HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL VISA INTERVIEW
Student Visa applications are different.
Applicants think the I-20 is the free ticket. They often fail to realize that the consular officer must
adjudicate. Here are some tips for a successful visa interview.
First, Take ALL the necessary documents.
• valid passport
• I-20 with the correct information in all fields. Ask the Designated School Official (DSO) who
signed the I-20 if you are not sure about the information.
• Letter for the consular official from the DSO
• Letter of acceptance from your degree program admissions director
• I-901 receipt showing proof that you paid the SEVIS fee
• Proof of financial ability to pay for the course of study. Take the original financial documents as
you prepared them for your admissions file. Include any other proof of assets or receipts of
payments made already to the school.
• Proof of English proficiency
• Visa application forms and the associated fees. You get these from the US consulate where you
will apply for the visa. Sometimes you can download them in advance. We recommend you call
and ask in advance what you should bring with you.
• One or more passport-style photos
• Evidence of residence in your home country and intention to return upon completing your degree.
Understand what the adjudicating officer is looking for.
The officer is looking for a bona fide student who has the intention to study full-time and who does not
have the intention to immigrate to the U.S. The visa must match the intention for travel to the U.S. The
most common reason for visa denial is based on regulation 214b. Here is a brief explanation.
 Visa applicants are considered immigrants to be denied a visa unless they convince the officer
they have non-immigrant intent (and have no prior black marks w/ immigration)
 The I-20 indicates acceptance to a US school, which implies that they are eligible for the F-1 visa.
This designates the F category, but doesn’t automatically grant approval.
 The officer interviews the student, so there is always an element of subjectivity. The officer is
analyzing conditions in your country and looking at what chance he/she thinks the student will
return.
 Don’t expect objectivity, because the fact is that the visa interview is immersed in another culture
and is very subjective. There are wide variations in why people apply for visas to come to the US.
Some countries have few universities, and limited access to those.
 Local employees put out student documents in order for a quick review by the consular officer,
but the officer has just a few minutes. You should clearly present the right documents without
confusing papers.
 The officer may ask about the family to get an idea of student’s ties to home country. Officers are
aware of cultural aspects of family and customs.
 Foremost, the officer is looking for honesty and forthright answers.