One of the most crucial questions you will face during your student visa interview is about your sponsor.

 The question may sound simple, but your answer plays a big role in determining whether or not you get your visa approved. 

Even if you are accepted by top universities and you perform confidently during the interview, your visa can still be rejected if your financial planning does not satisfy the visa officer.

Let’s go step by step and understand how you should approach this question.

What Not to Say When Asked About Your Sponsor

Before diving into how you should answer, let’s first talk about some common mistakes that you must avoid.

First, never mention that your sponsor's annual income is exactly equal to your I-20 Cost of Attendance. That can raise red flags. If your parents’ income alone is not enough to cover your education expenses, you can include other sponsors as well such as your grandparents, uncle, siblings or other close relatives.

Second, never go to the interview without a clear understanding of your sponsor’s job or business. Sit with your parents or whoever is funding you and learn about their day to day work and income source. Visa officers are smart and highly experienced. If they feel you are not confident about your sponsor's occupation or if you are lying, they will immediately catch it. If you say your sponsor runs a business, they might even ask you what products they sell, at what price, and the margin they earn. So it is always better to be honest and well informed.

Third, avoid exaggerating or manipulating the income details without knowing the true nature of your sponsor’s job. Visa officers understand Nepalese professions and income better than most of us. For example, they know how much a government teacher or a small business owner typically earns. There have been cases where students claimed both their parents were government teachers earning thirty thousand dollars a year. That is clearly unrealistic and can hurt your chances.

What the Visa Officer Really Wants to Know
Many students assume that this question is only about the occupation and income of their parents. While that is partially true, the visa officer is trying to understand your family’s complete financial background.

They want to ensure that you can afford to study in the United States without financial stress and that your family can still live comfortably in your home country while supporting you. So, in your answer, you should also include other sources of family income such as your siblings' jobs, grandparents’ pensions, rental income or any businesses you have. If you own property or land, that can also show financial stability.

In addition to annual income, talk about your family’s savings or fixed deposits set aside for your education. This shows that the financial documents you submitted for your I-20 are genuine and well planned.
If someone other than your parents is sponsoring your education, such as your uncle or a close relative, make sure to explain your relationship with them. You should also explain why they are willing to support your education.

Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your response should reflect your real situation. Make sure you speak the truth, understand your family’s finances, and prepare well to explain them clearly.
The key is to show that your education in the United States is financially well supported and that your family will not be under pressure while doing so.

Let us know your thoughts and if you found this helpful. We wish you all the best for your visa interview.