is sponsering me is of other relegion. Thats why I am little bit doubtful that- “Am I required to present the proof of relationship with the sponser?”
What kind of proof it can be?
Please tell me?
hello sir .
i do have some questions.I am admitted to four universities ..for MS CHEMISTRY got the i20 and have a visa interview in dec.my GRE score is 890 i am worried about it ,what do you suggest is 1]a valid reason for such a low score ,i have got a 101 TOEFL ibt score .
The second thing is that my sister ,who has been in US for the last 9years and is married now ..is sponsoring me … 2] what if the VO asks me why is she sponsoring me or what if she refuses to sponsor me in the middle of the semister ?
i don’t have any other financial aid till now ..I would be greateful if you answer me and about my chances..
thank you .
i got rejecton for f1 visa very first time.. now i am going to apply next time..
i have doubt is only that i have very big gap from my 12th
i passed my 12th in 2002 now i am going to usa for bechlore… so what i do please help me or e-mail me on my : maxy_mohsin@yahoo.co.in
Sir,
Iam Sagar. I have an visa appointment in dec. How much Bank bal and assets i have to show.kindly farword me some visa interview tips.
@sagar: Bank balance depends on how much you required by I-20. Usually First year fees as Liquid is must. Second year can be in Liquid or FD or combination of FD and Student Loan.
I feel the reason is i got an i-20 with name incomplete ? should i apply now or try for fall-2009 ?
Hi, My visa got rejected today. The reason told by visa officer is that iam an potential immigrant. What are my chances of getting visa for next time ?
hey my sis is staying at atlanta..
and i m going for NY so what all question might ask the VO to me??
HI sir
Wat is are the type of question are we goin on to face for f1 visa ,plz mail me sir
dpac NEPAL
hi i have got visa interview for f1 visa on december for spring ,wud u please kindly mail me about the questoins n answers about facing embassy.
dpac
NEPAL
hi i am ali i have applied for bba program i am from science background .i have completed my 12th in 2005 and i am appl for fall 2009 dose this thing effect in getting a fi visa
Dude,
i’ve got the date of 26th november for my F1 visa interview.Could you plz email me the visa interview questions and answers?
Cheers!!
respected sir
can you provide me with some tips regarding visa interview
please email me with some tips i need them desperately
regards
sujay
You have written a very nice document to help those who are applying for F1 visa but the whole of it is not included, i am looking forward for more updates on it. you have left this article on october 27, 2007, more than a year, i will be thankful if you complete this article.
Please email me if you do complete this article,
Regards
Wajid
hi,
you can all agree with brian.let me tell you about myself. i got my visa on 21st july. my interview went on for about 2mins max.90% of visa interview is all about your confidence, communication skills and how well you are serious about your graduate study.
hi,
mrinalini first of all whats your gre score and when did u take the same. the officer will not issue visa only if u have no valid reason as for why u got a low score.
Hi,
I got my visa rejected on 23 July 2008. I am planning to apply again..The visa was rejected because the visa officer told that my GRE score is less.Is this a wise decision to apply again for visa? Any one help me out in this regard
Hello Sir/Madam.
You have given so many impotatnt tips. I am rejected for F1 visa for USA and now I apply again. Visa Ofiicer had asked my about my work experience and and reply that”No Mam, I dont have any work experince”. I think may be my this answer is incomplete. Can any tell me please what shoul I say if again they ask the same question. Reply me at bobrocks4u@yahoo.com
You guys really need to learn to communicate better. Man, the moment you open your mouth, the VO will know that you are a potential immigrant. Trust me.
I had my visa interview for 20 seconds, and it was first time. I got my visa and I am attending college in August. Guys, its all about communication. You fail in that, you fail in everything.
hi, my US F1 visa interview is on 21st at chennai. now sources of income are-
1. my bank balance of 6lakhs
2. my moms bank balance of 5 lakhs
the above are readily avalibale funds also i have 15 lakhs loan from bank, the above mentioned bank balance is enough for first year study, do i have to provide embassy the evidence frm where did i get that money, as the balance in my account are mainly form the gift money provided from my relatives and moms balance from her father, through agricultural income.
i got rejected ones ,i am going to face again on 16 th july,i have changed my university,
can u give proper guidance.
why u have changed university..?
what should i tell for that question…?
can u send the answer urgently..
i am goin to face vo with in four days…
Why do you want to pursue MS In US?
Why did you select the specific univ?
How will this specific course help you in your future development/realization of your professional career?
Why do you want to go to US and not continue higher edu in India?
Can you please suggest me some answers on these question.
Thanks in advance
hii…
im in a hot water situation pls help me out this is my very first interview n im goin 2 face it in few days the question is lke i got sme backlogs wat wud b the best answer for this question n olso lke i do have some queries regarding my finance lke i hv managed my ol my education course fee for U.S bt the thng is i hv small small amt in diffent banks n in FDs(my mom is my sponsor & she is not educated bt on the other hand my sister is working as Assistent manager in Ltd company n her salary is arnd Rs20,000 in total n moms salary is 10,000 so in total its arnd 28000 to 30000) so plz help me how cn i show my finance plz plz u r d light of my ambition iwll b really gr8full to u plz ill b waitin 4 ur reply n plz reply soon….
Hi,
Could you please help me with more practical answers for common questions like
1>Why so many backlogs.
2>Where did you get information about this college.
3>What would you do after 2 years .. to convince them am not potential immigrant.
Thanks in advance.
haiiiiiii
i am ready to face intreview in next month.
i had few questions plse give me the ans
1.why did u select this university?
2.i had 7 backlocks.if they ask abt my back locks wht ans i must give?
3.and my gre score is 840?why thus much less if councilate ask means why ans i shd give?
if u replay for this ans i am very thank ful to uuuu
Hi,
hear i put my situation clearly , i got rejected 3rice because of my Gre score that is 720 ,for the first time wen i took my gre i got passport with out my Surname in it but VO dint observed that ,but 3rd time she dint even luk at my scores ask me to go and i know thats my fault and but it saved me bc at that time i took gre twice on other passport with my surname in it so my scores came on other sheet with out including first score that is 960 i know that too is bad score but VO dint check on that luckily. All i wanna do right now is take my GRE 1 more time with just including my old score of 720 by showing up my old pass port with out my surname ….sorry its kinda tangled situation but i need lil help coz i tried hard enough to get job on my b.tech acads but i cud make it only in BPO’s and CC’s and i want to do masters to make it better and 1 more thing can i show the VO that i was doin business for past 11 months bc thats wat i was doin . thank u
Hi, earlier my tourist visa has ben rejected rsoned by that not able to satsify the visa counsellar. h1b visa is under petiton and i am waiting for the reply . now i have one query that i am able to apply for the f1 student visa and how many chances are there for getting the student visa . i have cleared the gre test and tofel
@ Sri
AS I have said in all my articles, don’t lie in your Visa application. I would say the truth and decrease my Visa chances, rather hiding the truth and getting banned to enter U.S. for life. If they find you have 2 siblings. It’s very easy for them to track all your siblings. What if your bro/sis doing M.S. had mentioned that sibling is in U.S. and you didn’t?
hi….
Your previous reply for my doubt really helped me.First i would like to say thanks for that,well,I have an another question.I have two siblings.One of them is working in US and the other one is doing his master’s in US. Here, my doubt is, in filling the visa application form (DS-156&157) they asked me to mention about my siblings,if any are there.People are saying that if you mention both of your siblings are putting up in US,the VO might consider you as a potential immigrant and your chances of getting visa might be less.So,I thought of mentioning only about my sibling who is doing his MS.Can you let me know what should I mention in application form and what should I reply if a question of that sort is asked to me by the VO.Thanks for your time in advance.
@ rekha,
you can try showing more bank balance and assets and if you are only child, you can say that too. Good luck.
hi.my F1 visa was rejected twice before.the reason was mentioned as “potential immigrant”.how to tackle the question “prove me tht u r not a potential immigrant?” if asked.plz help.i need some guidance
hmmm plsss help me out regarding this interview…..i m in need of guidance…plsss
kasturi