Preparing for your visa interview

Dear Atty. Gurfinkel:            

I am very anxious about my upcoming interview at the US Embassy. I am truly entitled to my visa, but I have heard a lot of stories about the interview. How can I best increase my chances of success at the interview?

Very truly yours,

WB

Dear WB:     

Of course, no one can “guarantee” that a visa will be issued to anyone, regardless of how a person feels or conducts himself or herself at an interview. Only a Consul can issue a visa after being fully satisfied that all the legal requirements have been met by the visa applicant. However, here are a few tips, which might help in proving your eligibility for a visa at the interview.  

1. You should resist the temptation to tell your whole life story 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 bottom line in your answers. If the Consul asks a question calling for a “yes” or “no” answer, then answer the question directly, and don’t go around in circles with answers that do not address the questions 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 Consul’s question before you start answering. If you start talking before the Consul finishes his question, you may be answering a question he is not even asking, and rather than speeding along the interview, you actually will slow it down.     

4. Make sure you understand the question. If you do not understand the question (or any of the words used), courteously advise the Consul, so he can ask it again, using simpler terms or even get an interpreter for you. 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 that to the Consul. The Consul does not want you to guess, if you don’t know the answer.

6. Tell the truth. I know of many people who were lawfully entitled to visas, but lied to the Consul, thinking it would be “better” for their case. The Embassy quickly discovered the fraud, and the person was banned for life from going to the US. Had the person told the truth from the beginning, and satisfactorily explained the circumstances, they could have gotten the visa. If you have something suspicious about your case (i.e. date of marriage on your illegitimate child’s birth certificate), it is better to tell the truth and explain what happened than try to hide it, by filing a late registered birth certificate, showing a birth at home, etc.     

7. Present only documents which are true, genuine and authentic. Presenting fake or altered documents (from Recto Street) is considered fraud, and would be grounds for refusal of your visa. The Embassy (which now has one of the largest and most sophisticated Fraud Prevention Units) will check out those documents and will discover your fraud.       

Again, these tips will not “guarantee” a visa, but I think they will help in increasing your chances of a successful interview.

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