shyam prasad

What reply to be given to the visa officer regarding 5 years career break?

Hi , I am 30 yrs old now. I had graduated in 2006 and was unemployed for more than 4 years even though i applied and tried for many companies. Last 2 yrs i am working as a system admin in a IT company. I am planning to pursue MS in Information Systems in US and have received admissions for this Fall 2013. I am going for visa interview this June. What answer should i give to the visa officer if he asks the reason for career gap of 4 yrs. I don t have any solid reasons to back up my answers.Please help

by shyam prasad
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2 answers

RE: What reply to be given to the visa officer regarding 5 years career break?

Meghna Mukherjee
Meghna Mukherjee
Verified Career Expert
Counselor at Adaptive Minds
  • Mumbai

Good to know you are currently interested in pursuing further studies and good you have already secured admission into a college abroad.


Mostly the Visa guys are interested in seeing how genuine you are. They wish to know through your answers whether you would be staying there or coming back after your course.
Some tips to clear your interview:
  • Be honest, don't try to make up something or base your answer on what others have told you
  • Importantly talk about the experience you have gained in your 4 years or 2 years you have worked in an industry
  • Try to tell them you were gauging the market and gaining experience
  • Talk about how the experience has made you realise where you need to advance your knowledge in terms of further studies
  • Mainly talk about your industry experience
  • Try and link what you have experienced and how a course in USA can help you when you return back
  • Give them a feeling that you are genuine and are application oriented.

Prepare yourself thorough;y. Practice with a friend or a tutor before you face the interview.

Be honest and talk without hesitation, a little nervousness but confidence in your language is the key.

All the very best...

RE: What reply to be given to the visa officer regarding 5 years career break?

Dr. Anand Wadadekar, PhD
Dr. Anand Wadadekar, PhD

Hello My Dear Career Aspirant,


Frankly speaking you should NOT lie anywhere and about any thing. Justifying a four years break is definitely tough.

A break of four years is not a crime and not out of the world thing which you have done.

I would suggest you to be completely thonest to your self and the Visa officer. Being honest and admitting that you did not do anything which can be shown, will be the best policy.

If you lie, then the Visa Officer may ask you such questions which can make you get caught. So why to take risk?

I would suggest you to say to the Visa Officer that you were searching for jobs, but did not happen to get one and then you had an introspection about your self that what may be the reason of not getting the job and you found that doing a post graduation and getting expert in the relevant domain area was very much required to face the competition.

You will be required to justify why you took four years to realise the above. Here you can say that you were hoping to get a job but unfortunately the time passed away. But then tell him that for the last two years I have been working and now feel that I need to upgrade my domain expertise and there fore wish to to pursue MS in USA.

All the Best!


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Caching Date: 4/20/2024 12:23:14 AM