F-1 visa: how does a visa officer think

We present a deep analysis of the F-1 student visa interview. Here is how a visa officer thinks:


1. Show me your GRE score card?
Purpose: The Visa Officer wants to see your academic abilities.
Good Answer: Just show with a smile, looking in his/her eyes, no need to talk.
Bad Answers: I do not have my GRE score report/ I never took the GRE test.


2. Why do you want to study at Univ xyz?
Purpose: The Visa Officer wants to see your preparedness and focus on studies.
Good Answers: Prestigious University with world ranking, Research areas match my interest/ I have funding.
Bad Answers: Low fees/ My brother is in the same city.


3. Where all did you apply?
Purpose: The Visa Officer is trying to analyze whether your purpose is studying or somehow reaching USA.
Good Answer: I applied to A, B, C and D. – Whatever is the honest answer. If applied to more than 5, can mention 5.
Bad Answer: I applied only to this university A, where I am admitted [Rejection imminent, unless that university is very famous]


4. Do you have any relatives in USA?
Purpose: The Visa Officer is trying to analyze your ties to USA.
Good Answers: My elder brother / Nobody [whatever is true]. You should not mention cousins or uncles. Only mention direct relations, eg, Parents, Siblings, Spouse, as per the visa questionnaire.
Bad Answer: My second cousin and his friend live in USA.


5. What are your future plans?
Purpose: The Visa Officer is trying to analyze your ties to your own country.
Good Answer: Work in my country as….
Bad Answers: Work in USA/ I have not thought. [You are perhaps lying, but truth will lead to certain rejection - Sorry, this is how the system is designed]
Above is the only example where we advise to tell what is expected answer, not necessarily the truth. VO is legally bound to reject the visa if you say I want to work in the USA. They know that most people do not come back.


6. Who is paying for your education?
Purpose: The Visa Officer is trying to see if you can afford the education, else you will work illegally and stick around in USA.
Good Answesrs: Got a RA/ My father will pay out of his savings.
Bad Answers: Bank Loan/Sell property. Any fraud answer.


7. What is your area of research?
Purpose: The Visa Officer wants to see your preparedness and focus on studies.
Good Answer: True and simple short answer.
Bad Answers: Vauge answer, Not decided yet, too generic answer, example, I want to do research in Electrical Engineering.


8. Show me your degree certificate?
Purpose: The Visa Officer wants to see your authenticity. They sometimes look at the degree across the light, in a way some people check the authenticity of a currency note/bill.
Good Answer: Just show with a smile, make eye contact, no need to talk. Provisional degree is acceptable.
Bad Answers: No degree or even provisional/temporary one. Degree in a non-English language, unless that is very common in your country.


9. Why do you want to go to USA?
Purpose: The Visa Officer is trying to analyze your ties to USA.
Good Answers: Top universities in the world, exposure to current developments and research. Opportunity to experience the diverse culture alongwith top quality education.
Bad Answers: Going to USA is a childhood dream. US is a great country, I like USA a lot. I love US Dollars.


10. How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Purpose: The Visa Officer is trying to analyze your ties to your own country.
Good Answer: True answer. Never hide existence of siblings wheter they live in your own country or USA.
Bad Answer: Any false answer.


Good luck to all visa applicants. Confidence and honesty [except on item 5] is the key to success.