USA Student F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

F1 Visa Interview Purpose

During a F1 visa interview, the visa interviewer tries to see three things:

i) Your intention to study - You really want to study.
ii) Your financial sufficiency - you’ll not become a burden to their economy.
iii) You’ll use the visa responsibly and return to your home country.

Many candidates try to work illegally during their stay and some even try to go to find a matrimonial match, to get a green card. And, then there are some who are not willing to return to their native countries even after the completion of their course.

So, you should answer any questions bearing in mind their purpose.

Video : US Student F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

Process of F1 Visa application

The process of F1 visa application is divided into following 5 stages

1. Requesting I-20 from your university

2. Filling up your online application form (DS-160)

3. Pay the visa application fees - Online or through the branches of authorized banks.

4. Schedule two appointments - The first one to get your biometrics recorded and the second one for Visa interview. Currently the acceptable gap between the two appointments is maximum 50 days. Check this before you plan your schedule.

Your first appointment is just to capture and authorize your biometrics through your finger prints and iris scan. So, you need to carry just your passport and DS -160.

The second appointment is for the real visa interview with the visa officer. The most important documents you require are your passport, your I-20 and your DS-160.

It doesn’t hurt to carry your all other documents (original ones) that you believe will help you in backing up your answers to the questions related to the 3 things we saw in the "purpose" section. However, you should show these documents only if you are asked or you feel a real need to.

Being an interview, they’ll judge you while listening to your plan.

5. Pay your SEVIS fess - SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The fees that you pay is used to keep this system running.

Some important tips for your F1 visa interview

i) Prefer to apply for your F1 visa in your home country and in the city nearest to you. This is because the visa officers in your region will be more accustomed to the culture and mindset in your country and region. They’ll understand your case faster and the chances of them approving your visa are higher.

ii) Be prepared and confident - Prepare your answers and practice them sufficiently in front of a mirror. Present them confidently. Don’t stare but look into the eyes of the interviewer.

The best answers are presented in the form of a short story. So, anticipate the question, have your stories ready and practiced before you go to the interview.

iii) Dress well - This doesn’t mean wearing a business suit. It just means, dressing in a formal attire as you would do for your HR interview at a company.

iv) Fill your visa application completely and carefully - So that your application is not rejected. Present your case sufficiently in the application, as the visa officer may not ask for any documents and you may not get sufficient opportunity to explain yourself.

v) Answer what is asked. Don’t volunteer extra information - This makes you look nervous and unsure about yourself.

vi) Plan your finances well but avoid looking like a manufactured case - Some students start borrowing money every month in their account from relatives to meet the funds needs. This makes your case look manufactured. Have a credible payment plan and present it.

vii) Discuss your future plans - Have a plan and practice talking about it so that you don’t stammer.

viii) Carry original documents but don’t give until asked. Being at interview, they’ll judge you more on what you say.

ix) Your low GRE or TOEFL score is not visa officer’s concern. Don’t sweat over it. It is the concern of the university offering you the admission.

x) GRE may not be compulsory for all the programs. Present this information properly, if asked. But do expect a question on this if you haven’t appeared for GRE.

xi) No medical history is checked during the visa interview.

F1 visa interview questions and answers

1. Why do you want to do this course?

This question is a check of your intention to study.

If the course you are taking up is a natural progression of your background or even if it is related, it’ll be easy for you to convince the visa officers with your intent.

However, if the course you plan to take is different from your background, you’ll need to frame your answer explaining your reasons.

Once you are ready with your answer, practice delivering it confidently in front of a mirror. You can even attempt recording your answers on your mobile phone and paying them back to check for the improvements.