Common Questions Asked At A US Visa Interview (B1 Visa And B2 Visa)

For business (B1 visa) or tourism (B2 visa), US visas may be required. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization instead.

No interview is required for Electronic System for Travel Authorization applicants (ESTA). However, applicants aged 14–79 must attend an in-person interview at their country’s US embassy or consulate.

US visa interviews must be scheduled. After completing the DS-160 online, visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com to pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application cost and schedule the interview.

Before going to the appointment facility, prepare so you can talk to the consular official and answer their questions. Common US visitor visa interview questions are listed.

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What are the B1 B2 Visa Interview Questions?

The consular official will ask the same questions at the start of your B1 or B2 Visa interview.

The consulate officer usually starts the conversation by mentioning the weather, morning rush hour, or embassy line. They want you to relax and feel at ease.

Hold all documents neatly organized. Give the interviewer every document he requests, explaining if necessary. Common US Visitor visa interview questions are:

1. What is the purpose of your visit to the US?

This is just a warm-up question. Just answer in two-three sentences which clearly explain the reasons behind your purpose of travel, whatever it is as:

• “For business purposes – to negotiate a contract.”
• “To visit my mother, who lives in the US.”
• “For medical treatment.”
• I am going to visit my aunt, whom I haven’t seen for a long time. She has been inviting me over for a few years now, and only now I have managed to find time to apply for a visa and make the trip.”,
• “The reason I wish to get a US visa is to visit the country and sightsee. I have been saving for a long time for this trip.”,
• “I have gained to right to attend a conference/seminar/training.”, etc.

Answer shortly and clearly, since the time you have with the consular officer is short and you do not want to waste it by talking gibberish, and nor does the interviewer.

2. Have you been to the US before?

Honest answers are important. Tell us why you visited the US before—tourism, training, medical, etc. You must disclose if you overstayed, were deported, or detained in the US. Lying is pointless as the interviewer already knows. If you have never been to the US before, simply tell that.

3. Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US?

Tell the consular about distant relatives you see every three to four years or less. Even if you have only met a friend once or twice, you must tell the consular again. Doing so avoids the consular officer discovering it, which could jeopardize your visa application. The embassy is mostly worried that visitors would try to stay in the US, and withholding facts like having a relative or friends in the US may make your visit seem suspicious.

4. Details on your friends / relatives in the US

If you have any, you will be asked questions on how long they have been living in the US, their addresses, what they work etc. Therefore, try to contact your friends and relatives in advance and ask them about this information.

5. Where will you be residing in the United States?

If you have booked a hotel, show your hotel booking and tell the interviewer a bit why you have chosen that hotel. If you will be staying over at friends or relatives show their invitation letter and describe your relationship with them.

6. What is the reason for traveling at this particular time?

If you are applying for a B1 visa it is easier for the interviewer to accept your reasons. Whereas, if you are traveling under the B1 visa, then you have to give stronger reasons, as

• “Only during this period I can take days off at work.”
• “My friend / relative has available space at her home / is free only during this time of the year.”
• “My medical condition has worsened now, and I can no longer receive the right treatment in my home country.”

7. How long will you be staying in the US?

One week, three months, two days, etc, just give the amount of time you are planning to remain in the US. These questions are just a warm-up for the questions to come. The consular officer has all this information in your application in his hands, but however, he will just try to get into the real talk this way.

8. Why do you plan to stay so long, can you stay shorter?

This is a question through which the interviewer usually asks to persons who have applied for a visa with a longer than 6 months validity. If you have applied for such visa, you must have a strong reason behind it, so provide the interviewer with a comprehensive explanation.

9. Who will you be traveling with?

If you are going alone tell so if you will be going with someone else explain to the consular if these people will apply as your dependents or not, and also what is your relationship with these people.

10. Have you booked your tickets?

If you will be asked this question depends on your situation, however if you have already done such thing, hand the booking confirmation letter to the interviewer.

11. How much do you think your stay in the US will cost to you?

Prepare an itinerary for your US trip, including all types of expenses. Present this itinerary to the interviewer when asked this question. It will give the consular officer the idea that you know what you are doing, and that you are aware how much you will be spending.

12. What do you do for a living? How much do you earn?

Tell the interviewer about your profession, what you do in general, how long have you been working there, as well as about your workplace, its name etc. Tell them about the income you receive from this particular job. If you have other types of income i.e. rent or freelancing, present how much do you receive monthly / annually from them.

13. How will you be financing your trip? Who is your sponsor?

They ask this to verify your funding. Your bank statement and other documents will show the interviewer who is supporting your trip.

Answer simply and clearly . If you’re self-funding your vacation, show proof of your income and savings.

If someone is financing your trip to the US, provide your relationship with them, their salary, and other info to indicate they can support you financially. If the interviewer is allowing you opportunity to talk about the issue, explain him your sponsor’s occupation and other facts that will show him you have a solid relationship and a good reason for your trip’s sponsorship.

14. Are you married? Do you have children? Do you have pets? Who will take care of them while you are away?

The consular wants to know if you are leaving someone behind, to whom you are committed and you will have to go back to. If you have children or pets, tell them who will take care of them while you are away, and what is your relationship with the caretaker.

15. Who will take care of your house/property/children/pets while you are away?

If you have children or pets, you will have to show to the consular the people who will look after them, and your relationship with that person. The same with house or property.

16. Do you have any intention on remaining in the US?

We know you won’t notify the consular if you want to stay in the US. This question allows you to disprove his claim. Be convincing. Give them your strongest reasons for returning home when your visa expires. Tell them you have relatives, kids, dogs, friends, property, etc. to show your deep ties to your country.

17. How can you assure me that you will return to your home country?

Try to convince the consular officer that you have significant ties to your home country and will not stay in the US. Try to show the interviewer that you have a girlfriend, fiancé, wife, children, or parents you want to return to. Show your homes, business, friendships, and other relationships. Show an employer contract or other activities that require you to return home.