I successfully secured my F1 visa for a Ph.D. Program last Friday. I’d like to express my gratitude to Greencardez as their informative videos were immensely beneficial throughout the process. I had to answer 11 questions during my interview, which might have been due to the additional F2 applications for my wife and 3 kids.
Congratulations! Success strories such as yours keeps us going 
Please share details of your interview experience so the broader community can gain insights and benefit from it. What questions did they ask you and how did you navigrate them? Do you have any tips for others now that you’ve gone through the experience?
I recently had my visa interview at the US embassy in Japan, and I’m thrilled to share that my F1 Visa for a Ph.D. program, along with F2 visas for my wife and our three kids, have all been approved. In total, we received five visas.
The interview was quite thorough, lasting over eight minutes, during which the Visa Officer asked me 11 questions. Despite my initial concerns about the number of questions, I remained confident in my answers.
Here’s a summary of the questions and my responses:
Me: Hello Officer, how are you doing today?
VO: Hi, I’m good, thank you.
Q1: When did you come to Japan?
Answer:
I came to Japan in October 2017 because I got a position as an assistant lecturer at Tokai University in Japan.
Q2: Can I see your professional card/badge issued by the university to teach?
Answer: Sure, officer, here you are.
Q3: What do you lecture, and can I see your employment certificate?
Answer:
Sure officer, here is my employment certificate. I hold an MBA (Master of Business Administration) and I teach in the Department of Business Administration. The reason I decided to pursue a Ph.D. is that my current academic qualification limits me to teaching specific grade levels. Upon graduation, it would improve my skills and knowledge and remove the limitations I currently face in my career. I plan to return to my home country to work as a professor, engage in local politics, and assist in our family business.
Q4: How many universities did you apply to?
Answer:
I applied to four universities: University of California, Westcliff University, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Pennsylvania. However, I was accepted by two universities (University of California and Westcliff University)
Q5: Why did you choose this university?
Answer:
I choose.…… because it offers a Doctorate of Education, which aligns perfectly with my career objective of becoming an outstanding professor. The university offers moderate tuition fees and focuses more on practical studies, which will help me gain practical experience and prepare for my future career when I return to my home country. I was also able to contact Professor Cynthia Worthen, an expert in my field of study at.……
Q6: Why didn’t you pursue your Ph.D. in Japan, as it has good universities as well?
Answer:
While Japan offers first-class education, American degrees are globally recognized and offer higher quality. Additionally, the language barrier in Japan could negatively affect my studies and research, impacting my future career.
Q7: Can you tell me the name of the professor you mentioned earlier?
Answer: Sure officer. Her name is Professor Cynthia Worthen.
Q8: Can I talk to your wife?
Answer: Sure officer.
My wife: Hello Officer.
VO: Hello, where do you work?
My wife: I work at Harmony…
VO: That’s all, thanks.
My wife: Thank you, officer.
The officer continued to ask me questions.
Q9: Where is your University located?
Answer:
The university is situated in the in the city of.…. In the state of California. The environment is conducive for studies and offers a diverse cultural experience, which I anticipate will enrich my education before I return to my home country upon completing my studies.
Q10: What are your plans after your studies?
Answer:
I plan to return to my home country to work at one of the best state universities, where I will share the knowledge I gained in the States, engage in local politics in my community, and assist my father in his businesses as an adviser.
Q11: Can I see your children’s birth certificates?
Answer:
Sure officer. Here they are.
VO: Your visas have been approved. Congratulations.
Me: Thank you very much, officer, and enjoy the rest of your day.
I was shocked extremely happy when I heard “ Congratulations “