The five primary questions that will be asked during the visa interview
Getting a student visa is not an automatic guarantee as some prospective students might think, so therefore it helps to have knowledgeable staff to help guide you through the process which is why Aunt Elsie’s Homestay program is an ideal candidate to help you understand some of the questions that you will be asked in the interview that could be used to determine whether or not you are granted a student visa.
- Purpose of travel - Is the primary purpose of your travel to pursue a program of study?
- Do you have the capability and intention to be a full-time student living in
the United States? - Do you possess adequate funds to cover all your tuition and living
expenses without taking unauthorized employment? - Do you have sufficiently strong social, economic, and other “ties” to your home country to compel your departure from the United States upon completion of your planned program of study?.
- Are you telling the truth and answering all the questions truthfully?
What you should do to prepare for the Visa Interview
Acquire knowledge of the student visa process. You can get free, accurate information from the U.S. Embassy website in your country. It will give you the specifics of what they will require and expect you to know. For example, you must know when to apply. Visas should be applied for no more than 90 days prior to the expected date of arrival at the University as listed on the I-20 form.
Be prepared. Bring the following to the visa interview: the I-20 form, all school documents, test scores, acceptance letter from the University that you plan to attend, evidence of funding, bank statements, proof of real estate holdings if you have any, your mother and father’s position at home, business card if you work, letters of recommendation for your educational plan, letters from future employers in your home country, and any documents that you feel would help you prove your ties to your home country and intent to return home. Be completely familiar with all information on the
I-20 form, especially the finance information.
Answer the questions the officer asks. Avoid the temptation to memorize and read from a prepared speech. Stick to the facts and know your personal plan or story so that when you speak to the officer it does not come off as being totally rehearsed. Develop your own personal career plan, your story of why you are going to the USA, what you plan to study and why you selected this particular university or college, and what you plan to do in your home country after graduation. Your sincerity and the reasonableness of your plan will be most persuasive to the officer, allowing him or her to see that you are genuinely looking to study and return home to your country after obtaining your degree. The officer is looking for evidence that you have given serious thought to your plans. Do you have ambition with clearly defined goals, and is it believable in the context of your country?
Tell the truth. If the visa officer thinks you are lying, you won’t get a visa. If you don’t know an answer, tell the officer you don’t know. Tell him or her if you don’t understand the question and ask him/her to rephrase it. Language barrier is an issue and they are trained to understand this so don’t be intimidated and afraid to ask. This is not a test; it is an interview. They know that English is your second language and you may be nervous; stumbling over one question is not going to be that disastrous, but one dishonest or faked answer could result in not getting your visa.
Practicing for the Visa Interview. The questions asked by the visa officer will seek to answer the five key questions above. Some may be designed to directly answer those issues, while others are indirect ways of getting an answer.
Look at the five questions and think carefully about how you address them, then write a few paragraphs which answers each of these five questions: sincerely, truthfully, completely, concisely and persuasively. Read the letter out loud to a friend or relative and make corrections where necessary. Read it again until you are satisfied that it makes sense and is sincere. This is your story and if it does not convince them, then it certainly won’t convince the visa officer.
You may or may not have the opportunity to tell some of your story at the interview, depending on the questions being asked. The most important part of the interview is that you respond to the questions asked, and not that you tell your entire life story. Having developed your story, however, you will naturally be able to tell if a question relating to it comes up, which is likely.
Below are some sample questions that are often asked of applicants,
How did you learn about the University?
How many other universities did you apply to?
Why did you choose this particular college or University?
Which school did you graduate from?
Tell me why you want to go to America?
Where do you work now?
How much do you earn now?
What is your academic background and why do your want to pursue this degree?
What is this program?
How is it structured academically and financially?
What is meant by "Internship" on the I-20?
Do you want to work in the U.S.?
What are your resources to pay your university charges?
Why didn't you apply for a graduate program directly after your bachelor’s degree?
Why don't you study for this degree in your home country?
What arrangements have you made for your wife (and children) during your absence?
What will you do after you go back to your home country?
Have you taken GRE, GMAT or ESL? If not, why not?
Have a friend or relative ask you these questions and provide responses.
IMPORTANT: Many international students do not receive their visa after their first interview. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t immediately get the result you desire. You can always try again for another entry date. Best of luck.
Documents to take to your visa interview
International Students
Ten Points to Remember The following ten points are from Gerald A. Wunsch and Martha Wailes and are reprinted from the website of NAFSA: Association of International Educators
http://nafsa.org/resourcelibrary/default.aspx?id=9546
Carefully read all of these points before applying for your student visa.
1. TIES TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY: Under U.S. law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas, such as student visas, are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States. “Ties” to your home countries are the things that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. If you are a prospective undergraduate, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country. Each person’s situation is different and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter that will guarantee visa issuance.
2. DOCUMENTATION: Evidence of sufficient funds to cover expenses as well as evidence of scholastic preparation may be requested. Make sure to include your letter of acceptance from Denison University along with your I-20. If you have immediate family members (parents, siblings) in the U.S., be prepared to explain why they are here and what they are doing in the U.S. It should be immediately clear to the consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy written explanations cannot be read quickly or evaluated. Remember that the interview time is typically less than ten minutes. For additional information, please see the web sites listed on next page.
3. LANGUAGE: Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview, but do not prepare speeches. Americans generally use direct eye contact when communicating so it is advisable to do the same.
4. SPEAK FOR YOURSELF: Do not bring parents or family members with you to the interview. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. A negative impression is created if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf. If you are a minor (under age 18) and need your parents there in case there are questions, for example about funding, they should wait in the waiting room.
5. KNOW THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT FITS YOUR CAREER PLANS: If you are not able to articulate the reasons you will study in a particular program in the United Sates, you may not succeed in convincing the consular officer that you are indeed planning to study, rather than to immigrate. You should also be able to explain how studying in the U. S. relates to your future professional career when you return home. Lastly, be prepared to answer the following question: What will you do if your visa application is denied?
6. BE BRIEF: Because of the volume of applications received, all consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute of the interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers to the officer’s questions short and to the point and remember to speak clearly.
7. NOT ALL COUNTRIES ARE EQUAL: Applicants from countries with a history of terrorist activities may encounter additional scrutiny. Countries suffering economic problems or applicants from countries where students have remained in the U.S. as immigrants may have more difficulty obtaining visas – statistically, applicants from those countries are more likely to be intending to immigrate. If you are from such a country, you may be asked about job opportunities at home after your study in the U.S.
8. EMPLOYMENT: Your main purpose in coming to the United States should be to study, not for the chance to work after graduation. While a number of students do work over the course of their studies, such employment requires authorization and is incidental to the main purpose of completing their U.S. education. You must be able to clearly articulate your plan to return home at the end of your program.
9. APPLY IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY: Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.
10. MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are denied a student visa, request the reason you were denied in writing and ask the officer for a list of documents to bring in order to overcome the denial.
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