SO! YOU WANT TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES FOR PLEASURE OR BUSINESS? Tips for a Successful U.S. Visa Interview

Nov 29, 2013By: Coleman Jackson, PC | Immigration & Tax Law Firm | www.cjacksonlaw.com | 214-599-0431

The U.S. visa interview has many predicable patterns. That mean you can be prepared. But the U.S. visa interview also could involve many unpredictable twist and turns, which could be impacted by the style of the Consulate Officer conducting the interview; the historical trends and patterns at the particular Consulate Office; cultural particularities; and many-many more questions and circumstances. A lot is riding on the visa interview; so, be honest, be prepared, be rested and be on your best behavior. Based on this interview, the Consulate Visa Officer will either accept or reject your visa request. This article gives you an idea of what to expect during a visa interview and some basic tips designed to help you prepare better for a successful visa interview.

Truthfulness: It is critical that you be honest in your document submissions, during the visa interview process and throughout. Lies, half-truths, and deception will catch up with you. Lies are like tumbling; one lie leads to another and another. If caught in visa application fraud, you could be in serious trouble and forfeit your opportunity to ever receive any kind of immigration benefit from the United States government.

Organized: Before your interview, prepare a document bag with all required documents that you might need during the U.S. visa interview. Organize the document bag in such a fashion as to permit easy and efficient location of documents during the U.S. visa interview process. You do not want to appear confused, disgruntled and discombobulated in front of the Consulate Interview Officer. Arrive at your visa interview allowing yourself sufficient time to be calm and ready for the interview and not rushed, hurried and with your hair all over your head.

Appearance: Your appearance speaks volumes about you—your values, attitude, goals and respect for yourself and others. People come to opinions and make decisions about who you are by what they observe. So if you are a student, you should look like a student, or if you are an executive or treaty

trade investor you should dress like an executive or investor. Your body language should convey that you are serious about your goal or reason for coming to the United States, whether, to study, invest, or visit your loved ones.

Body Language: Be comfortable and confident; don't show signs of nervousness such as flickering of eyes, or trembling of fingers because such body language could harm your chances of getting your visa to visit the United States approved. If you have a medical condition that causes such reactions, you might consider explaining it to the Consulate Officer, if you have not already, disclosed it in your visa application. Smile when you meet the visa officer for the first time and confidently answer all questions by making eye contact. Body Language can reveal deception. You must be honest throughout the U.S. visa application process because the Consulate Officer will look for signs of visa fraud and deception in your documents, in your language and in your body language.

Good Communication: English is the main language spoken in the United States of America. You should therefore, anticipate that your U.S. visa interview will be conducted in English. Therefore, plan to speak English

during throughout the visa interview process. Do not expect the Consulate Officer to conduct the interview in your native language.

Attitude: A bad attitude shows through your demeanor! Be polite, demonstrate respect in your language, do not argue and do not ask unnecessary or unrelated questions as this may not work in your favor. You are being interviewed; don’t try to interview the Consulate Officer.

Confidence and Clarity: Consulate Visa Interviews do not have a fixed duration. It could take 5 to 15 minutes; and in some cases it could take much longer. During the U.S. visa interview, be confident, honest and clear in your answers, whatever your say. Make sure you answer the interviewer’s questions with clear and direct answers. If you did not understand the question, ask for clarification. Don’t volunteer information or otherwise attempt to control the visa interview.

Be Honest: Be honest in all your answers and make sure all your documents are legally correct. This, in our opinion, is the most important tip. You should be honest in your person, document presentation and words.

Answer Yourself: You must answer all the questions yourself. Don’t bring any family member or friend with you during U.S. visa interview and expect them to answer the questions on your behalf.

Know Your Itinerary & Your Career Plan: You should be very clear about what you are planning to do in the United States. If you are applying for a student visa, have detailed information about your study program and university. If you are applying for a work visa, have detailed information about your intended employer company and your professional career plans. If you are applying for a treaty trader investor visa, such as, an E-2, L-1 or E-5

visa, have detailed information about the amount of your investment, source(s) of your investment funds, type of industry, geographical area(s), and other particularities surrounding your intended investment activity in the United States.

Stay Current: Periodically United States visa rules, requirements and regulations are changed or revised. Therefore, it is very important that you obtain the latest rules from the local embassy’s website, or hire an immigration attorney to assist you. It is important that all documentation be prepared and submitted in accordance with the most current United States immigration laws.

Special Attention to Photographs: Make sure to get your photographs pursuant to the specifications set forth on the embassy’s website, the requirements of photographs are very strict in U.S. visa rules.

Sponsorship Papers: Sponsorship documents are very important! If you have a relative in United States, you could request them to sponsor you. If you are an employee, you could seek sponsorship from your U.S. employer; or if you are a student, you could ask for letters of invitation and admission letters from your intended U.S. University.

Keep Financial Information Handy: The Consulate Visa Officer does not want to approve a visa for someone who will become a Public Charge in the U.S. Therefore, be ready to supply the Consulate Officer with current and accurate financial information about the funding of your entire trip. The Visa Officer might ask you to supply financial information for your U.S. Sponsor and yourself, such as, current bank statements, and other information that shows sufficient resources so-that you will not become a public charge.

Be well, be safe, and happy traveling;

This presentation is written to inform and for educational purposes only. It is not given as legal advice and does not create an attorney client relationship. You should consult an immigration attorney for any particular matter pertaining to obtaining a visa to the United States or conducting yourself at an U.S. visa interview.

COLEMAN JACKSON, P.C.Immigration & Tax Law Firm6060 North Central Expressway, Suite 443Dallas, Texas 75206Office Phone:  (214) 599-0431 (English) (214) 599-0432 (Spanish) Law Firm’s Site: www.cjacksonlaw.com