Any non-US citizen planning to study in the United States or rather US, will need to apply for an F or M US student visa unless of course they are visiting the US on a visitor (B) visa or through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), to undertake recreational study (non-credit) as part of a tourist visit.
In today’s post, I share with you the most frequently asked student F1 visa interview questions by the visa officer when you submit your application for an F1 or M US student visa.
As will be evident from the FAQs, the questions mostly are pegged around your reasons for wanting to study in the US (instead of in your home country) and the university or college you plan to study at.
The student F1 visa officer attending to your case will also try to determine whether you have strong enough ties to your home country to be motivated to return after finishing your studies.
Make sure to truthfully respond to questions and that whatever you say at interview matched what you indicated in your form DS160 which you submit with your F1 student visa application.
So without much further ado, here are some of the most frequently asked questions at the US F1 Student visa interview at the US embassy plus answers to the interview questions:
But first, Full disclaimer: All questions and answers are based on my experience and those that were interviewed and were gracious enough to share with me their experiences. I do not and have never worked for as a US visa officer. This post is just to give you an idea of what to expect at your US F1 Student visa interview.
I have split these most frequently asked questions at the US F1 Student visa interviews into the following 5 main parts:
- F1 student visa questions and answers, Part 1: University / College / Academics related questions.
- F1 student visa questions and answers, Part 2: Your finances
- F1 visa questions and answers, Part 3: Relations & family members
- F1 visa questions and answers, Part 4: Work – related
- F1 visa questions and answers, Part 5: General questions
What's Covered in This Article
With these set of questions, the visa officer attending to your case will focus on questions related to the college or university you intend to study at.
1. Which course are you planning to study/undertake?
Simply give the name of the course you’re going to study. For example, I plan to study/undertake a bachelors in Digital Cinematography, or Film and Video certificate program, Masters in film production, etc.
2. Why did you choose this course?
Your answer should demonstrate how the course is relevant to your past degrees, your career prospects, etc.
You can answer as follows:
-
- I am passionate about film and video (*insert your course*) and would like to build a strong foundation in storytelling and gain more knowledge about adapting content for a variety of mediums using the latest technological tools with (*insert knowledge you hope to gain from your course*).
- There are not that many qualified experts in Digital Cinematography (*insert your course*) in Kenya (*insert your country*). The expertise I will acquire while studying at Full Sail university (*insert your university/college name*) will help me stand out upon my return to Kenya.
- Digital Cinematography (*insert your course*) is an upcoming field globally, but there is a shortage of experts in this field in Kenya, so this will boost my career when I return home.
3. How relevant is it to your previous studies? or How will this study program relate to your past work or studies?
Answer explaining the relationship if at all
4. Why are you switching fields? (If you are) or Can you explain why you changed your field or career?
I have been in the field of film and video on the side for quite some time but convinced that earning a degree in the field is the best way to be outfitted for the changing landscape and learn of the latest technological tools and concepts.
5. Why did you choose this university/college? or The major which you are taking is also available at other universities, why did you decide to go to this university and not to one of the others?
Do in-depth research on this, focusing on the pros of the University/College.
For example:
-
- Full Sail University is not like your ordinary college. Their programs contain more credit hours per month than traditional universities so I get to finish faster in half the time of traditional schools and start my career sooner.
- Moreover, each degree program is project-based with a focus on real-world experience so by the time I complete my course I will have built a portfolio and personal brand to showcase to potential clients/employers.
- Their film and video department is highly reputed in the world of entertainment and media leading to a variety of unique opportunities for students.
- They are huge on international publications.
- As an international student I would also benefit from their locked tuition rates.
- *name of professor* is well known in the field of xxx for (list out his achievements), and I am excited to learn in his footsteps.
- Full Sail (*Insert your university/college*) is well known for excellence in the world of entertainment and media (*your field*).
6. What about scholarships? Did you get any?
7. Did you contact any professors?
Yes if you contacted any professors. No if you didn’t contact any.
Do not try to cheat.
You’re safer knowing names of at least 2 to 3 professors in your department even if you don’t intend to contact any of them.
Most universities will have a ‘Faculty spotlight’ section on their website.
Take advantage of it.
8. What are their names?
You can respond as follows:
I know Michael Hanly (*insert your professor name*), The Project and Portfolio II and Fundamentals of Production I instructor. I haven’t contacted him personally, but I’m excited to learn from his eclectic professional experiences as a day player, film editor, and college professor (*insert professor’s expertise).
9. Why don’t you want to study in Kenya / your country? or Why did you choose the US for higher education?
For this question, focus on the pros of your university, course, and/or professors.
Your answer could focus on any one of the following:
- high quality of education in the US comparative to your country.
- If the course you intend to undertake is not offered in any of the institutions in your home country, you can tell the Visa Officer that it is not available in your country.
- Any research specializations
The key here is to demonstrate to the visa officer that taking that course in the US will add significant value to your education life.
You can answer in any one of the following ways:
- Full Sail University (*Insert your university/college*) is not like your ordinary college. Their programs contain more credit hours per month than similar universities here in Kenya so I will get to finish faster and start my career sooner.
- I want to take advantage of the global exposure that comes with studying outside of my country.
- I did my undergraduate and Masters degree in Kenya but would now want to study digital cinematography at Full Sail (*Insert your university/college*) because their hands-own approach seems more advanced, compared to the options currently available here in Kenya. I feel this is a great opportunity for me to learn from the professors there.
- Full Sail (*Insert your university/college*) is well-known and one of world’s Top Film colleges in the world.
10. What are your plans after graduation?
Kindly note this question is geared towards testing your rootedness to home country and if you have any intention to remain in the US
So your answer should focus on your motivation for wanting to come back home after completing your studies.
You can answer as follows:
- I will return home and continue working at XYZ co. who have accepted to give me a study leave
- I will use my new degree to look for a new job since I will be more marketable on return
- I will utilized my new found skills in digital cinematography to expand my film business, etc.
11. How many universities did you apply to?
Respond with the number.
12. Which universities did you apply to and Where did you get an admission?
In the US, I applied to Full Sail and got admitted.
In Kenya, I also applied to Strathmore University and I also got an admission.
Answer accordingly.
13. How did you learn of / find out about this university?
- I learnt about this university through a Google search of the top film and video universities in the world.
- Through out university’s open day.
- Through a Google advertisement
14. Where is the university/college located?
Full Sail University is located on 3300 University Blvd, in Winter Park, Florida, just outside of Orlando.
Give your university’s exact location, including where your campus will be located. If your university has other campuses, make sure to know them too. It shows you did your homework.
What about your accommodation?
Respond accordingly with the exact address.
Tip: By the time you’re going to the embassy you should have already planned for your accommodation in advance. Talk to your university international student office to help with this.
Mention the exact address also listing iconic industries close to it (if any)
How will you reach there?
From Florida international airport, I will Uber my way to the university.
15. If you are awarded a US degree, would you return to the US for Higher Studies? or Are you also planning to study a Ph.D. in the US after having completed your master’s degree?
If you’re not considering pursuing higher studies in the US, say so.
If considering, you could answer as follows:
- I haven’t given it as much thought yet. I will consider it in-depth upon completion of my Bachelors/Masters.
Yes, in the event I decide to pursue higher studies, I would definitely put the US at the top of my list because of the high quality of education, its recording arts institutions and facilities, ample research facilities, etc.
16. What is the scope of your course?
Tip: Score your prospective university’s website for details e.g.:
The Digital cinematography course is centered on project-based work with professional real-world experiences threaded throughout our curriculum, and using professional software and hardware, giving students the opportunity to experience entertainment and media industry before they graduate.
17. What is the Course structure?
Tip: Visit your prospective school’s website and find out the course structure – both semesters and curriculum.
18. Do you intend to work in the US upon completing your studies?
Tip: The F1 visa is not a work visa. It is meant to enable you to get an education in the US, and thereafter return to your home country after completing your studies.
Answer: No. I don not intend to work after completing my studies. I will return back home to Kenya and use my newly acquired skills to:
- grow my film (*insert yours here) business,
- get a new job,
- return to my current employer who has graciously granted me a study leave.
answer according to your particular situation.
19. What do you intend to do after completing your studies?
Tip: Your answer should reflect how you intend to implement your newly attained skills in advancing your career in your home country and seriousness towards it.
Answer: With Full Sail’s Digital Cinematography bachelor’s degree, I will be better outfitted to pair knowledge of the latest technological tools with a strong foundation in storytelling to expand my film business.
20. What are your Future plans?
Tip: Your answers should reflect on the growth opportunities in your home country and your intentions of returning to your home country to be part of that growth.
Africa’s film industry is growing and I want to be part of that growth.
I intend to grow my film business by tapping into my country’s growing infrastructure, government support, and mega investments investments in Africa’s movie industry which have opened up many avenues for the continent to tell its own stories.
To expand my film business, I also plan to attract consumers interested in African stories who represent a growing and profitable niche.
21. What benefit will this Course bring to you?
Tip: Your answers should reflect on the growth opportunities in your home country and your intentions of returning to your home country to be part of that growth. Clearly outline the benefits that the course would give you, to tap into these opportunities back home.
- A degree in digital cinematography will expose me to the latest developments in film and entertainment, and a strong foundation in storytelling opening a Plethora of job opportunities for me in Kenya’s nascent but growing film industry. All the big media and entertainment companies are currently investing in the continent. So when I return after my studies, I get an opportunity to be a part of this growth.
- There’s currently a global data analytics boom that I would like to seize. Taking up this course aligns with my current career goals
22. What is the name of the university where you completed your undergraduate or graduated degree, and where is it?
Respond with name of university and location.
e.g. United States International University, Nairobi Campus
23. In what year did you get your Bachelor’s degree and from which university?
Respond with year e.g. 2001
24. How long are you planning to stay in the United States?
Respond with the number of years. Make sure it matches exactly the length of your course. No more, no less.
e.g. 2 years.
25. Tell me more about your academic background.
Respond accordingly. I have a Bachelors in film from USIU in Nairobi , and a Masters in Digital communication from Nairobi university.
26. Why are you going to the US?
To study.
27. What will you specialize in for your degree?
Digital cinematography
28. What will be your major?
Film and video
29. Why are you planning to continue your education?
I am planning to continue my education because I would like to be outfitted for the changing landscape and learn of the latest technological tools and concepts in film and cinematography.
30. Can you not continue your education in your home country?
- Yes I can, but no university in Kenya currently offers this course
- Yes can, but I want to take advantage of the global exposure that comes with studying outside of my country. Moreover, by going to Full Sail University (*Insert your university/college*), I will get to finish faster and start my career/move back home/ sooner since their programs contain more credit hours per month than similar traditional universities.
31. How many colleges did you apply to? or Which other universities did you apply to?
32. How many schools did you get admitted to?
33. How many schools rejected you?
34. What was your (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS) score?
Respond accordingly.
Could you please show me your (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS) results?
Hand over to the visa officer the original transcript of the exam result.
35. Why is your score so low (if you have a low score)?
You can answer as follows:
- It was tough balancing an Undergraduate/Master’s degree course with full-time employment, family, and preparing for the (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS), which affected my preparation.
36. Considering the current U.S economy, why do you want to go there?
The current US economy does bother me too much as I’m only interested in going there to study and apply what I will learn there back home. Also, the pros of studying in the US with the current economic state outweigh the cons
37. What is your course commencement date?
Respond accordingly with the exact date which should have been stated in your university offer letter.
What Will You Do During The Off Period/Semester?
Tip: You should mention your strong ties to the home country. You can say that you plan to go back to your home country to meet your family and friends. You should not say that you plan to work in the U.K as that shows you are not financially strong and you are going there to earn money.
This will make the Visa Officer believe that even after completing your education, you would like to have a job and settle there. These kinds of questions are asked to check your intentions.
I plan to go back to meet my family and friends in my country.
F1 Student Visa Questions, Part 2: Your Finances
The goal of the F1 visa interview questions asked under this section is for the visa officer to ascertain whether or not you are able financially support your studies in the United States, without having to rely on the US system or seek employment outside the university.
Note: With your F1 student visa, you are legally allowed to work only a maximum of 20 hours a week, and only within the confines of your university/college.
So make sure to carry supporting documents such as up to date bank statements etc. to support your answers and build a case for you.
1. Who is sponsoring your studies and how? or Who is paying for your education?
Respond accordingly.
For example:
- Myself. I have enough savings from my 5 years of work to cover my tuition fees, living expenses, and air ticket.
- My parents. They run a family business. They work are employed at XYZ. etc
2. What is your fees for first the year? What is your tuition fee of the University you want to join?
This information in available in you i20. Answer accordingly.
3. What is your parent’s annual income?
Respond accordingly.
4. How much money will they be providing you with? or Does your sponsor pay for all of it or did you also get a loan?
Respond accordingly. Make sure that your sum total sources of income cover at least your air fare, total tuition fees + living expenses and corresponds with what is in your bank statement.
5. What is your income (If working)?
Respond accordingly.
6. If your (insert sponsor name) is spending most of his savings on your education, what about your family’s expenses back home? How are they able to pay for it? What is their professional background?
Respond accordingly.
For example you can elaborate that in addition to the savings, the sponsor still has regular income from his/her job/consultancy/business and/or owns other assets such as real estate property, insurance policies, etc.
7. It appears from your bank statement that all the deposits have been made recently. Where did these funds come from suddenly?*****
Respond accordingly.
8. How much is your living expenses and accommodation fee? or How much money is available for your stay in the US?
Check your i20 it should have the entire figure for one year i.e., accommodation fees plus living expenses.
9. Tell me more about your father’s/mother’s job and income and how long they have been working for the company.
Respond accordingly.
10. What is the monthly income of the person who is going to sponsor your studies?
Respond accordingly.
11. Apart from that, tell us more of your sponsor’s annual income?
Respond accordingly.
12. Can I please see your current bank statement.
Hand over the bank statement to the visa officer
13. If you are planning to stay for x years, how will you finance your education and your living?
I have enough money to cover my course fee and living expenses for the x years.
14. If you run out of money in the U.S, what will you do?
I have enough money to cover all my expenses while in the US. So I this situation shouldn’t arise.
15. Will your relatives in the U.S chip in to support?
No
16. How much do you have in savings?
Respond accordingly.
17. What proof do you have that your sponsor can support your Studies?
Give to the visa officer your sponsor’s letter of support, bank statement and other financial documents that proves that they are capable of supporting your studies.
18. What is the source of income of your Sponsor?
Research this information before hand and come with supporting documents.
Respond accordingly
20. Why are they sponsoring you? (if not a parent) or Why is your uncle/brother/other relative sponsoring you instead of your parents?
21. I can see you got a scholarship, why do you think they gave it to you?
You’re right. I’m certain there were quite a few other applicants this merit-based Women in Technology scholarship, but I do think they gave it to me because of my background met all the eligibility requirements. and I matched the desired qualities in the application:
- I graduated from high school in 2020 and I identify as female;
- I also met the criteria of a cumulative high school GPA of 3.8 or higher;
- and most importantly, I won the whiteboard problem-solving competition whereby I submitted an original project to the scholarship committee
F1 Student Visa Questions, Part 3: Relatives & Family
For the family and relatives part of the F1 student visa interview, following are the most frequently asked US embassy F1 visa interview questions related to the family:
1. Do you have relatives in the U.S? Who? or Do you have any other relatives who live in the United States?
Respond accordingly.
you should focus only on your immediate family such as father, mother, sister, brother. Avoid introducing too many unnecessary relationships.
2. How many brother and sisters do you have? or How many siblings do you have?
Respond accordingly.
- I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
- I am an only child
3. Tell me more about your brother/sister? Are any of them living in the United States?
Respond accordingly
4. What does your father/mother/sister/brother do? Where does he/she live?
Respond accordingly.
Fore example:
- My father is a doctor at Nairobi Hospital. He graduated from Oxford university in 1979
- My mother is an aeronautical engineer and she runs her own aviation firm. She graduated from UCLA in 1986.
- My sister is a house-wife.
5. What is your father/mother/sister/brother’s income?
It is business and income varies from xyz to xyz Lac INR/annum depending on profit.
6. What will you do if your student visa is rejected? or What are your plans if your student visa is not approved?
Depending on the reasons given for the visa rejection, I will either re-apply again or consider alternative locations to pursue my studies.
7. Are your parents supportive of your decision to study in the U.S?
Yes. They are very supportive.
Why?
They believe that the quality education and global perspective I will get by studying in the US will be a game-changer for me once I return home.
8. Will you be coming back to home during vacations/ holidays? or Will you be going home during the semester breaks? or Are you planning to go home during your summer vacation?
Answer accordingly with a Yes, no, or I don’t know yet.
Yes. I intend to come back and meet my family and friends here in Kenya, especially during the long summer holidays if I will not be taking any classes.
No. I have already planned to work on my senior project during summer seeing that our course if fast tracked. Or I will try to get an assistantship in my department so will be unable to go home during vacations.
9. I realize you have many brothers and sisters, will your parents be able to afford your education abroad in the United States?
Yes. My parents still have earning from the family business and my father’s consultancy. They also have liquid assets worth a total of KES 9 million such as education insurance policies for my siblings to make sure that their studies are not jeopardized in future.
10. Do you have any relatives studying at the same university you are planning to go to?
Answer accordingly.
11. Are you in a relationship?
Respond accordingly
F1 Student Visa Questions, Part 4: Work & Job
Tip: The core principle for this part of the interview is to constantly prove that you have the intention and motivation to return your home country upon completion of your studies, due to your strong family, and economic ties.
Make sure to carry relevant supporting documents such as: your employer introduction letter, leave approval letter, school introduction letter, business cards, business registration certificates, tax certificates, pay slips, CV, etc.
Following are some of the most frequently asked F1 US student visa interview questions:
1. What will you do after completing your studies in the US? or Once you finish your studies, do you plan to stay in the United States to work? or How do I prove that you are going to come back?
- After completing my studies, I will come back to Kenya and focus on growing my film business/my career.
- After completing my computer science studies, I intend to come back and settle here in Nairobi (commonly known as Africa’s silicon savannah) where lots of the global technical conglomerates reside here.
2. Where do you currently work? What do you currently do?
Respond accordingly.
3. Why are you leaving you current job?
Respond accordingly.
For example:
- My ultimate career goal is to become a certified cinematographer. With Full Sail’s Digital Cinematography bachelor’s degree (insert your university and course), I will be better outfitted to pair knowledge of the latest technological tools with a strong foundation in storytelling, hence better placed to deliver in a similar role as my current job or another position.
- My whole intention to go to the US is to study and gain the latest film and video technology knowledge which will give me chance to work on those technologies upon returning home.
- I am not leaving my job. My employer has been gracious enough to grant me a study leave so I will come back to work at the company upon completion of my studies.
4. Can I please see your current CV?
Hand it over to the visa officer
5. What is your current salary?
Respond accordingly
6. Do you plan on working while studying?
Please note that with your F1 student visa, you are only legally allowed to work for 20 hours per week, and on-campus.
You can answer as follows:
I am not keen to work while studying because I want to focus on my course work. However, I may consider working on-campus if I find an opportunity for work experience related to the course I will be taking.
7. How much money can you earn after your completing your studies? or What are your job prospects on completion of your chosen course of study?
Do your homework before your US embassy interview.
You can also check out where most alumnus of your university who took the same course are currently working so you get an average salary package.
Make sure your answer is based on your home country estimates as you should ideally be returning there when you complete your studies.
8. Why don’t you think of taking up a job in the US after your education because you will likely earn more?
Because well-paying opportunities in Kenya are equally abound. Besides, the cost of living is lower here so even though I may earn a little less, it will do more. My entire family is also here and I wouldn’t want to stay away from them any much longer after I complete my studies.
8. Most applicants like yourself go to America and never return. What about you? Do you plan to come back to Kenya once you finish your studies?
Yes. I plan to return. There is a huge shortage of skilled labor here in Kenya coupled with plenty of well-paying opportunities in my field of study. Besides, my entire family is here and I would not like to live away from it if I don’t have to. I also have a lot of economic investments here in Kenya so I will most definitely come back.
F1 Student Visa Questions, Part 5: General Questions
In this section of the most frequently asked F1 student visa questions, you find a whole potpurri of questions that may not necessarily fit in the other 4 parts.
1. Have you been to the U.S before? or Is it your first time to the US or have you visited before?
Respond accordingly.
Yes if you have been. No if you haven’t.
2. What is your opinion about the U.S? or What do you know about US education?
The best place to pursue film and cinematography, high quality education, very cosmopolitan as it attracts students from all over the world, have great universities, some of the best research is done here.
3. Will language/communication be a problem for you? or How good is your English?
No, English is the medium of instruction in Kenya from pre-school all the way to tertiary level. I have near-native fluency in both written and spoken English. I also scored highly in my (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS).
Yes
Which ones?
The US visa application website
5. Where are you planning to travel and what locations would you like to visit in the U.S?
I haven’t given much thought to this because my current primary focus will be my studies which will take up most of my time. I might travel around a bit during the semester breaks when I will not be traveling back home for vacation.
6. How will you manage the cultural and educational differences in the US?
Thanks to the world being a global village and the power of the internet, I have already started keeping abreast of the American culture. Upon arrival to the US, I will endeavor to learn of the different customs, systems, and way of doing things and adjust as quickly as reasonable possible. But by virtue of being Kenyan I am already familiar with operating in a a diverse cultural environment, so adjusting to the cultural differences is the US should be navigable.
7. Do you think you deserve to get an F1 visa?
Yes
8. Why should you be granted a student visa? or Why should we give you the possibility to study in the United States? or Why should I approve your visa?
I believe I should be granted a student visa because pursuing my studies at one of the world’s top ranked universities in the field entertainment and media (insert your field) will help me achieve my long-term goals. By furthering my education in digital cinematography (insert your course), I can work towards my career goals. I aim to make a positive difference upon returning back home to my country, and this degree will absolutely be the difference-maker when it comes to seizing the plethora of opportunity that awaits me upon graduating with an American degree.
9. What do you know about the city your university is located in?
It is the home of Disneyland.
10. Are there any reasons why you shouldn’t be granted an F1 visa?
No. None that I can think of at the moment.
I have an admission from one of the world’s top ranked university. I have sufficient funds to cover both my tuition and living expenses for the period of study, and I am excited to come back and seize the opportunities that await me back home.
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