Getting a study visa for overseas education is
not a simple task. It is a multi-step process involving application, submission
of documents and an interview process. The visa interview process plays a
crucial part in the decision-making process by visa authorities. It is the
interview process, which determines the candidate’s intent and objective on the
basis of which the immigration authorities announce their result of acceptance
or refusal. Countries like the US place a high weightage on a candidate’s visa
interview.
It is expected that the candidate must be
thoroughly aware of Student Visa
Requirements and must answer the interviewer truthfully and fluently. It
doesn’t matter if it is a face-to-face interview or is conducted
telephonically, as in the case of New Zealand, the candidate needs to have a
fair idea as to what questions are likely to be asked. Here’s a list of the
most likely student visa interview questions
Verification
Generally, this process is followed in case of
telephonic interviews to make sure that the questions are being answered by the
right person. Passport and other details are generally verified before the
actual interview begins.
Previous academic/ job details
Details on previous qualifications may be asked.
If the candidate does have a job experience, areas of work may be assessed and
questions may be asked with regards to the same. Some likely questions include:
What is your highest educational
qualification? What were the subject areas?
Have you been employed before? Where?
What was your Job profile? What did it involve? What were key roles granted to
you during your employment tenure?
University and Program details
You may be asked about the details of the course
for which you are opting. Questions such as: What does your course include? List a few majors that you will be
opting for, in your program; may be asked. Details about the university
that you have selected and highlights of that institution needs to be known. Why this University? What are the other
popular courses offered by your university? What is your University website?
These are some questions that may be asked.
Financial details
This is a key area on which questions may be
targeted. Whether the candidate or his sponsors are financially sound enough to
sponsor the education and the living expense is determined.
How do you plan on funding your
education? Is your sponsor employed? What is the fee for the first semester of
your course? Were you offered a scholarship?
These are the kind of questions that you should
expect. Answering them must be done truthfully and no details must be omitted. It
must be ensured that your financial details meet the USA and UK Study Visa Requirements, in case of the US and UK or for any country to which you may be applying.
It must be kept in mind that financial status
must be declared according to the living costs in the city of stay. Living
costs vary depending on whether the university is located in an urban or rural
area.
Intentions
This is the section which may primarily
determine the status of your visa. Questions are asked to determine what you
wish to accomplish by studying in the country. The visa officer may also ask
about your intentions after getting your degree. These are the questions that
may be put forward:
Why did you choose this country? Isn’t
this course offered in your country? What are your plans after completing this
course? Do you have any long-term plans?
Other questions
There are some other areas on which you may be
questioned by the visa officer.
Do you have any connection to terrorist
activities? Is anyone in your family involved in terrorism?
These are questions that are asked sometimes and
must be answered truthfully. It must be made clear that neither you nor anyone
in your family is engaged in, or supports any kind of militancy.
Have you ever visited this country
before? Has your visa ever been rejected before?
The visa officer is already aware of all such
details. The questions are simply asked for clarification and must be candidly
addressed.
A
detailed study of all the above points must be ensured before going for a Study Abroad Student Visa interview.
Practice sessions in the form of mock visa interviews can greatly help the
student to ensure that facts are coherently presented before the visa officer
at the time of the actual interview. It is advised to practice conversations in
English since that would be the medium in which the visa officer will ask
questions.