US visa interview questions and us visa interview wait time: The US visa interview is the most important stage of your visa appointment. As an applicant, you will need to demonstrate that you meet all the requirements for the classification of visa you have applied for. You are also expected to establish that all the claims and supporting evidence you’ve so far provided since the commencement of the application are genuine. 

During your us visa interview, the US government would want to be sure you don’t have any criminal tendencies, communicable infection/disease, or any other issue that could make you a threat to the citizens, residents, and other visitors to the country. For these and some other reasons, you will be required to attend an interview. While many of your visa appointments can be completed online, the US visa interview requires physical presence – must be attended in person. If you have not yet applied for your us visa interview and would like to know how to do it, find out How to schedule a US visa appointment.

US Visa Interview Questions: What Will I Be Asked During My US Visa Appointment?

The US visa interview itself will likely take you as little as 15 to 20 minutes. However, your performance within that few minutes can make or break your chances of getting the visa. This is why it is important to prepare well for the interview.

Going by the rate at which visa applications are denied these days, no amount of preparation can be too much. And the most important thing in your US visa interview preparation is having an idea of the kind of questions you will be asked. Your interview questions will largely depend on the type of visa you are applying for. The following are US visa interview questions for different categories of visas:

General US Visa Interview Questions

Regardless of your visa type, you could be asked any of the following general questions which may relate to your personal life, job, marriage, and education:

• Why are you travelling to the US?
• What do you do for a living?
• Are you married? If yes, for how long have you been married? What does your wife/husband do for a living?
• Do you have children? If yes, how old are they?
• Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
• Are you travelling with someone else? If yes, who?
• Have you been to the US before?
• Have you ever travelled to other countries?
• How much do you earn?
• Can I see your bank statement?
• Have you booked a flight for this journey to the US?
• Do you have health insurance this your journey to the US?

• Do you have any friends or family members living in the US?
• How much will this journey cost you?
• When do you plan to travel?
• Where will you stay in the US?
• What are the places you plan to visit in the US?
• When do you plan to return to your home country? (if you are a nonimmigrant applicant)

US Visa Interview Questions for Student Visa

• Why are you planning to continue your education?
• Why the United States? Can you not continue your schooling in your home country?
• What will be your major?
• What will you specialize in for your degree?
• How will this study relate to your past studies or work experience?
• How many colleges/universities did you apply to? How many of them rejected you? How many of them did you get admitted to?
• What city is your college located in?
• What are your test (GRE/GMAT/IELTS/SAT) scores?
• Can I know your previous GPA?
• How good is your English?
• How will you pay for your education and meet your other financial needs?
• Who is going to sponsor your education?
• What does your sponsor do for a living?
• How much is your sponsor’s monthly income?

US Visa Interview Question for Immigrant or Nonimmigrant Employment-Based Visa

• Why did you choose to work in the United States?
• What kind of enterprise/business does your employer do? When was the company established?
• What skills do you have that makes you think you are a good fit for the position?
• What are the job duties you are expected to perform?
• How much did your employer offer to pay you?
• Which city is the company located?
• What is the name of the company? Who is the CEO?
• Have you completed your studies?
• What is your highest qualification?
• From where (school/country) did you get your degree?
• What is your experience in the field?
• How many employees does the company have?
• When do you plan to return to your home country? (for nonimmigrant applicants)

US Visa Interview Question for Family-Based Visa

The most common US family-based visa is for the immediate family members of a US citizen or permanent resident. This is also known as family-based green card interview. And it can be much more interesting than most other visa categories. The questions can get as personal as how you met your spouse, your wedding plan, and just about anything the consular officer can come up with. The purpose is to establish that you and your sponsor have a genuine family relationship, and not just some fraudulent application to get permanent residence. The question can be about you (the beneficiary) or your sponsor. Here are some examples:

• How did you meet your spouse?
• Was your spouse living alone when you met?
• When did you meet your in-laws?
• When did your relationship become romantic?
• When and where did you marry
• Where was your wedding reception?
• Where did you have your honeymoon?
• When is your wedding anniversary?
• How many rooms does your home have?
• What bank do you use?
• Do you and your spouse have a joint account?
• Can you give a brief description of the furniture in your bedroom?
• What is your spouse’s date of birth?
• What type of work does your spouse do?

For other family members, such as parents, siblings, and married or unmarried children (over 21 years) you can expect any questions that could help the consular officer establish that there is a genuine relationship between you and your sponsor.

US Visa Interview Questions for B1 B2 (Visitor) Visa

• What is the purpose of your visit to the United States?
• Where will you be residing during your stay in the US?
• How long do you plan to stay in the US?
• How much do you think this journey will cost you?
• Who will take care of your children, house, pets, etc. while you are away?
• Do you have the intention of remaining in the United States?
• How can I be assured that you will return to your home country?

US Visa Interview Wait Time: How Long Will it Take to Get My US Visa after Appointment?

There are three possible outcomes of your US visa interview. Your case could be approved, denied, or pended.

Us visa interview approved Visa: 10 Days After

If the consular visa grants you a visa at the time of the interview, your passport and visa should be ready for pickup within 10 business days after your interview. 

Us visa interview Denied Visa: No Visa

If you are denied a visa at the time of your interview, this means the consular officer finds you ineligible for the visa. In this case, you will be told asked to pick up your passport after the interview.

Us visa interview Pending visa : Additional Time

Sometimes, your case may be subject to further review – meaning you are neither approved nor denied a visa at the time of your interview. This usually happens when there is a need for additional information from you or the consular officer needs more time to make a decision on your case. In this case, you will be duly informed about what to do. If you need to provide more supporting evidence, you will be told the exact items required from you and the time to bring them. The information will be conveyed to you in a letter.

Travelling to the US after the interview

Whether your case is approved or pending, you cannot travel to the US until you have received your passport and visa. So, it is advisable to not make final travel plans, or give up accommodation or employment, until the embassy sends you your passport containing a valid visa.