How do I prove that I am a bona fide student during an f1 visa interview? 12 Answers as of December 01, 2011

You will have to convince the Service Officer that you have been attending classes and that you have and continue to live up to the terms of your visa. An F-1 is supposed to be in the US for scholarly purposes and can only work within the school programs set up for that purpose. An F-1 is not a license to live like a LPR. In fact it is a non-immigrant visa and all such visas are given for a specific purpose and have limitations imposed upon them.

In order to apply for an F-1 visa, you have to be issued an I-20 from a school that is a registered school authorized to issue I-20 forms to foreign students. If you have an I-20 signed by a designated school officer, then you are a bona fide foreign student.

It means that you have to show that you have strong and substantial ties to your home country, ensuring that you will return to your home country after the conclusion of your studies. There is really no one way to prove bona fide intent, as each case will be different and will be reviewed on its own merits

A student intending to return to his home country after the completion of school. The proof will be evidence of ties to your home country that will compel return rather than more ties here. Family ties there work, business etc.

There is no bright line rule on how to prove you are a bona fide student at an interview. You must convince the interviewing officer that you intend to study in the U.S. in compliance with the student visa. You must also show the officer that you intend to return to your native country after the completion of your education. You should be prepared to submit evidence of enrollment in the college you intend to attend as well as proof of payment for classes or receipt of scholarship, if applicable. You should also have evidence regarding your ties to your native country. You should also have evidence of how you intend to support yourself in the United States as you cannot work on a student visa.

At a U.S. Consulate you would show your school records to prove bonafides as a student. You would also have to prove that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies.

Just show them all the documents they requested, the I-20 issued by the school, a statement from the bank proving that your parents or guardians, or yourself will have enough fund to support your study and lodging in the US, an most importantly you have to show that you do not have the intention to abandon your study midway and try to stay in the US through any other means, because the F-1 is a nonimmigrant visa. You can show that your parents or yourself have an significant amount of assets in your home country.

A bona fide student is one that is qualified for the educational program and intends to complete the course of study and return to the home country.

Do you mean at a US consulate. You can show your transcripts, proof of payment for tuition/books, course listings and letter from your school.

The school's Foreign Student Advisor should be able to provide that certification and a print-out from the SEVIS system.