Below are our 10 most valuable tips on being prepared to secure a quick turnaround visa:
Completing Form DS-160 is the first step to being prepared for a quick turnaround visa. These forms can be submitted at the U.S. embassy in your home country or online. For help on filling out the form correctly and how to pay the fee, visit the U.S. Department of State’s student visa page and find instructions on your embassy’s website. Some embassies also provide YouTube explainer videos.
You will need to schedule an in-person interview at your local embassy. Even under normal circumstances, wait times can vary, so expect some delay. You may be able to expedite your interview in order to meet your school’s start date. The process for requesting an expedited interview can vary, so refer to your local embassy’s website and be ready to provide proof of your school’s start date.
The F Visa is a non-immigrant student visa. It is designed to temporarily allow citizens of other countries to study in the USA. You should authentically have a study plan to apply for this visa. The interview will include questions about your goals for studying abroad, your reasons for wanting to study in the U.S., and your ties to your home country. It’s important to have a few brief key points ready in answer to these questions, and not to prepare speeches. You must reflect on the reason you want to study in the USA. This is a student visa and it not just a step to a job here or a way to be closer to a loved one. For instance, when asked about ties to your home country, you don’t want to give a memorized recital about your childhood. Instead, you will want to quickly discuss your family’s part in your study plan and how your goal is graduating with skills that allow you to return to your country, listing out larger career goals or any job prospects in your home country.
Your visa interview will likely be conducted in English, not in your native language, so it’s a great idea to practice conversational English beforehand. If you can, practice with a native speaker, but in times of social distancing and isolation, that might be difficult. You can also pick up on conversational English through TV shows and movies, music lyrics, and books—or through a language app like Babbel or Duolingo. Please note that this interview should be treated like a dentist appointment: professional and something that is routine. Flattery is not needed, and big stories are not welcome. Be pleasant and fact-based.
When you go to your interview, you may be told you only need your application and appointment letter. However, it is recommended that you bring a binder or partitioned folder where you can quickly and easily access any potentially-necessary documentation. Remember, the goal is to make this process as fast and easy as possible. At least you should bring the following documentation in case the officer wants to see it:
The officer at your interview may also request to see documents regarding your previous education. If you have previously completed degree programs, refer to this more exhaustive list of documentation requirements. Otherwise, at a minimum, bring these with you:
Lastly, in your binder or folder, bring financial documents that prove your ability (or your parent’s ability) to cover your monetary needs during your time abroad. You can refer to this more exhaustive list, but bring the following at a minimum:
If you must travel to the consulate or embassy from your hometown using public transportation, it is best to arrive the day before to account for travel delays. Also, we know arriving early only to wait around can be boring, but it’s important to have time to find the location of your interview, settle into your surroundings, and review your interview answers one last time. You don’t want to miss your appointment and rushing in frazzled won’t do you any good. It can also be a bad first impression.
You’re attending an interview, so it’s sensible to dress like it. Don’t wear anything too casual, like sweats or athleisure clothing, and don’t get too fancy or flashy. It’s best to dress in office apparel. If you have an outfit in mind, you can check it against this full list of dos and don’ts.
It’s easy to get nervous in an interview setting, but remember, this is just one hurdle to get over, and your incredible study abroad experience is on the other side. Be prepared, be positive, be confident, and you’ll have a successful interview.
Securing a visa and attending an interview can feel like daunting tasks, but follow these ten tips and you’ll be ready to sail through the process. Remember to check in regularly with your local embassy or consulate so that you can snag an early appointment and check this to-do off your list. You can track your case status using the links on the Non-immigrant visa page of your US embassy or Consulate.
