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Going for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy can be nerve-racking for many people, but don’t be anxious! Although every experience is slightly different, knowing what to expect is incredibly helpful in managing those feelings.
What supporting documents should I bring at the appointment?
When you schedule the appointment, you must have the following documents available:
⦁ Your valid passport and your passport number.
⦁Your visa application fee payment receipt number.
⦁ Your DS-160 confirmation page.
⦁ Documents based on the type of visa you are applying for.
The Day of Your Interview At the Embassy
Thousands of applicants successfully complete their visa interviews every year. You can prepare for your day with a few simple tips.
⦁ Dress nicely. Wearing a suit or formal attire is not necessary, but it is more respectful if you wear neat, clean clothes since first impressions can mean a lot.
⦁ Arrive at the embassy early. The first thing you must remember is that you must be on time for your interview. It is true that you may often have to wait in a queue to attend the interview, thus meeting the consular officer an hour or later than appointed. However, do not risk being there late, even if someone tells you theres a queue at the embassy. Be there at least 15 minutes earlier just in case.
⦁ Be well fed. Because there are sometimes long waits, make sure you eat enough so you are not hungry or hangry during the interview.
⦁ Go alone. This interview is for you, not your family or your friends.
Security & Biometrics Verification
At the entrance of the embassy, you will go through a security detector, which in most of the cases includes a full-body metal detector scan. After that, you will be given a token for your interview and then you will have to give your fingerprints. An officer will scan your fingerprints, and give you further directions.
Enter the Interview
After fingerprinting, you will have to wait in a lounge area, where you must wait quietly for your turn. You will hear your name when it is your turn. Have your documents arranged earlier, so you will not have a mess on your hands when you meet the interviewer.
The questions the officers will ask you depend on the type of US visa that you have applied for. Some officers will only ask you 1 or 2 questions, while other officers will ask you more questions. Here you can find the questions that the interviewer may ask you during your interview:
⦁ What is the purpose of your visit to the US?
⦁ Have you been to the US before?
⦁ Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US?
⦁ Details on your friends/relatives in the US.
⦁ Where will you be residing in the United States?
⦁ Do you have a spouse or children in your home country?
Although every interview is different and you should be prepared to answer all types of questions, this video should help you feel a bit more prepared. It is also a good idea to ask other people in your country who have also done the interview you are applying for.
English Language
Anticipate that the interview will be in English, not your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview. If you are coming to the United States solely to study intensive English, be prepared to explain how English will be useful for you in your home country.
Speak for Yourself
Do not bring parents or family members with you to your interview. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. A negative impression is created if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf. If you are a minor applying for a high school program and need your parents there in case there are questions, for example, about funding, they should wait in the waiting room.
Be Concise
Because of the volume of applications received, all consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the
impressions they form during the first minute or two of the interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression you create are critical to your success. Therefore, you want to ensure you bring your most helpful responses and arguments first. Be sure to keep your answers to the officers questions short and the point, but complete. At times you may need to expand on a response and feel free to.
Maintain a positive attitude
Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are denied a US visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring to overcome the refusal, and try to obtain a document that explains why you were denied.
I hope you found this video helpful. Subscribe if this content or information helps you in any way, comment below if you want me to talk about something in specific, and share this resource because you never know who needs answers to these questions. If you have any specific questions about your background as they relate to this video, be sure to schedule a consultation. I’ll see you in the next video.
