F1 Student Visa Interview Questions
By HSB
Getting International Student F1 Visa stamping is an thrilling experience. Evey student have to face the same amount tension and process of preparing the documents for the visa interview. During the process, its common to search for the list of questions they could be asked during the interview.
Here’s possible list of questions for F1 student visa interview. I stumbled across these questions and you might get some of the questions from here, but you might be asked different question and its completely based on your profile.
Student Visa F1 interview Questions
College and University
- Why the specified university?
- Which universities did you apply to? (Both admits and rejects)
- Which universities accepted you?
- Where have you done your under-graduation?
- What is your undergraduate GPA/Percentage?
- Tell about your university?
- Mention some professor’s names?
- When and where did you get your bachelor’s degree?
- Why this university and not other universities?
- How long will you study in USA?
- How do you know about this university?
- What is your academic background?
- Do you plan to study Ph D after MS?
- Why did you apply to these universities?
- These subjects are also taught in other universities also but why this university?
Bank and Finance Related
- Who is sponsoring you?
- What does your father do?
- What is your father’s income?
- What is your university yearly expense?
- Have you got any loans?
- Show your Pass Book/ Bank Statement?
- How will you finance your education for 2years or 3 years? (generally you
have to prove that you can fund the first year of your education but we
Suggest that you be prepared with this answer) - Your passbook shows that a large amount of money has recently been
deposited? How do you explain that? - What is your father’s salary? / How long has he been working here?
Relatives and Family Members
- How many brother and sisters do you have?
- Do you have any relatives in USA?
- What is your mother?
- Where did your brother/ parents complete their studies?
- Where do your parents live?
- Do you have a brother/ sister, or any other relative already at this
university?
Work/Job Related
- Why are you leaving you current job? (if you are working)
- Show your experience certificate?
General Questions
- Why did you choose US but not Canada or Germany?
- What kind of good things do you know about America?
- What do you expect after returning back?
- Why do you plan to do MS?
- Why are your GRE/ TOEFL scores low?
- You look like a potential immigrant or I don’t think you will come back?
- What do you know about US education?
- Why are you applying for Fall only?
- What will you do after completing MS? What are your plans after graduation?
- Why study in USA?
- Did you get any scholarship?
- Tell me how you can prove that you are going to come back?
- Have you ever been to US?
- What will you do after coming back?
- Do you know anyone (in USA) in your university?
- What will you do if your visa is rejected?
- Will you come home during summer?
- Why do you think the university is giving you a scholarship?
- Why do you wish to study in the USA and not in India?
- If you have changed your field of specialization (for e.g. If you are BE
- Mechanical and opting of MS in Computer Science) then tell the reasons !!!
If you know other questions you can be asked or you were asked during the F1 Student Visa interview, you can write a comment to this article. I like to know if the above questions were useful. Just pen down your thoughts in the comments below.
Related posts:
- Large Bank Deposits Before F1 Student Visa Interview?
- F1 Student Visa Interview – “Why This University”
- F-1 Student Visa Interview Tips
- Bank Statement for F1 Student Visa
- F-1 Student Visa Tips For Fall 2009 Students
I completed my 12th grade from India. I was interested to go abroad and study but I was not at all aware of anything like visa requirements and documentary formalities. I completed my 12th in March 2008 and being honset I scored very average. After my 12th I checked on internet how to apply for abroad. Luckily, I got a link of http://www.happyschoolsblog.com
You can read this article as my testamonial.
Anyhow……. I used to surf this site and I learned about many things like finance, SAT, GMAT etc etc…
I remember there use to be a online chat option also with Raghu. I chatted with him and I use to ask many questions both in chat as well as blog. Many people write on the walls and reply.
I got a lot of help from this website and I stared preparing for my visa interview. I took TOEFL and I also checked another website called http://www.studyusa.com
Being an average student I was aware of my capability and hence I applied for a community college. Everyone used to say that I would get rejected because US embassy dont give visa to community college students.
and u know what…….. I got rejected! But this was not because I applied for a community college, it was because I was not able to convince the interviewer.
The interviewer asked me that why I am pusuing US for study and why not India. Additionally, I was nervous very much and my answers were also not spoken with confiddence.
I was almost broken with the rejection. My family got a set back since I invested money and time. Just one thing that I was satisfied or proud that even if I got rejected but I tried myself and did everything on my own. NO AGENT NO HELP!
I did my best just I got confused and distracted at the time of interview.
Anyhow, I decided to apply again and I still didn’t change my college. I waited for another 5 months and applied for Fall semester. Got a new I-20 and prepared all papers freshly again.
http://www.happyschoolsblog.com was my window to explore all that is required.
I did my best again and didnt get distracted this time.
Result- I GOT MY US VISA. I GOT F-1 VISA for 5 years.
Now I am in USA and studying at the same community college that I applied for.
I advice to all people who wish to apply that whenever you apply just check internet and surf websites like happyschoolsblog
There is a lot of wrong information on internet but one of the best things about happyschoolsblog.com is that if someone posts some wrong by mistake or whatever… happyschoolsblog.com corrects it. I know because sometimes while replying to people I posted some wrong info by mistake… u know what EACH & EVERYTIME IT WAS CORRECTED
So, I conclude that this website is the most reliable one.
I am studying at LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
Its a very big college and so big that they are planning to convert it into a university in future.
I am not saying that go for community college but I say that even if you go for a community college, dnt worry.. just be ready to justify urself. Justify that why u want community college. U can say that its good to go to the best community college rather than going to a below average university.
I will like to share one more information. I have to come to know about a university in US that doesnt charge International students higher than US citizens. They do require SAT.
The name of univeristy is EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY and it is located in Oregan. Please check the following link for more info.. and do surfing happyschoolsblog for every help that u may need. All the best.
http://www.youniversitytv.com/youlife/eastern_oregon_university.html
you can reply this post if u have any questions. u can also find me on facebook.
My email is varunishere3886@gmail.com
I cant reply emails but I can reply on facebook for sure. But one thing I tell you that this website happyschoolsblog will help you more than me or any person.
it feels so strange……
I can see my posts … questions asked when I was in India and struugling for my visa…. hooo it feels so good now that I be succesful to get visa. I remember all those days when I climbed step by step… TOEFL, applying to college, Finance for college, I-20, Financial documents, Legal documents, Visa interview and finally flight to USA…
I miss India and mom dad
I am studying at the college and looking for transfer to university after completion of 2 yrs of study. Most community colleges serve transfer purpose and many students in US choose this way because it saves a lot of money. Moreover, a community college gives more freedom to choose options. You earn good credits and u will be transfered to a good university.
Hi, I am Pushpinder kumar from Punjab.am doing B.sc bioinformatics right now i am in 2nd year. am going take sat test in dec. but am having 1 year gap after my 10+2. is there any problem to get visa in 1 year gap condition..
Dear Pushpinder kumar,
I think you should not be worried about one year gap. Pls. note that, its not sure, visa officer will ask you about your gap period. Gap period will not affect for getting student visa whether you have one year gap or more than that. Hence, you have to prove counsular you will be full time student and very consious about your study as well as your future. You can easily tackle for your one year gap period. Such as you can say, i have gap one year for submitting my application to different universities and colleges,toefl/ielts/sat e.t.c. or admission procedure. I am now studying in South Arkansas University although i had gap of 4 years. I was very worried about my gap period eventhough i was well prepared for that answer. But, i was very cool in interview and he asked me why this university not others? And other question is tell me about your family background? Why you didnot join army? (I am son of Ex- army officer). In those questions i answered positively, and finally i got visa in first attempt. You have to well prepared to answer all questions whatever they will ask. It may be regarding your personal life or academic life. Be honest and confident, you have to prove them, you will return back after completion of yur study. Best of Luck!
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i want the answers of those questions would you please send the answers
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Hi Friends,
I got GRE Score 1100 and TOEFL Score as 100. I want to join i UK with this score,If there is any possible for getting the Admission in UK Universities, If there is any chance let me know that
Thanks
sir
this is rajesh ,present iam doing m.tech (electronic)
i want to do ph.d in USA
CAN U give any suggition to applying ph.d program.
Rajesh – You can certainly do PhD. Try to get good GRE Score and read about admission information in this blog. Alos, you can join Premium Membership Club for a small fee to get personal guidance from us.
hey
can someone tell me as to wat shud b d answr of d questn “what will you do if your visa gets rejected?”
is it advisable to say that i will apply again??
hi subhi, if visa officer ll ask this que, ans- sir/mam i m sure U r not goin 2 deny me visa, as i m genuine & eligible student to get US visa…
Also i hv fulfilled all the requrements of Uni & embassy, weather it is achedemically or financially…
QUE VO : then after also i ll deny then.?
Your answer 2nd time : sir if at all U deny me visa on some ground wich i m unaware, i ll concentrete on that point n reapply.
dont make blunder 1st by sayin i ll re-apply… best luck
Hi Varun,
This is Abhi here.I have gud toefl score(90).Gre score is avg(640 quant n 300 in verbal).I have backlogs(24).I writing gre again to get 1000+.Will gre n toefl help me to get visa.
Hey!!
I am a frequent visitor of your website and this site has proved to be very helpful! I really appreciate this great work you have put in to help thousands of students like me to give them direction for achieving their dream of studying abroad. My heart-filled good wishes to you for everything.
I have got an admit in the MS in Materials Engineering program in University of Houston for Fall 2009. I has three questions regarding the VISA interview that I am about to face on the 15th of July, 09:
1) If they ask me what are my plans after the completion of this masters, what am I supposed to say? I wish to continue my education and pursue a PhD after my MS but I am afraid that if I mention that they might reject my VISA on the grounds that I have plans of not returning. Please give me your valuable suggestion on this.
2) My elder sister(single) is working in Houston on an H1B visa in an American company. She had gone onsite from an Indian company but after 1.5 yrs of stay there, she switched her job. I have plans of living with her during my graduate studies. Do you think this will have a negative effect on my VISA chances?
3) I am going to show even her as one of my sponsor, along with my father as my dad’s savings alone is not sufficient. However, on my I20 only my father’s name is mentioned. Will it be ok if I get the affidavit of support under both their names and have them sign it?
Kindly suggest as to what I should do as there are just three more days to go for my Visa interview?
Thanks a lot,
Tanushree
Dear ,
thanks for helping me out with all the informations provided in this website.
i would like to know that my brother is doing PhD from the same Univ. that i m going to join is it necessary to disclose about my brother???because it may reduce my chances of getting VISA.
what type of answer ‘ll be appropriate if they asks …why only t5his univ. as other univ. also offers same course.???
redards
Hussain
Hi All,
I got admission from University of Dallas in Pre- MBA Course.
Write now I am working in UK, London as a Product manager. I got my bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Scotland.
My question is does anything particular document require if I stayed here in UK from last 2.5 years & now going back to India for just only for F1 visa Interview.
Thanks.
Naman.
VO might ask what were you doing in UK. So, its better to have documents to backup your claim.
hi…i got the GRE score less(850),though TOEFL score is good(89).Eventhoug i have got i20 from 5 universities for MBA from U.S., based on my TOEFL score.Does the low gre score matters while facing the visa interview..i mean a kind of bad imact or anything like that..and what should be the answer if they ask me about low gre score..plz reply…..
Hi Berhanu.
I am Varun Kumar from India. I applied for a community college too and got my I-20. Everything was good but I wasn’t granted visa. Some people say that US embassy visa officers don’t grant visa. But I don’t believe this. If you have a genuine reason and you are able to present yourself then VISA is not difficult. Keep this in mind that
1) Firstly, they will see whether you are a genuine student.
2) Secondly, they can ask you that why are you trying for community college and nit for a university. You can make up an answer that community college provides more opportunity and it is more convenient to go through a community college into a good university via transfer.
3) They will also see your ties to your home country.
4) If you can then take along a job promise letter with you so that you can prove that you will return to your country.
5) If you have gap period in your study then please cook up some practical story.
6) Be prepared to tell them that what you were doing between your last school and till today.
Happyschoolsblog.com is an excellent to get more information. I collected lots of information from here. I was just not lucky enough to get visa because my interview was not good. I got confused there and my language skills got all down. I was not prepared for the interview. So, you please concentrate on interview too. They will only see yours papers if they see u as a genuine student. Be confident there. Don’t argue them if they deny. Well i wish that u get visa. But anyhow if u have to face the other side then don’t loose heart.
Take professional help if you can. But don’t pay extraordinary amount for any fake document because that is very risky.
GOOD LUCK !
Hi my name Berhanu Sisay. I’m from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The community college that I have applied for has already sent me the I-20 form. I have an interview appointment on Monday 8th June. Is there any one, who had an F-1 interview before, and has any important information wishes to share or wants to aware me, please welcome.
Thank you for reading my profile.
Hi Berhanu.
I am Varun Kumar from India. I applied for a community college too and got my I-20. Everything was good but I wasn’t granted visa. Some people say that US embassy visa officers don’t grant visa. But I don’t believe this. If you have a genuine reason and you are able to present yourself then VISA is not difficult. Keep this in mind that
1) Firstly, they will see whether you are a genuine student.
2) Secondly, they can ask you that why are you trying for community college and not for a university. You can make up an answer that community college provides more opportunity and it is more convenient to go through a community college into a good university via transfer.
3) They will also see your ties to your home country.
4) If you can then take along a job promise letter with you so that you can prove that you will return to your country.
5) If you have gap period in your study then please cook up some practical story.
6) Be prepared to tell them that what you were doing between your last school and till today.
Happyschoolsblog.com is an excellent to get more information. I collected lots of information from here. I was just not lucky enough to get visa because my interview was not good. I got confused there and my language skills got all down. I was not prepared for the interview. So, you please concentrate on interview too. They will only see yours papers if they see u as a genuine student. Be confident there. Don’t argue them if they deny. Well i wish that u get visa. But anyhow if u have to face the other side then don’t loose heart.
Take professional help if you can. But don’t pay extraordinary amount for any fake document because that is very risky.
GOOD LUCK !
just behave relaxed and confident……
Firstly would comment on the excellent structure and information on your web site. I have got my i 20 and awiat my final semster mark sheet. I will hjave provisionla certificate after the reulst for the fianl semsetr mark sheets. Can anyone tell me whether it is mandatory to have this whne I go for the vis interview?
I look forward to someone helping me.
hey ther..
u can go without ur final sem marksheet or provisional certificate..actually m in d same situation as urs..i dnt hav my final sem marksheet..bt m gonna go 4 visa without it..i checked out many experiences of ppl who hav gone without ne of these thngs n still hav got d visa..u can tell d visa officer tht ur result is awaited..4 security purpose..tak some proof showin tht u hav given ur last sem exam..like ur exam reciept or may b a letter frm d clg statin tht u hav appeared for last sem exams..i hope this helps..
Niki – I would appreciate if you can send us an write up about your Interview experience,I can post in the blog. Thanks.
Am from karnataka, but can i go to delhi for F1 visa? Is delhi better than chennai? I am just concerned about the rejections from chennai. Will going to delhi help?
hi varun this is rafi here,
I have I20 from 3 uni’s two of them are with same course and one with other course, but I am opting for the third one.
what do I say when asked about why I took this option.
Whatever university you have choosen, make a strong point regarding it. For example, you can say that you find the staff of urs choosen university much co-operative. If you have interacted with any of the professors of urs choosen university. you can mention their name and tell about their co-operative attitude. Secondly, you can cook some points about the location. Like you can say that I have found the location the choosen university much more peaceful. Well, these are very trivial points. But its better to say these rather than going dumb and saying nothing.
I think that the most important point can be regarding the university ranking. If ur choosen university is ranking higher than the other two. Then there is an absolute genuine point.
Just look on internet about your university and compare it with the other two. I am sure you will find more points. Just keep in mind that your reason should be practical enough to make them believe.
Dear Raghu,
Yours website in an excellent source for the students to get genuine information. I got alot of help from ‘happyschoolsblog.com” regarding the basic information. I didn’t have any idea before about the technical terms. But yours site is really awesome. I was denied student visa last time. I want some guidance from you. I hope that many other students also be facing the situation like of mine. Please answer me. My situation is as below:
My name is Varun Kumar. I am from India.
I applied for student visa to US in January 2009. I was accepted at a community college in an associate degree. When I went to the interview, the officer asked me several questions. Though I answered many but few questions were not answered efficiently. Actually, I was nervous being my first interview at any foreign consulate.
They asked me that “Why I want to pursue degree in US and why not in India?”
They also asked me about my percentage in senior secondary. I don’t have good percentage. I told them everything truthfully.
They inquired me about my family and asked that whether I know someone in US.
Well, I didn’t know anyone in US. I answered them no.
During the interview, they didn’t saw my financial documents. They just saw the I-20, my passport, MRV fee slip and other forms.
The visa officer denied my visa stating that she is not convinced. After sometime, I requested them to send me the visa rejection letter.
They send me an email. The email stated that my visa was rejected under Section 214(b)of Immigration and Nationality act.
I have prepared all the answers now. But my query is that will they ask me these questions again or will they ask me something different. Another thing that I want to know is that “Do USA grants visa for community colleges?”
My percentage is not so good. I completed my senior secondary in March 2008. The interviewer also asked me that “What I have been doing till January?” Well I was so much interested and confident about my visa that I didn’t enrolled at any educational institutions anywhere in India. I am admitted into the community college on behalf of senior secondary, so there was no purpose of getting enrolled at educational institution in India. But the visa officer didn’t understand this fact.
“I want o know that whether my unsatisfactory answers were responsible for visa denial?”
If it is so, then what should be done?
I want to reapply.
I have prepared the answers now. But my query is that will they ask me these questions again or will they ask me something different.
Is this thing also responsible for the visa rejection. What circumstances of mine should I change to reapply.
hi. i am from the philippines. have previoulsy applied for Q1 cultural exchange program for 2008 – 2009 winter seasons. unfortunatley, i was not granted the visa because i was not able to convince the consul that i will come back after my contract.
i plan to apply again for the same type of visa this month. i’d like to ask your suggestions on this specific questions:
what will make u come back?
what will you when u get back to the phils?
i would very much appreciate your help. thanks
The only possible answer i can think of to this question is a fake one. Just get information about a leading company in philippines in your field of study and just mention u want to obtain job in there on basis of degree u get in US.
Did any applied to univ. of massachesstes dartmouth
Please suggest me the answer for “Why this Univ?”
??
where
but as varun asked …is it possible to get a visa for c.c ?
mmm…..Varun i want to talk with ya regarding the same situation…
lol..
You can use the forum to discuss with other readers.
I have opted a community college for associate degree in engineering.
I want to be a mechanical engineer. Till now I have completed 12th class. They aslo asked me that why I am not pursuing bachelors in India. Please tell me that Can I present any job promise letter of any small scale industry. My uncle has a firm of tool manufacturing.
Can I present them the reason that I will get employment after my return?
Someone told me that US promotes graduate studies and not under graduate. Is it True?
@ Varun ,
say to them that u have to work to well known company like tata for 2 to 3 yrs . then u have to join helping society of ur field ( refer some name of helping society ) . u can also say that i have to open an institute in india . u have not mention ur field .
us visa is very easy ,it depend on communication skill , be cool ,calm & relax , while giving answer 1) see interwier ’s eye 2 ) give straight forward answer 3) give answer as u talk & give answer to ur friend means answer should look orignal . 4) give answer as short as u can .
u r standing for 2nd time than dont take emergency date its rule that 1st time only u can take emergency date ,other wise for taking date u can talk to vfs officer .
ALL THE BEST TO EVERY ONE
Hi, I am Varun Kumar from Punjab. I had applied for student visa to US consulate. But my apllication got rejected. The interviewer said that they were not convinced that whether I will return to my home country after my education completion. Please tell me that How can I convince them at this view point. I had evrything genuine. My money documents were true and genuine. Nothing was fake but they did’nt even looked at them. I dont know that how they will be convinced that I will return to my home country after my degree. Moreover, also inquired me alot about this that why I am interested in going to USA for my course and why not for India.
@ varun…
HI Varun…m Sujon from Bangladesh currently studying in USA, I absolutely agree with you, about the points that you made, US Visas are sometimes hectic and for people from the south Asia, it’s quite difficult for us to get a F1 Visa. Anyways dont worry, i have some suggestions for you,
U can say that the quality of education in USA is much better than any other countries including India and that US degrees are highly appretiated in India, after graduation i want to utilize my degree in the XXXXXX (mention ur field) field and take it to a new level. India is growing in its economy and after i graduate i will get a perfect platform to work in my country and serve it,
about ur time gap, tell them that you have researched a lot about US schools since you had the burning desire to complete ur graduation from US, so u dint get into any uni or stuff, n abt ur percentage, well US consulate give a lot of important to ur desire, they see that whether u want to GO to USA or u want to graduate from USA, dont pretend that ur totally finished if u dont get the Visa, TRY sayn dat u have gone through a bad patch in ur high school so cudnt do well, n abt community college, well m not sure abt India, but for Bangladesh, they usually dont give F1 Visa unless ur applying to a top university, the basic thing is they c ur intensions, which on da other hand relects on ur grades, ur college search and ur future plans. Dont be bothered abt ur bank papers because they will only see it when they are sure that ur a GENUINE student and ur intension is to study and not to migrate. so dont worry Varun, research on it more and if u have any more question u can mail me @
as3244@drexel.edu
FIRST OF ALL ,I THANK U FOR HELPING EVERY BODY . I FEEL GOOD THAT U R HELPING STUDENT .BCAUSE I KNOW WHEN ANY BODY GET REJECT HOW THEY FEEL .
I HAD APPLIED FOR MY STUDENT VISA ON 13 DEC 2008 . I DINT GET VISA BCAUSE OF SILLY MISTAKE . I M CONFIDENT .BUT I M NOT ALERT AND MAKE VO TO REPEAT Q . AND ALSO WE SHOULD EYE CONTACT WHILE ANSWERING.
I M APPLING AGAIN CAN U GIVE ME UR VISA EXPERIENCE . AND SOME MORE TIPS OF VISA INTERWIEW MY EMAIL ID IS sheajad@yahoo.com
ONCE AGAIN THANK U VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE