F-1 Student Visa Interview Questions – Guide for International Students
Applying to begin your education in the U.S.A can be a challenging process, there are many procedures and applications that international students need to go thru to arrive at their desired university in the United States. One of the final items you need to do is apply for your F-1 student visa at your local U.S. embassy. Once you submit your application for a student visa with the local U.S. Embassy, you will be assigned a date to come and have a student visa interview. The interview is the most important part of your visa approval process, begin prepared is one of the most important things you can do to have a successful visa interview. This guide will help you prepare and practice some of the possible student visa interview questions you will have.
What to expect during your F-1 student visa interview?
F-1 Student Visa Interview
This guide below will provide you with some of the common questions and answers you will receive during your F-1 student visa interview at your local U.S. Embassy or consulate. You can also learn more about the types of student visas by visiting the U.S. Department of State’s website. The F-1 student visa questions are designed to confirm the reason why you are traveling to the USA and establish you as a legitimate student. Be prepared to answer specific, personal visa interview questions from the U.S. immigration officer about your reasons for attending college or university in the USA. Here are some of the five most common categories of questions you will receive during your F-1 Visa interview:
Study Plans
Here is a list of some of the common questions you will be asked during your F-1 student visa interview about your study plans in the United States. The immigration officer would be interested in knowing why you chose to study in the USA and why you chose that particular university or college.
Q: Why do you want to study for your degree in the US?
Interview Tip: Always be honest and truthful in your responses. Explain to the immigration officer doing your student visa interview what are some of the reasons you want to study in the USA and why you chose that specific university. You can also point out that the U.S. is the most popular destination for higher education in the world in your country and they have some of the best universities in the world. You can also mention that the universities in the U.S. offer exceptional support to international students and have a flexible education system; you can also talk about how the universities in the U.S have cultural diversity and international students from around the world view the U.S. education system as a place where they can flourish and get a great education. You can also mention, how in your country having a degree from the U.S. will also allow you to get better jobs and companies in your country like students that are bilingual and educated in U.S universities. You should also point out special circumstances, like the fact that the degree you want to study is not offered in your home country, or that you got accepted to a high-ranking university or a high-ranking degree program.
Q: Why do you prefer studying in the USA as opposed to continuing your education in your country?
Interview Tip: With this student visa interview question, you should focus on explaining the big differences between the education system in your country and the universities in the United States. You can also explain the major you want to study is ranked much higher in U.S universities than in the universities of your country. You should let the immigration officer know that your possibilities for employment in your country will improve drastically by having a degree from a U.S university. You can also mention how the universities in the U.S have better technology and access to facilities not offered in your home country and if applicable you can also share how the degree you are admitted to study is not offered in your country.
Q: What degree are you planning to study in the USA?
Interview Tip: This answer you be easy to answer, bet very specific on the degree and level of degree you have been admitted to study. Show excitement about your study field and the major you will begin in the U.S. university. Explain to the officer why you want to study your particular field and what you hope to do with it in the future; let the immigration officer know you are excited to begin your education in the US and this is the reason you are applying for a student visa. Explain how your degree fits in with your professional goals.
Q: Have you visited the United States before?
Interview Tip: Always be clear and concise about this answer. Tell the immigration officer the times you have visited the United States and the reasons for each visit. For example: If you travel for vacation to experience some of the amusement parks in Florida or California, be specific on which parks you visited such as Universal Studios or Disney World, and how long you visited the United States. You can also explain if you visited the U.S for medical reasons and how you or a family member had to get treatment only offered in the United States. If you have not visited the United States before, simply answer that you have not been to the U.S. before and that you are excited about the opportunity to get your education in the U.S.A.
Application and University
Q: Why did you choose this university?
Interview Tip: You should be clear on your answer and explain to the immigration officer all the reasons you chose this particular university. You can mention how is a great ranking degree program you were admitted into, and that you were offered an academic scholarship for prior education efforts. Also, show the officer that you have researched the university well and how you come to your decision to attend this university. You can talk about the different aspects of the university such as the location, study plan, alumni network, faculty, and other reasons you liked this university in the first place. You can also highlight if one of your parents or siblings studied at this university and they also want you to have the same experience they did.
Q: How many other universities did you apply to?
Interview Tip: Depending on the number of universities you applied to, you may or may not have been admitted to all of them. Answer concisely and clearly the number of universities you applied to and explain how you only received an acceptance letter from one or two of them; if you got admitted to all of them, let the officer know. Immigration officers are trained to know when a person is being honest or is trying to hide something, so you should always be honest with all your answers and this will also help you be less nervous during your interview.
Q: Where is your school located?
Interview Tip: This should be an answer you would be able to respond to very easily and quickly. Always know the state and city where the university you will attend as an international student is located. You can also point out for example, how in San Francisco there are many technology companies and you wish to take advantage of potential internships in those companies as a computer science major. You can also point out, how the university is located in a small city and you like the idea of being immersed in the university and education without many outside distractors.
Academic Performance and Exams
The immigration officer may want to ask you some academic questions to see if you can succeed with your education in the USA, even though you are already admitted to the university. The immigration officer may ask you to share any academic transcripts, knowledge exams, or English proficiency exams you may have taken. Having these documents readily available is important for your interview process. Here are some of the common questions you will be asked about your academic performance and exams:
Q: What are your test scores?
Interview Tip: In most cases, the immigration officer will be referring to your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English exam proficiency, make sure you are clear on which score you achieve and bring a copy of your score results with you to your student visa interview. It is also good to let the officer know that you look forward to improving your English level while you are doing your bachelor’s or master’s degree in the USA. Students attending a U.S university for graduate education should also bring copies of their GRE and GMAT exams of those that were required as part of the application process to the university.
Q: How well can you speak English?
Interview Tip: Let the officer know that while you got a passing score on one of the English proficiency tests and you are confident you have the level of English needed to succeed in your degree program, you are excited to improve your English skills during you degree program in the U.S.A and hope to be fully proficient in the near future.
Q: Can you share your high school or bachelor’s transcripts?
Interview Tip: As a good rule, you should have a folder with all the required documents, including of course your transcripts. It is a great idea to organize a folder before you attend your student visa interview and have all the documents ready and organized in such a way that you will find them with ease and provide them to the immigration officer if requested. You should always bring with you in the folder, your transcripts, passport, DS-160 confirmation page, F-1 student visa receipt of payment, I-20 form provided to you by the university or college, and all your financial documents showing you have the financial means to pay for your education and living expenses in the United States while you are studying.
Finances
This is one of the most important factors for your student visa to be approved. Proving your financial stability is super important and the immigration officer will need official proof that you have the funds to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses, insurance, and transportation while you are studying in the United States of America. If the expenses you will incur during your studies in the U.S are covered by a sponsor, the immigration officer will ask you what is the relationship you have with your financial sponsor and he is likely to ask you questions about your sponsor as well. Here are some common questions you may be asked during your student visa interview by the immigration officer:
Q: How are you planning to pay for your education and expenses in the USA?
Interview Tip: You should be able to answer this question with ease. Let the immigration officer how you, your parents, or your sponsor will cover the cost of your expenses while you study in the USA. Explain to the immigration officer for example, that your parents are paying for your education because you and they are sure you will be able to secure a much better job in your home country once you complete your degree. If you have a scholarship from your government, company, or any other entity, provide the immigration officer with a financial guarantee or official letter from your sponsor showing they will cover all your expenses.
Q: Who is your sponsor?
Interview Tip: The immigration officer wants to know who the person who is paying for your education and expenses in the USA. If your parents are the ones paying for your education, just let the officer know, my parents will be paying for my education. If you got a scholarship, please provide the officer with the official scholarship documentation for his review; if your sponsor is a company or government entity, provide the immigration officer with the sponsor letter and explain how you came to receive that sponsorship for your education in the U.S.
Q: What does your sponsor do for a living or what is the profession of your sponsor?
Interview Tip: Education in the USA can be quite expensive, the immigration officer will need to know that your financial sponsor can pay for your education at the university in the U.S. Knowing how your sponsor makes a living and what type of professional they are, is very important. Always have a clear understanding of what your sponsor does for a living and his professional title, the company they work for, and how many years they have been at such a company. If your sponsor is a company or governmental entity, let the immigration officer know the reasons behind that company or governmental entity for sponsoring your education and expenses in the U.S.
Q: Do plan to work while you are studying in the U.S.A?
Interview Tip: As an international student you are allowed to ONLY work part-time or up to 20 hours per week inside the university. You are NOT allowed to work outside the university for more than 20 hours per week, except during your academic breaks when you are allowed to work full time inside the university. However, it is important that you put emphasis on your studies, you are applying for a student visa, NOT a work visa and your priority and purpose for this visa is to study. Let the officer know that your intention is to study and if given the opportunity to work part-time you might take it as long as it does not interfere with your studies.
Post Graduation Questions and Answers
This part of the interview is also quite important because it will give the immigration officer a clear picture of what you will plan to do after graduation from the program in the United States of America. While you will have an opportunity to work full-time in the U.S. after your graduation from your degree program, the focus on these questions would be more on how an education in the USA will allow you to secure a good job in your home country. Immigration officers want to know that you are planning to return to your country and that your intentions are not to stay in the United States indefinitely.
Q: Do you plan to return to your home country after completing your studies?
Interview Tip: Make sure you show and let the immigration officer know that you have strong ties with your home country. Your family, life partner, friends, business, or property are all good examples of strong ties to your home country. Explain to the officer how you plan to use your degree once you graduate and return to your country and what you hope to achieve in your country. It is very important that the immigration officer is clear that you plan to return to your home country after you graduate from your degree program.
Q: Do you have family, friends, or relatives in the USA?
Interview Tip: As always it is important you always answer truthfully. The immigration officer may already know that you have a brother or aunt that are currently in the U.S with some type of visa and he is looking to see if you will answer this question honestly. It is normal to have relatives that are studying, visiting, or working in the USA. You can also let them know you have some friends that are also studying in the USA and it is one of the reasons you also wish to study in the United States of America.
Q: Do you have a job or career in mind after graduating with your degree in the USA?
Interview Tip: The immigration officer is asking this question to know what are your intentions after graduation are, remember the F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa which means the intention of this visa is not to remain in the US but to get an education and return to your home country. Let the officer know what you plan to do when you return and give examples of how you plan to start your own business or apply for a job where your parents or relatives work. Give clear examples of your intentions to return and take advantage of your newly earned degree.
EduBookings advisors are always here to help you and you can always book an online meeting, all you have to do is click here. You can also find more information about other student visas on our website in the event you are interested in a different program. You can also learn more about the F-1 student visa by visiting USCIS.gov and information about traveling to the US with an F-1 student visa by visiting travel.state.gov.