USA Visa Interview Questions and Sample Answers

1. Why do you wish to study in the USA?

Sample Answer: I want to study in the US, because it is one of the most popular study destinations for
higher education amongst foreign students, and it has some of the best universities in the world.
Universities in America support their international students, they have a flexible education system, are
culturally diverse, have high-ranking programs, and give students the opportunity to study and work as
well. Another reason I want to study in your country is because, US has a diverse student community,
and I would love to connect with other students from all over the world, and to also improve my English
speaking skills.

2. Why did you choose the course you are applying for?

Sample Answer: I am passionate about studying Clinical Psychology (insert your course here), and I
would love to expand my knowledge of it. In my country, we do not have many experts in this field, but I
believe that what I learned during my studies would help me improve the existing systems in my country
and equip me to stand out as well. Furthermore, this field is new in my country and as such there is a
shortage of experts in it. This will help me establish a career once I come home.

3. Why have you decided to go to school now, instead of starting a career?

Sample Answer: I wish to further my education, because the course I have chosen for my postgraduate
studies, will further enhance my knowledge about the career I am in now. I strongly believe that the
program I am applying to study in, will provide me with the know-how I need to excel in my career path.

4. How many universities did you apply to before you got accepted and why?

Sample Answer: Before I got accepted to study at MIT, I also applied to Harvard University, and New York
University. I chose these schools, because during my research, they proved to be the best universities in
the world that offer an undergraduate program on Robotics Engineering.

5. Which universities did you apply to? What are their names?

Sample Answer: I narrowed down my search to the best schools which were a good fit for my career
path, and had the best provisions for my programme. I applied to Harvard University, Duke University,
University of California, and Stanford University.

6. Did you get accepted by all the universities?

Sample Answer: Yes I got accepted to all the universities.

No, I did not get accepted to all the universities.

Sample Answer: Of all the schools I applied for, I was rejected by Duke University and University of
California. My rejection was due to the fact that they didn’t find me a good fit for their program.

8. What are the names of the universities you got accepted to?

Sample Answer: I got accepted into Harvard University and Stanford University.

9. What is the name of the college or university you want to study in and why did you choose it?

Sample Answer: I chose to study in this university, because it has some of the best faculty members in
my field of study whom I greatly admire. The professors who I would have the privilege of studying under
should you grant me this visa, are respected experts in their field and I have been following their work
closely since I showed interest in this school. Furthermore, the university itself is a high ranking
university and my dream faculty is globally reputed and has produced some of the finest alumni in the
world.

10. Where did you complete your high school/bachelor’s degree?

Sample Answer: I completed my high school at (insert the name of your high school).

11. Why don’t you want to study in your home country?

Sample Answer: Yes, my country is reputed globally for having a reasonable educational system, yet it
cannot be compared with that of the USA. The US is home to the majority of the high-ranking
universities in the world, and obtaining a degree from one of those world-class institutions is a feat I
hope to achieve one day. Additionally, the field of study I wish to major in is not taught in my country
(only use if applicable to your case), and when it comes to course structure, facilities, and faculty, the
schools in the US have more advantages than the schools in mine.

12. Why are you changing your field?

Sample Answers: I have decided to change my field, from Journalism to Computing Science because for
the past two years after my graduation, I have been working in an IT company where I have taken UI/UX
courses and learned basic web designing techniques. I believe that practice, and the experience I have
gathered in the last 2 years, have given me enough knowledge to go into the field I am switching to. I
now wish to attend a university for it, so that I can get professional guidance and certification.

13. Did you get any scholarships?

Sample Answer: Yes I got a scholarship.

No, I did not get a scholarship.

14. Do you have any loans?

Sample Answer: Yes, I have a loan (insert type of loan and which organization). No, I do not have a loan.
15. Who is sponsoring your education?

Sample Answer: My parents will be the ones sponsoring my education and funding my cost of living in
the US, for the duration of my studies.

16. What do your parents/ parents do?

Sample Answer: My mother is a nurse with the public health organization in my state, and my father is a
police officer.

17. How much do your parents/parents earn?

Sample Answer: My parents earn up to 3 million annually.

18. Do you have siblings?

Sample Answer: Yes I have other siblings.

No, I do not have other siblings.

19. Do you have relatives in the US?

Sample Answer: Yes, I have an Aunty I can stay with in the US.

No, I do not have any immediate family in the US.

20. What is your undergraduate Academic GPA or Percentage?

Sample Answer: For my undergraduate, I made a 7.62 GPA, graduating with a First Class Distinction in
my course.

21. What are you planning to study?

Sample Answer: I want to major in business because business degree programs are versatile and provide
high-paying career options.

22. Did you contact any professors at your university? What are their names?

Sample Answer: I know Professor Alicia, she is an expert in Forensics and Mental Health, she has many
publications, of which I have read a few. I haven’t contacted her personally, but I am really excited to
learn from her.

23. Have you visited the US before?

Sample Answer: Yes, I have been to the US before for a conference organized by a company.

No, this would be my first time visiting the US.

Sample Answer: I didn’t just pick the USA because it is a top attraction site for students, but I chose to
study here because the university I want to study in, is the one that is aligned with my future the most.
There I won’t just be an expert in my field, but I am also guaranteed to get a job with the degree I earn,
in my home country or anywhere else in the world. Plus most of the mentors I admire so much, studied
at this school, and the US is as close as I can get to them.

25. How long do you intend on staying in the United States?

Sample Answer: I intend to stay in the US for four years, which is the alloted duration for my course.

26. Why did you apply to this university and not others? How did you hear about this university?

Sample Answer: I have chosen Duke University because they have one of the best packages for
international students, which I could conveniently benefit from. Duke offers me a 50% merit scholarship
upon applying, plus a comfortable and neat environment for me to stay in while I study. The school also
hosts interstate excursions, which allows me to explore other parts of the country and they have an
overseas exchange program which I can opt for at no extra cost. I found out about this school in an
educational fair.

27. Where is the location of your school?

Sample Answer: The university I wish to attend is located in Manhattan, New York. It is a city with pep
and has a collection of some of the most fashionable people ever. Plus New York is America’s most
interesting state and I for one would love to live the New Yorker lifestyle.

28. Tell us about your academic background?

Sample Answer: For most of my academics, I have been an art student, majoring in pure arts and social
sciences in secondary school. During my undergraduate study, I took a triple major in Journalism,
Psychology, and Optional English, and I have a Bachelor’s degree.

29. Will you study a Ph.D. in the US after completing your master’s degree?

Sample Answer: No, I will not be undergoing a Ph.D. after my masters degree in the US.

30. Why did you decide to take this major in your university of choice and not others?

Sample Answer: Of all the universities that offered my major, Harvard was the school that aligned with
my future the most. Also, they have better infrastructure and more experienced faculty than the other
universities.

31. What did you score on your tests?

Sample Answers: I took the Test of English as a Foreign Language test and I scored 95.

I took the International English Language Testing System exam and I scored 7.
I took the GRE and I scored 340.

I took the GMAT and I scored 700.

I took the ACT and I scored 32.

I took the SAT and I scored 1200.

32. How well do you speak English?

Sample Answer: Sir/madam, I can speak English well, and also studied for most of my life in English.
Prior to my interview, I took the IELTS examination as a way to improve my English language writing,
reading, and understanding ability for the USA, and I was able to score 7.5 which is the average required
score for this test. However, I also look forward to improving my English-speaking skills further, through
being a part of the international community in the US and by constantly interacting with my professors
and classmates who are citizens of America.

33. What year did you get your Bachelor’s degree, from which university?

Sample Answers: I got my bachelor’s degree in Journalism in the year 2018, from Bangalore University,
Karnataka, India.

34. Can we see your high school transcripts?

Sample Answer: Yes sir/mam, I have my high school transcripts here, you can see it.

35. Why do you have a low score?

Sample Answer: During my undergraduate final year, I focused solely on finishing my (name of the
project) project, which was a great learning experience for me, yet affected my preparation because I
couldn’t juggle my other school work and project efficiently.

36. How much income do you earn from your job?

Sample Answers: From my current job, I earn 150,000 naira which is USD 365.36 a month.

37. Which company do you currently work for and what’s your role?

Sample Answer: My current company is called ScholarshipTab, it is a website where students from any
country can find scholarship opportunities as well as informative study tips. I currently work for them as
a content writer.

38. From your bank statement we can see that several large amounts were recently deposited. Can
you explain where all this money came from?

Sample Answer: Before this interview, I made a recent transfer of all my funds from my other savings
accounts to the bank which owns the bank statement you are seeing now. That is why the recent
transfer amounts are high.
39. Why is only one page of your passbook filled? Is this a new account?

Sample Answer: Yes, only one page of my passbook is filled because it is for a new account.

My passbook only has one page of it filled, because I don’t use it all the time, as I do most of my
transactions using internet banking.

40. What is the tuition of the university you wish to study in?

Sample Answer:

The tuition of the school I want to attend is $49,563 a year for an undergraduate course.

41. What about your living expenses and accommodation fee?

Sample Answer: The living expenses and accommodation fee I have allotted for the duration of my stay
in the US are stated in the bank statement, they are the same amount which is advised for a student to
have to live comfortably in the country. Also, anything else I need, my parents who are sponsoring my
education, will provide for me.

42. Do you have any loan you took out for your studies? How will you repay this loan?

Sample Answer: I have taken a 5.5 lakh loan from a bank in my home country, which is equivalent to
$1,339.66. After my graduation, I intend to get a good paying job in my country to pay off the loans.

43. What will you do after graduating?

Sample Answer: After graduation I will be returning to my home country to take a job as a therapist,
using what I have learned in school.

44. Do you plan to work while studying in the US?

Sample Answer: During my studies I would prefer to focus on school, but work on campus if I get the
opportunity to do so.

45. Considering the current state of the U.S. economy, why do you want to go there?

Sample Answer: The US job market does not have a direct effect on me as a student, I am only going
there to further my studies and apply what I have learned here in my country towards contributing to
American society.

46. If you are planning to stay in the US for 2 to 3 years, how will you finance your education and cost
of living?

Sample Answer: The funds I have allotted for my studies should be more than enough to fund my
studies in the US, and I doubt that I will ever run out. Also, I have my family here in my country who have
stable businesses and jobs, who could cater for me if they need to.
47. Most applicants eventually turn to potential immigrants. What about you? Will you be returning to
your country after your course?

Sample Answer: Yes, I wish to return to my home country after my studies in the US. There is a large
shortage of skilled professionals who major in the course I am now going to study in my country, with my
qualifications I could make a huge difference in my community. Also my course is in high demand and I
can find good paying opportunities for myself. I have family here as well, who I would be coming back to
see.

48. Are you sure you will not stay back in the US?

Sample Answer: When I graduate, I will be coming back to my home country to take up a managerial
position in my family business, so I will not be staying back in the US.

49. If you run out of funding in the U.S, what will you do?

Sample Answer: Before I applied for studies, I was concerned about the cost of living in the US, so I
made sure that I have enough funding to cater for the duration of my stay here.

50. Will your relatives in the US give you dollars to help?

Sample Answer: No they will not. Myself and my sponsors will take care of my studies and living
expenses.

51. Why do you seem scared and nervous?

Sample Answer: No, officer, I am not scared or nervous. I am only being calm and not saying much so
that I can listen clearly and answer your questions correctly.

52. Do your parents know you are going to the US for studies? Are they supportive of it?

Sample Answer: Yes, my parents (or guardians) are aware that I am going for studies in the US. They are
supportive of it, as they feel it will be a good learning experience for me.

53. What is your opinion of the US?

Sample Answer: I hold the US in a very high regard, I think they have very good universities that are
globally reputed for their research skills. And the country is one of the most diverse places in the world.

54. Will you have language or communication issues?

Sample Answer: No, language and communication will not be an issue for me during my studies. I have
been learning how to speak and learn in English since I was a child. Also all the subjects I will be taking at
the university are in English, and I also scored well in my TOEFL.
55. Did you visit other websites related to this visa interview?

Sample Answer: I did come across several websites talking about this interview, but the US travel
documents declared that I only listen to the official website for visas, so it is only the rules of that
website that I followed.

56. Do you have any relatives in the U.S, who are they to you?

Sample Answer: Yes, I have relatives in the US, they are my extended family members.

57. How many of your family members live in the US and what do they do?

Sample Answer: My mother and four siblings all live in the US. My mother works there as a nurse, while
three of my siblings are studying, and the other one works as an office administrator.

58. In which country does your family live? Which city are they in?

Sample Answer: My family all currently live in Johannesburg, South Africa.

59. The university you are planning to attend, do you have any family members attending the same
school?

Sample Answer: No, I do not have any family members attending the same school as me. But I have a
sister studying Nursing at New York University.

60. Are you currently in a relationship?

Sample Answer: No, I am not currently in a relationship. I am still single.

61. Will you visit home during vacations and holidays?

Sample Answer: Yes, I will be visiting home during vacations and holidays to spend time with my family
and celebrate important holidays with them.

62. How well do you know the education system in the US?

Sample Answer: I know that the US has a great education system, one of the best and most renowned as
a matter of fact. Schools in the USA are reputed highly in the world and most of the greatest inventors of
our world are from and studied there as well. A degree from an American university holds so much
weight and respect. That is how good the country is.

63. Which cities do you wish to travel to in the US?

Sample Answer: I haven’t really thought about traveling around the US. My main focus will be on my
studies and school work, which will keep me occupied. But during short semester breaks I might do
some sight seeing. However I do not have any plans for that laid out.
64. Do you plan on returning to your home country after studying? How can you prove you won’t stay
back in the country?

Sample Answer: When I graduate, I intend to come back to my country, to resume management of my
business which I will be stepping away from while I study. I also have a wife here in my country and we
have a child on the way. My family members reside here as well.

65. What are your plans after graduating? Do you have any job or career you wish to do?

Sample Answer: After my studies, I will come back to my country to start up a firm in my field of study,
using the knowledge I gained from the US. I am convinced that this business will thrive because there
aren’t many firms like mine in my country.

66. When you return home, what kind of job will you get?

Sample Answers: With the degree I acquired in the US, I can get a good offer for a software engineer job
in my home country.

67. What’s the salary amount for this job?

Sample Answer: I could earn up to 500,000 naira for this job.

68. But you could earn more in the US? Why don’t you stay back and work there instead?

Sample Answer: No, the opportunities in my home country are also good. With my qualifications I will
get a well-paying job here that can give me enough to take care of the cost of living in my country, which
is lower than the cost of living in the US. I would not want to work in the US.

69. Why should we give you a student visa?

Sample Answer: An opportunity to study in the US won't just change my life, but it will transform my
community as well. The knowledge I will gain at the university, I can apply that to developing my country
and creating job opportunities for the unemployed. This is a chance to bring my country one step
forward to being on par with the rest of the world in this field I have chosen to study. A visa is my door to
advancement and growth. Also, being accepted by a university in the US means that the school believes
that I have something worthy to contribute to their program, so I won’t just be a liability to the United
States.

70. What are your plans if your student visa is not approved?

Sample Answer: I really wish to study in the United States, but I will respect the decision of the embassy,
and then reapply. This time I will prepare the necessary documents and try to do better than I did today.

All the best!