Tips for Your Visa Interview

What you wear is important. Consider the interview a formal event. First impressions can be crucial, since there will be little time to speak with the officer, who will often have only a few minutes to conduct the interview and make a decision.

Be prepared to give your information quickly and completely. If you are unable to answer the questions in English, and the visa officer does not speak your language, you can ask for an interpreter. Speaking English is not a requirement for a student visa. In fact, thousand of students come to the United States each year to learn how to speak English.

The visa officer needs to know your specific objective for studding in the United States. Be direct and state your education plans briefly and clearly. Visa officers like to hear honest, specific responses to questions. They generally react poorly to applicants who give vague answers, memorize a speech, or make overly solicitous comments about how great and wonderful the United States is.

You should have a specific academic or professional objective. Be prepared to explain why it is better to study your specific field in the United States than to study at home. Be ready to say exactly what you will study and for what career your U.S. studies will prepare you.

If you are going to the U.S.A. to study English and then earn a degree, be able to explain your complete program of study. Remember, it is not enough to just say, "It is better to study in the United States". Give valid reasons why it is better for you.

If you will return home to complete university studies after studying English in the United States, bring proof of your student status in your country. A letter from a university professor supporting your study plan can be helpful either from the director. Young people around the world are often unsure of their plans. However, in the visa interview it is best to give definite answers. If you seem to be unsure about what you will be doing, the visa officer may believe that you are really going to the United States for reasons other than education. In addition to a specific study plan, have some detailed information about the program you plan attend and where you will live.

Intent to Return

Most of student visa applications are approved. The most common reason for a student application to be denied is that the person applying for the visa has not proven to the visa officer that he/she will return to their country when they complete their studies in the USA.

To determine your "intent to return", the visa officer will ask you a series of questions about your connections to your home country and about your study plans. You will have to demonstrate to the officer that your family has the ability to pay for the first year of your proposed stay in the United States and that you have realistic plans to finance the remainder of your education.

You must have all of the required forms with you including your I-20 and the SEVIS payment receipt. You should bring any financial documents to demonstrate how you will pay for your education and any documents that might help demonstrate why you will return to your country. Some examples of such documents are previous passports demonstrating travel abroad, bank or salary statements, family documents or student records.

At the Interview

• Listen carefully to any questions the embassy official asks of you.
• Answer ALL questions.
• Talk about your plans to return home when you finish your studies and tell the official when you plan to return home.
• Talk about the reasons why you want to study English in the U.S.
• How will you use English when you get back to your country?
• Why is it important for you to know English?
• Do you intend to study another subject once you have finished your English program?
• Which subject?
• Why do you need English?
• Talk about how experiencing American culture and interacting with many native speakers will help you to learn English more quickly.
• Mention that some of the most advanced teaching methods and technical help in language learning can be found in the U.S.
• Talk about your choice of English program:
• Show that you know about Target International Student Center.
• Be able to explain why you chose this program.

Documents you MUST bring to your interview:

• Your I-20 signed
• Completed DS-158 and DS-156 non-immigrant visa application (forms available at embassy) with a photo of each person applying
• Some applicants may be required to complete an additional form: DS-157
• Your passport
• Must be valid for at least 6 months longer than you plan to stay in the U.S.
• Receipt for the visa processing fee
• Original financial documents proving you have enough money to cover your tuition and living expenses during your time in the U.S.
• One photograph 2 x 2 inches (50.8 x 50.8mm), showing full face, without head covering, against a light background as explained on the USCIS website.
• Receipt or online proof of SEVIS Fee payment.
• Admission letter from Target International Student Center.
• Documents which show that you intend to return home after completing your studies in the U.S. (see below)

Examples of documents that can help prove that you plan to return to your home country:

• Family
• Copies of official documents proving family relationships and their residences
• Letters from physicians explaining important medical conditions of your parents
• Visa and Immigration History
• Current and previous passports containing entry and exit stamps from your country and other countries
• Other official documents indicating departure and return to your home country
• Financial
• Official papers proving property ownership
• Copies of investment statements or certificates
• Letter of financial statement from your bank or accountant
• Employment
• Letter from current employer stating you will resume your position with them when you return
• Letter from prospective employer stating you will be offered a position when you return

What to do if the official refuses to give you a visa:

• The most frequent reason for a visa refusal is that the official thinks you may not return to your home country.
• It is not possible to say exactly what evidence you should take to convince the official that you will go home because applicants' circumstances vary greatly.
• Think again about your ties to your home country: family relationships, job, home or farm ownership, other commitments.
• Is there any additional evidence that you could present? Did you explain your situation clearly? Did you answer all the questions?
• Consular officers have the responsibility for issuance or denial of visas. If your visa is denied, you can re-apply.
• If you decide to re-apply, you should be prepared to show additional evidence or explain in a different way how your situation has changed since the first application.
• You should try at least twice. If you are refused a second time, the probability that a third try will work is not very high.
• Additional information is available at the Department of State website and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly known as the INS) website.

Somerville - (617) 628-0367 Boston (617) 779-0367 or registrar@targetschool.com