18 October
Did you know that according to the Bureau of Immigration(BoI), 1,33,135 Indian students have departed the country for academic pursuits,by 20th March 2022. If you are planning to study overseas, too, youwill have to appear for an interview for a student visa. So, after gettingthrough the college admission process, you can apply for a visa. A visainterview is part of the process, and once you clear it, you can fly abroadwith a valid visa. If you want to know some tips to pass the student visainterview effectively, we are here to help you!
KeyHighlights
- What are common F-1 visa interview questions?
- Dos of student visa interview questions
üPractice the English language
üKeep paperwork ready
üProofs of financial documents
üKeep answers precise
üFirst impression counts
üBe calm and maintain a positiveattitude
- Don’ts of visa interview
What are common F-1 visa interviewquestions?
The visa officers will ask F1 visa questions about yourstudy plans, university choice, academic qualification, financial status and careerplans. Kindly note that authorities want to understand if you are genuinelyinterested in studying overseas.
Dos of the student visa interview
Practice the English language – Speaking fluently duringthe interview is the best way to convince the visa officers that you cancommunicate and understand the academic lectures in English. This is why manyuniversities have made English language proficiency tests such as IELTS andTOEFL mandatory. Hence, devote time to polish your grammar and vocabulary sothat you can clearly understand the questions and answer them confidently.
Keep paperwork ready –Organise therelevant documents in one folder so that you can show them to visa officers asand when asked by them without wasting time. The list of relevant documentsincludes a passport, passport-sized photographs, academic transcripts,standardised test scores, university acceptance letter, and health insurance,to name a few.
Financial documents – The officers specificallycheck for financial documents during the visa interview to ensure that you havethe necessary funds to pay for tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, etc.,in a foreign land. If you are facinga financial crunch, you can avail an education loanfor study abroad purpose. Applying for the loan and obtaining a proof of fundscertificate beforehand will help in convincing the authorities that you canfinance your education independently.
Keep answers precise – The visa officers haveto interview scores of applicants in a day. So, you have a limited time toimpress them. Hence, give concise and to-the-point answers. Giving short answersconveys clarity of thoughts and saves time also.
First impression counts – “First impression isthe last impression” is an adage that still holds importance today. Thus, createa positive impression on the visa officers by following these tips:
- Be punctual and try to arrive at the embassy 30 minutes before the interview.
- Wear well-ironed formal clothes on the day of the interview.
- Speak slowly and clearly. Do not hesitate to ask a question again if you are unable to understand it.
- Maintain an eye-contact with the interviewer.
- Prepare yourself well by gathering information about your college, course duration, commencement and end date, etc.
Be calm and maintain a positiveattitude – The final tip to clear visainterview questions for students isto maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview. Wear a smile while entering the interview room, maintain aconfident posture and do not forget to say “thank you” after the interview getsover. Keep yourself calm and composed while answering the questions.
Don’ts of visa interview
- Don’t make silly mistakes while filling out the visa application form. To ensure an error-free application process, double-check all the information before submission.
- Sharing false information leads to visa rejection. Therefore, do not lie during your visa interview.
- Do not sound like a potential immigrant. State clearly that you are moving abroad for educational and not residential purposes and are willing to return to your home country after completing the course.
- Avoid mugging up questions and answers for the student visa interview. If you chant the scripted replies, the authorities may lose interest which can prove to be super risky.
- Avoid rambling and sharing personal stories or too much information.
So, these are some of thetips and tricks that will help you to crack a student visa interview. If a lackof finances is bothering you, contact Avanse Financial Services to obtaincustomised education loans. We are happy to help in your academic journey todayand always!
