Many students who visit US Embassies report varying outcomes from their Visa Interview. On a given day, in the same embassy, two persons, one with a solid financial structure, the other with some contrived documents, approach the same counselor seeking a student visa. The well grounded person is denied, but the imposter gets a five-year student visa.
It happens all the time and everywhere. Why? It is an inexact science. The counselor is making a subjective decision based on some cues that he is trained to observe. It is those subjective nuances that can affect your outcome, and we will attempt to address them here.
The visa interview is two human beings interacting with each other face to face. Therefore, human factors will intervene regardless of the presence or absence of objective criteria. So how do you combat that? Simple, apply what you know about basic human behavior. Use your interpersonal skills to your advantage.
How You Look …
First thing is appearance. Dress neatly but not in a pretentious fashion. Don’t wear too much makeup; don’t wear an earring if you are male; don’t wear large or multiple earrings if you are female; don’t have an exotic hairstyle; don’t use artificial hair color if that is obvious; don’t chew gum; don’t wear revealing clothing. These are just some of the obvious things that can hurt your case. What are the positives?
How You Say, What You Say …
Speak clearly! If you have an accent or are not 100% comfortable in English, speak slowly. Answer questions politely in short sentences. Add information for clarification but do not argue. If things appear to be going badly, then listen to the counselor’s concerns.
It is better to address those concerns and return a few days later, rather than get an outright denial from trying to argue. If he is expressing doubts, unless you have the items that can clarify or satisfy his doubt, you are better advised to return another day better armed. Often, you will get that chance to correct the problem without paying another fee.
Likability is the key. If a person likes you, there is a greater chance he will give you a positive result. Smile, be pleasant, explain yourself clearly, provide answers in a non-combative tone, and be ready to think quickly on your feet.
The 214 B Reality…
Section 214(b) is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states:
Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for admission, that he is entitled to a non immigrant status…
Normally if you are denied a Student Visa the consular officer might say something like:
“Your visa application is refused. You are not qualified under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
The 214 B reality is there. You might have to answer some hypothetical questions about your intentions that could get you in trouble. Remember the burden of proof that you must withstand and answer those questions to the best of your ability in that light.
If you are really an intended immigrant or plans to remain in the USA, then legally you do not qualify for a student visa. The reality is that a significant percentage of prospective international students, particularly from the developing world are in fact intended immigrants–meaning they have no intentions of returning home after their studies.
Most counselors and their bosses know that. Telling the truth would not per se disqualify you from getting the visa if everything else is in order—especially if your proposed field of study is something that will benefit the USA. So in reality, even the 214 B burden might be overcome with an honest answer.
The key issue remaining, therefore, is are you a legitimate student likely to complete this degree in the time frame allowed? If yes, and if the funding is there, the visa will likely be there also, and you are on your way to Studying in the United States.
Many perceive this topic of Student Visa to be complex because of rumors and anecdotes that are in circulation. But as you can see following the three sections above that this topic is not actually complex. Never buy into rumors and hearsay. When in doubt use your best judgment based on facts you have gathered from reputable sources.
Related posts:
- Demystifying the Student Visa Application Process
- Understanding the F Visa a.k.a Student Visa
- US Visa Seminar for Students, Yaounde Cameroon April 22 2009
Subscribe to My American Degree and receive free updates!
RSS Updates
or 
Email Updates
{ 1 trackback }
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
i give the interview in january 2008 for B.B.A. study and at that time i was rejected because of not given any enterance exam and at that time my graduation also running but i didn’t show them it . now i want to go for the M.B.A. so that pls help me by give some tips for visa interview.
i have gone for the interveiw but i was refused and it was pain full.
i gave my us visa interview they didn’t ask anything just denied my visa man whats wrong with them not mine we all 9 friends what the hell is goin in we lost our $1675 US. Can anybody help me regarding this……. please vikram singhal.
Thanks for this info.I have been admitted @ M.S.U TEXAS this fall August 2009.I rely want to go further in what I am doing now ie, Radiological Sciences.I do not want miss this opportunity. What do I do in order not to miss obtaining my VISA?
Please I also need some clarification on the issue of Financial Statement.Do you rely need to have a kind of heavy amount in your account before granted a VISA @ the embassy?.I need your help in this case.Thanks
Am Kenyan I had visited the embassy in December I was denied a visa on the base of financial statements. I still feel I should pursue my degree there in <USA. Please give me tips on how to go about it.
well,my experience with the consular officer I would say was so funny.She asked three questions,I responded very well cos I even talk to others who have been through it and they said my responses were just perfect.Only for her to turn around and say i am sorry I cannot give you visa at this time and I asked why,she said I should live and that the next person should come in.I was so angry cos I really wanted to have a reason for my visa denial but she asked me to go.I left never to come back and will never advise a friend to go there to seek for a visa.They should try elsewhere.I just do not like them,the consular officers.
i begging you to help me answer this questions
i want to study aerospace engineering in America.
-what are your commitment to education
-my career plans in Cameroon concerning aerospace engineering
hi i am yet to hand in my application for a study permit at the canadian high commission.what exactly do the consulars want to learn that could lead to acceptence of my visa rather study permit.
thank you
just fade up with the consular officers,I think its just some sort of business to extort money from young students.I was refused a student visa on no grounds but I feel studying home is even less costly especially with the global financial recession.
I did my interview Friday 24, July 2009 and they ask me a few questions like: who will b sponsorin me, do I have any relatives in the u.s.a, what will my major be, etc. He asked me for my transcripts & I told him I didn’t bring any. He then give me a paper which allowed my to carry in my transcripts for farther evaluation of my student visa application. I really hope I get on Thursday.
i was refused toa us visa. she said wasn’t repared well something like that. she asked me about my college and she said she wasn’t satisfied and she refused me.
I’m to face the consular on 19th, I’m courageous and pray that its successful, Its the final way of pursuing my dreams
Write now am studying for my sat on november 7 2009.and after my exam i will be planning to apply for an american student visa.i pray in the name of Allah that i will be granted,cuz i want to get a degree in oklahoma state university stillwater,then come back to nigeria to get a very good job.good luck to me and every body who is planning to get a visa to america.
i want u to pls help me with some of the major questions the consolar might possibly ask me on that day b/c my appointment date is at the coner
I wish to know the total amont paid after a successful visa interview . I wish to know the amount of money needed to carry along for a us student visa interview