5 things to keep in mind for your F-1 Visa Interview
Get ready for your in-person visa interview appointment.
Arriving unprepared at a US Embassy or Consulate location for your F-1 Visa Consulate Appointment (Visa Interview) can seriously impact your entire F-1 Visa application process. Here are some things that you must keep in mind to prepare for the actual day of your visa interview appointment:
Remain calm and confident
Know that the visa officer is not trying to actively deny your application and prevent you from studying in the US. However, you must convince the visa officer that you are applying for the F-1 Visa solely to complete your higher education in the US, and that you will return to your home country once you complete your program of study in the US. You must provide accurate and factual responses to all questions asked by the officer and remain calm throughout the interview, keeping in mind that it’s just a conversation.
Frequently Asked F-1 Visa Interview Appointment Questions (India)
It’s important to be as prepared as you can. We’ve compiled some commonly asked questions during F-1 Visa interviews and provided tips for each question as well. Click on the button below to get your free copy of this quick guide to nail your F-1 Visa Consular Appointment in India!
Know the exact address
Look up the exact address of the US Embassy or Consulate that you need to visit for your visa interview appointment. You can log into your CGI Federal account and look at your appointment confirmation letter to locate the exact address of the Consulate location you have chosen for your appointment. Click here to view all 5 locations of the US Embassy or Consulates in India.
You must account for traffic and plan to arrive at the appointment location at least 15 minutes before your time slot. However, you will not be allowed to enter the appointment facility before the time slot listed on your appointment confirmation letter. It’s also important to note that none of the US Embassy/Consulate locations provide parking facilities - you must make alternate arrangements for your vehicle if you plan to park close to the appointment facility, and plan on arriving even earlier to account for time taken to find a parking spot.
Items to carry
You must come prepared with a folder carrying all the necessary documents to substantiate your case for a F-1 Visa. Click here to view our document checklist to quickly reference which documents you must carry to the US Embassy or Consulate for your Consular (Interview) appointment.
Note: Organize all your documents and carry them in an unsealed transparent bag or folder. The appointment facilities will not allow you to carry your mobile phone and wallet/bags and don’t provide any storage or locker facilities for your items. Leave your belongings in your vehicle if you plan to drive to the appointment location, and if you plan to use public transport or ride sharing apps, you must either leave your belongings at home or make arrangements for someone to wait outside the facility with your items.
Things you should not carry
The US Embassy / Consulate facilities are extremely strict about carrying items into the facility and will ask you to discard any additional items. The list of prohibited items includes (but is not limited to):
Battery-operated or electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart watches, digital diaries, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, flash drives, memory sticks, BlueTooth devices, laptop or tablet computers, and portable music players
Large shoulder bags/purses, travel bags, backpacks, briefcases or suitcases. Only bags that can be carried by hand will be permitted like unsealed plastic bags containing visa application-related documents, small cloth bags, and zip folders
Food and beverages
Cosmetics (including, but not limited to sprays perfumes, or any powders)
Sealed envelopes or packages
Flammable items such as cigarettes, cigars, match boxes, and lighters
Sharp objects, including scissors, pocket knives, pen knives, and nail filers
Weapons, weapon-like objects, or explosive material of any kind
Long handled umbrellas (longer than 40 cm when closed)
Dress appropriately
Visa interviews can be stressful and it’s important to dress in a manner that you’re comfortable in. However, just like any other interview, opting for professional or business-casual attire is always considered appropriate and a safe bet.
You should avoid wearing open-toed shoes and absolutely avoid wearing flip-flops. Refrain from wearing any caps/hats, expensive jewelry, or any excessive accessories. Taking care of small details like styling your hair and wearing a light fragrance can go a long way in boosting your confidence for the visa interview.
Upon Arrival
When you enter the appointment facility, you will first be screened for safety with handheld or walk-through metal detectors, and then be subjected to a body temperature check as per the latest COVID-19 guidelines. Next, an employee at the facility will verify your documents, and once the check is complete, they will direct you to wait in line with other applicants who have the same appointment time slot. Sometimes the line can be longer due to a backlog from previous appointment time slots for the day. Finally, when your turn arrives, you will be directed to a room where you will stand in front of a US Embassy / Consulate officer who will conduct your interview.
If you successfully complete your interview, you will be asked to submit your original passport with the visa officer for the Embassy / Consulate to stamp your F-1 Visa. Click below to read more on how to prepare for your F-1 Visa Consular Appointment (Visa Interview).