How to answer a consul’s questions (Part I)

Dear Atty Gurfinkel:

I am scheduled for my interview at the US Embassy in a few weeks, and I am very anxious and nervous. I really want to do well at my interview, and I want to avoid problems. How can I best increase my chances of success at the interview?

Very truly yours,
WB

Dear WB:

There are no "guarantees" that any person will be issued a visa. Only a Consul can issue a visa after being fully satisfied that the visa applicant has met all the legal requirements. However, here are a few tips, which might help in proving your eligibility for a visa at the interview.

1. Answer the question being asked. You should resist the temptation to tell your whole life story and family history to the Consul in response to every question he asks. Consuls are extremely busy and have a lot of interviews to conduct throughout the day. They don’t have time to listen to a long story in response to a short question. When Consuls ask questions, they are simply trying to determine your eligibility for the visa, per the requirements set forth in the US immigration laws.

2. Stick to the subject and get straight to the point in your answers. Sometimes, the Consul will ask a question calling for a "yes" or "no" answer. If that is the case, then answer the question directly, and don’t go on and on with an answer that does not address the question being asked. Of course, if an answer requires an explanation, then you should provide that explanation, but make sure you get to the point.

3. Listen to the question the Consul is asking, before you start answering. If you start talking before he finishes the question, you may be answering a question he is not even asking, and rather than speeding along the interview, you will actually slow it down.

4. Make sure you understand the question. If you do not understand the question, you should inform the Consul, so he can ask it again, using different words, or even an interpreter. The Consul does not want you to answer a question you do not understand, and he won’t know you don’t understand a question unless you tell him.

5. Don’t guess. If you do not know an answer to a question, or if you can’t remember, tell the Consul. The Consul does not want you to guess, if you don’t know the answer.

In a future article, I will give more tips on embassy interviews.

Michael J. Gurfinkel has been a licensed attorney in California for over 21 years. He has always excelled in school: Valedictorian in High School; Cum Laude at UCLA; and Law Degree Honors and academic scholar at Loyola Law School, which is one of the top law schools in California. He is also an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Immigration Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. All immigration services are provided by an active member of the State Bar of California and/or by a person under the supervision of an active member of the State Bar.

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