F-1 visa interview questions and sample answers
Students who want to go to the USA for higher studies always search for probable F-1 visa interview questions and sample answers. Some potential F-1 visa interview questions and sample answers are given here.
Students worldwide dream of studying in the USA. Students have to undergo some official formalities to go to the USA for higher study. Taking part in an interview in front of the visa officer at the US embassy is one of the most important phases for students in getting a US visa.
There are different types of non-immigrant visa categories. The visas issued for students are non-immigrant and F-1 category. In this article, some probable questions about the F-1 visa are mentioned. Sample answers to the questions are also given here so that students can prepare well to impress the visa officer by giving impressive answers. Hopefully, by going through this post, students will be more confident to face the visa interview to get their dream US visa to study at a US university.
Appearing in front of the visa officer the student should start the conversation with a nice greeting. One example is given here, Happy good morning, sir.
Beginning and ending of an F-1 interview
Beginning: Start the conversation with a greeting such as hello sir, hello officer, good morning, good afternoon, etc.
Ending: Say “thank you” to the visa officer whether your visa is approved or denied.
F-1 visa interview questions and sample answers
- Why do you want to go to the USA?
Sample answer: Officer, I would like to go to the USA for higher study. I completed my BBA from a private university in Bangladesh, and now I would like to pursue my Master’s in Business Administration from a US university.
2. Are you enrolled at any university now in Bangladesh?
Sample answer: At present, I am not enrolled at any university in Bangladesh. However, I am learning computer literacy and car driving. And I am getting prepared to receive higher education at a US university. I have got an I-20 from California State University so I should say I am enrolled at that university.
3. What is the name of the university you are going to study in the USA?
Sample answer: George Mason University. The university is located in Fairfax City, Virginia. It is a public university.
4. How did you know about this university?
Sample answer: (a): Whenever I decided to study at a US university I started searching for US universities on Google. One day I got the Website of George Mason University on Google. I visited the website. The program description and learning outcomes of the Master’s of Business Administration are nicely written on the website. The course outline and learning outcomes attracted me. I also found some videos of George Mason University on YouTube. I just loved the beauty of the classroom and the campus.
Sample answer (b): One of my cousins studies at George Mason University, Virginia. From my cousin, I have heard about the many good aspects of George Mason University. He has been studying at the university for the last two years. My cousin has sent me many videos of the amazing campus and surrounding areas of George Mason University. The beauty of the campus, classrooms, cafeteria, library, etc. attracted me a lot and I have decided to study at George Mason University.
5. Why have you chosen the USA and no other countries?
The visa officer may ask you this question in different ways. For example, why the USA? Why not Canada or Australia? You can study this major here in your country. Why don’t you study this course in your home country? Why are you going so far away to study? There are enough opportunities in your country to pursue this course. Why are your parents sending you so far away to obtain this degree?
Before writing the sample answer to this question we should think about why the visa officer asks this question. The reason behind asking this question is to check your knowledge about the USA, the education system of the USA, your awareness of the cultural diversity in the USA, etc.
Sample answer (a): This course will help me develop my leadership skills to lead a professional team. The team members may be from different nations of different languages. By studying in the USA, I will be able to develop my English language skills which will help me to communicate with my team members and other stakeholders easily and confidently.
Besides, the education system in the USA has always been excellent in framing a student into a skilled professional by providing them with the latest knowledge and skills. The USA is the hub of new and advanced knowledge and technology. By being a student at a US university, I will be able to be familiar with the new knowledge and technology.
By studying in the USA an international student can get acquainted with the diverse cultural vibes which is very important to understand the lifestyle of the people across the globe.
Sample answer (b): My dream is to pursue my master’s in business administration degree from such a country that is top-notch in education. And you will agree with me that the quality of education in the USA is much better than in any other country in the world. The USA has long been recognized as a global leader in education. That’s why I have decided to study at a US university to get international standard education.
I believe this will help me to acquire knowledge and skills to cope with the challenges of modern business administration. Because I would like to oversee my father’s business coming back to Bangladesh. I also have a plan to start a start-up in my home country. I believe by studying in the USA I will be able to acquire the required knowledge and skills to be a successful entrepreneur. Moreover, from teachers at school and college and also from parents I came to know that education in the USA is outstanding.
6. How many universities did you apply?
Sample answer: (a) Sir, I applied to five universities to be a student. I am lucky enough that I got acceptance letters from all five universities. But I have decided to be a student at California State University and I have got an I-20 from this university with a 25% scholarship.
(b) I applied to three universities for admission. It’s my pleasure that I got accepted by all the three universities. The universities are Wright State University, Ohio, Truman State University, Missouri and George Mason University, Virginia. However, I decided to get admitted to Costello College of Business at George Mason University, Virginia to pursue my MBA program.
7. Why did you choose this university?
Sample answer (a): The reason behind choosing this university is because the university has provided me with a 25% scholarship worth nearly two thousand five hundred us dollars. The tuition fee is also affordable. The California State University is located in California which has great weather, especially if we compare it with Bangladesh. So, it will be easier for me to adapt to this new place and weather easily. The university also provides me with a unique curriculum that will help me to be a successful entrepreneur.
Sample answer (b): I chose this university because I believe the university will give me a great learning platform for the MBA program and enhance my knowledge and skills. Based on my financial condition the university will also offer me a need-based scholarship and grant. Moreover, California State University is located in California with a nice climate, which is somewhat similar to the climate of Bangladesh. So, it will be easy for me adapt to this new place and weather.
The course outline is also related to real-life jobs and entrepreneurship which will help me build my career in many ways.
8. Why have you chosen this course?
The visa officer may want to know about your course and why you have chosen this course. He may ask, why this program? Why this subject? Why this course and why do you need this degree?
By asking such types of questions he wants to know your academic knowledge. The answer to this question will clearly determine the reason for choosing the course, your career objective, and also your awareness about the learning outcome of the course.
Sample answer (a): This course will pave the way for me to become an efficient business consultant. After getting familiar with the course description and learning outcomes, I realized that this is the course I have been looking for to enhance my skills to work with a business organization successfully. By studying the course my knowledge and skill will increase to such a level that will help me to be a team leader of business executives. This course will provide me with in-depth knowledge of business, management, leadership techniques, understanding organizational behavior, and determining and solving issues of a business organization. I am confident enough that this course will enhance my business knowledge to be a successful entrepreneur. These are the reasons why I decided to study this course.
Sample answer (b): Sir, I have been working as an assistant manager at a business organization for the last five years. Every day we have to face so many challenges in our day-to-day work. By studying master’s in business administration and management I will be able to gain more knowledge and skill to deal with the challenges in my organization. This course will provide me with in-depth managerial knowledge and techniques to enhance the business of my organization. I believe the knowledge and skills that I will acquire after completing this course will help me to work with the stakeholders more effectively. This degree will assist me to get promoted to the next level. This is why I have chosen this course.
9. Would you please mention 2 or 3 learning outcomes of your course?
Sample answer: After completing graduation in business administration and management at Stanton University I will be able to understand and apply core business knowledge to make strategic and tactical business plans.
I will also be able to assess critical business information and data.
Besides, I will be able to make effective managerial decisions and solve organizational issues and conflicts.
10. What is your future plan? What do you intend to do after completing your MBA?
Sample answer: (a) Sir, my father is a small entrepreneur. He has a small readymade garment factory. Apart from this, he has an agricultural farm in our village.
After completing my Master’s in Business Administration and Management I will come back to Bangladesh to utilize my skill and knowledge to grow the business of my father. I believe the skills that I will obtain and the knowledge that I will achieve from my education at the US university will equip me with ample knowledge and capability to uplift my father’s factory and farm.
(b) Coming back from the USA I have a dream to start a startup in my hometown Sylhet. I want to establish a digital marketing agency. I believe the knowledge and skills that I will gather to manage a business administration by studying MBA at a US University will help me a lot to be a successful entrepreneur in my home country Bangladesh.
11. If you get a very good job offer after your graduation, what will you do?
Sample answer: I have a certain aim and objective. I am going to the USA only for schooling. I am going to the USA to enhance my expertise and intelligence through intensive learning. The knowledge and skills that I will acquire from the US University, will apply in my home country to start a business and make it successful.
So, I do not have any plan to stay and work in the USA having completed my graduation.
12. You studied English Language and Literature at your undergraduate level. Now you are going to study MBA. Why do you like to change your course?
Sample answer: Sir, it was my dream to receive a higher degree in business studies because I was a student of business studies at secondary and higher secondary levels. But unfortunately, I couldn’t study BBA. So I want to fulfill my dream now. Another reason is I want to work in a business organization. So having acquaintance in business administration and management studies is essential for me to materialize my aim.
This is the reason for changing my course of study.
13. What is your last education?
Sample answer: I have completed my B. Sc. in Art & Creative Studies from the Government College of Applied Human Science this year. In my final exam, I got a CGPA of 3.25 on a scale of 4.00.
14. What will you do after completing your graduation in the USA? What is your future goal?
Sample answer: (a) I love coding. I feel that coding is one kind of poetry. My passion is making software by using different programming languages such as C++, Java, JavaScript, React Native, Python, Flutter, etc.
So, I have decided to be a computer programmer. My goal is to make some useful software for different types of professionals to make their jobs easy and comfortable.
(b) Sir, I would like to be an entrepreneur. To be a successful entrepreneur a person should have entrepreneurship skills and knowledge. I believe by studying business administration and management in the USA I will be able to obtain skills and knowledge to start a business and make it successful.
15. What are you doing now?
Sample answer: (a) Well officer, right now I am working in an NGO. The name of my NGO is BRAC. My position in my office is coordinator of Small and Medium Enterprise. My job responsibilities are to train up small and medium entrepreneurs, conduct feasibility studies on whether their enterprise can fulfill the criteria for having financial support, disburse microfinance, follow up on their business trends, and so on.
(b) Sir, right now I am working as an assistant manager at a restaurant in Sylhet. The name of our restaurant is The Magician Restaurant. It’s a famous restaurant in Sylhet city. Our most famous and popular food item is Kacchi Biriyani.
You are cordially invited to enjoy the taste of Kachchi Biriyani at our restaurant if you ever go to Sylhet.
(c) I completed my bachelor’s degree a few months ago. At present, I am neither a regular student at any university in Bangladesh nor working in any office. However, I am a content writer. I have a blog. I write educational content for the students of schools and colleges on my blog website based on their English textbooks.
16. What is your school location?
Sample answer: Well officer, Stanton University has two campuses in the United States. The main campus is located in Garden Grove, California and the second one is in Los Angeles, California.
My classes are supposed to be held at the main campus. The full address of the main campus is 888 Disneyland Drive#400, Anaheim City of Northern Orange County, California 92802.
17. Would you please briefly describe about f1 visa?
Sample answer: Sir, F-1 visa is only for international students who want to study in the USA. The only duty of an F-1 visa holder is to study and follow the instructions of the university. The student who is going to the USA on an F-1 visa is not allowed to work off-campus. The student may work on-campus with the approval of the university authority.
While in the USA a student must uphold US values and culture. He must respect and obey the social norms and customs. Abiding by the US law is also mandatory.
18. Do you know what an I-20 is?
Sample answer: I-20 is a certificate of eligibility. Eligibility of being a student of a university and financial eligibility to bear expenses of tuition fee and living. This is basically a document by the government-approved US educational institution. At the same time, it says that I have been admitted into a university and have sufficient bank balance to study and stay there.
19. How many I-20s do you have?
Sample answer: Sir, in response to my application three universities responded positively to my admission. However, as I have selected Stanton University to pursue my higher studies so after sending all the required documents, I requested the university authority to take the necessary steps for my admission and send me an I-20. And it’s a great pleasure for me that the Stanton University authority, California has sent me an I-20.
20. Why not in your country? Why the USA?
Sample answer: Sir, yes I can study MBA here in my country. But obviously, you will agree with me that the education system, the standard of education, the quality of education, and the teaching-learning strategy in the USA are much better than in any other country of the world. So, I have decided to pursue my higher degree from the world leader in education.
Moreover, I am serving in an organization as an officer. I have the prospect of being the director of my organization. But the position requires an MBA degree from a renowned country and if it is the USA it would be perfect.
So, for all these reasons I have decided to study in the USA.
21. Who will fund your educational costs and living expenses?
Sample answer: My father, who is a businessman, will fund my educational costs and living expenses. He deposited the required amount for my expenses while studying in the USA at Eastern Bank PLC, Gulshan branch.
I submitted a bank statement as proof of my father’s financial solvency.
22. What does he do?
Sample answer: He is a small garment factory owner. The garment factory of my father produces only shirts for men and baby dresses for the local market.
Besides, my father has a fish and dairy farm in our village in Gazipur. We also have a building in Dhaka where we live. It is a five-storied building and it has 15 flats. We live in one flat and rent out the other 14 flats.
23. How much does he earn?
Sample answer: Well officer, my father earns approximately 90 thousand US dollars per year from all his income sources. If I break down my father’s total income into each source, he earns about $40000 from his ready-made garment factory, about $30000 from fish and dairy farms, and about $20000 from house rent. As my father is a businessman, his annual income fluctuates at times.
24. How can I believe your sponsor is solvent enough to support your education and living costs in the USA?
Answer: Sir, my sponsor deposited over 92 thousand US dollars in a bank for my education and living costs in the USA. I submitted my bank statement to the admission department of my university in the USA, which is proof of my sponsor’s financial solvency. I do have my bank statement with me.
25. Why should I give you a visa?
To answer this question the interviewee should emphasize three points. At the very beginning, the student should highlight that education is the only target of his journey to the USA. Then he should emphasize his career goal. In conclusion, the candidate should make it clear that he has strong emotional and loving ties with his family and his home country.
Sample answer: I am committed to my studies. So, while in the USA, my focus will be only on preparing my university lessons well. My target is to learn something new, effective, and special during my studies at a US university.
I am career-oriented. As a result, I have a clear and particular career goal. I want to be an entrepreneur in my home country Bangladesh. To be a successful entrepreneur a person should have certain knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship. By studying the courses of Business Administration and Management in the USA, I believe I will be able to achieve the knowledge and competency I need as an entrepreneur.
I have an intense love for my family and my country. I hope by establishing a start-up, I will be able to contribute something good to my family and also to my country Bangladesh. My dream is to create employment opportunities for the unemployed people of Bangladesh.
For all these reasons I hope you will allow me to study in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
- Why the USA?
Answer: After completing my Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, I founded a software firm in Dhaka. It’s been three years I have been struggling to reach the break-even point.
My family members advised me to receive higher education to be successful as an information technology entrepreneur. It is known to all that the universities in the USA are renowned for science and technology education. So, having the consent of my family I have decided to study Master’s in Computer Science and Engineering in the USA. I believe technology studies from the USA will provide me with such knowledge and proficiency that will make my IT firm remarkably successful.
2. Why this university?
Answer: Affordable and reasonable tuition fees, a special focus on the course that I am going to study, a job-oriented course outline, and a beautiful campus are the factors that attracted me to select this university.
3. Why this course?
Answer: Sir, I completed my bachelor’s degree in BBA. My father is a well-known businessman in our village. He has a grocery shop. My father wants to set up more grocery shops in our adjacent villages. He also has an agricultural-based business. He buys and sells agricultural products.
My father wants me to take responsibility for his business and make the business more sustainable. My father knows that a business person should be efficient and know details about business administration to face the challenges of a growing business organization. So, my father decided to send me to the USA to pursue higher education in business administration and management to make me capable of dealing with his business.
Sample answer (b): Sir, I completed my bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering. While studying CSE, I fell in love with programming language and data analysis. Perfect data analysis is the key to success for any type of organization. A data scientist is equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to analyze data correctly to make effective decisions.
Now my goal is to become a data scientist and set up a data analysis firm in Dhaka, Bangladesh. To reach my goal I have chosen the course Computer Information and Science. I believe this course will play the role of a scaffolding to reach my ultimate goal.
4. Who is your sponsor?
Answer: Sir, my father is my sponsor. He is a businessman and he has multiple sources of income from his multiple businesses.
5. What are you doing now?
Answer: At present, I am a mother of two children. My prime job is to take care of my babies and family. I have another family and that is my fashion house in Jashore town. Fifteen girls work with me in my fashion house. Looking after my fashion house and the girls is my other job.
6. What is your future goal?
Answer: Sir, my goal is to expand my business. Right now fifteen girls are working in my shop. If I can open up more showrooms, more girls will get jobs.
I could realize that to make my business more successful I should achieve more knowledge and skills. So, I have decided to study the course of business administration at a US university to be more knowledgeable and efficient in running a business.
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