By Olawale Fatunwase
A student visa interview is a crucial step in securing your study permit. Visa officers assess whether you are a genuine student, financially capable, and likely to return home after your studies. Many Nigerian students face visa denials due to weak interview responses, lack of preparation, or inconsistencies in their answers.
Here’s how to prepare and answer confidently to increase your chances of approval.
- Understand the Purpose of the Interview
The visa officer wants to evaluate:
✔ Your study intentions – Are you genuinely pursuing education or trying to migrate?
✔ Your financial ability – Can you afford your tuition and living expenses?
✔ Your post-study plans – Will you return home or have a legal plan for staying?
Key Tip:Be honest, confident, and clear in your responses. Avoid memorizing answers but practice structuring them logically.
- Common Student Visa Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
1. Why do you want to study in this country?
💡 Tip: Show that you have researched the country’s education system and how it benefits your career goals.
✅ Good Answer:
"I chose Canada because of its strong focus on research and innovation in my field of Computer Science. The co-op programs in Canadian universities allow students to gain real-world experience while studying, which is not common in Nigeria. Studying in Canada will help me gain skills that I can use to develop tech solutions for African businesses."
🚫 Weak Answer:
"Because the education system is good and I want to travel."
2. Why did you choose this particular university?
💡 Tip: Mention specific academic programs, faculty, research opportunities, or rankings that influenced your decision.
✅ Good Answer:
"I chose the University of Manchester because of its globally recognized Master’s program in Finance and its strong research collaborations with financial institutions. I was particularly impressed by Professor John Smith’s work on financial risk modeling, which aligns with my research interests."
🚫 Weak Answer:
"I heard it’s a good school and I got admitted."
3. How are you funding your education?
💡 Tip: Show clear evidence of financial support through personal savings, sponsorship, scholarships, or bank statements.
✅ Good Answer:
"My education is fully sponsored by my parents, who have a combined annual income of ₦15 million, as shown in their bank statements. They have also set aside ₦10 million in a fixed deposit account for my tuition and living expenses."
🚫 Weak Answer:
"My uncle will send me money every month." (Vague and lacks supporting evidence.)
4. What are your plans after graduation?
💡 Tip: Show that you have strong ties to Nigeria and that your education will contribute to your future career.
✅ Good Answer:
"After completing my Master’s in Public Health, I plan to return to Nigeria to work with the Ministry of Health on improving healthcare access in rural areas. I already have an internship lined up with a local NGO, which will allow me to apply my knowledge directly."
🚫 Weak Answer:
"I will look for a job abroad and settle there." (This suggests you don’t intend to return, which may lead to rejection.)
5. Do you have family members in this country?
💡 Tip: Be truthful. Lying about family ties can lead to a visa ban. If you have relatives, explain that you will be financially and academically independent.
✅ Good Answer:
"Yes, I have an older brother in Canada, but he is a citizen and has his own family. My studies are fully funded by my parents, and I will be living on campus."
🚫 Weak Answer:
“No, I don’t have any relatives there." (If the officer finds out otherwise, your visa may be denied.)
- Key Do’s and Don’ts for a Successful Visa Interview
✅Do’s:
✔ Be Confident and Maintain Eye Contact– Show that you know what you’re talking about.
✔ Dress Professionally– Wear formal or business casual attire to make a good impression.
✔ Carry All Required Documents– Have your passport, admission letter, bank statements, visa fee receipt, and other necessary papers.
✔ Give Direct and Clear Answers– Keep responses concise and relevant.
✔ Stay Calm – Even if asked tricky questions, don’t panic.
Don’ts:
🚫 Avoid Giving Too Much Unnecessary Information– Only answer what is asked.
🚫 Never Argue with the Visa Officer– If asked a difficult question, take a moment to think before responding.
🚫 Don’t Memorize Answers Word-for-Word– This can make your responses sound unnatural.
🚫 Avoid Saying You Want to Stay After Graduation– Unless your study program includes a work permit, this can lead to rejection.
- What to Bring to the Visa Interview
✔ Valid Passport
✔ Admission Letter from the University
✔ Proof of Financial Support (Bank Statements, Sponsorship Letter, Scholarship Proof, etc.)
✔ Visa Fee Payment Receipt
✔ Completed Visa Application Form
✔ Academic Documents (Certificates, Transcripts, etc.)
✔ Statement of Purpose (if required)
✔ Medical Reports (If needed for your destination country)
💡 Tip: Arrange your documents neatly in a file to avoid fumbling during the interview.
- What Happens After the Interview?
After your interview, the visa officer may:
✔ Approve your visa immediately – You will be asked to wait for further processing.
✔ Request additional documents – If anything is missing, you may be asked to submit extra proof.
✔ Place your application under review – Some applications take a few weeks for further verification.
✔ Deny your visa – If this happens, you will receive a letter explaining the reason.
💡 Tip: If denied, analyze the reason given and improve your application for the next attempt.
Final Thoughts
Visa interviews can be nerve-wracking, but preparation is key. By researching your study destination, preparing solid answers, and carrying all required documents, you increase your chances of getting approved.
P.S. I unavoidably missed the article for last weekend. This was simply due to the fact that I was bogged down by a bout of malaria fever and had to take some days off from work for recuperation. My sincere apologies. I’m back and ready to serve you with more educative and informative articles on your study abroad journey.
See you on the next one. For now, cheers.
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