Studying abroad has long been preferred by the Indian students, as it provides them with a wide range of opportunities for learning and career along with international exposures. In India, every year almost 7000 to 8000 students apply for the student visa.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 7,500 students are abroad for education. However, things are not as simple as they appear. While applying for a student visa, the students have to go through an interview that holds the utmost importance.
Through this article, the students can be enlightened with some of the important tips which can help them to succeed in the student visa interview.
1. Valid Intention to Return Home: While granting student visas most of the countries will try to ensure the time period a student wants to stay there for the completion of his/her studies. Countries like the USA consider the non-immigrant visas as potential immigrants until the reason to return home is particularly verified after the completion of courses. Mention the situations that bind you with your country or hometown such as family responsibility, inheritance, investments and as such.
2. Good Communication Skills: Good communication skills are necessary for every interview. If you are applying a visa for a majorly English speaking country, ensure that you have proficient English speaking skills and you can very well communicate in English. If you are applying visa to study in a country having a common language other than English try to learn it before attending the interview. This will grant you an advantage during the interview by expressing your dedication to learn and know more about their country.
3. Learn about your Study Program: Be thorough about the study program you have opted for or planning to opt in the future. Convey the interviewer about the various reasons as to why you think this particular reason is suitable for you. Explain about your future plans and why do you think this study program going to benefit you in achieving your career plans.
4. Be Confident in the Interview: Be confident in the interview and speak for yourself. Give stress on all the important reasons you think might be helpful for you in getting the study visa. Most importantly, don’t let your family members or relatives speak for you in the interview. If they have accompanied you to the interview for some reason ask them to wait patiently outside until the interview is over.
5. Be to the Point: Remember there are a lot of students who apply for the visa and the interviewers are under a lot of pressure and time constraints to conduct swift and proficient interviews. During the interview, it is always advised to be brief and precise. Don’t try to engage with the interviewer with irrelevant information as it will confuse him/her and might create a negative impact over your main objective which is getting the study visa.
6. Have Your Documents: Have all the valid documents with you during the interview as the interviewer might ask about it. Make sure the documents are properly arranged and can be produced whenever asked. The interview timings are very much short like 3 to 5 minutes and wasting the time to search for the documents might not be a good option.
7. Maintain Positivity in Unfavorable Situation: Learn to maintain calmness if the response comes in negative. Ask the interviewer about the documents you need to produce in the next meeting to get a better stand and overcome the rejection. Don’t argue with the interviewer about any matter. If possible try to obtain a written response from the interviewer.
