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F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

In an earlier post we covered frequently asked questions about the F1 Visa requirements in U.S. for Indian students (criteria, documents, F2 dependent visas etc). We left one part out that we’ll cover here – F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers.

Keep in mind that there is no pre-defined or comprehensive list of F1 Visa Interview Questions that you can prepare mechanically and go out and blurt the answers for a 100% report card. A lot depends on your profile, aspirations, choice of university, financing status and other factors.

What we are covering here are just the basics that revolve around the categories in previous statement. First, revise the key 4 reasons why F1 visas are rejected. Then use the list below to see if you have genuine and convincing answers to each of the F1 Visa Interview Questions listed below.
 

F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

F1 Visa Interview Questions about your study plans

– Where are you working right now? What do you do at work?
– Why are you thinking of higher studies?
– Why are you planning to go for higher studies now?
– Can you not pursue this in India?
– How is this degree related to what you have studied earlier or your current work profile?

Tips for F1 Visa Answers

– This is pretty much an extension of what you wrote in your essays / SoP. The admissions officer would have already asked you these in your admissions interview. So you should be fine here. Of course, the Visa officer doesn’t have access to your university application. But having one, consistent story will keep it simple for you and the visa officer.
 

F1 Visa Interview Questions related to your university choice

– Why did you choose this university?
– Why USA? Why not any other country?
– Which other universities did you apply to? What was the result?
– Why are you not joining the others? (assuming you have an admit)
– What is so special about this particular university? What resources does this university provide that the others don’t?
– Have you made arrangements for accommodation in the USA (within / outside campus)?

Tips for F1 Visa Answers

– Like the previous section, you would have covered part of this in the admissions process (essays / SOP, interviews). But during the F1 visa interview there may be a greater emphasis on the why not others and why specifically this universities when the resources you’d get across universities may appear to be similar. The calibre of the universities you apply to also matter as it indicates your calibre as a student and professional. Universities with a shady or chequered past, or names that have rarely come up in the F1 visa interviews (or for the wrong reasons) could raise the red flag.
 

F1 Visa Interview Questions related to your academic capability

– What is your GRE / GMAT / TOEFL / IELTS score?
– What was the medium of education in your undergrad?
– How was your performance in your earlier degrees? GPA, percentage, CGPA
– Did you have any backlog?
– You have never studied abroad before? How do you think you will be able to manage the cultural / educational differences?

Tips for F1 Visa Answers

If there’s a big disconnect between your past performance record (in India or outside) and the quality level expected from a decent international university, you have some explanation to do.
 

F1 Visa Interview Questions to check your financial status

– Who is sponsoring your education?
– Who else is dependent (brothers, sisters) on them?
– Do you have some evidence for the sanction of loans / scholarships / bursary / graduate assistantship?
– How much is your (or whoever is sponsoring you – dad’s / brother’s) annual income?
– How much is the monthly income? How much is the savings?
– Any proof (bank statements etc)?
– Your funds don’t cover the entire duration. How will you fund the rest?

Tips for F1 Visa Answers

– Studying in the United States is several times more expensive than attending a university in India. So naturally financing is a big hurdle. Your phenomenal academic potential can means nothing to the visa officer if you can’t show that you’ve thought through the financing bit. Learn about all the expenses (not just tuition) that you are likely to encounter. How did you arrive that the one big number? Have some evidence in place for the expected cost as well as the financing sources.
 

F1 Visa Interview Questions to verify your post-graduation plans

– What do you intend to do after you graduate?
– Do you have any relatives in the U.S.? What do they do?
– How about your friends and colleagues?
– When did they go there? What are they doing now?

Tips for F1 Visa Answers

– We can’t tell you what the ‘right’ answer to this question is. But here are some perspectives to help you frame the appropriate answer. The USA education system wouldn’t have had the Optional Practical Training (OPT) for students arriving on an F1 Visa if it wanted every single international student to go back to his/her home country immediately after completing the MS or MBA program. The U.S. economy needs and attracts the best talent from across the world to keep its wheels turning. But it also doesn’t want the local citizens to be at a severe disadvantage while competing with the uncontrolled influx of imported manpower. It needs to draw a balance.

Note: We have collated this list from other sites. There are bound to be many variations and additions to this list. Also, it doesn’t hurt to remind that we aren’t legal counsellors for the F1 visa process. Carry out your own research about how things work.
 

There’s more to F1 Visa Interview Questions, than just the ‘right’ answers

Don’t treat F1 visa interview questions and answers like GMAT prep. Practising is good. But a hundred hours of learning the ‘correct’ answer to a standard list of questions won’t get you closer to the destination. In fact, if you mechanically dole out rehearsed answers, even your frank responses may be viewed with suspicion.

Apart from the content of your responses, also keep in mind that your presentation also matters. If you are giving the right answers and your facial expression reminds the F1 visa officer of Mr Bean and your body language is like a deer caught in the headlights, then we might have a problem.

However, if you come across as a genuine student giving transparent answers, your chances of crossing the final hurdle and getting the F1 Visa stamped on your passport goes up.

Do your homework and get all the documents and the evidence in place. If you have applied to the right universities for the right reasons and have all the right F1 visa documents in place, there’s nothing to be scared of. Keep your answers crisp, clear and honest.

Good luck!

Read these related posts:
Step by step process for USA Student visa
My F1 visa rejection story
What circumstances can lead to your Student Visa being cancelled and how can you get it reinstated?


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Sameer Kamat
About Sameer Kamat
Founder of MBA Crystal Ball. Author of Beyond The MBA Hype & Business Doctors. Here's more about me. Follow me on: Instagram | Linkedin | Youtube

18 thoughts on “F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers”

  1. Hi,
    my husband got the F1 visa is on 7th june 2013, and im planing to apply for the F2 visa after one month from now, by the time i apply my husband will be in india only, since his course will be stating in aug mid. so will it be a problem if i apply in july or in Aug. what is the best possible chances to get visa approval, or should i wait for my husband to go first in USA then apply..
    my father in low sponsorshing my husband for the study, and for me we have a separate savings in bank.
    pls help……..

    Reply
  2. i m passed out in 2009.my profile:
    10th-78%
    12th-54%
    B.E.mech engg- 61% with 5 backlogs. ( 3.5/4 GPA as per my university law)

    and interested for fall 2015 intake for MBA.
    1) so, study gap of 6 years ( if i will start MBA in 2015 then ) and backlogs ( 5 backlogs ) will affect me as a visa point of view?
    2) as a visa point of view, what s score must i have in GMAT and TOEFL and IELTS?
    3) can i get admission in top to average universities of MBA , with average score of my undergraduate 61% and 5 backlogs?

    Reply
  3. Hello,
    Myself Arun, and i would like to apply for US MBA for summer intake and my profile is as follows
    PG diploma[edexcel level 7] 2013 june passout,
    graduation B.COM 68% no back logs,
    12th 67%
    10th 62%
    IELTS – 6.5 any inputs on my application

    Reply
  4. I completed my post graduation in msw 2009 march.i want to join for a pg diploma course in canada. This gap of 6 years ok fr student visa? Please help me with ur valuable opinion.

    Reply
  5. Work study Program USA f-1 Visa Eligilbity

    Hi,
    I need a little clarification?
    i just need a straight answer, do i get visa or not? how much chances?

    i have done My B.tech ECE 60% jntu-hyd 2011 Passout
    12th 95% 2007 passout
    10th 80% 2005 passout
    GRE old-950-289
    Ietls validity expired 6.0 Bands going to retake if u suggest

    Coming to me, i have few negative impacts?
    1. I dont have any work experience after my B.Tech 2011, so its a Gap after my education? This is due to i have tried for Us in 2012 and got rejected twice in dec 2012 for low gre score they suggested..
    Then i have worked for some small company for 10months but the thing is the company has been removed unfortunately so i cant provide u any details letters or anything., then after i have done few courses and trying for job, suddenly i had interest to do Masters so thought of doing work study MS program as consultants suggested, and they guaranteed for i-20 without any gre and ietls, as they said there is no need to take gre and ietls for this work study program and they guarantee my i-20 for Ms in computer science in some average university may be a low ranked..
    My question is with out any prior experience showing a gap of 3.5 years after my B.Tech and without any ietls and Gre score of 289, can i get visa, is there any chances?
    if how much percent can i expect?
    the conusltancy says of having 90% chances but i would like to know form you, because you can suggest without expecting anything from me?
    i will be glad if you sugggest me and help me further..

    Reply
  6. These are a nice set of interview questions, I myself had written about F1 visa interview. But its one fantastic post in this area.

    Reply
  7. hi sir…..i have done my graduation from chandigarh university(p.u) through correspondence….my consultant said that i cannot apply for master degree in USA..so if i will apply for graduation ..can i brin my husband with with on dependent visa?

    Reply
  8. Hello
    Hello

    My VISA interview is on 25th Nov 2015. I have completed my B.E (under-graduate) in Mechanical Engg in 2013 and right now I’m in my final sem of my M.Tech (Master’s Degree) in Advanced Manufacturing Systems. I got admit from University of Bridgeport in Mechanical Engineering (M.S). During my interview if I’m asked why for the second masters degree, how do I answer it? I have seen many people get rejected over this. Please help.
    B.E %= 65%. 5 backlogs
    M.Tech = 64% 4backlogs.
    GRE =296
    TEOFL =87

    Reply
  9. Hello all,
    My wife F1 VISA WAS APPROVED on 24 march 2016, and we got married on 27 march 2016, just after three days of her visa approvel. Her classes will going to start on 16th May 2016, i wants to travel with her on f2 visa. I already have b1/b2 valid visa and travelled in US 3-4 times in last 4 years and returned back on time.
    1) will this be advisable to apply for f2 while she has not travelled yet because we both wants to tavel together.
    2) in case my f2 does not approve will VO cancel my b1/b2 if not can i travel on b1/b2 visa with her.
    3) I am a doctor and running my own clinic.

    please reply as soon as possible….

    Reply
  10. Hello All,

    I gave my interview for MS Computer Science on may 13, 2016.He asked me for I-20 and Passport at first. My I-20 total amount was $33,335. I gave my nice answer to his first question on why ms in us? Later on he asked me who is your sponsor and how much they earn annually? I told him my parents and they earned $32,000 per annually. He than started typing at the computer and pass me sorry. I believe, he encounter me financially weak so he reject my visa. Now I am planning for second interview which is early. Now I am planning to add my grandfather also sponsor and how much amount should I show to qualify financially?

    Help needed.Thanks

    Reply
  11. Hi Sameer ,
    Nice to see you helping the guys with your knowledge and experience . I have no intentions to go abroad for studies but just happened to scroll thru ..
    Great job

    Reply

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