Top 20 Most Asked Questions during a Visa Interview
One of the hurdles that one has to jump over when applying for a visa is the visa interview. The interview is usually conducted by a consular and it important that you be adequately prepared to respond to them effectively if your application is to be successful. RunRex.com has established this most commonly asked question during a visa interview to help you go through the process successfully.
1. What is your purpose of visiting the United States?
It is a question you will have to answer even if you have indicated the type of visa you are applying for in your application. When asked, give an honest and sufficiently convincing reason for your US visit.
2. What do you know about the United States?
If you are going to visit a foreign country, then you must have some knowledge about it. As such, take some time and do some basic research about the country. You should put more focus on the places you intend to visit.
3. Do you have relatives in the United States?
Give a yes or no answer when asked this question. Be brief and do not reveal the details of your relative unless the consular asks you for them.
4. Can I have your US family’s contact?
Provide your relative’s phone number and home address. Have the information off-head, so you don’t have to refer to notes.
5. Why visit the US at this particular time?
It should not be a difficult question to answer after answering the purpose of your visit. Answer appropriately depending on your reasons for visiting.
6. How long do you intend to be in the United States?
The purpose of your visit and the type of visa you apply for are the things that will determine the amount of time you will spend in the United States. If you are going for business purposes or personal engagements like tourism, the duration will be short. Studying takes lengthy periods.
7. Can you reschedule for a shorter trip?
Mention your interests in the US that warrant your stay for the duration you intend to stay. However, you can express readiness to shorten your stay if needed.
8. Where will you be staying in the US?
Here you have to be specific. You have to state the exact location of your place of residence. If it’s a hotel, specify which one and its location.
9. How much will your trip cost you?
Go to the interview after you have done your budgeting. You should provide a reasonable budget for your trip that resonates with your reason for the visit.
10. Who will cater for your trip expenses?
You cannot be allowed into the US if there is no proof that you can comfortably finance your stay in the country. Answer based on your financial position.
11. Can you show your bank statement?
This question is meant to confirm that you can support your stay in the US.
12. Are you traveling with someone else?
Only give a yes or no answer. If yes, clarify the relationship you have with the other person.
13. Have you ever visited another country?
Again, be brief. Give a yes or no. Only provide more details when consular asks.
14. Will you take up other engagements in the US other than your purpose of the visit?
Here you have to be careful. You should only answer as per the purpose of your visa. If you are just going to visit and express interests of doing business, your visa petition will be denied.
15. Who will take care of your property while you are away?
If you have a business, provide information on the measures you have put to ensure it runs smoothly while absent. For home, provide proof that someone will take care of it.
16. Have you got yourself a medical insurance?
Answer yes or no. If you haven’t yet, you should show an interest of getting the same after getting a visa.
17. Have you bought an air ticket?
Express your desire to purchase the same after you have acquired your visa if you don’t have it yet.
18. How can we know that you will stick to the duration of your visit?
Mention your relationships and personal affiliations at home that give you sufficient reasons to come back. They can be family, business or personal property.
19. What are your plans upon returning home?
If you are going to the United States to study, then your response has to be something that is related to a business or a job. You can, also, express interest in pursuing further studies. If you are going as a tourist, state your intentions of coming back and resuming your normal life. Therefore, your answer will depend on your purpose.
20. What will you do if your visa is rejected?
This question is yet another trap that you need to approach cautiously. While you have to express optimism, indicate that if your visa application is rejected, you have other meaningful engagements you will be working on after that.