STUDENT VISA INTERVIEW TIPS

BY DUSTIN CASSELL

(Director of international student services at ECPI UNIVERSITY)

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - Thomas A. Edison As a Designated School Official, many prospective international students often ask how they should respond to various visa interview questions. As an international student advisor, I often hesitate or refuse to give direct answers. The reason is simple: there are no universal answers. That is, no magic words will enable a person to get the visa, as the answers to each question are largely subjective. For example, if a student is asked, “Why did you choose XYZ University?” one student’s answer may be because of affordable tuition or program curriculum, while another student’s answer may involve the school’s strong international presence and prospects upon graduation. However, giving vague answers like "it is the best university in the USA," or "because the US is a beautiful country" will probably get you rejected. So be specific. 

Two students could have the same answers for the same questions, yet one may be granted the visa, the other denied. Online, students can find hundreds of sample questions and answers. However, memorizing another student’s answers or an excerpt from the university website will never work during a visa interview. These online samples are also often very incomplete and unreliable. In addition, the VISA officer does not want to hear something he or she can read off of a university website. So, don’t just repeat things like the accreditation of the school or its founding history. These say nothing about why "you" want to study at the school. But, if there are no universally correct answers, how should a student respond? The correct response to this question is to answer confidently, honestly, and truthfully. Being dishonest will end in the result of your visa being denied. In the United States, there are over 7,000 colleges and universities, and 17 million students are enrolled—over 800,000 of which are F1-visa students. As such, not every school is right for every student; students need to find their niche. Each student has a history and a story to tell. Your story should influence your answers during your visa interview. That is, the more authentic your answers, the better you’ll do in the interview. Be proud of who you are, the school you want to attend, and where you are going in life! It will show in the interview, and as a result you have a better chance at success. Before making your final decision on which school to apply for a visa at, make sure the university is accredited. Accreditation is important as most employers and other universities do not recognize non-accredited schools. To ensure that a university is accredited, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ and simply search for the school. If you need more insight into the school to make your final decision, ask your advisor for information on how to reach the International Student Association (if the school has one). It should be noted that if a student has applied for a school, but then changes his or her mind before departing for the US, he or she must apply for a new visa as required by 8 CFR 214.2(f)(1)(C). More information on transfer procedures can be found at https://www.ice.gov/sevis/f1-transfers. One final resource for prospective students is EducationUSA, which is a global network of more than 400 advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. I highly recommend consulting if you are confused about the process! If you are still worried, many consulates provide video overviews of the process along with things to do, and not to do. You can review some of these videos below (special thanks to NAFSA for providing this list during a conference): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzZOvF1EEXE (3:09) - London, U.K. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V43ixYSkH5g (4:51) - Hyderabad, India http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S44BrSsmu5A (4:09) - Hyderabad, India http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neiM4T-kPjU (3:52) - Amman, Jordan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2HD5k4Hcqs (7:01) - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHACg4R9N5o (7:04) - Kingston, Jamaica http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kc_lHW5Qjc (8:29) - Delhi, India NAFSA has also written an excellent guide, called “10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa.” The most common reason students are denied the student visa is under section 214(b): “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.” Other possible reasons for denial can be found at http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/denials.html. Before your interview, make sure to do the following: Complete DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4230.html). Pay SEVIS fee (www.fmjfee.com)‎ Schedule your visa interview (http://www.usembassy.gov) Remember: you can apply for your F1-visa up to 120 days before the start date on your Form I-20. Although you will likely not be asked to submit documents during the interview, I’ve heard of many cases where students are requested to submit items such as test scores, financial documents, etc. As such, I usually recommend that students bring the following documents (this list may not cover all items that may be requested): Passport Acceptance Letter Proof of Financial Support Form I-20 Proof of SEVIS Fee Payment (Form I-901) Printed DS-160 application confirmation page English Test Results, GRE, GMAT scores, or any other test results required by your school (if available) Copies of any personal (or parent’s) property or business ownerships, and financial or other documents that can demonstrate having strong ties to your home country Finally: Try not be nervous Understand your plan of study and the information about your school Know your plan after graduation Be able to answer where you’ll live (city, state, with friend or relative, homestay, etc.) Dress appropriately (as if you were going to a job interview) Most importantly: Be honest Be confident Smile