The visa interview is a very important step that could be intimidating to some people. Visa is almost the last leg of your application process. Unless you get a visa for the country in which your university is situated, it doesn’t matter where you get admitted. You will be required to submit a plethora of documents and evidences, and it is followed by an interview. Tough nut to crack, we agree.

Honesty is the key to getting a visa. One small slip and your visa could be cancelled. You need to get prepared for the interview and think clearly at that time. Different countries ask for different documentation. If you are applying to a university, let’s say in the US, you must visit the American Embassy in your home country to submit the application for category F-1 student visa. For Canada, you must approach their embassy for a study permit.

English: You must practice speaking English as it is a universal language and will ideally be the language in which your interview will be conducted. Your communication with the embassy will be enabled by this. Try reading books, or probably binge on a few different Netflix shows? Also, accents matter, so read up on which accent you may have to encounter.

Documentation: We suggest collecting all the required documents way beforehand so there is no last-minute struggle. This is one of the most important steps in your preparation for the interview. Some of the documents you must present include your passport, birth certificate, financial documents, transcripts, bank statement, visa application, university acceptance letter, evidence that you have enough money to support yourself. Usually, your parents are your guarantors while you are abroad.

Prepare few questions so that you don’t falter while you are asked. The interviewer may ask you many situational questions, like what are your prospects, what will you do if you get a job abroad, do you plan to come back to your country after your course and so on. Such type of questions is asked to check your state of mind and what you plan to do after you get the visa and go abroad to study.

Some other commonly asked questions:

1. What are your plans after completing the bachelor’s/master’s degree?
2. How many universities had you applied for? And which ones?
3. Why do you want to study in this country?
4. Do you know anyone in the country or in the university you have applied for?
5. Do you think studying abroad will help you once you come back to your country/ how do you plan to help people in your country with this course?

It is important to tell them that you are planning on coming back to your home country after graduating. They ask such questions to make sure you won’t stay back.

Other relevant questions

6. What do your parents do?
7. What do you know about the city your university is located?
8. You seem well settled in your job. Why have you chosen to pursue your course at this juncture?
9. Why are you leaving your current job? (if you are working)
10. What will your living arrangements be once you begin your course?
11. How will you manage the cultural and educational differences?

And lastly, the interviewer may ask you as to what you will do if your visa gets rejected. Do not panic. Tell them you will try again or whatever your next course of action is.

Good Luck!