Ace Your US Visa Interview: Prep Tips Inside

Are you preparing to apply for a visa to travel to the United States? Updating your passport, packing essentials and keeping luggage weight in check may be at the top of your priority list, but there's one crucial step you shouldn't

overlook amid other travel preparations: the visa interview.

Successfully navigating a US visa interview requires careful preparation and an understanding of what to convey (and avoid) during the interview. Let’s take a look at the things that are not to be said in your US visa interview, and also how to prepare for it.

Things to Avoid Saying in a Visa Interview

According to Boundless, a US immigrationservices provider, here’s how you can make sure your visa interview goes well. Telling the truth to immigration

officials is one of the crucial steps, but avoid having to say any of the following:

“I’m not sure about the details of my visa application.”

“I’m not familiar with U.S. immigration laws.”

“I don’t have travel insurance.”

“Actually, I have applied for asylum in another country.”

“I don’t know where I’ll be staying.”

“I don’t know how to comply with visa conditions during my stay.”

“I plan to travel to restricted areas.”

“I intend to take each day as it comes and engage in freelance or independent work with or

without authorisation.”

“I plan to join election campaigns and root for my chosen candidate in the country.”

How to Prepare for a Visa Interview

Once the National Visa Center (NVC) has scheduled your visa interview appointment, they will contact you, your petitioner, and your agent/attorney (if appropriate) with an email with the appointment date and time. After receiving an interview appointment letter from NVC, you must take the following steps before the interview date, as per the US Department of State.

Schedule and Complete a Medical Examination: You (and any family member or ‘derivative applicant’ seeking a visa with you) must plan a medical appointment with an authorised physician in the nation where you will be interviewed.

This examination must be performed by an embassy-approved doctor, also known as the Panel Physician. You must complete your medical examination, as well as any mandatory vaccinations, before your planned visa interview.

Gather Documents Required for the Interview:

Every visa applicant, regardless of age, must bring specific documents to the interview, including pictures and the original or certified copy of all civil documents filed with NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or the financial documentation you provided to NVC. You should check the validity of any required police certifications that you provided to NVC. Applicants must obtain a new police certificate in a few situations.

What to Bring to the Interview

According to the US

Department of State, the applicant is responsible for bringing all required original or certified copies of civil papers to the visa interview. Failure to present all essential documents to the interview may result in a delay or refusal of the visa. You need to bring the following documents to the interview:

The interview appointment letter you received from NVC.

Applicants must have an unexpired passport valid for six months beyond their scheduled date of entrance into the US.

Each candidate must

submit two similar colour photographs that fulfil the standard photograph requirements.

DS-260 Confirmation Page

Supporting documents, such as original or certified copies of all civil documents uploaded into CEAC.