INTERVIEW

SOME WEBSITES:
https://shorelight.com/student-stories/f-1-visa-interview-questions/

I/ SOME TIPS
Quick F1 Visa Interview Tips
 Answer the questions clearly, do not take a lot of time to think, since the
interview is short.
 Provide the consular with all the documents he requires to see. Organize
your documents prior to your visa interview so you will not have a total
mess in your hands when you go at the embassy/consulate.
 Keep calm, and try to avoid drinking any alcohol at least 24 hours before
your interview.
 On the day of the interview eat before going to the appointment center,
since sometimes you might have to wait a bit longer than foreseen.

 Prepare before the interview

 Complete your US student visa application with all required documents.
 You should double check documents like: DS-160 form, evidence
substantiating trip purpose, financial stability, etc. before submitting.
 Bring these documents with you to the interview: interview appointment
letter, , passport, receipt for visa fee payment, etc.
 Be confident during the visa interview
 It’s advisable to wear neat and formal attire. Women can wear light
makeup with elegant pants or skirts. Men can wear a dress shirt or suit.
 Most importantly, be mentally prepared and relaxed to answer questions
confidently.
 Practice answering sample questions, in English if possible.
 Additionally, be sure to provide Visa application translations for any non-
English documents so the consular officer can understand. This increases
your chances of passing the visa interview.

Extra Tips:
- Make sure your file is well-organized with all the necessary
documents neatly arranged and labeled. This will help you avoid
confusion or disarray during your visit to the embassy/consulate.
 - Go through your Admission Essay or Statement of Purpose, as well
as the list of universities and courses you applied to.
- Familiarize yourself with the program you have enrolled in,
including its credit system, duration, faculty, and notable features.
Understand why you chose that specific university.
- Know the details about the state you will be visiting, the history of
the university you will be attending, and the surrounding area.
Having some knowledge about these aspects will show your
genuine interest in the educational experience and the local
environment.
- Thoroughly review your financial documents to gain a clear
understanding of how you will be funding your education in the
USA, UK, or Canada. This will enable you to discuss your
financial plans during the interview confidently.
- On the day of the interview, ensure you have eaten beforehand as
there might be some waiting time.
- Arrive on time and approach the interview with politeness, clarity,
and confidence.

II/ QUESTIONS
To have a successful interview, you should research and prepare answers based
on the following guideline:
1. Can you introduce yourself?
This question aims to collect applicants’ personal information. For this question,
you should confidently present your name, age, and address.
Suggested answer:
Your answer should match the information in your US student visa application.
For this first question, you should calmly introduce yourself to make a good
impression on the interviewer.

2. Is this your first time applying for a US visa?

The embassy interviewers often ask this question during interviews. They want
you to provide some experience about your previous US visa application.
Through this, the interviewer will know if you have been previously denied a
US visa and the reason for denial.
Suggested answer:
They can easily check on their system whether you have ever applied for a US
tourist visa or not. It would be in your best interest to answer honestly. If your
previous visa application was denied, you can explain the reason for the denial.
Then, emphasize your determination and seriousness in the visa interview by
giving clear and concise answers.
3. Why did you choose to study in the US?
Consular officers need to verify the purpose of your trip. If you have legitimate
purposes, you will be granted the student visa. On the contrary, giving hesitant
answers will result in a missed chance to convincingly present the reason behind
your visa application. This would also leave you in a negative light with the
interviewer.
Suggested answer:
For this important question, you should avoid too simple answers such as “I’m
going to the US for study because it is a developed country.”
Instead, a more convincing answer would be: The US has plenty of educational
benefits and good career opportunities, and this modern environment truly
meets your personal development needs. Moreover, you can also provide them
with an overview of your study programs in the US.

4. Why do you want to study in [country]?

Answer: I believe that [country] offers high-quality education and excellent
academic opportunities in my chosen field of study. It has renowned universities
and research institutions that can provide me with the knowledge and skills I
need to achieve my career goals.
5. Which university/college have you been admitted to, and what program will
you pursue?
Answer: I have been admitted to [university/college name] and will be pursuing
a [degree program] in [major]. I have carefully researched and selected this
institution because of its strong reputation and relevant curriculum.

6.How did you choose this particular university/college?

Answer: I chose this university/college after considering various factors such as
its academic reputation, faculty expertise, program offerings, research
opportunities, and alignment with my career goals. I believe it is the best fit for
my academic and personal development.
7.What are your plans after completing your studies?
Answer: After completing my studies, I plan to return to my home country and
apply the knowledge and skills I have gained to contribute to its development. I
aim to make a positive impact by utilizing my education and experience in
[field of study].
8. How will you finance your education and living expenses?
Answer: I have secured funding for my education through a combination of
personal savings, scholarships, and educational loans. I have carefully
calculated the costs of tuition, accommodation, and living expenses and have
made appropriate arrangements to ensure I can cover them.
9. Can you demonstrate ties to your home country?
Answer: Yes, I have strong ties to my home country. My family, including my
parents and siblings, reside there. I also have property and other assets in my
home country, which serve as evidence of my intention to return after
completing my studies.
10. Do you have any relatives or friends in the country you are planning to
study in?
Answer: Yes/No. If yes, provide details. If no, mention that you do not have any
immediate relatives or friends in the country but are excited to make new
connections and immerse yourself in the local culture.
11. Can you explain your academic background and how it relates to your
chosen field of study?
Answer: I have completed my [previous degree] in [major], which has provided
me with a strong foundation in [relevant subjects]. This background has fueled
my passion for [chosen field of study] and motivated me to pursue further
education in order to specialise and gain advanced knowledge in this area.
12. What is your educational background and why do you want to pursue
further studies?
Answer: Provide a brief overview of your educational background, including
your previous degrees or qualifications. Then, explain how your previous
studies have inspired you to pursue further education in order to deepen your
knowledge, acquire specialized skills, or explore a specific area of interest.
13. How did you select your chosen field of study?
Answer: Discuss the factors that influenced your decision to choose your field
of study. Mention any personal experiences, passions, or career aspirations that
led you to this particular field. Emphasize how it aligns with your long-term
goals and how further education in this field will contribute to your professional
development.
14. What are your future career plans?
Answer: Share your vision for your future career and how your chosen field of
study will help you achieve your goals. Discuss potential job opportunities,
industries, or research areas that you are interested in exploring after completing
your studies. Emphasize how your education abroad will enhance your career
prospects.
Remember, these are just example questions, and it's important to tailor your
answers to your own situation and be honest and confident during the interview.
Additionally, make sure to thoroughly research the specific requirements and
guidelines for student visa interviews in the country you are applying to and
practice your answers beforehand, maintaining a confident and positive
demeanor during the interview.

14. Have you lived away from home for an extended period of time before?
This is to determine if you can live independently without family support.
Suggested answer:
Most international students have lived away from families, whether only for the
short term or long term. Therefore, you can highlight any experience of living
on your own and how you have prepared to adjust to the new environment.
15. Are you confident about your English language ability?
This question gives you a chance to showcase your English skills and make a
good impression.
Suggested answer:
You can present any qualifications demonstrating your English ability, your
current IELTS band score, or your overall English grades in school to
demonstrate proficiency.
16. Could you elaborate your academic achievements in school?
The embassy is also interested in the student’s attitude and ability as shown
through academic performance in the home country.
Suggested answer:
Present your overall grades in subjects relevant to your intended major. You
should highlight your strengths along with teacher recommendations, and
provide certified English translations of transcripts.
17. Which school/university will you attend in the US?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions in visa interviews.
Suggested answer:
Demonstrate that you have conducted thorough research on the educational
institution on matters such as the programs offered, faculty staff, and the pros
and cons.
18. In which US city is your school/university located?
Consular officers often ask this follow-up question to obtain more detailed
information on your accommodation.
Suggested answer:
You should directly state where your school is, for example: “I’m attending
Stanford University, which is located in Palo Alto, California.”
19. What do you know about the city you will live in?
Building on the previous question, this aims to inquire if the students have
looked into the environment and culture of the destination.
Suggested answer:
Provide basic facts about the city you are studying and its culture. Don’t forget
to showcase any plans you have to quickly adapt to your new environment.
20. Why did you select this particular institution?
Your learning environment is also one of the factors that interest visa
interviewers.
Suggested answer:
Students should point out some characteristics and advantages of the chosen
educational institution: scholarships, clubs, academic organizations,…

Extra
12. What is your study program in the US?
This question is often asked with the question “Why did you select this
particular institution?”.
Suggested answer:
Describe how the school/university’s program aligns with your academic goals
and how they can help develop your skills and abilities.
13. Are you traveling alone to study in the US or with anybody? Do you have
any relatives there?
In essence, the consular officer wants to know with whom you will reside in the
US. They want to confirm whether you have family sponsors in the US and if
so, whether you plan to return to your home country or not.
Suggested answer:
● You should provide specific details and directly address the question: “I have
siblings currently residing in the US.”
● If you have distant relatives in the US who were not mentioned in your
application, there would be no need to disclose that during the interview.
● If you’re traveling alone, provide a compelling reason to the consular officer.
14. Why did you choose this major?
This question is asked to gauge whether the student is serious in their intention
to study abroad. The answer can reflect your future career plans and personal
intentions.
Suggested answer:
Provide the benefits of the major and ensure that they align with your career
goals when choosing to study abroad.
For example: “I have thoroughly researched the academic programs at US
institutions and I believe studying here will offer me the best opportunities in
this field. I aim to build a strong educational foundation for my career
development.”
15. What are your plans after graduation?
The officer often ask this question to determine if the students intend to stay in
the US or return home after completing their studies.
Suggested answer:
● As an international student, you should accurately describe your plans and
career goals after completing your program in the US.
● These plans need to provide details consistent with the supporting documents
in your visa application.
● If you plan to stay in the US, state your plan to renew your Visa. If you wish
to return to your home country, you can judiciously state that you want to return
to your homeland due to compelling reasons such as: inheritance, property,
relatives, career,…
16. How long do you plan to stay in the US?
US student visa interviews generally include this question. For this question,
you should provide a specific duration of stay. Visa officers can then have an
accurate assessment of the purpose of your trip.
This question needs to be taken seriously and consistent with the information
provided in the application. Any inaccuracies and inconsistencies in your
answer may seriously hamper your application’s chance of getting approved.
Suggested answer:
Outline the duration of your study program in advance and respond as exactly
stated in your schedule in the US, detailing both the time and location.
For example: “My study program lasts 12 months and I will stay in California
for 12 months.”
17. What plans do you have if you encounter difficulties in the course of study?
This question helps consular officers ensure you are determined and well-
prepared for your study abroad journey.
Suggested answer:
Here is a sample answer: “I understand there may be difficulties and challenges
during my studies. In that case, I will seek support from friends, lecturers, and
academic advisors. I will stay resilient and steadfast to complete my study
program.”
18. Can you tell us how you plan to cover the tuition fee?
Proof of financial stability is mandatory for a successful US student visa
application. This is because the daily living expenses are very high in a
developed country like the US. The embassy pays close attention to how you
answer this question to avoid the possibility of you coming to the US for
unauthorized purposes.
Suggested answer:
● Present information about the person sponsoring your study.
● Supporting financial documents should be prepared in advance to ensure that
your answer is completely accurate.
For example: “I will pay for the trip with my personal income and I also have
additional financial support from my family. I also consider scholarship
opportunities and part-time jobs to reduce the financial burden.”
19. Is your current income enough to finance the trip?
This question requires you to demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover
the trip. In short, the officer is seeking information on your current status of
employment.
Suggested answer:
● Respond with the specific industry, position, and place of work. For example:
“I am currently the head of the human resources department at Vingroup
Corporation.”
● You should also present documents proving your income such as a labor
contract with English translation attached.
20. Do you wish to stay in the US after graduation and seek employment
opportunities?
This question helps the Embassy understand whether students truly want a long-
term settlement in the US.
You need to be honest with yourself. Consular officers are all well-trained in
detecting irregularities or suspicious points in your answers. As a result, they
can easily catch any dishonesty in the interviews.
Suggested answer:
● If you do wish to stay in the US to seek good employment opportunities,
don’t hesitate to say: “It would be an honor for me to work in an international
environment that can help me further my personal development.”
● If not planning to stay in the US, it’s important to declare your ties and
commitments in your home country and the intention to contribute to your
homeland.

III/ The Most Common F1 Visa Interview Questions

The consular officers usually ask similar questions to every F1 visa candidate.
This is in your favor since it helps you prepare in advance. Usually, the
interviewer asks you questions related to your:
study plans
university choice
academic capability
financial status
post-graduation plans
Why are you going to the United States? What will you specialize in for your
degree? What will be your major?
Note: The interviewer will ask you these questions one by one. This is just a
‘warm-up’ for the questions to come. You should tell him/her that you have
been admitted to an educational institution in the United States. Do not talk a
lot. Give short (but not very short) answers, and try not to gibberish since the
visa consular will not like that.
Where did you go to school now? What do you do for a living?
The interviewer wants to know why you are not joining the workforce, but wish
to continue your studies.
Other questions that enable the interviewer to understand more about you and
your character and get more into the real questions about topics he really wants
to know about.
Why are you planning to continue your education? Can you not continue your
education in your home country? Why choose the United States of America?
Why not choose Canada or Australia?
He/she will ask about your choice of the US as a study destination instead of
another country. Try to give more specific answers.
Avoid giving answers as “US is a powerful nation” or “because it has a strong
or developed economy” because such cliche answers will make the interviewer
think that you admire the United States in a way that you wish to live there even
after the completion of your studies. Instead, try to talk more about the
university/college you will be attending. You can mention professors who
lecture in that institution, and are well known as professionals of their field, etc.
You can also mention some highlighted features of it such as world ranking, the
research facility, the faculty profile, alumni profile, etc.
How many colleges did you apply to? How many schools did you get admitted
to? How many schools rejected you?
The consular officer wants to shed light on your qualifications as a student and
future professional. Keep in mind that students admitted at higher caliber
universities will have better chances for a visa. However, you should be honest,
when telling how many colleges have rejected you before being admitted to this
one. If you lie, the interviewer can easily find out, which may lead to your visa
application rejection.
Do you know your professors at that university? What are their names? What
city is your school located?
If you know very little about the university you have been admitted, it would be
better for you if you did some research before you attend your visa interview.
The interviewer will ask you about the names of professors or other people in
charge of the university. Take care to read about the most famous professors at
the university, so you can mention their names and any price they have won, a
book they have published or any other achievement of them.
The consular might also mention some notable alumni to you, if they know any,
or ask you whether you know about any notable alumni of the university you
have been admitted to. These questions are just to check if you are really
interested in getting a proper education, or you are just using this as a way to
enter and remain in the US.
Have you been to the United States before?
Answer honestly. Tell about the reasons you have visited the United States
before, i.e tourism, training, medical reasons, etc. If you have never been to the
United States before you can also say that this is not because you did not want
to, but you did not have the chance. Give the impression to the consular that if
you don’t get the chance to study there, you would still like to visit the country
as a tourist.
What are your test scores (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS)? What was
your previous GPA?
Even if your university has admitted you, the consular officer will still want to
know your likelihood of success at university.
How do you plan to fund the entire duration of your education?
With these questions, the interviewer wants to discover how you are planning to
fund your stay in the United States. If you have enough savings for the entire
period you will be in the United States then present that to the consular officer.
Otherwise, if you have a sponsor as parents, cousins, partner, etc., then you will
have to present how they will fund your stay in the United States, and if they are
capable to do so. If you have won a scholarship for that present documents that
prove your statement.
How much does your school cost? How will you meet these expenses?
Tell the consular how much does your school cost, and how much you will have
to pay for your accommodation and other expenses. Tell him/her how much
money you will be receiving each month and try to prove that it will be enough
to cover your studies. Even if you are planning to work some student on-campus
job, it would be better not to mention it, because this would lead the interviewer
to think you might become a burden to the United States public funds.
Healthcare expenses in the United States may be unaffordable for many
international students. The treatment of a broken leg or broken arm will cost
you $2,500, while staying at a US hospital may cost over $10,000, on average.
Although it is not a requirement and the interviewer may not ask you about
health insurance, you could provide proof of health insurance to convince your
interviewer regarding financial subsistence during your time in the United
States.
What is your sponsor’s occupation?
They want to know if your sponsor is really capable to cover your expenses.
Do you have any brother/sister?
If your parents will be your sponsor, then the interviewer wants to know if they
would be capable to do so, or they will have to financially support other people
too.
Have you got any loans? How do you plan on repaying your loan?
If you do not have any loans you simply say that you do not. Otherwise,
honestly tell the interviewer about the quantum of the loan you have applied for
and from where you have received the same.
You can also say that you will be able to find a good job in your home country
upon your graduation and repay the same. Do not suggest by any means that
you would be paying off the loan by taking up odd jobs in the US.
Will you come back to home during vacations/ holidays?
Again, the visa officer wants to know about your relations with your home
country and your family. Tell them that you will be going back to your holidays
to meet family and friends even if you do not. If you plan to stay in the United
States during summer or winter holidays and work do not tell that to the
interviewer. He will have the impression that you are going to the United States
to earn money and that you might stay there even upon the completion of your
studies.
Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US?
Answer honestly. Even if you have some faraway relatives that you only meet
every three-four years, tell the consular about them. Or if you have a friend you
have only met once or twice, you will have to tell the consular again.
What are your plans post-graduation? Do you have a job or career in mind after
you graduate?
Since the F1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa, you will have to convince the
consular that you do not plan to remain in the US but rather to return to your
home country. If you tell him more about what you plan to do, you will most
likely convince him/her that you have no intention to stay in the US after your
graduation.
Do you plan on returning back to your home country? Are you sure you won’t
stay in the US? Will you continue to work for your current employer after you
graduate?
Try to tell to the interviewer that you have strong ties to your home country and
that you will for sure return. Tell them you have your family, closest friends, or
a partner in your home country if you really do. If you have any pet, tell him/her
about that too. Mention any property, business, organization, etc., that you have
and because of which you will return.
Why should you be given a student visa?
This is the very last question you will be asked. Try to put forward a strong case
of why you should be issued a visa. Try to make a strong point of your case, and
be confident. Once again, do not gibberish. Even while answering this question,
try to convince the interviewer by giving him the impression you have no plans
to remain in the United States and that you will return to your home country for
sure.

https://visaenvoy.com/us/usa-student-visa-interview-questions-and-answers/