Don’ts During the Visa Interview Process
- ‘Like, Umm, I guess’ – Try to avoid using conversation fillers such as ‘Like’, ‘Ummmm’, or ‘I guess’ in a sentence when you are responding to a question. Pay close attention to the questions asked and respond with just the answer. ...
- ‘Nervous Nancy’ – We understand that the interview is important. ...
- ‘Do not chant’ – Many interviewees mug up scripted lines. ...
Full Answer
What are the top 10 Mistakes to avoid at visa interviews?
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid at Visa Interviews 1. Not Prepared Well for the Interview 2. Not Providing Complete and Truthful Information 3. Providing Incomplete Documentation 4. Not Carrying Appropriate Fee 5. Providing Unnecessary Extra Information For example: 6. Inconsistent Information 7. Arguing with the Consulate Officer
What should you not do when applying for an immigrant visa?
You should not make permanent financial commitments, such as selling your house, car or property, resigning from your job, or making other travel arrangements, until you have received your immigrant visa. You, your spouse, and any qualified unmarried children immigrating with you, must participate in the interview.
What are the commonly asked questions for US visitor visa interview?
The commonly asked questions for US Visitor visa interview are the following: What is the purpose of your visit to the US? This is just a warm-up question. Just answer in two-three sentences which clearly explain the reasons behind your purpose of travel, whatever it is as: “For business purposes – to negotiate a contract.”
What items are not allowed in the embassy during interview?
The following items are not allowed in the Embassy during your interview: Cosmetics (including but not limited to spray perfume/cologne and talcum/baby powder) Sealed envelopes or packages. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of the security staff. There is no storage available for prohibited items.

Do and don'ts in US visa interview?
While it is good to make scripts and refer some most frequently asked questions and answers, avoid mugging up on the lines. Spontaneity is an important aspect of a visa interview. 'Torn documents a strict no n-no' – Make sure the visa related documents are presentable. Don't use torn or crushed documents.
How can I pass US visa interview?
We cover the most important aspects of the interview process and give you some tips on how to handle the question-answer session.Language. ... Positive Attitude. ... Look and Act the Part. ... Proving Ties to Family and India. ... Know your Program. ... Give Precise Answers. ... Complete Documents. ... Do NOT mention Hopes of Employment in the US.More items...
What disqualifies you from getting a US visa?
An applicant's current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa. If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.
How do you greet a visa officer?
0:073:00What are the answers a Visa Officer looking for in a U.S. visa interview?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA lot of my clients want to know if they should answer the questions in a short way or a long. Way.MoreA lot of my clients want to know if they should answer the questions in a short way or a long. Way. There's a lot of people out there that are telling you to answer the questions in a very short way
How can I convince my US visa officer?
The tips below are intended to help you prepare for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate in your home country.Ties to Home Country. ... English. ... Speak for Yourself. ... Know the Program and How it Fits Your Career Plans. ... Be Concise. ... Supplemental Documentation. ... Not All Countries Are Equal. ... Employment.More items...
How long is the US visa interview?
You can expect to be at the Embassy or Consulate for approximately two to three hours. The interview with a consular officer is the last step in a two-step process and typically lasts just a few minutes. Prior to the interview staff will collect, data-enter and review your application.
What do visa officers check?
The database stores biometric information on visa applicants, including their photographs and fingerprints, as well as biographic information, which may include their marriage history, work history, addresses, and family information.
How do you increase your chances of getting a US visa?
U.S. Tourist Visa: How to Make your Chances of Approval HigherEmployment. Having a job in your home country will not guarantee to have your visa issued. ... Family Obligation. ... Property and Personal Asset. ... Community Involvement. ... Travel History.
What is background check for US visa?
The background and security checks include collecting fingerprints and requesting a “name check” from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). In addition, USCIS conducts other inter-agency criminal background and security checks on all applicants for naturalization.
Can I wear jeans for US visa interview?
You may also wear wide-legged dress pants or cropped hem pants as they also go well with any type of top, while looking official and formal. Avoid jeans and leggings as these are often too informal for US visa attire.
How can I be confident in visa interview?
0:000:56How to get confident before your U.S. visa interview? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe most important thing to have for your visa interview to be prepared. Is to have confidenceMoreThe most important thing to have for your visa interview to be prepared. Is to have confidence confidence is almost i would say. Maybe 30 to 50. Of you know why visas are approved or denied.
How do I know if my visa is approved?
Check the Status of a Visa Application For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
What questions are asked for US visa interview?
The commonly asked questions for US Visitor visa interview are the following: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?More items...
Which is the easiest US visa to get?
For many, a "B" visitor visa is the easiest and most appropriate one to get. (See 8 U.S. Code §? 1101.) The B visa a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2).
What are the 4 main steps to getting a visa?
The U.S. Department of State issues visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates....Four Steps to Help You Apply for a VisaPay your visa fee,Obtain acceptable photographs,Complete your online DS-160 visa application,Get a list of all required documents you must bring, and.Schedule your visa interview appointment.
How hard is visa interview?
Most visa interviews are extremely short, often under 5 minutes. Therefore, you want to keep your answers concise so that you have time to answer all of the questions. Again, practicing the interview beforehand can help with this.
How to travel to America?
To travel to America, the first step is to apply for a visitor visa. The process starts by filling up the non-immigration visa application form, DS-160. After submitting the form and the requisite documents, you need to schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the US embassy.
Do you have to pay for a visa before an interview?
The visitor visa fee should be paid before the visa interview, since you will need the payment receipt for your interview appointment. It is advisable to check the amount and the payment methods before making the payment. Cash payments are not accepted by the US consulate.
Is it advisable to arrive early at the consulate?
It is always advisable to arrive a little early at the consulate for the interview. So, leave home well in time, accounting for unexpected traffic snarls and other unforeseen delays. Being late starts you off on the back foot for the interview.
How to prove you are going to stay in the US?
Try to prove to the consular officer that you have strong ties to your home country and that by no means you plan to remain in the US. Try to prove that by telling to the interviewer you have a girlfriend / fiancé / wife, children, parents to whom you plan getting back to (if you have them). Present your properties, your business, your friendships and other relations you have with other people. Show a contract you have with your employer, or other types of engagements that prove you must go back to your home country.
What to tell consular about leaving someone behind?
The consular wants to know if you are leaving someone behind, to whom you are committed and you will have to go back to. If you have children or pets, tell them who will take care of them while you are away, and what is your relationship with the caretaker.
Where will you be residing in the United States?
If you have booked a hotel, show your hotel booking and tell the interviewer a bit why you have chosen that hotel. If you will be staying over at friends or relatives show their invitation letter and describe your relationship with them.
What to say when someone is sponsoring you?
On the other side, if someone will be sponsoring your visit to the US then present your relationship with them, their income and other details to prove that they are capable to cover your financial needs during your stay in the US. If you feel the interviewer is giving you space to talk more about the issue, tell him your sponsor’s occupation and other details that will prove to him you have a strong connection, and there is a strong reason why this person is sponsoring your trip.
How old do you have to be to get a US visa?
However, those who apply for a US visa, from the age of 14 to the age of 79, have to attend an in-person interview at the US embassy or consulate in their country. You must appoint a US visa interview before attending one. After you complete the DS-160 form online, go to https://ais.usvisa-info.com and pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) ...
Do B1 and B2 visas have the same questions?
No matter if you are applying for a B1 Visa or a B2 Visa the questions that you will be asked at the beginning of the interview with the consular officer will be the same.
How can being confident help you in a visa interview?
Being confident can bring positive results. Especially, incase of visa interview where a consulate officer has to rely on limited information provided by you. Their judgment is highly influenced by the way you react to questions, your body language, and the authenticity of you answers.
Why is a visa interview important?
Visa interview is most important part of the whole visa process. A successful interview can have greater positive impact in visa grant decision. Following are some of the most common mistakes people make during the interview.
What is the best way to prepare for an interview?
Being prepared for interview can better equip you for the interview. A prior research and preparation for commonly asked questions and their appropriate answer will be helpful during the interview.
Can you argue with a consulate officer?
Never ever make any arguments with the consulate officer. If you want some information ask in a polite manner.
Do US consulates accept cash?
Make sure you know the method and the exact amount of the applicable fee. For example, most US consulates don't accept cash as the payment method and would prefer separate bank drafts for visa application and visa issuance fee.
What is an interview for a US visa?
When you apply for a US visa, the interview is just an opportunity for the officials to meet with you and learn more about whether the information you supplied on the Visa application form is accurate and truthful. Attempting to avoid answering questions from the Visa official will not protect you in any way, especially if the topic is personal. Furthermore, providing false information will not result in a positive outcome, since the diplomatic office will confirm all of the information you provide during the interview and on the application form.
How to tell the interviewer about your career?
Tell the interviewer about your career, what you do in general, how long you’ve been there, and your workplace, including its name and location. Tell them how much money you make at this particular job. If you have other sources of income, such as rent or freelancing, show how much you earn monthly or annually.
What do visa officers want to know about scholarships?
Your Visa officer wants to know if you are aware of the scholarship programmes and financial aid available to you. You should know how many scholarships you may be eligible for and why a university is awarding you one. Also, if you filed a statement of purpose for the scholarship, make a note of it and bring a copy with you.
What to say when you don't want to include sponsors' names?
If you don’t want to include your sponsors’ names, you might say that your father and mother are financially supporting you for your higher study.
How to prove you have strong ties to your home country?
Try to prove this by telling the interviewer you have a girlfriend/fiancé/wife, children, parents to whom you plan to get back (if you have them). Present your properties, your business, your friendships, and other relations you have with other people. Show a contract you have with your employer or other types of engagements that prove you must go back to your home country.
Who must attend an immigration interview?
Who Must Attend the Interview. You, your spouse, and any qualified unmarried children immigrating with you, must participate in the interview. All traveling applicants required to participate will be named on the interview Appointment Letter you receive from the National Visa Center (NVC).
What to bring to an interview?
What to bring to the Interview 1 English Translations – If documents requiring English translation were not sent to NVC, you must obtain them and present them on the day of your interview. For more information please review the U.S. Embassy or Consulate interview preparation instructions . 2 Visa Fees – If your visa application fees were collected by NVC, you do not need to pay again. However, if you or any family member did not pay all the necessary fees, you will be asked to pay any unpaid fees at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
What happens if you don't pay all the fees?
Embassy or Consulate. Failure to Appear for Interview - If you cannot appear at your scheduled interview, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible.
What is consular interview?
A consular officer will interview you (and accompanying family member beneficiaries) and determine whether or not you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa. As part of the interview process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken.
Can a sponsor attend a visa interview?
You should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly to arrange separate interviews, if needed. Your sponsor/petitioner does not attend the visa interview.
What to not bring to an embassy interview?
The Embassy does not permit interested third parties such as friends, relatives, attorneys, or business contacts to attend non-immigrant visa interviews with the applicant. The following items are not allowed in the Embassy during your interview:
What items are prohibited at the airport?
Suitcases. Cosmetics (including but not limited to spray perfume/cologne and talcum/baby powder) Bottles of any kind. Food items. Sealed envelopes or packages. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of the security staff . There is no storage available for prohibited items.
