Top 10 Mistakes at Visa Interviews

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Top 10 Mistakes at Visa Interviews

The Visa interview is the most important part of the whole visa process. A successful interview has a positive impact on your visa being granted. Following are some of the most common mistakes people make during their interview.

1. Not Prepared Well for the Interview
Being prepared for interview can better equip you for the interview. Prepare beforehand for commonly asked questions and their appropriate answer will be helpful prior to the interview.

2. Not Providing Complete and Truthful Information
It is very important that you provide complete and truthful information. Any incomplete/false information can lead to unnecessary delay(s). False information can have severe impact on your future ability to apply for US visa. It may also cause you lot of frustration and legal actions against you. You could be band for life from receiving a US visa. THINK before answering.

3. Providing Incomplete Documentation
Prepare all the required documentation with complete and authentic information. Read all the prerequisites and prepare all the documents accordingly. Keeping your documentation well organized can also leave to a positive impression on the consulate officer.

4. Not Carrying Appropriate Fee
US consulate has strict methods of payments. 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. Refer to an appropriate source for more detailed information. (most fees are paid upfront, but...)

5. Providing Unnecessary Extra Information
Do not give away any information voluntarily which is not being asked. In many cases, people trying to be over confident and over smart give out more detailed answers than is required. This may trigger additional related questions which may not work in your favor.

For example:
Question: Why do you want to go to the US?
Wrong Answer: I want to see how USA is and if I like it I want to stay back with my son.
Preferred Answer: For tourism purpose and/or to spend some quality time with my son/daughter.

6. Inconsistent Information
Inconsistency in the information about what you provide in the documentation and what you say during the interview can go against your case.

7. Arguing with the Consulate Officer
Never ever have an arguments with the consulate officer. If you want some information ask in a polite manner.

8. Having Poor Communication
Poor communication is the number one reason that can affect your case in a negative way. If your English is not that great, then you should request for a regional language interpreter. They are offered at the beginning of the interview.

9. Having too Much Communication (talking too much)
Remember, you are the one being interviewed and not the other way around. So, keep your communication brief and to the point. Speak only when asked for an answer.

10. Appearing to be Nervous
Being confident can bring positive results. Especially, in case 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.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Philippines regional forum to US Embassy & Consulate Discussion; topic is applicable to multiple countries and processes.

[biaobiao 40]

Agree. This is so true.

[Pishi_Pishi 63]

"8. Having Poor Communication
Poor communication is the number one reason that can affect your case in a negative way. If your English is not that great, then you should request for a regional language interpreter. They are offered at the beginning of the interview."

Not always. My fiance asked for translator, but CO refused and stated if you don't speak good English; how can you be in relationship??? CO did speak my fiance's language, but still conducted it in English. Luckily, we had really good relationship evidence.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Here are a list of common interview questions, compiled by VJ'ers over the years!

 

https://www.visajourney.com/content/exampleq/

[geowrian 22,337]

Good list! Thanks for sharing!

 

The only one I would kinda disagree with is #1. Being prepared is good in terms of the other factors noted - being nervous, sharing too much information, etc. But for the core questions, I actually believe it is something one generally should not practice. An answer that appears rehearsed can go against you negatively as well.

I guess my suggestion would be "know your stuff, but don't rehearse it".

[Ed&Midori1031 330]

This is great advice!

[Keem12 9]

Are you required to pay a fee at the embassy?

Edited October 27, 2019 by Keem12

[Monteiro8 0]

I am trying to figure out what the immigration interview letter looks like. I thought it was an I-797 that would be sent by mail, but some have said it is not that. Is there a link to a photo of one? Can anyone tell me what they took to their IR -2 interview in Brazil? The NVC didn’t set our appointment. We set our own appointment after being expedited. Thank you. 

[Mask 7]

Hi, I understand this is the wrong thread to post in, but I've been trying to search and I'm unable to find anything related to the interview experience itself. Can anyone guide me to threads if there are any, regarding what the interview at the London Embassy was like. Thank you so much! 

 

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[Troy B 223]

On 6/10/2020 at 3:58 AM, Mask said:

Hi, I understand this is the wrong thread to post in, but I've been trying to search and I'm unable to find anything related to the interview experience itself. Can anyone guide me to threads if there are any, regarding what the interview at the London Embassy was like. Thank you so much! 

 

Embassy Information

United Kingdom US Consulate Reviews

 

both found from the Office Reviews & Info from the top of this site.

[Skythelimit 0]

On 4/24/2015 at 11:23 PM, Pishi_Pishi said:

"8. Having Poor Communication
Poor communication is the number one reason that can affect your case in a negative way. If your English is not that great, then you should request for a regional language interpreter. They are offered at the beginning of the interview."

Not always. My fiance asked for translator, but CO refused and stated if you don't speak good English; how can you be in relationship??? CO did speak my fiance's language, but still conducted it in English. Luckily, we had really good relationship evidence.

My wife had the same situation here in Taiwan but was not that lucky. 
Even though they put up a video on the official FB page demonstrating that they also speak the local language, be prepared to fight your way out!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155229855528490