Tips for U.S. VISA interview

A common question is when going for US Visa interview what are the things I need to know or cautious about? I am going to share the jist of the items that I researched over years and learnt to follow.

Are there any tricks, special ways, routes for getting a successful US VISA interview? not really..

It is a mix of luck, timing and your preparation. If you get an opportunity to travel to U.S. to work, it is really one time opportunity. U.S. is truly a land of opportunities and many aspiring professionals would want to to come here to build fortune. However when they go to embassies for interview, their VISA gets denied for one or other reasons. Hen they start thinking what went wrong. The opportunity, they seemed simple and nearer, start seeming more complex and farther? All dreams shattered

I was unfortunate twice to not to get VISA as I did not prepare. I thought it is simple interaction and I can handle Actually it is not and needs some due diligence preparation. Finally after conscious efforts and with my luck, I am here in U.S. writing this post inside my own home. I had no tricks, no confiscating, no-misrouting, no consultants. I was just diligent in my research as you are now reading this article.

As I said, being in right place at right time with right luck. So here are the tips

1) Do your paperwork diligently. State every item truly without hiding any important facts. For example, form may ask you if you have any blood relative. State truly with indentifying the relative on the form in appropriate box (DS-156 is form number)

2) Secure sponsorship papers: If you have any relative in U.S., request them to provide you I-134, a form of sponsorship. If you are visiting an employer ask for letters of invitation. For universities, get the appropriate documents demonstrating your acceptance and admission. These documents are a big help in your VISA interview as the sponsoring person or organization takes ownership of your rightful return and is bound by U.S. law.

3) Keep financial Info handy: For many developing nations where currency conversion rates run in tens, it is imperative that you keep clear information about the funding of your entire trip. Keep bank statements, statement from company or relative handy. The interview officer makes sure that you would not become liability on U.S. Government.

4) Keep documents organized Take all your bank account statements, marriage certificates, property papers and all such documents that would help you prove that you have all ties in the country you live and you have no intention to migrate using the VISA you are securing. Local U.S. Visa websites post checklists for you. So take that checklist and organize you paperwork in the required sort order. Also I have article on document check-list that you can review here.

5) Stay calm and integrated Do not try to impress the VISA interview officers by extra smiles or talking continuously etc. Try to be precise and clear to the VISA officer’s questions. Clearly state the purpose. Show the return-tickets if asked, remember you are being judged based on your responses and documents and you have to stay integrated without having the excitement affect your responses an showing any unintended negative signs. Dress normally (a little clean and sharp dress do not hurt, but not that there is warm hot weather outside, and you wore an expensive suite to VISA interview)

6) Stay current Every year VISA rules keep undergoing review and changes if necessary. Definitely visit (one day before your interview) non-immigrant VISA section of your local U.S. embassy’s website to understand any changes in law or travel conditions to U.S. and if changes are needed make sure you address such items by taking appropriate paperwork or material to interview.

7) Special attention to photographs The photograph requirements are very strict for U.S. Visa. So make sure you get your photographs as per specifications posted on U.S. websites. Spend a little extra money and get the rightfully authorized photographer to prepare U.S. VISA photographs

8) Honesty is the best policy Honest and clear responses are the one that would help you secure VISA. If you lie or make up things, there are high chances, that you would be denied VISA.

These are some items that can save you last minute troubles. One thing to remember that U.S. Government have open doors policy and depend a lot on travelers’ clear and objective statements of purpose of travel. And honesty would your best friend in this.

Good luck!

if you type in browser travel.state.gov (or type U.S. temporary visitor's VISA in Google), you would reach the Site for one of the U.S. travel authority U.S. Department of State. There is lot of good literature on types of VISA and categories of VISA and so on. Travel.state.gov, you can find your local U.S. embassies’ website link and from there you can find paperwork needed.

Check my other article on non-immigrant U.S. VISA document check-list