Should I mention my US girlfriend in my F-1 visa interview?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Did not know they ask about GF's at F1 interviews.

They ask about relations/loved ones in the usa

[aengelhardt101 2]

Okay.

Edited January 23, 2016 by aengelhardt101

[cdneh 3,112]

I'll admit I have been rubbed the wrong way by the poster at times (maybe the Canadian in me?) but it's best to heed the advice more often than not.

And the well mannered in me. Quite sure the poster has plenty of sound advice, and well worthy of reading. But, it is my belief it's more professional, and indeed more useful to any OP, to simply give the advice you can, without stooping to ridicule.

The trouble with sarcasm, and jesting posts peppered with witty repartee, is that on the whole it is lost on the intended audience. If you know the poster, or you've seen the posting style often, you get a feel for where to find the grain of actual advice. If you don't, and many people who are new arrivals, they do not. It then appears that someone is belittling you. That, as I recall, is outside the TOS.

[HFM181818 750]

perhaps not, but the caption reads like something else (and because so many others have asked similar questions with different intentions)...the reason why the question might be asked about who you know in the US is quite simple: how did someone from Australia choose what is likely a second tier university located in the relative boondocks...????? of all the schools in all the 50 states, why this one? And the reason behind the choice will become pretty obvious...it was not by accident or by picking the name of a school at random out of a phone book....

Your initial caption did not say, 'Oh I plan to mention my GF' or 'if asked, I will admit to having one'...instead, just the vague heading....and as I said before, so many people have posted on this site (and others) questions on how to avoid answering certain questions or for 'magic' answers to key questions....and I merely reminded you (and others) that COs are far from naïve, and seasoned ones have encountered this situation countless times...so trying or hoping to be more clever than they are will likely result in a denial.....honesty will still be your best option, because an experienced CO can sniff out evasiveness effortlessly....then will come a series of seemingly random questions, but those questions and the order in which they will be asked will be testing the consistency of whatever story you may be trying to tell...once a weak spot is identified, the CO will start to poke holes in it and see what falls out....moral of my story: do not attempt to evade questions posed to you or try and come up with some last minute answer that you think will fool them....you will only make your case worse rather than better. That's my message....be honest...because if you are honest but still denied the first time, then later if you re-apply, the notes in your first refusal won't be filled with words that suggest you were dishonest....because that label will be the kiss of death for you or any applicant, because no CO will ever be likely to believe a word you (or anyone else who tried the same) say for a long long long time. Credibility is the key....you may not start with much, but ruining it will end any future chances of getting a student visa.

Edited January 23, 2016 by HFM181818

[HFM181818 750]

And the well mannered in me. Quite sure the poster has plenty of sound advice, and well worthy of reading. But, it is my belief it's more professional, and indeed more useful to any OP, to simply give the advice you can, without stooping to ridicule.

The trouble with sarcasm, and jesting posts peppered with witty repartee, is that on the whole it is lost on the intended audience. If you know the poster, or you've seen the posting style often, you get a feel for where to find the grain of actual advice. If you don't, and many people who are new arrivals, they do not. It then appears that someone is belittling you. That, as I recall, is outside the TOS.

I prefer not to respond in textbook prose that is dull and unexciting. I admit I enjoy stimulating others to respond, because often in those responses, the real character of the poster or others is revealed ('thou dost protest too much')....I've never accused the OP of malfeasance and have taken great pains to warn of her even trying....if I had some other evil plan, I could have easily replied with an answer that would look helpful, but in reality would do her in at the interview.

Instead, I often grab the opportunity to remind our listening audience that many COs are not as stupid or naïve as so many believe (for reasons I still cannot understand), and that trying to engage them with clever answers or worthless papers is not the way to succeed.

When, from my armchair 'interviewing window' I can easily pick out the flaws of an offered case, imagine how simple it would have been in person? But also note that I did not tell the OP that I would categorically deny her visa application....I have pointed out some weak spots, for her to think about....I cannot say with a certainty what the actual outcome of her interview would be, even if I were the CO...I gave her some insight about how an experienced CO can easily get the information out in the open that the applicant may try to conceal....mostly by looking at the logic of what is going on....an Australian accidently chose a school in the boonies in Tennessee for what reason(s)???? What I would be aiming at in the interview would be to test her resolve, her honesty and credibility once she realizes that I went to the heart of the matter so fast....many tried to avoid such questioning, to their sorrow. Others who acknowledged the back story, but still could convince me of their long term intentions were granted the visa...I put people through the paces frequently...many had to 'earn' their approvals...but the collective opinions of all of the local embassy employees with whom I worked over the years gave me the same praise....'he's firm, but fair.' I could not have asked for more. Was I tough at times? You bet. But I could be gentle as well....it mostly depended on the applicants...not all who had weak cases were issued. and some who had seemingly strong cases were denied (because I had other input that told me something else was going on)...that's why there are interviews...yes, COs have considerable authority, we are the judge, jury and (allegorically) the executioner (denying visa applications) but good ones understand the limits of their authority and work hard to mete out that authority in as fair a manner as possible that is consistent with our laws...

Edited January 23, 2016 by HFM181818

[cdneh 3,112]

Conducting an interview face to face, with their paperwork at hand, and assessing someone's case, who may not have English as a first language, with only their words to work from, and who is unsure of the actual process, on an online forum are two completely different things.

While you are sitting comfortably in your armchair, and picking away at people's statements, and attempting to discover their true 'character', and the flaws that you perceive, you would do well to remember that these are real people, with real questions, and not simply fodder to provoke for your enjoyment.

I have no argument with your vast and glorious past experience, in spite of the fact that none of it is verifiable. You need to temper your delivery. It's quite possible to deliver information without resorting to belittling posters, without bloviating at length with what you perceive their real intentions to be.

[HFM181818 750]

and you would do well to remember that not every applicant seeking admission to the US plans on obeying our laws, or some may be planning something even more nefarious....who can say for sure? You? With zero experience interviewing visa applicants? Hmmph.

Seems like there are so many self-appointed COs out there, who are certain they know far more about immigration law and visa adjudication than those who have actually done the job....yet they are fully incapable of recognizing valuable advice when it was presented, though the writing style did not meet with their approval (and yet, the Earth is still rotating on its axis).

[caliliving 606]

Hes from Australia and he wants to get an F1 visa. i am sure you will be ok;) dont stress out. It isn't like you are from a third world country. i couldnt see them denying you a visa! and who cares where he wants to go to school? Hes only 19 years old!!! So he wants to experience abroad. Their are worst schools people from third world countries come here to go to and have no problem getting a visa. It doesnt matter where you go to school, put in the time and effort to do extra projects, volunteer - make sure you dont graduate with an empty resume!!! I think you can work 20hours/week on campus, make sure you can do something productive.

I didnt even know they asked about GF's either for an F1 visa?

OP read this thread from another australian on her school visit. that is what you could expect during the interview (and it seemed as though she had alot of doubts from people on this board as well before)

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/573857-f1-visa-approved-my-story/

[cdneh 3,112]

and you would do well to remember that not every applicant seeking admission to the US plans on obeying our laws, or some may be planning something even more nefarious....who can say for sure? You? With zero experience interviewing visa applicants? Hmmph.

Seems like there are so many self-appointed COs out there, who are certain they know far more about immigration law and visa adjudication than those who have actually done the job....yet they are fully incapable of recognizing valuable advice when it was presented, though the writing style did not meet with their approval (and yet, the Earth is still rotating on its axis).

It isn't up to me to adjudicate these people. May I remind you, it isn't up to you, anymore, either. It isn't necessary to belittle people, or be snarky or arrogant.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Hi,

My biggest worry about the visa interview is that I'll be rejected based on the fact that they believe I will not be there to study but rather immigrate in the future.

My girlfriend and I have been together for about a year now and I want to move to the US to study and to spend more time with her.

What should I mention during the interview? How much harder will this make my application?

Thanks

Okay first of all, sorry if I have missed anything along the way, I got tired of reading through all the bickering posts so I'm just going to tell my experience. They will definitely question why you decided to study in the same area where your girlfriend lives.

You should definitely tell the truth, they will question you about it for sure. Make sure you have all your paperwork in order including ties to your home country. I met my now husband while being here as an Au Pair on J1. When my two years on J1 was up, we had been together 1 year and I wanted to stay another year to see how things would go between us. See how things would be if we lived together a year so I applied for a 1 year program through a company in Sweden.

I got questions about why I had chosen the school I choose, the program etc but mostly they focused on my then boyfriend. He asked if we were planning on getting married (which we didn't as he had not even proposed to me at that time). He told me I needed an immigrant visa if I wanted to work and live in the US.

You'll be there on an F1, finish your studies and focus on that. If you later feel you want to be with your girlfriend either go for the K1 visa or marry her, return to your home country and file for the spousal visa. We eventually went the K1 route.

Edited January 23, 2016 by Maria&Seve

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

let's stick with offering the OP constructive advice and refrain from bickering and snarky comments with other members.

charles
vj moderation

Edited January 23, 2016 by charles!

[zap0paz 0]

Although girlfriend/boyfriend situations are mostly OK, it is burden to prove that you will not immigrate to the US. If you fail to do so, you will not get the visa anytime soon. F1 visa application is asking for ties in US with immediate relatives which a girlfriend or a boyfriend is not the one.

[EmilyW 1,437]

I don't see an issue in HFM181818 trying to poke holes. Personally, I'd want the worst case scenario rather than a rose-coloured glasses view of what the interview will be like. If nothing else, it's better to be over-prepared and realistic, than under-prepared and naive.

To the OP, you'll be interview in Aus, right? The US consulates here are straightforward. Prepare your documentation and make sure that you yourself believe the logic and validity of what you are doing. Practice. Rehearse. Make sure everything is in order. Make it difficult for them to refuse you, rather than hoping you'll sneak through.

As a fellow Melbournian, (soon to depart to Charlotte) I wish you, and your girlfriend, all the best.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

9 posts removed along with 2 members access to this thread for failing to heed earlier warning

[TBoneTX 45,288]

The OP has closed her account, so this thread is now closed to further comment.

Despite the differences of opinion about delivery style, this thread arguably contains a greater wealth of information than any other on the site.