How to answer visa interview questions

No matter how many times you got interviews, it is hard to get comfortable with having an interview. Especially, international students feel nervous when it comes to the visa interview since you have to answer in a different language than your mother tongue and it is the moment that will determine your academic plan in the near future. From the perspective which every visa applicants’ situation is different, there is no right and wrong answer. However, it is important to note that there are certain things that consular officers would like to check off by asking questions. In this light, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which is one of the largest international education associations in the United States, provides 10 points to remember when applying for a non-immigrant visa. Visa applicants who are aware of these 10 points can better answer the visa interview questions which will increase the change to get approved for nonimmigrant visas. Therefore, if you are applying for a visa interview, make sure you have a thorough look at 10 points below. At the end of the blog post, you will have a better idea of what you need to emphasize during the visa interview.

Contents

1. Ties to your home country
2. English
3. Speak for your self
4. Dependents remaining at home
5. Know the program & How it fits your career plans
6. Be brief and maintain a positive attitude
7. Supporting documentation
8. Employment
9. Different requirements for different countries
10. Other special considerations

1. Ties to your home country

No matter you want to work or stay in the United States after graduation, you need to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country. This is because all applicants for nonimmigrant visas that include student visas are viewed as intending immigrants under U.S. law, until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. Therefore, nonimmigrant visa applicants should show that their intention to return to their home countries is stronger than those of remaining in the United States.

Below are examples of “ties” to your home countries that bind you to your hometown, homeland, or current place of residence:

• Job
• (Immediate) family
• Financial prospects that you own or will inherit
• Investments

The State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual [9 FAM 402.5-5(E)] reinforces this point as well. Therefore, if consular officers ask your future plans, make sure you show your intention to go back to your country upon the successful completion of the program.

a. (U) An applicant applying for a student visa under INA 101(a)(15)(F)(i) or INA 101(a)(15)(M)(i) must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for a student visa:

(1)  (U) Acceptance at a school as evidenced by a Form I-20 (see 9 FAM 402.5-4(B) above and 402.5-5(D) below);

(2)  (U) Intent to enter the United States solely for the purpose of pursuing a full course of study at an approved institution;

(3)  (U) Present intent to leave the United States at conclusion of approved activities (see 9 FAM 402.5-5(E) below);

(4)  (U) Possession of sufficient funds to meet the individual’s financial needs (see 9 FAM 402.5-5(G) below); and

(5)  (U) Preparation for course of study (see 9 FAM 402.5-5(H) below).

b. (U) If an applicant fails to meet one or more of the above criteria, the appropriate ground of refusal is INA 214(b).

2. English

Consular officers will ask you visa interview questions in English and not in your native language. In this spirit, be prepared to answer in English. You can expect to get questions about your plans for studying in the United States and beyond, your goals, and your ties to your home country. That being said, do not prepare the whole speech, rather expect to have an interactive communication with the officer.

If you are admitted to study Intensive English program, be prepared to explain how learning English will be useful for you in your home country.

3. Speak for yourself

Although visa applicants usually take the visa interview by themselves, minor students might need to accompany their parents. In this case, except the visa interview questions which parents need to answer such as funding/ finances related questions, students need to speak on their own. Also, NAFSA recommends to “check with the consulate about the consulate’s waiting area and any special rules or procedures for non-applicant family members to accompany a visa applicant.”

4. Dependents remaining at home

This visa interview question is applicable for students who plan to leave their dependents in their home countries. In this scenario, the student should make sure to explain how dependents are going to be supported themselves. This will prevent consular officers from having impression that you will earn during your study and support your family.

5. Know the program & how it fits your career plans

“How studying in the United States relates to your career goals and employment prospects when you return home?” It is one of the basic yet important student visa interview questions. Along with the first point; ties to your home country, the visa applicant should explain why she/he would like to study, rather than work, in a particular program in the United States. If you are going to be enrolled in the graduate program, be prepared to talk about your research plan. This answer will help the consular officer to understand the purpose of your stay in the United States and grant you the visa.

Please note that Chinese students who intend to enroll in “Military civil fusion technology” at the Master’s level cannot get the visa. Details can be found below.

Related blog post: Chinese students and researchers visa ban by Trump

6. Be brief and maintain a positive attitude

As consulate officers need to conduct lots of visa interviews a day, all consular officers are under considerable time pressure to do a quick interview. In other words, officers make a decision in a short time of period, allegedly 2~3 minutes. Thus, NAFSA recommends keeping “your answers to the officer’s questions short and to the point, responding precisely to the consular officer’s questions and statements.”

Even if you are denied a student visa, “ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring to overcome the denial and try to get the reason you were denied in writing,” rather than having an argument with the officer.

7. Supporting documentation

It is important to be ready with the required documents and provide them upon the request by the consular officer. Please refer to the related blog post for the required documents.

Related blog post: F1 visa interview wait time and what to bring

8. Employment

Understanding the visa regulations and laws for non immigrant students is important. While many students work on- or off-campus during their studies, the main purpose of coming to the U.S. should completing the academic program.

Your main purpose in coming to the United States should be to study, rather than for the chance to work before or after graduation.

It is also important to remember that “F-2 dependents cannot, under any circumstances, be employed in the United States.” In this light, be prepared to answer possible questions like “What you spouse is going to do while staying in the United States.” U.S. immigration allows dependents to volunteer in the community and attend school part-time for recreational purposes.

9. Different requirements for different countries

Visa applicants can check the average Visa Appointment and Processing Wait Times from Visa Appointment Wait Times by Travel.state.gov. It is also important to understand that the visa approval rate is different depends on the country. Therefore, NAFSA guides students to “review your country’s specific requirements on the U.S. consulate’s website.” Google ‘U.S. embassy in (your city)’ and check required documents and things to be mindful before you go for the interview.

10. Other special considerations

Some students may experience delays in obtaining a visa because of “administrative processing.” NAFSA explains that “this commonly occurs if your name is similar to another individual and the consulate needs to check with other government agencies about your status or background. It may also happen when your area of study is thought to be in a field of sensitive or critical technology, or your faculty advisor is working with sensitive research materials. Some consular officers may even require additional letters from program directors or academic advisers explaining the specific type of research the student will be involved in and what kind of access to sensitive technology the student will have.” If you encounter with this issue or if you are unsure whether this applies to your situation, check with your specific U.S. embassy or consulate.