American Visa Interview Questions & Answers

The U.S. Embassy interview is the culmination of the American visa application process. It depends on the communication with the visa officer whether the applicant will get a visa to America or it will be decided to refuse him.

In a short time you need to explain the purpose of your trip, convince the Embassy officer that you do not want to stay in the US, and if necessary answer the questions about your background and work.

The interview itself takes no more than 2-3 minutes and the decision is made very quickly.  In this article, we will talk about what is needed for a positive outcome of the interview.

Make sure to take all the Necessary Papers

The required documentation package is not too extensive: it includes a passport with at least one blank page, one printed US visa photo, confirmation of the interview invitation, a printout confirming the completed DS-160, and a receipt of the consular fee.

Please note that the photo must be strictly in accordance with the standard U.S. passport photo requirements. Photographs in other sizes will not be accepted.

Be Prepared to Convince the Officer of the Financial Solvency and Connection to the Homeland

The consul, before approving the issuance of a tourist visa, must make sure that you will surely return back. This can be proved by having a high-paying job, real estate, cars, and other valuables that you will leave in your home country.

If you keep money in banks, especially deposits – provide account statements with official bank seals, show that you really keep the money for a long time, and not put it in the account 5 minutes before you get the statements. A person who has something to lose is unlikely to remain in the U.S. as an illegal alien.

You may also need expired passports that have visas and stamps from other countries: avid travelers have a better chance of getting a visa.

Prepare Answers to Common Questions in Advance

The interview will not last more than a few minutes, so you should familiarize yourself with the frequently asked questions at the U.S. embassy interview and think about your answers before you attend:

Purpose of travel;

List of cities you plan to visit;

Length of the trip;

What appeals to you most in America;

Occupation, details about work.

Also keep in mind that the consul may ask very original, irrelevant questions to test your reaction.

Basic Rules when Communicating with an Officer:

1. Be natural, relaxed, and smile (but if you can’t smile naturally, it’s better to avoid strained smiles).
2. Look directly at the consul, even in those moments when he/she is not looking at you, but at the computer.
3. Answer only questions asked by the consul, loudly, clearly and, most importantly, adequately. Do not say anything unnecessary, do not interrupt.
4. It is understandable that you are nervous, but even if you are, try to behave with dignity and confidence (but not impudent or pushy), answer everything as it is, tell the truth.
5. If something is misunderstood or misheard, politely ask again or try to formulate an answer to the question as you understood it, adding, “Is that what you meant, if I understood you correctly?”
6. Show patriotism and strong ties to your homeland. You should convince the consul that you have somewhere to come back to: you have a well-paid job or a favorite study, family, friends, your beloved grandmother’s anniversary in two months, and you simply love your home country for its rich culture and history. The most important thing is to convince the officer that you have no immigration intentions.