F1 Visa Interview

How can someone traveling to the United States of America through visiting (tourist) visa can change from visiting visa to another type of visa (Student Visa)? Let learn How to change tourist visa to student visa in USA.

This guide will focus on being a student, two types of students in this particular case.

How to change Tourist Visa to Student Visa in USA

It is one of the most frequently asked question that is, “if I come to the United States through visiting, can I find a way to change it from one visa type to another visa type?”

The answer is yes. There are legal procedures someone can be able to do that and it will explain in this guide.

If you are going to U.S on a visit via B1, B2 visa, when you go there, it depends on the duration given to stay in the United States, the visa duration. While you are there, you can apply to become a student, and being a student, there are two types of students.

There are Students who are seeking degree and students who are going to do what is called non-degree program. These two categories also determine two different types of visas or categories of students. They are as below:

• F1

F1 visa, which people talk about every time, because this is for people who are seeking degree.

When you travel to U.S, maybe you want to do bachelor’s degree or you go to community college, then bachelor’s degree, then you are going to do masters, doctorate, that is F1 student.

F1 student is an international student visa, which allows you to go to a university or college for a degree seeking program.

But what if you don’t want to get a degree? You are going to the vocational school. You are going to get what is called non-degree program.

Remember, in the United States, they don’t have something called diploma as a level of education like in other country. In U.S, diploma or certificate is called non-degree program.

So if you want to pursue what is called non-degree program, you are going to apply for M-visa, not F-1 visa, M1 visa.

• M-1

M-1 visa is a visa for a student or a person who wants to travel to U.S to pursue non-degree program or rather going to study what is called the vocational schools.

You attend flight school, cooking school (culinary school), study Cosmetology (the study and application of beauty treatment), etc. There are certain programs you are allowed to go and take those one. If you want to take the English-speaking one, even if it’s non-degree program, is not part of the M1, is going to be part of the F1, that is one of the categories which is different.

Note: Not all institutions are allowed to give you M1 visa because you can apply for non-degree program for this certificate, e.g cosmetology, but just going out there and just get admitted doesn’t give you the documentations, which you can be allowed to enroll to those particular schools.

Remember, there are some schools that are not allowed to have international students. So in order to avoid that, there is a list of vocational and non-degree institutions which is called M1 students, are allowed to go.

There is something called a student exchange visitor program. In that particular category, there is a website, which is the website of the Department of Homeland Security, which has the list of all institutions which are allowed to enroll people to get these programs and the universities or institutions in general.

Some might be community colleges. They can allow to take M1 and F1 non-degree and degree seeking students, and some can be independent institutions, not directed to be the college in particular.

To see the institutions which are allowed, proceed here.

If you go to apply to an institution which is not allowed, then you are not going to be allowed to be given the visa.

Note: On that particular case, there are no scholarships in most cases when we talk about the non-degree programs. You are going on your own to learn any of your desired skill (e.g cooking, culinary speciality school, chef school, study about photography, videography, filming, etc).

Most of those one are not having scholarships. What does that mean? It means if you want to go to study for non-degree program, you have to prove that you are able to pay for tuition fees, and to be able to cater your own living expenses.

People who are in M1, are they allowed also to work like F1 student?

Remember, if you are a degree seeking student, F1, you are allowed to work 20 hours per week. Yes, M1 also are allowed to work 20 hours per week. Also, they’re allowed to work on campus.

What does that mean? If it’s a school year, you work on campus, when it is out of school, the holiday, you can work off campus, you are allowed to do that. But when you are looking for institutions, is better to look for bigger institution. Because if you look like a smaller institution, maybe they might not have works opportunities on campus for international students or rather M1 students, so better to look for the institution like community colleges.

Below is a website that has the name of states, name of the programs. You can select a state and you can choose all the programs you want in that particular state you want to apply.

Even if where you are outside the United States or you are inside the United States, that is one of the way you can be able to change, is to apply to do every single procedures and you’ll be given I-20, the same I-20 like someone is international student, M1 student will be given the same I-20 and you can be able to convert from one visa to become a student, either non-degree seeking or degree seeking student.

This is very important thing you need to understand about M1 visa.

Disclaimer: This site is not owned by any U.S Government Agency or an Immigration attorney. The contents in the site is for informational purpose only, collected from various public domains. You may need to contact an Immigration Attorney for your specific immigration needs.

I hope this guide has been helpful to you. Thanks.

You need to read this guide very well if you have your F1 Visa interview coming up soon. In this guide, you will learn the key points to pass your F1 Visa interview and get your visa approved.

7 critical tips that you must know before appearing for your F1 Visa interview

1. Documents.

Make sure you have the following documents organized in your folder:

• Passport
• DS 160 Confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt
• A physical photo which measures two inches by two inches, but only if the photo didn’t upload with your DS 160. This is highly uncommon.
• Form I-20

Most applicants are single but if you are married and your spouse and children intend to live with you, bring their I-20.

• Academic documents, including your transcripts, test scores, degrees and diplomas
• Financial documents.

Also, carrying all the documents you have gathered during your university application process. Those will consist:

• Letters of admission,
• Scholarship or financial aid documents,
• Student loan documents,
• Bank statements,
• Sponsorship letters, etc.

Additionally, carry all your current and past passports. If you have dual citizenship and have multiple active passports, you should along with them all.

Get familiar with your document folder. Organize it to quickly locate your documents. You should be able to find any requested document within 10 seconds. Keep practicing until you know your folder thoroughly.

2. What to Wear

Wear business casuals that is appropriate for your country.

Dress for the weather as well. For example, wear breathable clothes, if it’s a hot day and you’re interviewing in summer. While the consulate or the embassy will have air conditioning, you may wait slightly before getting in.

Make sure your clothes are clean, wrinkle free, and well fitted.

Stick to safe colors. Stay away from overly bright colors and striking patterns.

3. Time of Arrival

Your Visa appointment instructions may ask you to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment, make sure you arrive 30 minutes to an hour before your appointment time. This will give you a healthy buffer, if something goes wrong on the day of your interview.

You may be wondering where would you wait if you arrived early? Go to a local restaurant or coffee shop where you can wait before your interview. It should be very close to the consulate or embassy. It doesn’t take you more than five minutes to walk there.

Being nervous on the interview day is common. Use the time there to calm down and relax before your interview. It will also allow you to review the key points to interview better and get a positive outcome.

4. Visa Officer’s Mindset

The visa officer is trying to evaluate two things;

• You are genuinely a student and not trying to obtain a student visa for fraudulent purposes such as immigrating to the United States.
• You intend to return to your home country after completing your studies.

You don’t have to do anything special to demonstrate that you are a genuine student. Simply answer the visa officers questions about your program, university and application process.

For the second part, that is, you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies. Ensure you include your future plans when answering these questions.

You should communicate how you will use your education to grow and succeed in your career when you return to your home country.

5. Your Mindset and Your Approach

Your chances of success will come down to this one thing, how well can you tell your story? This will be dependent on two things, a natural conversation and your confidence level.

The visa officers place the most emphasis on having a natural conversation.

Many students approach the visa interview as a job interview or an interrogation. It is not, and there is no need to be nervous.

The visa officers want to know you and your goals. Focus on the conversation and keep things simple. Consider it as having a conversation with one of your elder relatives. You want to sound respectful, but not super formal.

Remember, the visa officers have to handle many requests during the day. They keep the interviews very short. Keep your answers concise and to the point. Don’t leave out the necessary details, but don’t overshare either.

Finally, your confidence level will depend on how relaxed you are. You’ve prepared well, so there is no need to be overly nervous. A little bit of anxiety is natural, and the visa officers are aware of that and don’t hold it against you.

A warm smile and a simple greeting such as “hello, how are you?” can get you a great start. From there on out, keep things conversational.

6. Your Body Language

Your evaluation has already started when you’re in the building. The visa officer may glance at you while waiting in line behind the applicant they’re interviewing. Sometimes they may even see you before your number is called. Be mindful of your actions and body language.

While interviewing, maintain a good posture and make eye contact when you’re speaking. Smile when actively listening to the questions and answering them. Politely ask the visa officer to repeat the question if something is unclear.

Don’t let the visa officer’s questions or body language discourage you. For example, visa officers often look at their computers and type throughout the interview. Don’t let this bother you. It is pretty typical and you should continue to speak normally.

7. Speak the truth and nothing but the truth

No matter what, make sure you are speaking the truth. For example, you may have some family in the U.S, and if you’re asked about it, stay calm and truthful.

Often the visa officers know this information and are just verifying it. The consequences of lying to the U.S government have a massive impact. You would undoubtedly be denied a visa and could be permanently banned from entering the U.S.

Those were the key points to be mindful of for your F1 visa interview.

DISCLAIMER: This post/guide and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. This site is not offering any legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should seek the advice of an attorney in your jurisdiction before taking any legal action.

The information presented in this post/guide should not be construed to be formal legal advice.