Trick #1: “Talk big but can’t back it up”
A netizen once shared their visa rejection story: the consular officer asked who their favorite pianist was, and the applicant said Beethoven. The officer then asked them to hum a bit of “Für Elise,” which they couldn’t do, and as a result, they were denied. Deng Zhenyu believes that honesty is the key to getting a visa approved.
When submitting visa application materials or answering questions, always be truthful and sincere. Sometimes trying to be “too clever” can actually hurt your chances, just like the netizen above who thought giving a casual answer would get them through—only to find the officer delved deeper. Some students also mishear the officer’s question and, too afraid to ask again, answer what they think was asked. In reality, if you didn’t hear the question clearly, politely ask the officer to repeat it instead of guessing. Visa officers take dishonesty or evasive answers very seriously.
Trick #2: Overwhelming the officer with bank statements
Visa applications place great emphasis on the applicant’s financial background, so some students eagerly try to impress the officer by printing out all their monthly bank statements and handing them over. Deng Zhenyu says this is a “self-sabotaging” move: “First, let’s clear up a misconception—students don’t need to show all their funds during the visa interview. Generally, it’s enough to prepare bank statements showing the total amount needed for the first year’s tuition and living expenses. Visa officers are more concerned with whether the student’s parents can provide reliable proof of employment, income, property ownership, and other documents that demonstrate their ability to cover the remaining years of expenses, while still maintaining a good standard of living in China after paying these costs. There’s no need to show every single detail of your income and spending.”
Trick #3: Flaunting your travel history
It’s commonly believed that having successful travel records to third countries like Japan, South Korea, or Singapore before applying for a U.S. or UK student visa can help your application. In fact, countries like the UK and the U.S. do not reference other countries’ visas, and if an applicant’s passport shows a overly complex travel history, they may be asked to explain past trips—creating unnecessary complications.
Trick #4: Showing immigration intent
Is it very difficult for a student to apply for an F1 student visa if their parents are applying for immigration? Deng Zhenyu’s answer is yes. “This is a very special situation.” Applying for an F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, meaning the student’s purpose is to study in the U.S., not to immigrate, and they are expected to return to their home country after completing their studies. However, immigration visas indicate intent to immigrate. Therefore, children from families that have applied for immigration visas applying for a non-immigrant F1 visa go against the principles of the visa. “We recommend waiting until there is a decision on the immigration visa before deciding whether to apply for an F1 visa.”
Trick #5: Wearing the wrong outfit and causing misunderstandings
Your attire for the visa interview should match your identity. “If you’re clearly a high school student but wear a full business suit, or if you’re a professional but dress in a low-cut, sexy outfit, you might not get rejected, but you’ll definitely be marked down.” It’s recommended that students wear school uniforms, or simple T-shirts and jeans. Keep body language natural and avoid appearing nervous.