F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

VISA INTERVIEW TIPS

1. Be as NATURAL as you are.
2. DON’T talk with an accent. Just talk how you normally talk. The interviewer
will understand.
3. The Following Q&A’s are only to give you an advice. DO NOT memorize by-
heart and repeat.
4. Dress Well. It’s an interview after all. Don’t over dress. Since you are a
student, dress like one. Don’t go in a business suit! Don’t go in a shorts and
tee as well!
5. Be on time. Be early if possible.
6. Keep all your documents in order and neatly filed.
7. Read all about your university and your course. If the interviewer asks you
something about it, it’s nice if you can answer instead of saying ‘Umm I’m
not sure.’
8. EAT FIRST! Don’t go without eating. The process is going to take a while.
9. Eat well the previous night too. Don’t consume alcohol for at least 24 hours
before the interview.
10. BE CONFIDENT! Don’t bite your nails or fidget around. Stay calm.
 F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

1. What course are you applying for? Why?

Answer to the point. For ‘why’ you can answer as one of the following:

a. I am passionate about that *subject* and want to gain more knowledge in it.
b. There are not many experts in this *field* in India, The knowledge I gained while studying in *college
name* will help me stand out once I return to India.
c. This is an upcoming field, there is a shortage of experts in this field in India, so this will help my career
once I return.

2. Why are you switching fields? (If you are)

3. Why did you choose this university?
Do some research on this, List out the pros of the University.

For example:

a. Their CS department is very reputed; they have many international publications

b. I am a big fan of *this professor* (list out his achievements), I am excited to learn from him.
c. *this university* is well known for research in *your field*.

4. What about scholarships? Did you get any?

Answer to the point. Yes or No.

5. Did you contact any professors? What are their names?

Be honest, don’t lie.

It’s good to know names of your professors, even if you haven’t contacted them.

You can reply as follows: I know *professor name*, he is an expert in *field*, he has many publications. I
haven’t contacted him personally, but I am excited to learn from him.

6. Have you been to the U.S before?

Answer Yes or No.
 F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

7. Why don’t you stay back and study in India?

Again, its good to do a little research on your university, course, and professors.You can answer as following:

For example:

a. *University* has a well known *dept name*, They do a lot of research and have a lot of international
publications. I feel this is a great opportunity for me to learn from these professors.
b. Wanted to get global exposure.
c. Course work for *your field* is far superior in *your university*, compared to what’s available here in
India.

8. What are your plans after graduation?

Never mention: I want to stay in the US and look for a Job.

You can answer as following:

Will come back and take up a job, my degree will help me stand out, and it will be easy for me to get a job here.

9. How many admits did you get? Which universities?

Answer to the point

10. What was your GRE/TOEFL score?

Answer to the point

11. Why is your score low (if you have a low score)?
You can answer as following:

For example:

a. My undergraduate course was very heavy for the final 2 years, so I found it hard to focus on Gre.
b. My focus on *mention project*, this was a great learning experience for me, I was dedicated my entire
time to it.This affected my preparation.

12. Who is sponsoring you?

Answer truthfully.
 F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

13. What is your parent’s annual income?

Answer truthfully.

14. What is your income (If you are working)?

Answer truthfully.

15. How much money will they be providing you with?

Explain your finance, How much of it is the loan and how much of it is your parents/personal money.

16. If your father spends most of his savings on your education, what
about your family’s expenses in India?
You can mention: Apart from the bank balance, your parents have other assets such as property, policies, etc.

17. Your bank statement shows that all the entries have been made
recently. Where did these funds come from suddenly?*****
Answer truthfully.

18. Why does your passbook have only 1 page filled? Is this a new
account?*****
Be honest; You can tell this is the first time you are traveling abroad.

19. What is your tuition fee of the University you want to join?
Answer to the point.

20. What about your living expenses and accommodation fee?

Your i20 shows the entire amount for one year i.e., course fee plus living expenses. You should have arranged
for this money to be in your bank statement before your interview either from your parents or bank loan.

21. Do you have relatives in the U.S? Who?

Answer truthfully.

22. Where is your University located? How will you reach there?
Answer to the point.
 F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

23. What about your accommodation?

Answer to the point.

24. Do you plan to work in the U.S while you study, may be on-
campus?*****
You are legally allowed to work for 20 hours on-campus. You are not allowed to work off-campus.
You can answer as following:
I am not keen on an on-campus job. I want to focus on my course work. I would like to try for a TA or GA.

25. How many members of your family? What do they do?

Answer to the point.

26. So how come you decided to become an Engineer?

You can mention what you like about engineering and people who inspired you do become an engineer.

27. Considering the current U.S economy, why do you want to go

there?
US job market doesn’t have an effect on me; I am only going there to study.I apply what I have learned here in
India.

28. Most applicants like you turn out to be potential immigrants.

What about you? Do you plan to come back to India once you finish
your course?
Yes, there is a huge shortage of skilled labor here in India.There are plenty of well-paying opportunities here for
my qualifications.My entire family is here; I would most definitely come back.

29. Tell me about your grades in your undergraduate course in India?

The answer to the point.Be truthful.

30. If you run out of money in the U.S, what will you do?
I have enough money to cover my course fee and living expenses.So this situation won’t arise.

31. Will your relatives in the U.S give you dollars to help? *****
 F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

No

32. Why do you seem scared and nervous?

Be confident. There is nothing to be scared off.
If they ask you this question, you can answer as follows: No, Officer I am not scared or nervous.I am an
introvert, don’t talk much, maybe that’s why I came across like that.

33. Are your parents supportive of your decision to study in the U.S?
Yes, the are very supportive. They feel it will be a great experience and I can learn a lot.

34. What is your opinion about the U.S?

They have great universities, some of the best research is done here.The best place to study.

35. Will language/communication be a problem for you?

No, English was taught to me since I was 5 years old. All my courses are in English.I also scored well in my
Toefl.

36. Have you visited/browsed through websites related to this

interview?*****
I came across several websites, but since U.S travel docs declared that it’s the official website for visas, I
followed the rules of only that website.

37. Once back, what kind of job will you get in India?
Do your research. Check which jobs you are qualified to get.

38. What salary will you get?

Mention a good salary, say of 1-1.5 lakhs per month.

39. But in U.S you will get more, why don’t you think of taking up a
job there after your education?*****
No, opportunities in India are equally good. I will be qualified to get a well-paying job here. My entire family is
settled here.I wouldn’t want to work in the US.
 F1 Visa Interview Questions and Answers

40. Where are you planning to travel and what locations would you
like to visit in the U.S?*****
I haven’t thought about this.My primary focus will be my course.This will take up most of my time.I might
travel a bit during the sem breaks.But I really haven’t thought about this.