Posted on: Jun 4, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

What Documents to Carry for Your US Student Visa Interview?

What Documents to Carry for Your US Student Visa Interview?

Students planning to study in the USA must apply for their F1 visa. The F1 student visa application ensures that the student will get entry into the country. Millions of students are preparing to study in the USA and are undergoing the application process. However, you must stay prepared as well.

The US Embassies and Consulates provide F1 visas to the students. The student may need to submit a wide range of documents like the student's travel insurance, college documents, identification proof, and so on. If the accurate documents aren't submitted, the visa application will be denied. This blog will let you explore all the potential documents that you need for the visa interview.

F1 Visa Categories to Study in the USA

Students who want to apply for a USA study visa must complete the slot booking formalities around 6-8 weeks before their date of travel. Before the interview is held, students can also buy travel insurance online. The more delay you have in booking your slot, the more your chance of getting the visa will be delayed. Therefore, your classes will get delayed too.

Below are the categories under which the students can enter the USA with their visa:

1. High school

2. Seminary

3. University or college

4. Private elementary school

5. Other academic institutions

F1 Visa Interview

During the F1 visa interview, the US embassy or consulate will check if you're legitimately visiting the USA for your studies. You must meet all the basic requirements in the interview so that your application can be confirmed.

The US embassy and consulate make it mandatory for the students to be available in person for the interview. However, if you are younger than 14 years of age, you may or may not need to attend the interview in person. At the interview, make sure that you also show that you have your student travel insurance ready. The insurance proof often escalates the process of getting approval.

Mandatory Documents for the USA Student Visa Interview

Before visiting the country to study, students must appear for the interview at the scheduled time. Here are the mandatory documents that you will have to carry for the USA Student Visa Interview:

1. Valid Passport:

You must have a valid passport for the interview. For the interview slot booking process, you must also submit your original passport. Your passport must have enough pages for the visa stamping process. The validity of your passport must be at least six months above your intended period of stay in the US.

2. Form DS-160 Completion Slip:

Before heading out to your visa interview, you must submit your DS-160 form. This nonimmigrant visa application form must be submitted successfully, and you'll receive a barcode on the confirmation page. Take a printout of these and take it to the interview.

3. SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt:

The SEVIS fee payment receipt must also be taken with you to the interview. When applying for the visa slot, you must submit a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visa Information) fee.

4. Form I-20:

After you have received your admission confirmation from the University, they will provide you with the I-20 form or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The form will contain a lot of information regarding your admission, such as financial requirements, SEVIS, and program details.

5. Visa Interview Application Confirmation:

Once your visa interview is scheduled, you will have to get the application confirmation. Make sure to carry that confirmation document along with you to the interview, or it will be cancelled.

6. Fee Receipt:

Carry the visa fee receipt that you submitted for the documents.

7. Passport-sized Photograph:

You must also carry two recent (not older than three months) passport-size photographs. These must be the same photos that you uploaded while applying for the DS-160 form. The photograph must be taken against a white background and be 2*2 inches. The individual must not wear glasses and have a neutral expression when the photograph is being clicked.

International travel insurance isn't mandatory for the interview, but it is still advisable to carry it. In case the interviewer asks any questions about financial coverage, the interviewee may showcase the insurance documents as proof.

F1-Visa Interview Requirements

When you're applying for a student visa, you must meet the requirements as well. If you do not meet these requirements at the interview, the application will be rejected. Thus, you must fulfil the requirements mentioned below:

1. The institution or college where you will be studying must be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

2. During the interview, the students must show that they have sufficient financial coverage to finance their studies and living expenses in the US. For this, you may show your student travel insurance with sufficient financial coverage.

3. You must show proof of residency in your home country so that you can return after completing your degree, unless you get a job in the USA. If you get the job, it must be sponsored by your employer.

4. Students applying for the visa must meet the standards of English language proficiency to be admitted into the institution. This can be in alignment with the course they're pursuing.

5. Students must prove that they're enrolled as full-time students at the particular institution.

Financial Documents for F1 Visa Interview

Not carrying accurate financial documents can often lead to visa denial and rejection. Here are all the financial documents you'll have to carry for the interview:

1. The original affidavit from the sponsors shouldn't be older than 4-5 days.

2. Original valuation proof with all the assets clearly mentioned by a CA.

3. International travel insurance from a legitimate travel insurance provider.

4. Income tax, the original copy of the sponsors for the past three years.

5. Original copy of proof of income for the sponsors for the past six months.

6. Original copy of ownership documents along with the CA assets.

If you are getting any financial aid from the university, such as a scholarship, you must submit that as well. It is advisable to provide legitimate proof of this copy along with a well-written SOP because it can break or make your visa application process.

Student Visa Rejection

If you have not followed the basic guidelines, the US Embassy or Consulate has full authority to reject your application after the interview. A detailed reason in writing will be provided to you along with the section of the law under which your visa application was denied.

Therefore, before visiting the interview centre, make sure to double-check the documents and organise them in order, with correct formats and with the proper schedule. During your interview, you should be mindful of the questions you're answering. You must mention that you're visiting the USA only for studying purposes and intend to return to your home country after the program is completed.

Conclusion

If you're visiting the USA for studies, make sure that you're maintaining the status of your application. If you're planning to work in the USA along with your studies, you must know that the allowed work hour is around 20 hours per week. Your work will provide you with some financial stability. Nonetheless, until you find a job, your insurance will provide you with security. Therefore, you must buy travel insurance online before your visit. Make sure that you start your US visa application soon, along with all the documents, so that you have a higher chance of approval.


Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.


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