Visa Interviews

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Whether you're just beginning your emigration journey or already deep into the process, understanding the language is very essential. This resource page offers simple explanations of common terms and definitions to help you stay informed and confident every step of the way.  We've broken down the  technical jargon into plain language so you can focus on what matters most to  make  the right decisions for your future. Bookmark this page and refer back to it anytime you need clarity.


SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS  FOR VISA  INTERVIEW

These are some   of the Q&A on Visa Interviews as provided  by our clients.  

A.     Here are some of the  questions asked by a visa officer.

1.     What is your objective of visiting USA?

2.     What University are you planning to attend?

3.     Why did you choose this university?

4.     What program are you planning to study?

5.     How long is the duration of your program?

6.     What are your long-term plans after completing your program?  

Then there are questions that are specifically based on the information you filled in DS-160 form. They ask these questions

to check the veracity of the information and if it aligns with your responses.  The  questions included:

1.     Do you have any siblings in USA?

2.     What do your siblings in USA do?

3.     What program did your brother study in USA?    

You know the visa requirements. If you don't, you should. So expect questions to be directed towards how and why you meet those requirements. Answer honestly. Bring proof of everything, although you may not necessarily be asked to show it. If you have done your research in depth on the college and given deep thought to its role in your future, the questions will be easy to answer (memorizing canned responses to questions is far less convincing than having done a lot of research and being able to speak enthusiastically and from the heart). It doesn't matter how the questions are worded.


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Below is another  exhaustive list of the questions you might be asked during an F1 Visa interview:

Part 1: College & University

1.     What is the name of the college or university you are planning on going to and why did you choose to go to this specific university or college?

2.     To how many universities did you apply to and why?

3.     What are the names of the universities you have applied to?

4.     Did you get accepted by all of them?

5.     What are the names of the universities you got accepted to?

6.     What is the name of the university where you completed your undergraduate or graduated degree, and where is it?

7.     Do you know your undergraduate Academic GPA or Percentage?

8.     Let us know more about your university:  Where is it, which degree did you study or which degree are you planning on studying?

9.     Tell us the name of the professors you are in contact with from the US university.

10.   In what year did you get your Bachelor’s degree and from which university?

11.   What are the reasons for you coming to study in the United States?

12.   How long are you planning to stay in the United States?

13.   Why did you apply to this university and not to another one? And how do you know about this university?

14.   Tell us more about your academic background.

15.   Are you also planning to study a Ph.D. in the US after having completed your master’s degree?

16.   The major which you are taking is also available at other universities, why did you decide to go to this university and not to one of the others?  

Part 2: Bank & Finance

1.     Who is paying for your education?

2.     How are they able to pay for it? What is their professional background?

3.     Tell us more about your father’s/mother’s job and income and how long they have been working for the company.

4.     What is the monthly income of the person who is going to sponsor your studies?

5.     Apart from that, tell us more of your sponsor’s annual income?

6.     How much does your university cost for a year?

7.     Does your sponsor pay for all of it or did you also get a loan?

8.     Please show us your current bank statement.

9.     If you are planning to stay for two or three years, how will you finance your education and your living?

10.   On your bank statement, we can see large portions which only have been deposited recently. Please explain!  

Part 3: Relatives & Family Members

1.     Do you have brothers and sisters? If yes, how many?

2.     Are any of them living in the United States or do you have any other relatives who live in the United States?

3.     Does your mother/father work? If they don’t, what do they do for a living?

4.     Why does your brother/ sister live in the United States? What do they do here, do they work or study here?

5.     What is your brother/sister doing in the United States and where? Would you also like to stay in the US to work?

6.     Did your parents/brother/sister complete any studies? Which ones?

7.     In which country and in which city do your parents live?

8.     As we can see you have brothers and sisters, will your parents be able to afford your education abroad in the United States?

9.     Do you have any relatives studying at the same university you are planning to go to?

10.   Are you in a relationship?

        Part 4: Work & Job

1.     If you work, why do you plan to leave your current job in order to go abroad to study. 

2.     Please show us your CV or any other paper which shows your work experiences.

3.     What is your salary at the moment?

4.     Do you also have savings?

5.     Once you have finished your studies, do you plan to stay in the United States to work?

6.     Do you plan on working while studying?  

Part 5: General Questions

1.     What are your reasons to study in the United States, why didn’t you choose to go to Canada or another country?

2.     Tell me some positive things about the United States, why do you like the United States as a country?

3.     What are your expectations after having completed your studies and returning to your country?

4.     Why do you want to do a  B.A.  Master’s or Ph.D. degree?

5.     Can you tell me why your GRE/TOEFL scores are so low?

6.     I think you want to immigrate to the United States, or are you planning on going back home?

7.     Tell us everything you know about the education and the education system in the US.

8.     Why did you apply for a summer semester and not for the fall semester too?

9.     What are your plans after having completed your studies in the US?

10.   How can you prove to us that you won’t stay in the US after the completion of your studies?

11.   Is it your first time to the US or have you visited before?

12.   What are your career goals back home after your studies? Or are you planning on going somewhere else?

13.   As you choose this specific university, do you happen to know anyone who studies there?

14.   What are your plans if your student visa is not approved?

15.   Are you planning to go home during your summer vacation?

16.   We can see you got a scholarship, why do you think they gave it to you?

17.   Why don’t you want to study in your home country?

18.   Can you explain to us why you changed your field or career?

19.   Why should we give you the possibility to study in the United States?

20.   Do you think you deserve to get an F1 visa?  

If you’re  going for  an F1 Visa in the near future, your best bet is to be familiar with all of the above questions, as you’ll never know in advance which questions will come up in your particular interview.   Of course, some questions are more common than others, but with something as important as an F1 interview, you can never be too prepared.  Contact us  to let our Visa Interview Preparation  (VIP)  to  build up your demeanor so you can  enhance your confidence.

 

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C.   Another version of a sucessful  visa interview as narrated by our client

I recently had my F1 Visa interview for my MS at UT Austin and thought it'll be helpful if I share my experience as I frequented this thread hoping the same earlier. My appointment was at the  Abuja US Embassy. I dressed in Casual Shirt and Jeans. If you're being told formals is the preference I urge you it is not. I reached 15 minutes before my appointment and was given entry straightaway. After the usual Biometric checks I proceeded to stand in queue for my interview. The girl in front of me had her interview going on and I overheard she too was applying for F1 Visa. My nerves cracked a little when the interviewer refused her Visa. The girl dressed kept asking as why she was being refused but the woman behind the counter merely smiled and requested her to move away. She gave no reasons whatsoever. Anyways once she left it was my turn. I put on a callous attitude with a smile and moved forward.

I : Good morning.

Q : Morning, can I have your Passport and I20 please?

I : Here you go.

Q :    What University are you going to?

I : The University of Texas at Austin.

Q : What are you going to be studying?

I : Masters in Computers and Information Sciences.

Q : What other Universities did you apply to?

I : I applied at Georgia Tech, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan……

Q : What is your highest level of education?

I : I completed my Bachelor's in Technology from Imo State University, Nigeria.

Q : When did you complete your B.Tech?

I : I passed out May 2023.

Q : What have you been doing in between? I begin to answer when she herself intervenes and says with a wide smile, “Well you haven't had much time to do anything have you since it's only been what, a year and  6 months?”

I : Yeah, although I found time to take up reading again.

Q : It says here in your I20 that your education is being sponsored. Who's sponsoring your education?

I : My father is sponsoring my education.

Q : Ok,  Cynthia, you have really good spoken English I think you'll fit in well in USA.

I : That's very kind of you. Thank you.

Q : That means I'm approving your Visa. Good luck!

I : Thank you so much. ( Walks out beaming with joy.) Now I'd spent weeks preparing financials and other documents but I was asked only to present my Passport and I20. But I'm sure they judged you by the size of your folder. I insist on carrying documents in a transparent/translucent folder. I keep thinking about the girl before me who was asked same documents as me. Nothing apart from Passport and I20. She was asked similar questions from what I could tell however I couldn't hear all her answers. She was refused and I keep wondering as well on what grounds. I didn't dress in formals as I didn't want to give an impression I was too serious about the interview. Remember you have to portray yourself as confident and relaxed. The most important factor is your demeanor.  Remain calm and composed. Keep in mind this isn't a job interview.


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D                   CANADA

Canada Canada visa interview questions commonly cover the purpose and duration of your stay, your financial capacity to support yourself, your intent to return home to your home country, and your ties to your home country. For student visas, expect questions about your chosen program and institution, while spousal visa interviews focus on the relationship's details and your partner's circumstances.  Common questions  and purpose of travel: 

  • Why are you choosing Canada for your trip/studies?  ·        
  • What is your specific purpose in visiting Canada?  ·
  • What do you plan to do or see during your stay? 


Financial Matters: ·        

  • Who is funding your education/trip? 
  • Do you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses?  ·        
  • What is your source of income? 


Ties to Home Country & Return Intent: ·        

  • What are your plans after your studies or visit?  ·        
  • What ties you to your home country, ensuring your return? 


Background & Details: ·        

  • Have you visited Canada before?  ·       
  • Do you have any relatives or friends in Canada?  ·        
  • Do you have a criminal record? 


Student-Specific: ·        

  • Why did you choose this specific program and institution?  ·        
  • What is the duration of your program? 

Spousal-Specific: ·        

  • How did you and your partner meet?  ·        
  • Where does your spouse work and what is their occupation?  ·        
  • Do you know your spouse's phone number and address?  

Tips for Success ·        

  • Be Honest and Clear:
  •  Provide direct and truthful answers to all questions.  ·        

Show Intentions Clearly: 

  • Demonstrate genuine intent for your visa type by clearly stating your purpose and how it aligns with your situation.  ·        

Prepare Documents: 

  • Ensure all your supporting documents are consistent with your application and visa requirements.  ·        

Understand Canadian Laws:

  •  Research the specific laws and regulations that govern your visa type to show you are informed.  ·        

Practice and Confidence: 

  • We prepare you  and practice mock visa  interviews to build  your confidence and help you stay calm.                  

                                             Book your consultation now and let our VIP prepare you       

LGBTQ

This is acronym that stands for Lesbian, Guy, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and Queer. This also include other identities that are not explicitly mentioned here. So, it is an umbrella term used to refer to people or individuals who have sexual orientation or gender identity that differs from heterosexual and cisgender.

If you happened to be in this group, don’t worry. We don’t ask privacy question that relates to sexual orientation. We do not also discriminate our services for reason of “Who you are.” The good part is that Canada, United States and European Union, at large, welcome people of LGBTQ and could consider such differences on processing their applications.