USA STUDENT VISA INTERVIEW

I Confidence I Communication I Clarity I

Top 50 F1 Visa questions

1. Why are you going to US?

This is a straight forward question and nearly 90% of students get this question as a starter. So
how can you provide yourself a good start? Be confident and look into VO eyes before
Answering. Don’t rush for answers. It’s ok to take 2 sec’s before you can answer. A good Answer
would be.

2. This subjects are taught in India why specifically US?

Before you answer this question you need to know more about your university and your
Program you are planning to attend. Browse through the university website and you will find
Answer. Your answer should be mid-level technical answer. In other words, your answer should
Include technical details to a level that VO will understand. Make sure you don’t give too many
Details or talk too much. The best answer would be

3. Which universities accepted you?

Try to give 3-4 universities. Don’t say this is the only one I got. Also don’t give any information
on universities that you got rejected unless asked.

4. Where did you complete your Bachelor’s degree?

Just tell where you graduated from. Again don’t get excited and talk about your percentage and
how great you did in bachelors. The best answer would be

5. What is your Percentage?

Give decimal. This will give an impression to VO that you are precise.

6. Tell me about the university you are going?

Obviously, you need to know good things about your university. Giving statistics will certainly
Impress VO

7. Mention some professor’s names?

Always mention “DR” before name and tell professors full name as Dr. John Smith.
8. When did you get your bachelor’s degree?
This should be good. Again please keep in mind, if you are a talkative person this is not the place to
talk too much…Give answer in 1 line unless asked to explain.

9. Why did you select this university over other universities?

You should give at least 4 strong reasons.2-3 will not be sufficient. You should be loud enough when
you communicate with VO. That will show that you are confident. Not too loud.

10. How long will you study in USA?

For masters usually it’s 2 years. You should see duration of course in I-20.Tell exactly the month
and year.
If you are undergrad “Till May 2014”
For PhD the time varies from 3-5 years depending on reseach.4 years would be ideal.

11. Where did you hear about this university?

Any of the 3 answers would be good. Please provide only 1 line answer as much as possible.

12. What is your academic background?

Any of the 3 answers would be good. Please provide only 1 line answer as much as possible.

13. Do you plan to study PhD D after MS?

Say “YES” if you are planning for a PhD or “NO” if you are not. Your answer should be in a single
line. Try to avoid single word answers like ‘YES” and “NO”. Your answer should be.

14. Why did you apply to these universities?

To answer this question you need know more about universities that you applied. Scan through
University website and you will find strong answers. Always give at least 3-4 good reasons.

15. Who is sponsoring you?

Only 1 line answer.

16. What does your father do?

It’s ok to tell where he working.

17. What is your father’s income?

Try to be precise. This will tell VO that you are prepared.

18. What is your university yearly expense?

Give the exact number as in I-20. Always say the figure for a year

19. Have you got any loans?

Say “YES” if you got one or “NO” IF doesn’t have.

20. Show your Pass Book/ Bank Statement?

Show your passbook. Your passbook should have sufficient number of transactions and
Recommended bank statement amount is 1.28 * yearly expenses in I-20.

21. How will you finance your education?

Carry documents related to loans. Loan application not accepted. Loans should be approved and
should be ready to use

22. Your passbook shows that a large amount of money has recently been deposited?
How do you explain that?

You should carry documentary evidence to prove whatever you are saying.

23. What is your father’s salary? / How long has he been working here?

24. How many brother and sisters do you have?

Be precise. Include whether they are elder or younger in your answer. Don’t just say 2 brothers
and 1 sister.

25. Do you have any relatives in USA?

Say “YES” if you have any relatives or “NO” if you don’t have one.

• YES I have a distant cousin in Seattle working with Microsoft.

• NO I am the first one to study in US in my family
I have 2 brothers in New York and a sister working in Microsoft is way too much. So avoid such
Answers
.
Please note more relatives and siblings already settled in US implies that you “MAY” also settle in
US, that might lead to 214(b) potential immigrant.

26. What is your mother?

Keep it simple.

27. Where did your brothers/sisters complete their studies?

If your siblings have completed any of their degree in US. Then

My elder brother completed his MS from University of Alabama now he is assisting my dad in His
business here.

The idea is to turn the negative scenario to your favor. Even though your brother completed
Studies in US he returned back to his country, which is a good thing.

28. Where do your parents live?

29. Do you have a brother/ sister, or any other relative already at this university?

30. Why are you leaving you current job? (if you are working)

31. Show your experience certificate?

32. Are you planning to work after graduation?

The best answer would be

“YES” I am planning to work for 1year during my OPT before I return to my country.
(This is a honest answer and make sure you use the word during my OPT period which is F1
Status)

Avoid giving answers like this.

“NO” I will return back to my country after my graduation (even though you may...it will create
skeptism in VO’s mind)

“NO” I planning to work for 2-5 years before I return to my country (The goal of F1 visa is only to
study in US. If you have plans to work after graduation...your intention is clear to VO)

33. How a US degree will help you to find a job here?

34. What kind of good things do you know about America?

3 things should be good enough.

35. What do you expect after returning back?

Any strong 2 line positive statement would be good.

36. Why do you plan to do MS?

37. Why are your GRE/ TOEFL scores low?

Don’t give a lame excuse. Make sure you include that you are learning from the mistakes that
you have done. The last line is critical to this answer.

38. You look like a potential immigrant or I don’t think you will come back?

VO is trying to stir what you think. So take a 2-3 sec breath. Don’t panic. You just have to give a
Strong reason that you will come back after your studies. 2 lines should be sufficient. Don’t extend
your answer and talk too much.

39. What do you know about US education?

You need to give at least 2-3 strong information about US.

40. Why are you applying for Fall / Spring only?

41. What will you do after completing MS? What are your plans after graduation?

VO is asking for short term goals in this question. Use similar goals in your field.

42. Did you get any scholarship?

43. Tell me how you can prove that you are going to come back?

Same as answer 38

VO is trying to stir what you think. So take a 2-3 sec breath. Don’t panic. You just have to give a
strong reason that you will come back after your studies.

2 lines should be sufficient. Don’t extend your answer and talk too much.

44. Have you ever been to US?

45. What will you do after coming back?

Same as answer 41

46. Do you know anyone in your university?

47. What will you do if your visa is rejected?

Again don’t panic. He just likes to know what your plan is if your visa is rejected. Take 2 -3 sec’s
before answering. Look into VO’s eyes and answer confidently.

48. Will you come home during summer?

49. Why do you think the university is giving you a scholarship?

50. Why did you change your field from Electrical Engg to Computer science?

Do’s & Don’ts during F1 interview

Before I write on tips, let me brief you how important is one’s body language during F1 Interview especially
when you stand at the front of the line and you are expecting you to be called. When you stand at the front of
the line, there will be 4-5 counters where interview will be going on. You can be called from any of the
counters. VO will look into you before you are called. It’s really important you maintain good body language.
Body confidence doesn’t come overnight. It should be developed overtime. However, nearly 90% of students
don’t possess right body language. At least try to develop these habits a month before you go for interview.
Following these tips on the interview day will make you look artificial, so practice well in advance. Here are
few tips to show body confidence.

No.8 Avoid your pockets

The first tip on our list is to keep your hands out of your pockets while standing in line before you are called
by VO. We put our hands in our pockets when we’re uncomfortable or unsure of ourselves. And as long as you
have your hands stuffed down your pant, that’s how other people will view you.