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‘How to nail your visa interview when you afor a study abroad programme‘

Your visa interview is the final stage of application. With the right preparation and planning, you can handle the interview like a pro. Here's how.

The visa interview usually is the last step towards your study abroad plans and can make or break your plans for higher studies in a foreign country if you cannot crack it. Visa interviews are carried out by a few countries: USA and Germany have mandatory interviews as a part of the visa application process. In the case of UK, Canada, and Australia, visa interview is conditional, as it depends on the completeness and the strength of your visa application.

If students are applying to France, they have to pass the academic interview, which is mandatory if applying for a France student visa. The Singapore visa application process is very easy; no visa interview is required. For Indians, the process is online. You need to register as a student in the Singapore Online Immigration System.

Main purpose of visa interview:

The purpose of the interview is that visa officers want to assess whether the student has a genuine interest in going abroad, and the capability to survive in the country.

For the US visa Interview, for example, you must be able to prove to the US Consular officer that you are:

- Prepared for the education programme by clearly articulating why that particular course is the right fit

- Financially capable by showing how you and your family are going to support you during your time there (for example, via family funds, loans or scholarships)

- Planning to use the student visa appropriately and not going for the purpose of working after graduation. So your intent to return home must be clear

As a rule, the visa officers do not ask to scrutinize your documents. But it is advisable to still have your documents handy. Having your documents also helps you prepare better for the interview. However, do not offer your documents until asked.

Documents needed for visa:

Before sharing the list, we would like to reiterate that you would not be asked for any documents other than your application or appointment letter. However, being prepared is always advisable and you should keep these documents handy for that one in a million chance of the interviewer asking to see any document.

File your documents properly, to make them easily accessible. Also, your original passport should be readily available as you would be requested to submit the same.

1. Documents Related to Personal Information:

Passport (Current and all the previous ones)
MRV Fee Receipt
Visa Interview Appointment Letter
DS 160 Confirmation Slip (with the Bar Code clearly visible)
SEVIS Fee Receipt
Passport Size Photograph (As per regulations mentioned)

2. Documents Related to Your Educational Profile

Class 10 and 12 Certificates and Mark Sheet
GRE/GMAT/SAT Score Card
IELTS/TOEFL Score Card
Bachelor's Degree, Provisional Degree Certificate or Course Completion Certificate or Mark-sheet for all the years as well as the consolidated mark sheet, if applicable
Documents Related to Work Experience Profile (only if applicable)
Joining Letter
Salary Slips (last six months)
Relieving Letter

3. Documents Related to Your Financial Profile

For the visa interview, this is the most important document. Visa officers would want to verify that you can fund your education, and you have adequate backup in case your original source does not fructify.
Loan Approval Letter (if applicable)
Saving Bank Account Statement (Recommended: Last Three Years)
Fixed Deposit Certificates (Recommended: Last Three Years) Tax Returns for the past three years Property Documents (Residential, Commercial, Ancestral and Farm Land)

How to impress your interviewer:

Students often worry too much about nailing the visa interview. They somehow get the mistaken impression that visa interviewers are not keen to allow students to go abroad for higher studies. Well, rest assured that you are welcome to study in their country, as long as you prove to be a deserving candidate. So, here is what makes a deserving candidate from the visa officer's point of view:

1. A candidate who shows that he or she is prepared for the education programme by clearly articulating why that particular course is the right fit.

2. The candidate is financially capable to support his/her educational funds during the stint. You should not be seen as a person who cannot afford to study abroad and whose financial position is weak. If you can show adequate evidence of loans, scholarships, or family funds, it will suffice for your visa officer.

3. The candidate plans to use the student visa appropriately. You should not look as though you are going for the purpose of working abroad after graduation. So, your intent to return home must be clear.

Potential questions you may be asked:

While there can be many questions that a visa officer could potentially ask you, here are some that can help you come up with focused answers:

Why have you chosen XXX destination to study? Why not study in India?
Why are you interested in this particular programme?
What if someone offers you a job in the US after your studies?
How do you plan to fund in case your personal finances run dry?

Before going to the interview, lay the groundwork. Study the university you are applying to. If there are any lacunae in your profile, be prepared to explain it well without creating unwanted doubts in your interviewer's mind. For instance, if you have dependents back home, be prepared to address the question as to how you plan to support them or how they will support themselves after you move to a different country.

Dos and Don'ts for your visa interview
10.
1. Look presentable, dress smart, and work on your speech delivery.
2. Don't recite parroted answers; they can see through these lines.
3. Be polite and courteous in your response.
4. Listen carefully to the questions and wait for your turn to answer. A little patience and good manners goes a long way.
5. Be confident when meeting the visa officer.
6. Don't get into an argument with the officer during your interview.
7. Create a good impression.
8. Be well prepared. Read up about the state you would be visiting, about the University's history and the nearby location. Go through your Financial Documents to clearly understand how you would be paying for your education in the USA.
9. Keep required documentation at hand.
10. Provide necessary financial documents.
11. Never sound like a potential immigrant.

The visa interview is the final stage of your application. Be confident, and keep a positive outlook, and your visa application will go through smoothly.

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Vibha Kagzi, Founder and CEO, ReachIvy, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science from Carnegie Mellon University. She has also pursued courses at the University of California, Berkeley, the London School of Economics and the Indian School of Business.

Our global team of counsellors have also acquired their degrees from premier institutes and are passionate about sharing their experiences with students worldwide.