How to prepare for your F-1 student visa interview
Apply as soon as you know when you plan to travel.
Allow several weeks for planning and getting a visa appointment.
Practice answering questions in English about your visa application, your plans in the U.S., and your plans after you return home.
Be ready to prove to the consular official that you intend to return home after finishing your studies in the U.S.
Arrive at your appointment well prepared and with all required documentation (see below).
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 CELOP and Boston University.
Be able to explain why you chose this program.
Documents you MUST bring to your interview:
Your I-20
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 USDOS website.
Receipt or online proof of SEVIS Fee payment.
Admission letter from Boston University/CELOP.
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
**The best letter is one that guarantees you a job when you return AND states the importance of your studies in the U.S. to the employer.**
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.
