Tips for your visit to the American embassy to secure your visa
Think through why you want to need to go to school. What is your real motivation (this is what the officers at the Consulate are trying to determine)? Is it to go to school or to come to the states? Remember Consulate Officials are well trained, they listen to what you are saying, and what you are not saying. The questions that you will be asked begin with "How" or "Why" in most cases.
I. Outline your career goals. You have to believe in what you are doing. They will want to know!
- How will this benefit you?
- Why have you chosen this particular field?
II. Are you planning to return? To prepare for this question you must:
- Believe in your country!
- Know your reasons for returning (you may have to show proof)!
- Be very clear on how your chosen field will benefit your career and life - don't give outlandish, unreasonable answers.
Your interview could be 5-10 minutes or 30 minutes!
- Make sure your documents are in order
- Have all the documents the officer would request with you
- Do not use forged documents
- Dress well
- Be confident
- Look your interviewer in the eye
- Listen to the question and make sure you understand, before you answer it!
- Ask to have the question repeated if necessary.
- Answer clearly and in short sentences. You don't have to volunteer extra information; you only have to answer the question!
- Remember that the Counsel officials are not there are frustrate your efforts, they are merely looking for this people who are not genuinely seeking entry to the US for school.
How to answer the questions
- Don't give lengthy answers
- Don't give unsolicited information (i.e. I have 2 brothers in Chicago!)
- Relax
- Don't give more information than is required. Answers questions truthfully. But you don't have to go into a lot of detail.
- Answer confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions - Student Visas
1. I am a foreign student currently studying in the U.S. I want to travel outside the U.S., do I need any special documents to re-enter the United States?
Returning students may re-enter the U.S. on their valid F-1 visa as long as they have a valid I-20 with a SEVIS number even if the SEVIS number does not match the number on their visa. The immigration officers at the port of entry will check their system to make sure that the I-20 is valid. The only reason a student should need a new visa is if they're old visa has expired.
2. Does my I-20 need to be sealed in an envelope?
No, your I-20 does not need to be sealed in an envelope. However, you have to make sure that you carry the I-20 when you travel, as you have to show it to the immigration officer at the port of entry in order to be admitted in to the U.S.
3. Is it required that I pay the first year tuition expenses in advance and show a receipt from the university?
No - paying the tuition expenses in advance is a good way to show proof of funds, but it is NOT a requirement to pay in advance.
4. What documents should I show to prove that I could pay for my education in the U.S.?
Remember: though documents may assist you in your interview, the Consular Officer relies primarily on the interview to determine your eligibility for a visa, and only minimally on supporting documents As for the documents you do submit with your application, there are no specific documents that prove a student is able to pay for his/her education. Bank account statements, pay slips, income tax return statements, employment letters, property documents and chartered accountant statements are the most common documents used to show proof of funds. However, these are only suggested documents. A visa is not assured if you have any or all of these documents.
5. How do I prove that I can afford to attend school in the United States?
U.S. regulations are quite clear: the applicant/sponsor must be able to explain to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer that he/she has sufficient funds to cover the first year, plus a continuing source of funds to cover subsequent years. Part 7 on the I-20 shows the amount of funding you must have available to cover each year's expenses. The total amount includes tuition and fees, living expenses, expenses of dependents (if applicable), and other expenses. You must prove that you have immediate funds available to cover the first year's expenses, and access to funds to cover the remaining years of study. For example, if you are a prospective Master's student for a two-year program, and the total cost includes $5,000 for tuition and fees, $5,000 for living expenses, and $500 for other expenses (books and supplies, for instance), then you must prove that $10,500 is immediately available to you. Additionally, you must show that another $10,500 is or will likely be available to cover the second year.
6. What if my university does not require that I take the TOEFL or GRE?
Students whose prospective university does not require that they take the TOEFL or GRE should provide a letter from the university stating the same. However, the Consulate strongly recommends that all student visa applicants provide standardized test scores.
7. What if I have not yet received my degree certificate? May I still apply?
Yes - you may still apply, but please be sure to include your mark sheets and provisional certificate if available.
8. I have taken a loan from a bank to cover my tuition. Do I still need to show other financial documents?
You must prove that funds are immediately available to cover the first year's costs, and show evidence that funds will be available for all subsequent years. Any financial documentation you provide should be in support of this. This applies to ALL student visa applicants.
9. I have a valid H4 visa and I have got admission in to a college. Can I use the Drop Box facility?
No, as you are a first time student visa applicant applying for an F-1 visa you must use the website www.vfs-usa.co.o schedule an appointment and appear for the personal interview.
10. Can a person on a visitor visa, if he gets admission to a school and gets an I-20, change his status to student?
No. Previously, U.S. law permitted persons entering on tourist, B-2 visas to change status to F-1 visas. That is no longer the case. A non-immigrant wishing to study in the U.S. must apply from their country of origin or residence if they wish to study in the U.S. on an F-1 visa
11. What is the SEVIS system and how does it affect me?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program requires schools to verify the enrollment status of all continuing and new foreign students.
For most students and exchange visitors, the SEVIS system should not affect either their ability to qualify for a visa, or the time it takes to process their case.
All I-20 forms for students and DS-2019 forms for exchange visitors now have SEVIS information printed on the forms. These new forms are printed on a single sheet of paper and have a large black bar code down the top right hand side of the form. For more information on SEVIS, click here: SEVIS Fact Sheet or contact the Foreign Student Advisor at your U.S. school.
12. I am planning to study sensitive technologies; will I experience delays with my visa application?
Possibly. Students, exchange visitors and foreign scientists who apply for a non-immigrant visa to work with or study sensitive technologies have been subjected to inter-agency security review procedures since 1998. These review procedures require the names of these applicants to be checked through law enforcement, intelligence and other federal agencies before a visa can be issued to an otherwise qualified applicant.
We are working with the involved agencies to achieve quicker processing of the applicants subject to these procedures, without compromising national security. Visas continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
US Consulate GENERAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1) Why only US?
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2) Why only this University?
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3) Tell me about your specialization?
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4) How many universities did you apply?
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5) How did you apply to the Universities?
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6) How many I-20's did you receive?
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7) What's your father?
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8) What's your father's annual income?
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9) How many brothers and sisters do you have?
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10) Do you have any friends and relatives in the US?
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11) Why less scores in Toefl and Gre?
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12) Will you come back to India?
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13) When will you come back to India?
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14) What are the future prospects of your specialization in India?
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15) Tell me one or two professors name fro the US universities?
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16) Tell me the climatic conditions at your university?
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17) What will you do if I reject your Visa?
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