Congratulations on getting the acceptance letter to your dream university! Now, only one last step remains to fulfill your study abroad dream: passing your visa interview. And this is the part most students fear as they don’t want their visa application to get rejected,

Don’t worry! We have curated this article with five solid visa interview tips to help you breeze through the interview process. So without much ado, let’s delve into all the steps one by one!

Gather all the Required Documents

You need to put all your relevant documents in neat order in one file as it won’t make you waste your limited time at the interview finding the required document from the clutter. 

Generally required documents are your university acceptance letter, visa application, passport, photographs, financial documents, academic transcripts, test scores from standardized tests like IELTS, GMAT, or LSAT, work experience (if any), etc. Besides, carry a copy of all the required documents with you at the time of the interview.

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Practice Your English Language Speaking Skills

When you are migrating to a country where English is the official language, like the USA, your English proficiency should be good enough to allow you to study in the state. Well, for that, you are asked to take standardized English language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. 

Since your visa interview will be in English, you must improve your speaking skills. Make sure to brush up on grammar and learn new vocabulary words to help you confidently get through the interview.

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Be Prepared

There will be many questions regarding your course, university, financial situation, course commencement, end dates, etc. You need to be prepared for all questions to know your intent behind going abroad. 

The consular officer needs to ensure that you are going to your host country to pursue higher education and not for employment. The officer will try to ascertain that you will be coming back to your home country after completing your studies. 

So you must do your homework by going through your university website and handouts, learning about your course content, researching sample visa interview questions, and conducting mock interviews with your friends and family. 

Be Respectful

Always in a formal setting such as this one, you must be courteous. Your manners say a lot about your personality, so you should always be respectful of others! Consider a few things mentioned below when you enter the room for your interview.

●     Greet the interviewer as you enter the room, and always say thank you once your interview gets over. 

●     Keep your voice tone cordial and calm while answering the questions.

●     Never engage in any argument or verbal fight with the interviewer.

●     Always put your phone on silent or flight mode, as it is distracting and inappropriate during interviews.

Make a Solid First Impression

There is definitely some truth in the age-old saying, ‘Your first impression is your last impression!’ Due to multiple visa applications, the consular officer may not have much time for a comprehensive interview. They usually make up their mind about the candidate in the first few minutes of the interview. At this point, it is imperative for you to leave no stones unturned. So follow the tips mentioned below to make a solid first impression! 

●     Be punctual and arrive on or before the time at the embassy. It reflects your seriousness for the interview.

●     Show up at the interview dressed up smartly in well-ironed formal clothes.

●     Keep a check on your body language and try to be calm and confident throughout the interview. 

●     Answer each question concisely and clearly.

●     It is alright to ask a question again if you don’t get it the first time. 

●     You can also prepare a list of questions if you have any, as it indicates you are participating in the                        interview, which is a plus point!

Conclusion

Relax! Your interview will be great as you must present your authentic self and prepare well. You have worked tremendously hard, and this is one last step to achieving your study abroad dream! 

Moreover, before sailing for your journey, you should make prior arrangements for your student accommodation to avoid the eleventh-hour hustle of finding one. So whether you want to shift into student housing in Chicago or student housing in Austin, TX, book your student home beforehand for a safe and comfortable stay!

Are you looking for a student home abroad?

Amber assists millions of students worldwide by providing the best and most affordable options for booking accommodation. We are upgraded with the latest COVID-19 protocols and would be glad to help you find the abode best suited to your choice!