An American Degree Opens Doors That No Other Qualification Can.
US universities dominate every global ranking. An American STEM degree with OPT extension gives you 36 months of US work authorisation after graduation — time to build experience, secure H-1B sponsorship, and establish your long-term immigration foundation. The F-1 visa interview is where most applications succeed or fail. We prepare you for both.
The F-1 Interview Is Not a Formality. It Is Where Applications Are Won or Lost.
US consular officers are specifically trained to identify applicants who intend to overstay their visa. Indian applicants face heightened scrutiny.
The officer assesses two things: that you are a genuine student with academic ability and intent to study, and that you have sufficient ties to India that make your return credible.
Vague, rehearsed, or inconsistent answers are the most common reason for F-1 refusals. Generic mock interviews do not prepare you for the follow-up questions that catch unprepared applicants off guard.
We Prepare You for the Interview That Determines Everything.
At 91 Travel, we run full mock interview sessions specific to your program, your university, your background, and your funding situation. We cover every question an officer is likely to ask — and the follow-ups that most students are not ready for.
Beyond the interview, we verify STEM OPT eligibility, advise on program selection for employment outcomes, and map your post-graduation immigration strategy from day one.
The F-1 Visa Process
University Admission and I-20
Receive your I-20 from a SEVP-certified institution. Pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160 application.
Interview Preparation
Full mock interview sessions covering your specific program, university, background, and funding. We prepare you for the questions and the follow-ups.
Visa Interview and Issuance
Attend your interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in India with confidence. Enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date.
OPT and STEM OPT
12 months of OPT for all graduates. STEM program graduates get a 24-month extension — 36 months total of US work authorisation.
Long-Term Immigration Strategy
H-1B sponsorship, cap-exempt employer targeting, L-1 eligibility, O-1 qualification building, and EB green card pathway assessment.
What Working With 91 Travel Looks Like
F-1 mock interview preparation
We run full mock interviews covering every question an officer is likely to ask — why this university, how you will fund studies, career plans after graduation, family in the US, and what you will do when you return to India.
Which means: You walk into the interview knowing exactly how to present yourself and handle follow-ups.
STEM OPT eligibility verification
Not all STEM programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The program must be on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list. We verify this for every program we recommend.
Which means: 36 months of US work authorisation instead of 12 — a critical difference for your immigration timeline.
Program selection for employment outcomes
In the US, employer recruitment relationships with universities vary significantly. A CS degree from Carnegie Mellon has different Silicon Valley access than the same degree from a lower-ranked institution.
Which means: Your program choice is optimised for both academic quality and employer access.
Financial documentation strategy
Proof of financial sufficiency covering the full cost of your program plus living expenses. We structure your documentation to demonstrate capacity clearly and credibly.
Which means: Your financial evidence supports your genuine student case without raising questions.
Post-graduation immigration mapping
OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B lottery strategy, cap-exempt employer targeting, L-1 and O-1 eligibility assessment, and EB-1A or EB-2 NIW green card pathway evaluation — mapped from the start of your program.
Which means: You understand the full US immigration landscape before you enrol, not six months before OPT expires.
Ties-to-India narrative building
The consular officer needs to believe you will return to India after graduation. We help you build a credible, specific narrative around family, property, employment history, and career plans.
Which means: Your return intent is convincing because it is genuine and well-articulated.
Students Who Want the Best Education in the World — and a Plan for What Comes After
- ◆You have been admitted to a US university and need to prepare for the F-1 interview
- ◆You want a STEM degree that qualifies for the 36-month OPT window
- ◆Your previous F-1 visa was refused and you need to understand why before reapplying
- ◆You want to understand H-1B, L-1, O-1, and green card options before committing to a US program
- ◆Your funding situation is complex and needs careful documentation
- ◆You are choosing between US universities and want to factor in employment outcomes, not just rankings
What Our Clients Say
“The mock interview sessions were incredibly specific. They worked through my exact situation — my program, my funding, my family background. First attempt approval at the Mumbai consulate.”
, Student, MS Computer Science, Georgia Tech
“91 Travel made me switch from a non-STEM designated program to one that qualified for STEM OPT. That one change gave me 36 months instead of 12 to find H-1B sponsorship.”
, Student, Data Science, UT Austin
“My F-1 was refused the first time because of weak ties-to-India answers. 91 Travel rebuilt my entire narrative. Approved on the second interview — the officer barely asked follow-ups.”
, Student, MBA, Boston University
Questions We Hear Every Day
Can I work while studying on an F-1 visa?
On-campus employment up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions is permitted. Off-campus employment through CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is available for internships integral to your program. OPT begins after graduation.
What if my F-1 visa is refused?
A US F-1 refusal is usually based on the officer's assessment of immigrant intent — whether they believe you will return to India after graduation. We analyse refusal grounds and rebuild your application and interview preparation before reapplication.
Should I pursue a Master's or a PhD?
A Master's — particularly in STEM — is the most strategically efficient path for Indian students targeting US employment and immigration. A PhD is appropriate for research careers, academia, or EB-1A qualification building. We assess which is right for your goals in the counselling session.
What is the H-1B lottery and how does it affect me?
After OPT, most private sector employers need to sponsor you for an H-1B work visa — subject to an annual lottery with approximately 20 to 25 percent selection odds per year. We advise on strategies to reduce lottery dependency, including cap-exempt employer targeting and O-1 qualification building.
Are cap-exempt employers a real option?
Yes. Universities, non-profit research institutions, and government research organisations are exempt from the H-1B annual cap. Graduates who secure employment with cap-exempt employers skip the lottery entirely — a significant immigration advantage.
A US Degree Is a Career Decision and an Immigration Decision. Plan Both.
A free 45-minute counselling session covers your university options, F-1 interview strategy, STEM OPT eligibility, and post-graduation immigration pathway — so you know exactly what your US investment will deliver.
P.S. , An F-1 refusal goes on your record and affects every future US visa application. The interview preparation you do now determines whether your American education starts on schedule or gets delayed indefinitely.