F-1 Student Visa Guide - Process, Documentation, and Ace that Visa Interview
Bonus 100+ interview questions and answers; Authored by the Former Vice President, US News Global Education
Your Instructor
Patriek Karayil was the former Vice President for U.S. News Global Education - the international arm of the U.S. News Rankings organization. In that capacity he has engaged with 100s of U.S universities, counseled over 5000 students, and being part of the engagement with U.S. Embassies and consulates. Prior to that, he collaborated with over 20+ top ranked U.S. universities on their admissions and enrollment.
Patriek has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from ASU, and an MBA from MIT. He was an international student from India on an F-1 Visa, who then worked in the U.S. on an H-1B, before attaining his permanent residency and eventual citizenship. Patriek is considered as one of the foremost experts in U.S. Education for international students.
Course Curriculum
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StartWhat the US embassy and other visa services don’t tell you - Part 1 (0:59)
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StartWhat the US embassy and other visa services don’t tell you - Part 2 (0:46)
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StartWhat the US embassy and other visa services don’t tell you - Part 3 (1:03)
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StartMost important decision you will make (2:46)
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StartWhen is the ideal time to apply for the visa? (2:04)
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StartScholarships and its impact on the Visa outcome (1:12)
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StartHow to respond in your Visa Interview (1:20)
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StartWhy are you going to the US? (0:58)
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StartWhy are you choosing to study in the US? (2:33)
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StartWhy not choose to go to the UK or elsewhere? (1:06)
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StartWhere all did you apply to? (1:56)
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StartHow many universities did you apply to? (1:26)
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StartWhy did you only apply to 1-2 universities? (2:22)
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StartWhy are you choosing to enroll in this university? (1:26)
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StartWhy study this major? (2:01)
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StartWhy study this major at this particular university? (1:48)
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StartWhy not study this major at University ABC? (1:14)
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StartWhat is your GRE score question (if you haven’t taken the GRE)? (1:30)
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StartWhy is your GRE score low? (1:23)
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StartWhat if you got a job in the US? (1:12)
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StartTell me about this university you are enrolling in? (2:42)
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StartWhere did you do your bachelors or High School? (1:28)
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StartWhat is your bachelors or High School GPA? (1:04)
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StartWhat courses will be taking in your first semester? (2:02)
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StartWhen did you graduate and what have you been doing in all that time? (1:15)
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StartHow long will you study in the US? (1:14)
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StartHow did you come to know of this university? (1:37)
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StartWhy did you apply to only these universities? (2:26)
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StartWhat professors will you be studying under? (0:30)
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StartWhat is the cost of your education? (0:32)
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StartWhat is the cost per credit hour? (1:11)
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StartWhat courses might be difficult for you? (1:16)
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StartWho is sponsoring your education? (2:32)
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StartWhat do your parents do? (0:48)
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StartWhat is your sponsor’s salary? (1:00)
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StartHow are you financing your education? (2:11)
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StartCan I see your bank statement? (1:04)
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StartHow many siblings do you have and follow up question on finances? (1:31)
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StartWhat are your siblings doing abroad? (1:12)
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StartDo you have a blood relative in the US with a greencard or citizenship? (1:35)
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StartWhere are your siblings working in the US? (0:56)
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StartWhat do your distant relatives in the US do? (1:10)
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StartWhy are you leaving your current job (assuming you are employed)? (1:21)
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StartWhat was your salary (assuming you were employed)? (0:45)
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StartDo you plan on working in the US? (2:05)
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StartWhat will do you when you come back after your degree? (2:22)
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StartDo you have a scholarship? (1:23)
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StartWhy didn’t you get this scholarship? (1:32)
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StartWhy should you be given the F1 student visa? (2:17)
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StartHow are you affording your education in Year 2 and beyond? (1:58)
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StartWhat is the mascot for your university? (1:50)
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StartWhy is your I-20 only 9 months long? (1:36)
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StartShould I proceed now or wait and try my chances at better ranked university next year (1:47)
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StartWhat if my Visa date is too far out? (1:24)
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StartWill my B1/B2 visa cancelled with a F1 Visa (acceptance/rejection)? (0:51)
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StartWhat is a 221g? (1:37)
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StartCan I do Freelance working while on F-1 visa? (4:13)
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StartDo you have any relatives in the US? (3:58)
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StartHow much funds do I need to show at the Visa Interview? (2:16)
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StartCan my relative in US sponsor me? (1:36)
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PreviewCan I change my selected university once I've applied for visa? (1:28)
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PreviewHow can I transfer to a US university from an Indian University for Bachelors (2:22)
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PreviewAre some consulates or some visa officers lenient than others? (1:24)
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PreviewShould I renew passport before going to the US? (0:49)
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PreviewHow to get an expedited visa appointment date? (1:55)
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PreviewWhat is the visa acceptance rate for an F1 visa in India? (1:05)
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PreviewCan I apply for visa at any consulate in India? (0:47)
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PreviewWill my previous B1/B2 rejection impact my F1 Visa? (0:55)
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PreviewWhat kind of students stand out in their F1 Visa interview? (1:41)
Get started now!
Frequently Asked Questions
"This is an excellent course for any student in India appearing and preparing for an F-1 visa interview. It not only explains WHAT to answer but also the WHY."
- Kanika Choudhary, MS in IS Student, University of Utah
"I am a post doctoral researcher at BYU and appeared for an J-1 visa interview. Though the course focuses on students appearing for an F-1 visa interview but helped me immensely explaining to me the psychology behind the questions asked by the visa officer. I would highly recommend this course to all students aiming higher ed in the states. Cheers!"
- Dr. Alvika Gautam, Post-doctoral researcher, Brigham Young University