F1 US Visa question and answer

Are you anxious about an upcoming F1 US Visa interview? Applying for admission is usually not so challenging, as long as you meet the requirements however, navigating the F1 US Visa interview session can be quite daunting, making you anxious and naive. Well, I need you to know that you are not alone. This blog reveals US Visa question and answer so you’re better equipped and confident enough to confront the interview stage of your Visa application.

Having had years of travel experience, I’m well aware of the importance of thorough preparation before an interview with the US consulate. As an authority in the travel sector, I guarantee you that at the end of this blog post, you will have answers to frequent questions you may be faced with during your interview.

Are you set to learn F1 Visa interview hacks? Without any further ado, let’s dive right in.

Before going into proper questions, the consulate will likely ask questions to make you comfortable. This is intended to help you calm down before going into the serious questions. Some of these preambles can be a comment about what’s going on in the environment like the weather, the number of people at the embassy for the interview, etc.

Going to the serious part of the interview, here are some of the questions you’re likely to get asked at the US consulate:

Question 1 – Why do you want to study in the US?

The interviewer asks this question to determine how motivated you are to study in the US. A rule of thumb is to point out the opportunities that come along with studying in the US, such as studying in an institution among the top 100 in the world, having access to the best research facilities, and connecting with international students from all over the world. Also, highlight how studying in the US aligns with your career goals. Emphasize your intention to use the knowledge and skills gained from your study to contribute positively to your sector in your home country, when you return from the US.

Question 2 – What do you intend to study?

This requires a pretty straightforward answer. Simply respond with your field of study and the program you intend to study. Don’t overthink this, don’t make it more than what it is. It’s a direct question that requires a direct answer. Keep in mind that the time allotted for the interview lasts for 3-4 minutes on average.

For instance, if you major in chemical engineering, simply say something like – “I intend to pursue a Master’s degree in chemical engineering at Howard University.”.

Question 3 – Why don’t you study this course in your home country?

This question requires you to point out the specific advantages of studying in the US for your program, such as outstanding facilities for research, renowned faculty members, a diverse learning environment that will allow you to learn from different perspectives, and so on. If you’re aware of a recognized personality, such as a Nobel prize-winning professor in your department, mention the name. Also, if your course is not offered or recognized in your home country, that’s a very good point. Don’t fail to mention it.

Additionally, talk about studying in the US exposing you to opportunities globally, which may not be the case if you study in your home country.

Question 4 – Is this your first time in the US?

Provide an honest and straightforward response to this. Don’t even consider lying. If you have been to the US in the past, state clearly that you have. You can also include the reasons why you were in the US previously, whether it was for vacation, tourism, business, or other reasons. If you haven’t been to the US previously, your answer can be something simple like – “I haven’t been to the US before. This will be my first time.”.

If you have been to the US previously, this can be leveraged to prove that you don’t intend to stay in the US after your studies. By showing a history of complying with your visa, you can further strengthen your intent to return.

Question 5 – What were your test scores?

This question refers to your scores in tests like the TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, etc. This is a good time to mention that you MUST have essential documents including your test scores handy at the interview, and they should be arranged properly such that you can get them in as little time as possible.

When asked this question, share the tests that you took and your scores for the test. Only provide the required documents if you are asked for them, but be prepared to provide them. Here’s an example response – “I wrote the IELTS exams and scored XYZ. I also took the SAT and scored XYZ.”. A concise response such as this would suffice.

Question 6 – Where is your prospective school located?

Respond to this by stating the name of your school alongside the city, and state. For instance, “My school, Howard University, is located in Washington D.C, United States”. You can also chip in additional information about the city, such as renowned landmarks if any, or features of the city that makes it an attractive study environment for you. In the case of Howard University, you can mention that Wahington D.C is the capital of the United States and also where the White House is situated.

This shows the interviewer that you’ve done your research about your school’s location, showing your genuine intent to study in the US.

Question 7 – How many Universities did you apply to?

When faced with this question, respond concisely and honestly with the number of Universities you applied to. The question says “How many”, so your answer can be as simple as – “I applied to six Universities”. Do not provide additional details like the names of the schools you applied to, unless you are specifically asked for more details.

Question 8 – How good is your English?

This is a good chance to reiterate your IELTS and TOEFL scores to the Visa officer if you had good results. If you studied in English at your previous institution, this will be a good time to highlight this. Here’s an example response you can model for this question – “I have good proficiency in English. I studied in English for my Bachelor’s degree and had XYZ results in my IELTS assessment. In addition, English is my major language of communication for different aspects of my life, including work, and everyday interactions.

If your English is not great, still share your English proficiency scores, as you must have met minimum proficiency requirements before regaining admission. In addition, you can tell the visa officer that you plan to improve your command of English by joining an International community when you get to the United States.

Question 9 – Can you share your University or High School transcript?

To re-emphasize, you must go to this interview with your documents including your academic transcript, form DS-160 confirmation page, SEVIS form I-20, passport, visa application receipt, test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, etc), home ties documents, and other necessary documents (all documents required will be outlined later in this blog). All documents should be arranged properly for easy access in case you’re asked to present them.

Question 10 – How do you intend to fund your education?

Before going into how to answer this question, it’s important to point out that you MUST not mention anything about earning money in the United States by getting a job while you study, even if you have such plans. Remember, you don’t want to give an iota of the impression that you would like to remain in the US to work after studying.

Respond to this question by highlighting the cost of your tuition, and your plan to cover the cost. Mention your funding source which may be sponsorship from a family member, scholarships, study loans, personal savings, etc. Be sure to back any source mentioned with documentation like bank statements, scholarship letters, sponsorship agreements, etc.

Question 11 – What is the profession of your sponsor?

If someone is sponsoring your study in the United States, the visa officer will likely ask this question. The intention is to determine if your sponsor can indeed fund your study and to determine their commitment to funding your study in the US. It’s necessary to know about your sponsor’s professional life such as their occupation, where their office is located as well as other necessary details. If your sponsor has a business, this can also be mentioned.

Here’s an example response you can personalize – My sponsor works as a (PROFESSION) at (ORGANIZATION).

Question 12 – Do you intend to work while studying?

During your study in the US, your F1 student visa allows you to work for 20 hours every week while the school is in session and more hours when the school is on breaks, however, you need to be very careful with how you approach answering this question, especially if you intend to work during your study.

Emphasize that you’re aware that your primary purpose for travel is to study in the US and that you will be committed to that. If you intend to work while you study, you can mention that you will explore only on-campus options within the limits of your F1 VISA, to have a wholesome study experience and gain relevant experience related to your field of study.

Question 13 – Do you have relatives or friends in the US?

This question is direct and demands your honesty. So be straightforward and tell the visa officer if you have any friends in the US. Related questions such as how long they have been working and their address may be asked so, contact your friends/relatives to know these details if you have any, before the interview.

Question 14 – Do you have a job or career in mind after you graduate?

The F1 Visa is a non-immigrant hence, at this point, you MUST stress that you have a career in mind however, you intend to use the knowledge and skills gained during your study in the US to impact your home country.

Here’s an answer you can model – “I have a career in mind when I conclude my study in the US. After graduating from Howard University, I intend to return to my home country and explore data analyst opportunities in the Oil and Gas sector. My goal is to leverage the knowledge and experience gained from my study to contribute positively to the Oil and Gas sector in Kenya”. This shows you are passionate about your study program and demonstrates a clear intent to leave the US after your study.

Question 15 – Do you plan to return to your home country after completing your studies?

No matter what your intention is, state in clear terms that you intend to return to your home country after study. Emphasize this point by highlighting home ties you have which may include:

a husband or child in your home country.
landed property
a business
evidence of job opportunities or career plans in your home country

The Visa officer needs to see your commitment to returning to your home country after study so don’t give him a reason to doubt this for a moment.

What documents do I need for F1 visa interview?

When preparing for a visa interview, you need to prepare the documents you will take along with you. These documents can be requested at any point during the interview and you want to be prepared to hand them over once requested. A few have been mentioned during the course, however, here are all the documents you need to take along with you for this interview:

A valid international passport: This must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay.
SEVIS form I-20: Your school in the US will issue this to you. It verifies your acceptance to the school.
Visa interview appointment letter confirmation
Form DS-160 confirmation page: This is your non-immigrant visa application which must be completed and submitted before the interview Go to the interview with a printed copy of the confirmation page which usually has a barcode.
Visa application fee receipt: Proof of payment for your visa application
Proof of funds: These are documents that show how you intend to fund your study as well as other expenses, including bank statements, sponsorship letters, or any other document required for this purpose.
Academic transcripts
Test scores: This includes results from TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and GMAT assessments.
Proof of home ties: Documents that will help demonstrate intent to return to your home country, such as property ownership documents, family documents like marriage certificates, etc.
Additional documents: Any other supporting document that will strengthen your case should be carried along to your interview.

These sound like a lot of documents right? Well, they are all essential to proving your qualifications and financial stability which increases your chances of getting approval. It’s important to arrange these documents in an ordered format so you’re not scrambling when they are requested.

What Not to Say During US Visa Interview?

When you approach the Visa for your interview, they are usually thinking of three things:

Are you a serious student

Are you financially equipped to study in the U.S.?

Are you prepared to succeed in your studies?

Udeti Visa

During your interview with the visa officer, certain things MUST not be said, to convince the visa officer that you check these 3 boxes. To ensure that you get your visa approved, don’t say the following:

Don’t use salutations like Sir or Ma’am repeatedly during your interview: It’s okay to do this a couple of times but saying it repeatedly shows a lack of confidence which doesn’t
When asked why you selected a school, don’t just say “it is the best school in the world”, or “it is among the top 100 Universities worldwide”. Show you have done your research by highlighting strong points like high-quality research facilities, renowned faculty members, the location of the school (e.g. Howard University which is close to the white house), learning from peers from diverse backgrounds, and building networks, and other relevant points.
When asked why you chose a program, do not say it’s because you would like to work with a specific professor. This sounds generic and there’s every possibility that other applicants will mention the same name. Rather, focus on strong points indicated earlier such as the cutting-edge technology, research facilities, the relevance of the program to your career trajectory, etc
When asked about your plans to fund your study, don’t provide an answer that’s too brief such as “my family” or “my uncle”. Remember, the consular officer is very curious about your plans to fund your study, so be more explicit. Highlight the cost of your tuition and mention your funding source. The intention here is to prove to the consular officer that you have the necessary funds or study.
Don’t imply or mention that you would like to work in the U.S. after your study. If you are asked about working while studying, state clearly that you understand that your primary assignment is to study however, you may take a job on the campus within the restrictions of your F1 study visa to gain valuable work experience.

How do I Know if my Visa is Approved?

To figure out if your visa is approved for an F1 visa, click here, then click “check my visa application status” and follow the prompt. it is advised that you wait for at least, 3 business days after your interview with the consulate before you check the approval status of your visa.

To sum it up, navigating the F1 visa interview may seem daunting however, preparation is the key to passing this interview. Leverage the insights provided in this blog to approach the interview with confidence and adequate knowledge of what to expect. I encourage you to also check out related content regarding how to avoid visa rejection here. Also, leave comments below if you have any. Good luck with that interview!