Visa Interview Tips

Canadian visa for single entry (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• With VISA rules getting tougher for students, you need to be well prepared for the Interview. There is no need to panic because a genuine student or business person or worker will have no problem getting a visa.
• Practice a list of anticipated questions and practice answering them again and again.
• Do not get nervous. Be confident. You will be more confident if you have prepared thoroughly. Smile when you meet the visa officer for the first time. Look into the eyes of the officer while speaking
• It is advisable to be there 25-30 minutes before your scheduled interview time.
• Wear formal clothes as if for a formal business meetings.
• Greet the officer with a smile and ‘Good Morning’
• Also make sure that your voice pitch is clear because most of the times, your voice helps the officer in judging you as they would be making notes on what you say.
• Make short, clear to-the-point replies in a loud and clear voice. Do not tell anything that is irrelevant or not asked.
• Be polite, do not argue and do not ask unnecessary or unrelated questions.
• Demonstrate respect in your language even if you don’t feel it is being reciprocated.
• If you don’t understand what the Interviewer asked you, do not hesitate to ask the same question.
• If the officers ask you the ‘What If’ type of questions, don’t give the answers immediately without thinking through it.
• Answer the questions honestly and confidently. Try to be clear and concise in your answers. Also try to beware of answers that may imply that you are planning to stay abroad.  Also do not appear too rehearsed with your answers.

The following are some of the most important questions that the consulate officer asks during the interview for the student visa.

• Why are you thinking about studying abroad?
• Why have you chosen this University?
• What do you plan to do after you graduate?
• Who is paying for your education and what is their source of income?
• How do I know that you are not planning to stay abroad after your education?
• Is this course not available in India? Why are you planning to study this course abroad?