How to Prepare for the US Visitor Visa Interview

Those wishing to enter the US for business or tourism purposes may have to apply for a US visa. Exempt from this requirement are the countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which instead have to apply online for Electronic Travel Authorization.

How to Prepare for the US Visitor Visa Interview

The U.S. Visitor Visa interview is one of the essential parts of your application to visit the United States. The process can be a trying one, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Here are some tips for preparing for your US Visitor Visa interview. Trying to secure a US Visitor Visa can be stressful enough; imagine having to deal with an immigration official who is passionate about enforcing the laws and won’t give you more than 10 minutes with them. Ensure you have all the information ready before asking questions demonstrating how well-versed you are on U.S. immigration law and regulations. The more prepared you are, the smoother your conversation will be when you meet with an immigration official. If this sounds like something that worries you, don't worry! There are plenty of ways to effectively prepare for your US Visitor Visa interview so that it goes smoothly and you can focus on what's essential: visiting family, meeting future in-laws, or seeing old friends. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how to prepare for your US Vis visitor visa interview!

People who qualify to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization do not need to attend an interview.

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.

What are the B1 B2 Visa Interview Questions?

The questions you will be asked at the start of your interview with the consular officer will be the same whether you are seeking a B1 Visa or a B2 Visa.

Typically, the consular worker will begin the talk by mentioning the weather, morning rush hour, or the massive line at the embassy. They want you to feel at ease and less worried or stressed.

Have your documentation in hand, neatly organized, and in order. Hand over any documents requested by the interviewer and any appropriate explanations. The following are the most often asked questions for US Visitor visa interviews:

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:

  1.     “For business purposes – to negotiate a contract.”
  2.     “To visit my mother, who lives in the US.”
  3.     “For medical treatment.”

    I will visit my aunt, whom I haven’t seen for a long time. She has been inviting me over for a few years now, and only now have I managed to find time to apply for a visa and make the trip.”,

  1.     “I wish to get a US visa to visit the country and sightsee. I have been saving for a long time for this trip.”,
  2.     “I have gained the right to attend a conference/seminar/training.” etc.

Please answer soon since the time you have with the consular officer is short, and you do not want to waste it by talking gibberish, nor does the interviewer.

Have you been to the US before?

It is very important to answer honestly. Tell about the reasons you have visited the US before, i.e., tourism, training, medical reasons, etc. Even if you have stayed beyond your visa validity and been deported or detained during your previous stay in the US, you must tell. The interviewer has the information either way, so it is no use to lie. If you have never been to the US, could you tell me that?

Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US?

Even if you have some far away relatives that you only meet every three–four years or even less, tell the consular about them. Alternatively, you will have to tell the consular again, even if you have a friend you have only met once or twice. It is better to do so rather than the consular officer finding it out later since that could risk your chances of getting a visa. The embassy is mostly scared that their visitors will try to remain in the US, and hiding such information as having a relative or friend residing in the US might make your purpose of visit look more suspicious.
Details on your friends/relatives in the US

If you have any, you will be asked how long they have been living in the US, their addresses, what they work for, etc. Therefore, try to contact your friends and relatives in advance and ask them about this information.

Could you research your visa type?

The first thing to do before going to your US Visitor Visa interview is to understand the type of visa you want. Multiple types of visas allow you to visit the United States, and you’ll need to know which one(s) you want. The United States Visitor Visa is the most accessible type of visa. If you’re a first-time visitor or have previously been denied permission to visit the United States, you should probably apply for that visa first.

Could you make a list of key takeaways from your interview?

When you’re done researching your visa type, take the time to write down everything the immigration officials told you during your interview. Keep these key takeaways in a journal or a small notepad so you can quickly review them during your US Visitor Visa interview and get them in order. You may even want to make a Card of takeaways so that you don’t forget any vital information. Since the US Visitor Visa interview is the first official meeting between you and the immigration official, you should come prepared with answers to all the questions the officer will likely ask. Be sure to list everything the officer asked you during the interview on a separate piece of paper so that you don’t forget them.

Define the main questions you’ll be posing during the interview.

During your US Visitor Visa interview, the officer will probably try to narrow down your options to a few possible answers to questions like Why do you want to visit the United States? What is your planned stay in the United States? How do you plan to support yourself in the United States? The official may also ask you these questions on the spot during your interview, or they may give you questions to write down as you’re answering them. Whatever the method, the main questions you want your consultation to help you with are: Why do you want to visit the United States? - What is your planned stay in the United States? - How do you plan to support yourself in the United States?

Make a list of your favorite interviews and why

You don’t have to select the perfect questions to throw at an immigration official, but you want to choose questions that demonstrate a love for the United States and a desire to visit it. There are plenty of ways to choose your favorite interviews; you can look up famous people who immigrated to the United States and see what questions they answered, or you can look at the most popular questions on immigrant websites and try to answer them like the experts.

No-Bot practice with your phone or computer

Suppose you’re like most people, and your work or school schedule makes it hard to go to the immigration office and speak with a natural person. In that case, you can still prepare for your US Visitor Visa interview by using some of the many online services that help you practice answering questions. You can use these services to review your favorite questions one last time, or you can go back to writing them down as you would if you were in the room with an immigration official.

Practice allaying potential immigrant concerns ahead of time

You don’t have to be a naturalized U.S. citizen to have non-immigrant colored cables; most people who travel to the United States are foreign nationals who are visiting on a visa. If you’re lucky enough to have a family member or friend who is a U.S. citizen, you can ask them to share tips and tricks about navigating the immigration process better. However, even if you don’t have a family member or friend who is a U.S. citizen, it’s always a good idea to know what questions to ask the people in charge of your immigration case.

Don’t forget to close out your interview with a version that leaves you feeling cheerful and ready to go home!

After your US Visitor Visa interview, review your interview notes and talk to a friend or relative about your experience. Afterward, close your file with the immigration office and send a note of gratitude. After all that hard work, you want to treat yourself to a treat after your interview. The best way to do that is to head to a restaurant or go a coffee shop and order a sweet treat that will make you feel happy and satisfied while you’re waiting for your family to join you in the United States. Make your visit to the United States pleasant, and when you’re done, close your case and send a note of gratitude to the immigration official who helped you with your application.

What is the reason for traveling at this particular time?

If you are applying for a B1 visa, it is easier for the interviewer to accept your excuses. Whereas, if you are traveling under a B1 passport, then you have to give more substantial causes, as

  • “Only during this period can I take work days off.”
  • “My friend/relative has available space at her home / is free only during this time of the year.”
  • “My medical condition has worsened, and I can no longer receive the right treatment in my home country.”

What is the reason for traveling at this particular time?

If you are applying for a B1 visa, it is easier for the interviewer to accept your reasons. Whereas, if you are traveling under a B1 visa, then you have to give more substantial causes, as
“Only during this period can I take days off from work.”
“My friend/relative has available space at her home / is free only during this time of the year.”
“My medical condition has worsened, and I can no longer receive the right treatment in my home country.”

How long will you be staying in the US?

One week, three months, two days, etc., given the time you plan to remain in the US. These questions are just a warm-up for the questions to come. The consular officer has all this information in your application in his hands, but he will try to get into the real talk this way.

Why do you intend to remain so long? Can you stay for a lesser period?

This is a question that the interviewer frequently asks those who have filed for a visa with a validity of more than six months. If you have applied for such a visa, you will need a compelling justification, so please give the interviewer a detailed explanation.

Who will you be traveling with?

If you are going alone, could you tell me if you will go with s or anyone else? Then, could you explain to the consular if these people apply as your dependents and what is your relationship with these people?

Have you booked your tickets?

If you are asked this question, it depends on your situation, but if you have already done such, please hand the booking confirmation letter to the interviewer.

How much do you think your stay in the US will cost you?

Prepare an itinerary for your US trip, including all types of expenses. Present this itinerary to the interviewer when asked this question. It will give the consular officer the idea that you know what you are doing and how much you will spend.

What do you do for a living? How much do you earn?

Tell the interviewer about your profession, what you do in general, how long you have been working there, as well as about your workplace, its name, etc. Tell them about the income you receive from this particular job. If you have other types of income, i.e., rent or freelancing, present how much you receive monthly / annually from them.

How will you be financing your trip? Who is your sponsor?

This is a question they ask to make sure where your money is coming from. You will present a statement on your bank account and other documents to the interviewer so they know who will sponsor your trip.

However, answer clearly. Show proof of all your income and savings if you plan to finance your trip with your financial means.

On the other side, if someone will be sponsoring your visit to the US, then present your relationship with them, their income,e and further details to prove that they can 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.

Are you married? Do you have children? Do you have pets? Who will take care of them while you are away?

The consular wants to know if you are leaving someone behind to whom you are committed and if you will have to go back. For example, if you have children or pets, tell them who will take care of them while you are away and your relationship with the caretaker.

Who will take care of your house/property/children/pets while you are away?

If you have children or pets, you must show the consular the people looking after them and your relationship with that person—the same with a house or property.

More You Should Not Miss:

Get More You need to know before Proceeding with the Application;

Do you have any intention of remaining in the US?

We all know that even if you intend to stay in the US, you will not be telling that to the consular. I'm just asking this question, so you can prove to him you have no such intention. It would be best if you were very convincing. Tell them the most important reasons you must return to your country upon your visa expiration. Show your strong ties to your country by telling them you have family, kids, pets, friends, property, etc.