When you apply for an US visa, you should prepare for an in-person interview. This interview is typically performed at your local embassy. During the interview, a consular officer will ask you a few questions about your visit. Your fingerprints will be collected and other biometric data may be taken.
In order to make an appointment for interview, you must pay application fee. This fee will not refund for you if your visa application is denied. Depending on your answers during the US visa interview, your visa may be approved or denied. Therefore, if you prepare more carefully for the interview, you will have more chance for an approved visa application.
Pre-Interview
After you pay your visa application fee and schedule your interview, you’ll need to begin preparing for your interview. After you receive an interview appointment letter from NVC, you must take the following steps BEFORE the interview date.
Completing a Medical Examination
It’s recommended that visa applicants finish a medical examination before to their visa application appointment. The United States recommends visa applicants complete a medical examination with an authorized physician in your home country (or in whichever country the interview is taking place).
Your medical examination will include:
- A review of the applicant’s medical history
- A physical examination that includes the eyes, ears, nose, throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, skin, and external genitalia
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests
When your medical appointment is complete, the clinic will hand you a sealed envelope. Do not open this envelope. It contains the results of your medical examination. You give this envelope to the US embassy or consular officer on the day of your interview.
Register for Courier Service/Other Pre-Interview Instructions
Some US embassies or consulates require visa applicants to pre-register for courier services.
The duty of this service is for returning applicant passports and visas to them after the interview. You should receive your passport, visa, and other documents by courier within 3 to 5 weeks of your embassy interview. Please read these instructions carefully, it will contain much important information for your interview.
Gather Documents Required for the Interview
All of applicants who want to apply a visa must prepare certain documents including photographs, the original version of all civil documents submitted to NVC, copies of those documents, and financial documents from the petitioner and any other financial sponsors. You must bring these documents to the interview with you. Try to bring all necessary documents, lack of one of the documents list above may lead to visa delay.
Attend Your Interview
If you prepare for the interview carefully in advance, keep relaxing and confident. Every day, thousands of applicants go through the exact same process at American embassies worldwide. There are two main parts of your embassy interview:
• Fingerprint scanning
• In-person interview with a consular officer
It is recommend that you wear comfortable, slightly professional-looking clothing.
Documents to bring to your interview:
The following documents must be available at the interview:
Appointment Letter – The interview appointment letter you received from the NVC.
Passport – For each applicant, an unexpired passport valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States
Photographs – Two identical color photographs for each applicant, which must meet the general Photograph Requirements
Medical Exam Results – If the panel physician gave you sealed envelopes containing each applicant’s medical examination results, please bring those unopened envelopes. Some physicians send the medical examination results directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Original and Supporting Documents – Original documents (or certified copies) and a photocopy of each document (with the exception of your passport and photographs) are required for you and each family member applying for a visa.
Your original documents will be returned to you when the interview has been completed. The photocopies will be kept.
English Translations – If documents requiring English translation were not sent to the NVC
Visa Fees – If your visa application fees were collected by the NVC, you do not need to pay again.
You should arrive the interview early if possible. If you are late for your interview, then the consular officer might dismiss your case – even if you’re just two minutes late.
You must pass through a security checkpoint, including a metal detector or full body scan. Once you’ve passed through the security checkpoint, you’ll be taken to have your fingerprints scanned.
Then your fingerprints will be taken by a member of the US embassy staff.
Once your fingerprints have been taken, you’ll be asked to wait for your scheduled embassy interview. Keep your documents ready for the in-person interview.
Your answers should be clear and convince the consular that:
- You are not a threat to the United States
- You plan on returning to your home country after visiting the United States
Read more: Frequently interview questions