What is an F1 Visa?
An
F1 Visa is a type of visa international students who are not US
Citizens apply for to study in the US in other words, non-immigrants apply to
pursue education in the US.
You can only apply for an F1 Visa if you are a student going to the US
to study in one of the institutions below;
1.
University or college
2.
High schools
3.
Seminary courses
4.
Private elementary school
5.
Language training program
6.
Conservatory courses
Before
applying for any Visa, it is best to inquire what type of Visa you need to
apply for. Many students often apply for wrong Visas and fail to get approved. If you plan to travel to USA,
make it a habit to call the US Embassy in your country and inquire about your
applications and how to apply, you may also seek for guidance from the embassy
itself. No need to be afraid of the Embassy
Staff, they are very hospitable and understanding, they will give you all the
basic counseling for everything you need to do and how to do it.
What
minor reasons make students fail F1 Visa interviews?
For
every student who is going for F1 Visa interview should note the following;
·
Keep time to the interview, check in 1
hour or 30 minutes before interview time.
·
Dress appropriately, do not wear
shouting or bright colors (dark or neutral colors)
·
Be audible when communicating with the
interviewer and be clear, do not chew your words.
·
Organize your documents in a file, do
not fold or staple and remove irrelevant documents
·
Keep quite as you wait to be called,
avoid talking or making noise
·
Have basic good manners like addressing
your interviewer by sir or madam, greeting…
·
Pay attention to what’s happening in
the waiting room; listen to make sure you respond immediately when called.
What
to note before applying for your F1 Visa?
Before you apply for an F1 Visa, make sure you check
out with the following must do requirements are will lead to your Visa
acceptance
·
Make sure you’re enrolled for a full
time course (attend
classes for it is an element to stay in college), a full course will
keep your students F1 status otherwise If your reported to the United
States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS), you will be deported.
·
You will need
to have an I-20 form, which expires in a period of 2 years and once it
expires, the F1 student status you carry expires too. Note that most F1 Visa expires
per year and need to be renewed as the expiring date stated.
·
You must make
sure your passport does not expire before 6 years so that you’re not
disturbed to renew your passport and incur travel fees to go back to your
country to apply or the US Embassy denying you a Visa.
·
Working On-campus (20 hours per week) and off-campus requires legal
acceptance from Immigration but you must be an F1 status holder for more than
one year
The
college you are admitted to will send you an I-20 FORM, you may then proceed to apply for an F1 Visa after
paying the MRV and Visa fee to the
US embassy in your country. Once you have finished that, the embassy will
communicate the day of your interview
What
are the questions asked in the F1 interview?
The F1 Visa interview questions are annually shared
by the US embassy online, these are among the questions asked before a student
passes to get an F1 visa but if you fail, you can still reapply but do inquire
to find out why you failed the previous interview.
The F1 Visa questions and answer interpretation
below were displayed on one of the US government guidance pages for the
students, therefore there is no alterations of any questions or answer approach
below
1.
What information do you have about
universities or colleges in the United States?
The immigration officer is asking you this question to understand the reason
for which you chose the United States as the destination for your studies. You
should list out the information you obtained when you researched for potential
colleges to apply to.
2.
Why did you choose the United States as
the destination for your studies?
The reason for which the immigration officer is asking you this question is to
check whether you can justify the reason for selecting the US over other
countries as the place to pursue your studies. You need to mention strong
points that compelled you to select this country over others.
3.
What is your field of specialization?
You will be asked the field of specialization in which you are going to pursue
your education. You need to provide the full name of the course you are
applying for.
4.
In which field did you do your
under-graduation?
You need to mention your area of specialization in your graduation if you are
going to the United States to pursue a postgraduate degree.
5.
Can I see a proof of your educational
degrees?
You need to provide the original documents of all your educational degrees to
the immigration officer.
6.
Why are you pursuing your Ph.D. in
the United States?
To answer this question, you need to list the reasons for pursuing Ph.D. and
selecting the United States as the country of your choice for doing so.
7.
Why have you changed the field of your
study?
If you have changed your field of study at some point in your life or want to
do so when you study in the states, you need to specify the reason for doing
so. Your reason should be strong enough to be backed up by logical reasons.
8.
What are your career plans after you
complete your degree?
This is one of the important questions that will be definitely be asked by the
immigration officer during the F1 Visa interview approval process. You need to
say that you will return to your home country after you complete your education
in the States.
9.
Have you previously made a trip to the
United States?
The immigration officer might ask you
about the past trips you have made to the country.
10. Have you written any exams like
GRE/TOEFL/GMAT? If yes, please provide the score along with the detailed
report.
If you have given any exams like GRE/TOEFL/GMAT, you need to provide the immigration
officer with the score and detailed report specifying your areas of weakness
and strengths.
11.
In which year did you graduate from
your school/college and how much marks did you obtain?
The immigration officer for verification purposes might ask about the date of
your graduation through school/college and your transcripts/mark sheets from
the school/college.
12.Why did you choose this specific
university and how will it help you in your career?
The interviewer is asking this question to determine your reasons for selecting
the specific university in which you are planning to enroll. He or she also
wants to know why you think completing the degree from that particular
college/school will benefit you in your career. To answer this question you
need to be well versed with the history and the background of the college you
are taking admission in.
13. What do you know about the city in
which your college is located?
The immigration officer might also ask you about the city in which the
college/school you are getting admitted to is located therefore you have to be
well-versed with the city where you are going to reside.
14.Which universities did you send your
application to and which ones accepted it?
For the above question, provide the
appropriate answer.
15. Did you contact any professors from the
college that has accepted you and were you offered a scholarship by the
school/college?
Give the appropriate answer for the
question above and if you have received any scholarship from the
college, mention it.
16.
Do you have any friends or family in
the United States?
If you have any family or friends in
the United States, mention yes otherwise say no.
17.What is the profession your parents are
into and do you have any siblings?
For the above question, provide the
appropriate answer.
18.What is the annual income of your
parents?
You need to answer this question honestly as the information will be subject to
verification.
19. Can I see your tax returns?
You need to give the original documents to the immigration officer that contain
your tax returns.
20.Can I see the bank statements from one
of your accounts?
You need to produce the bank statements from one of your bank accounts for the
immigration officer to verify.
21.Have you taken any loans in the past?
Answer the question as applicable. If you have taken any loans in the past, you
have to disclose it to the immigration officer with the required documents.
22.Where do your parents reside and do you
live with them?
Answer this question with the appropriate details.
23. Are you presently employed somewhere
and what is the duration for which you have been employed?
Answer this question as applicable.
24.
Which organization are you currently
employed by and what are your roles and responsibilities?
Answer this question with the correct details. You need to explain the
immigration officer the exact roles and responsibilities in your current
employment.
25.
Can you provide a reference on your
current job which is written by your boss or supervisor?
You need to provide a letter of recommendation from your current employer to
the immigration officer.
26.
What is your current salary?
Answer this question with the appropriate details. You will need to give
the salary slip as proof to the immigration officer.
27. Why do you want to quit your job and
pursue higher studies in the United States?
This is a question that you need to answer very carefully with the logical
reasons. Be honest as to why you want to pursue higher studies even though you
are well settled in your job.
28. Are you being financially supported by
someone to pay for your studies in the United States?
Answer this question as appropriate.
29.Are you taking a loan to support
yourself financially during the period you pursue higher studies in the United
States?
If you are applying for loan, say yes. Provide the details of the loan such as
its term and the interest rate etc.
30How have you planned your residence
during the period of your course in the United States?
The immigration officer wants to know the details of your stay during the time
you will study in the United States.
31. Have you ever applied for a F1 Visa
previously?
If you have applied for a F1 Visa previously, say yes otherwise say no.
32. Why should you be granted an approval
for a F1 Visa?
This is a crucial question which you need to give an appropriate answer to.
List all the reasons as to why you are pursuing higher studies in the United
States. Try to convince the immigration officer with your desire and
determination. Give clear and concise answers and do not try to confuse the
immigration officer.
Rules and regulations for getting and
maintaining the approval for F1 Visa for international students
revised by Allen Harriet
Comments