Shoreline recommends that you contact the overseas advising center in your country for advice in applying for your student visa. Below is some additional information which may be helpful.

 Overseas Advising Centers

If you are intending to apply for an F-1 Student Visa to study in the United States, you should be prepared to answer the following questions before you visit the American Consul in your country.

1) How are you going to finance your study in the United States? You will need to have all the details of this clearly defined.

2) What are the ways you can guarantee your return to your country? You may be asked to outline what ties you have to your country; for example, a job or offer of a job, business, property or other assets, family, social ties such as political office, etc.

3) What are your educational plans in the United States? For example, will you study ESL for one year, attend a two-year community college, study ESL and then attend a four-year university? You should be prepared to discuss how long you intend to stay and what you plan to study.

4) What has been your educational preparation for study in the United States? For example, what are your educational credentials, your English language proficiency and your admission status to a particular school?

5) How do you plan to use your United States education when you return to your country?

These are the most common questions that you may be asked. The visa officer may ask other questions. If an interview is required, it will probably be in English, so practice before you attend your appointment. Keep in mind that the interview will be short, so do your best to make a good first impression. Bring documentation regarding the above five points with you to the interview.

Contact the American Consul in your country early. Many of the Embassies have one or two month waits before they will issue visas. Additionally it may be difficult for students to get an appointment time, as many students will be applying.

Good luck and have a good interview.