Hi everyone, Nand Javia back again! I am an undergraduate student at Texas Christian University and know firsthand how scary the visa process can be when you're going to study abroad. So here are my 10 tips for the F-1 visa interview!
- Arrive 30 minutes early - I went early and had to wait outside on a hot sunny day, but trust me, it's much better than arriving late.
- Dress semi-formal - treat this like you would any other critical interview; wearing a t-shirt and jeans would not be appropriate.
- Be aware of your body language, posture, and hand gestures - don't move your hands a lot while talking, and maintain your posture during the interview.nDo not lean on the window and try to maintain eye contact while talking.
- Answer the question directly asked - if you're a storyteller like me, you'll want to save that for a time when it's needed; this would not be the case. It would be best if you keep your answers to the point and informative.
- Double-check your documents- make sure you have every document you need for the interview the night before.
- Don't provide more than you need to - only give the information and documents the interviewer asks for.
- Do not try to fake your accent - I have seen many people try to talk in an American accent, thinking it's a good idea or it will assist you somehow; it won't. Your accent will not determine the result; try to be natural.
- If you do not understand a question, be sure to state that - politely ask them to repeat - (e.g., can you please repeat the question?).
- Speak slowly - it's better to speak slowly and confidently than to take a long pause during the interview.
- Do not talk about any aspirations of staying in the U.S. during your interview - don't talk about wanting to stay in the U.S. after you graduate. 1) it's not relevant to the interview, and who knows how you'll feel in 3-4 years, and 2) it's not something interviewers want to hear or talk about, so it's a bad idea to mention it altogether. If it's your plan initially to stay in the U.S. after graduation, that's fine, but don't discuss it during your F-1 visa interview.
I hope this helps; good luck!
