Section A: What Questions Are Asked at a US Visa Interview?

US visa interview questions will depend on the type of visa you are applying for and your individual circumstances. The consular officer will generally ask about your reason for travelling to the US, your personal and financial circumstances, your immigration and travel history and the information provided in your visa application.

The purpose of the interview is to determine whether you qualify for the visa category you have applied for and whether there are any grounds that could make you ineligible for a visa.

For nonimmigrant visa applications, the officer will also consider whether your proposed activities in the US are permitted under the relevant visa classification and, where applicable, whether you have demonstrated the required nonimmigrant intent.

The interview is typically focused, with questions often based on information already provided in the application. Applicants should therefore be familiar with the information submitted on their DS-160 and any petition or supporting documentation relating to the application.

Common US visa interview questions can include:

Questions about your travel plans

You should expect to explain clearly why you want to travel to the US and what you intend to do during your stay. Questions may include:

• Why are you travelling to the US?
• When do you plan to travel?
• How long do you intend to stay?
• Where will you be staying?
• Who will you be travelling with?
• What do you plan to do while you are in the US?
• Have you already made travel or accommodation arrangements?

The officer will be assessing whether your stated plans are credible and consistent with the activities permitted under the visa you are applying for.

Questions about your employment and finances

Questions about employment and finances can be used to establish your circumstances outside the US, how your trip will be funded and, depending on the visa category, whether your proposed activities amount to permitted business activity or employment.

You may be asked:

• What do you do for a living?
• Who is your employer?
• How long have you worked there?
• What is your salary?
• Are you taking leave from your employment?
• If you are self-employed, who will manage your business while you are away?
• How much do you expect your trip to cost?
• Who is paying for your trip?
• What other sources of income or financial support do you have?

Applicants for employment-based visas can expect more detailed questioning about their employer, role, duties, qualifications and proposed work in the US.

Questions about your family and circumstances outside the US

For visa classifications where the applicant has to establish an intention to leave the US following a temporary stay, questions may focus on the applicant’s circumstances outside the US.

These could include:

• Are you married or in a relationship?
• Do you have children?
• Where does your family live?
• Do you have relatives living in the US?
• What employment, family, property or other commitments do you have outside the US?
• What are your plans after your stay in the US?

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act creates a presumption of immigrant intent for many nonimmigrant visa applicants unless they establish that they qualify for the nonimmigrant classification sought. The way Section 214(b) applies depends on the visa category, and certain classifications are treated differently under the legislation.

Questions about your US immigration and travel history

Previous travel and immigration history can be relevant to the assessment of a visa application. The officer may ask:

• Have you travelled to the US before?
• Which US visas have you previously held?
• How long did you remain in the US on previous visits?
• Have you ever overstayed or otherwise breached the conditions of your US immigration status?
• Have you ever worked in the US?
• Have you previously been refused a US visa?
• Have you ever been refused admission to or removed from the US?
• What other countries have you visited?

Previous immigration problems do not necessarily mean that a new visa application will be refused. Their effect will depend on what happened, the relevant immigration history and whether the circumstances give rise to a current ground of ineligibility.

Questions about criminal history and other visa ineligibilities

Applicants may also be questioned about matters relevant to the grounds of visa ineligibility under US immigration law.

Questions can concern arrests, cautions, convictions, previous immigration violations and other matters disclosed in the visa application or identified during processing.

Where an applicant has an arrest or conviction, the legal effect cannot be determined simply from the name of the offense or the sentence imposed. US immigration law applies its own rules when determining whether criminal conduct gives rise to visa ineligibility.

Applicants should answer questions about their history truthfully and accurately. Providing false or misleading information can create a separate and potentially more serious immigration issue than the matter the applicant was attempting to conceal.

The questions asked at interview are therefore not simply a checklist. The consular officer is assessing the application as a whole, including whether the applicant qualifies for the visa sought, whether their stated intentions are consistent with that visa and whether their answers are credible and consistent with the information already provided.

Section B: US Visa Interview Questions by Visa Type

In addition to general questions about your background, travel plans and immigration history, you should expect questions relating specifically to the visa category you have applied for.

The consular officer will use these questions to assess whether you meet the requirements of that classification and whether the activities you intend to undertake in the US are permitted under the visa.

For petition-based work visas, the interview may also be used to verify information relating to the approved petition, the US employer and the proposed role. Petition-based applicants should be familiar with the information submitted on their behalf and how it relates to their proposed employment in the US.

B-1/B-2 visa interview questions

The B-1 visa is used for certain temporary business activities, while the B-2 visa is used for tourism and other permitted visitor activities.

B-1 applicants can expect questions designed to establish exactly what they will be doing in the US. Permitted B-1 activities can include attending business meetings, conferences and consultations and negotiating contracts. B-1 status does not generally permit an applicant to take up employment in the US.

Questions may include:

• Why are you travelling to the US?
• Which company do you work for?
• What is your role with that company?
• Who are you meeting in the US?
• What will you be doing during the trip?
• How long will you be in the US?
• Who will pay your travel and accommodation costs?
• Will you receive any salary or other remuneration from a US source?

The difference between permitted business activity and employment can be difficult in some cases. Describing proposed activities inaccurately can therefore create problems even where the applicant believes the trip is business-related.

B-2 applicants will generally face greater emphasis on the purpose and duration of the visit, funding and their intention to leave the US following the trip.

Questions could include:

• Why do you want to visit the US?
• How long do you intend to stay?
• Where will you stay?
• Who is paying for the trip?
• Do you have family or friends in the US?
• What do you do in your home country?
• What commitments require you to return home?

E-1 visa interview questions

The E-1 treaty trader visa is available to qualifying nationals of treaty countries coming to the US in connection with substantial trade principally between the US and the relevant treaty country.

For a principal trader, questioning can focus on the ownership and nationality of the business, the nature and volume of its trade and the proportion of qualifying trade conducted between the US and treaty country.

Questions could include:

• What does the company do?
• Who owns the company?
• What trade does the company conduct with the US?
• How long has the company traded with the US?
• What proportion of the company’s international trade is with the US?
• What is your role within the business?

Employees applying for E-1 status should expect questions about their proposed role and whether they qualify as an executive or supervisory employee, or an employee with special qualifications that make their services essential to the efficient operation of the enterprise.

E-2 visa interview questions

The E-2 treaty investor visa interview can involve detailed questioning about both the applicant and the US enterprise.

For principal investors, the officer may examine the ownership and nationality of the business, the amount invested, the source of the funds, whether the investment is substantial in relation to the enterprise and whether the investment is committed and at risk.

Questions could include:

• How much have you invested in the US business?
• Where did the investment funds come from?
• How have the funds been spent?
• Is the business already operating?
• What does the business do?
• What is your role in the company?
• How will you develop and direct the enterprise?
• How many employees does or will the company have?
• What are the company’s projected revenues?

The officer may compare the applicant’s answers against the corporate documents, financial evidence and E-2 business plan. Applicants should therefore be able to explain the commercial proposition and financial figures rather than relying on the written submission to speak for itself.

Employees applying through an E-2 company can instead expect detailed questions about their proposed position and whether they qualify as an executive or supervisory employee, or an employee with special qualifications that make their services essential to the efficient operation of the enterprise.

F-1 visa interview questions

F-1 applicants should expect questions about their proposed course of study, the educational institution, their reasons for studying in the US and how their studies will be financed.

Questions may include:

• Which school or university will you attend?
• What will you study?
• Why did you choose this course?
• Why did you choose this institution?
• Why do you want to study in the US?
• How will you pay your tuition fees and living costs?
• Who is funding your studies?
• What are your plans after completing your course?

F-1 applicants should be prepared to explain a credible academic rationale for their proposed studies and how the course fits with their wider educational or career plans.

H-1B visa interview questions

The H-1B visa is a petition-based work visa used for qualifying specialty occupation employment. The consular officer may ask questions about the applicant’s qualifications, US employer, proposed position and the approved petition.

Questions could include:

• Who will you work for in the US?
• What does your employer do?
• What position have you been offered?
• What will your job duties be?
• Where will you work?
• What salary will you receive?
• What qualifications do you have?
• How are your qualifications relevant to the proposed role?

Applicants should know the terms of the role described in the petition. Particular care may be needed where the applicant will work at a client location or where the actual working arrangements require explanation.

Unlike many other nonimmigrant visa categories, H-1B classification is not subject to the usual requirement to establish a foreign residence that the applicant has no intention of abandoning.

L-1 visa interview questions

The L-1 visa is for qualifying intracompany transferees moving to a parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the overseas employer in the US.

Questions will generally examine the qualifying relationship between the businesses, the applicant’s employment outside the US and the proposed US position.

Applicants could be asked:

• How long have you worked for the overseas company?
• What is your current role?
• What are your current job duties?
• Who do you report to?
• How many employees do you manage?
• What will your role be in the US?
• How will your US duties differ from your current duties?
• What specialized knowledge do you have?
• What is the relationship between the overseas and US companies?

The focus will differ between L-1A applicants relying on managerial or executive capacity and L-1B applicants relying on specialized knowledge. Applicants should be able to describe what they actually do rather than simply repeat the terminology used in the petition.

L-1 applicants are not subject to the usual presumption of immigrant intent under section 214(b). They are therefore not required to establish a foreign residence that they have no intention of abandoning in the same way as applicants for many other nonimmigrant visa classifications.

Applicants applying under a blanket L petition can face particularly detailed scrutiny at the consular stage because the consular officer is determining the applicant’s eligibility for L classification under the blanket petition.

O-1 visa interview questions

The O-1 visa is for individuals who meet the applicable extraordinary ability or extraordinary achievement standard.

Although USCIS approval of the underlying petition is an important part of the process, the applicant still has to establish eligibility for visa issuance at the consular stage.

Questions could include:

• What is your area of expertise?
• What qualifications and professional experience do you have?
• Who is petitioning for you?
• What work will you undertake in the US?
• Which projects or events will you work on?
• Why is your presence required in the US?
• How long will you be working in the US?
• Have you previously worked in the US?

O-1 applicants should be familiar with the proposed itinerary, petitioner or agent arrangements and the work described in the approved petition. The interview is not the stage to assume that petition approval means the underlying facts will no longer be questioned.

Section C: How to Answer US Visa Interview Questions

Preparation for a US visa interview should focus on giving clear, accurate and consistent answers that reflect both your circumstances and the application already submitted.

Applicants should not try to memorize model answers. Consular officers are assessing the individual application, and rehearsed responses can create problems if they do not accurately explain the facts of the case.

Your answers should also remain consistent with the information provided on the DS-160, any underlying petition and the supporting evidence submitted with the application. The Department of State requires DS-160 answers to be accurate and complete, and errors may have to be corrected before the visa can be adjudicated.

Know what was stated in your visa application

Before the interview, review your DS-160 and any petition or supporting documents submitted as part of the application.

You should be familiar with dates, previous travel, employment history, family information and the purpose of the proposed US visit. For work visas, you should also know the details of the US role, employer, salary, work location and proposed duties.

An inconsistency does not automatically result in refusal. However, discrepancies can lead to further questioning and may become more serious if the officer believes information has been deliberately concealed or misrepresented.

Where information submitted in the application is wrong, incomplete or has changed since filing, the issue should be identified before the interview so that it can be dealt with accurately rather than ignored.

Answer the question that has been asked

US visa interviews are often relatively focused, and applicants may have limited time to explain their circumstances.

Answers should therefore be direct and responsive. Providing unnecessary information can introduce issues that were not being questioned, while vague or evasive answers can cause the officer to probe further.

For example, if asked why you are travelling to the US, the answer should explain the actual purpose of the trip rather than provide a lengthy account of unrelated personal or professional circumstances.

You should not, however, shorten an answer to the point that it becomes misleading. Where a material fact requires explanation, it should be explained accurately.

Do not try to give the answer you think the officer wants

There is no set of answers that guarantees visa approval.

The officer is considering whether your actual circumstances satisfy the legal requirements of the visa category. Trying to reshape the facts to produce what appears to be a more favorable answer can create a greater immigration problem.

A willful misrepresentation of a material fact made to obtain a visa or another US immigration benefit can result in inadmissibility under section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Depending on the circumstances, that ground can have consequences well beyond the application being considered at the interview.

If you do not know the answer to a question or cannot remember a detail, it is generally better to say so than to guess.

Be able to explain the purpose of your US travel

Your explanation of the proposed trip should align with the visa classification.

A B-1 applicant, for example, should be able to explain the permitted business activities they intend to undertake without describing arrangements that amount to unauthorized employment. An F-1 applicant should be able to explain the proposed course of study and funding arrangements, while an employment-based visa applicant should understand the role and working arrangements described in the petition.

Problems can arise where the application technically identifies a qualifying visa category but the applicant’s explanation at interview suggests that the actual plans are different.

Be prepared to explain changed circumstances

Circumstances can change between completing the visa application and attending the interview.

An employer may change, travel dates may move, an itinerary may be revised or personal circumstances may change. Applicants should not assume that they must repeat outdated information simply because it appears on the original application.

Where something material has changed, explain the current position accurately. Depending on the nature of the change, a corrected or new DS-160, an updated petition or other action may be required before the visa can be issued. Applicants should follow the instructions of the embassy or consulate handling the application where changes need to be made after the DS-160 has been submitted.

The significance of a change will depend on what has changed and the visa classification involved.

Prepare for questions about nonimmigrant intent

For visa categories subject to section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, applicants may need to establish that they qualify for the temporary classification sought and, where required, that they intend to leave the US after the authorized stay.

Questions about employment, family, property, finances and future plans can all form part of that assessment.

Applicants should describe their actual circumstances rather than attempting to manufacture evidence of ties. The officer is considering the overall picture, and no single document or factor guarantees that the applicant will overcome a section 214(b) refusal.

Section 214(b) does not apply in the same way to every nonimmigrant visa classification, so applicants should prepare according to the legal requirements of the particular visa they are seeking.

Be ready to support your answers with documents

You should take the documents required for your visa category and any additional evidence that is relevant to issues likely to arise during the interview.

Depending on the application, this could include evidence relating to employment, finances, travel plans, the US business or employer, educational arrangements, previous immigration history or criminal matters.

Documents should support the application, but applicants should not assume that the officer will review every document they bring. The interview remains an opportunity for the officer to assess eligibility based on the application, available records and the answers given.

If the officer requires information or evidence that is not available at the interview, the application may be refused under section 221(g) pending submission of further documentation or completion of additional processing.

Ask for clarification if you do not understand the question

If a question is unclear, ask the officer to repeat or clarify it rather than answering a question you have misunderstood.

Language difficulties, unfamiliar terminology or the pace of the interview can all lead to misunderstandings. Accuracy is more important than answering immediately.

Applicants should also avoid agreeing with a statement simply because they are uncertain what has been asked. If the premise of a question is wrong, it is appropriate to explain the correct position clearly and respectfully.

Section D: US Visa Interview Questions That Can Cause Problems

Some US visa interview questions carry greater risk because the answers can expose an issue that goes directly to eligibility, credibility or admissibility.

The concern is not that there are certain questions applicants should avoid answering. Applicants are required to answer truthfully. The risk arises where an answer conflicts with the application, reveals conduct that may trigger a ground of ineligibility or suggests that the applicant does not meet the requirements of the visa category.

Questions that expose inconsistencies in the application

Consular officers may compare answers given at interview with the DS-160, an underlying petition, previous visa applications and information already held by US immigration authorities.

Problems can arise where dates, employment history, travel history, family details or the stated purpose of travel do not match.

A minor discrepancy may simply require clarification. A material inconsistency can become more serious if the officer concludes that information was deliberately concealed or misrepresented.

Applicants should not attempt to preserve an incorrect answer simply because it appears on the application. Where information is wrong or circumstances have changed, the position should be explained accurately.

Questions about the purpose of travel

The officer must be satisfied that the activities you intend to undertake are permitted under the visa being sought.

Questions about what you will do in the US, where you will work, who will pay you and how long you intend to stay can therefore be decisive.

For a B-1 applicant, for example, an answer that describes productive employment rather than permitted business activity can undermine eligibility for the visa. For an employment-based applicant, significant differences between the role described at interview and the role approved in the petition can trigger further scrutiny.

The practical issue is whether the applicant’s actual plans correspond with the immigration classification stated on the application.

Questions about whether you intend to remain in the US

For nonimmigrant visa categories subject to section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, questioning may focus on whether the applicant has established entitlement to the temporary classification sought.

Questions about family members in the US, employment, property, future plans and the intended length of stay may all form part of that assessment.

An applicant does not fail simply because they have relatives in the US or limited property in their home country. Consular officers consider the applicant’s circumstances as a whole. However, answers suggesting plans that are inconsistent with a temporary stay can result in refusal under section 214(b), where that provision applies.

Questions about previous overstays or immigration violations

Previous US immigration history can affect a later visa application.

Applicants may be asked whether they remained in the US beyond an authorized period, worked without authorization, violated the conditions of a previous status, were refused admission or were removed from the US.

The consequences depend on the precise facts. Some immigration violations can result in statutory grounds of inadmissibility, while others may affect the officer’s assessment of whether the applicant is likely to comply with the terms of a new visa.

Applicants should be particularly careful not to minimize or inaccurately describe previous immigration problems where the relevant records are already available to US authorities.

Questions about previous visa refusals

A previous refusal does not automatically prevent a later visa from being issued, but the officer may ask what happened and what has changed since the earlier application.

Where a previous application was refused under section 214(b), simply submitting another application without a material change in circumstances or stronger evidence may result in the same outcome.

Applicants should be able to explain the prior refusal accurately and should avoid presenting a different version of events unless there is a legitimate reason for correcting earlier information.

Questions about arrests and convictions

Criminal history can raise separate grounds of visa ineligibility under section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Applicants may be asked about arrests, cautions, charges, convictions and the underlying conduct. The immigration effect of an offense cannot always be determined from the conviction title alone.

US immigration law applies its own statutory rules when assessing criminal conduct, and the outcome can depend on matters such as the offense, the elements of the law violated, the sentence and the applicant’s wider history.

Applicants with criminal records should therefore establish the potential immigration consequences before the interview rather than attempting to assess eligibility solely from domestic criminal law terminology.

Questions about false information or misrepresentation

Providing false information can create a significantly more serious problem than the issue an applicant is trying to conceal.

Section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act can make a person inadmissible where they seek to procure a visa, admission to the US or another immigration benefit through fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact.

The Department of State confirms that a finding under this provision can result in permanent visa ineligibility, although a waiver may be available in limited circumstances depending on the case.

Applicants should therefore correct mistakes and answer difficult questions truthfully rather than trying to give an answer they believe will improve the prospects of approval.

Questions about personal safety and fear of returning home

Where issues concerning harm, mistreatment or fear of returning to the applicant’s home country arise during the interview, they may become relevant to the officer’s assessment of eligibility for the visa sought.

For a nonimmigrant visa classification that requires the applicant to establish temporary intent, statements indicating an intention to remain in the US indefinitely or pursue protection in the US may raise questions about whether the applicant satisfies the requirements of that classification.
The effect will depend on the visa category and the applicant’s individual circumstances. An intention to seek asylum is not itself a separate ground of visa inadmissibility, but the facts disclosed may affect eligibility for a visa where temporary intent is required.

Applicants should answer questions truthfully and should not conceal genuine fears because of concern about how the information may affect the application.

Questions that lead to further evidence or administrative processing

Not every problematic interview results in a final refusal.

Where the officer requires additional documents or further review, the application may be refused under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Department of State treats a 221(g) decision as a refusal at that stage, although the case can later be reconsidered if the requested information is provided or administrative processing is completed.

Applicants should pay close attention to any instructions issued after the interview. A 221(g) refusal may require additional documents, further checks or both.

Section E: After your US visa interview

At the end of the US visa interview, the consular officer will either approve the visa for issuance or refuse the application. A refusal under section 221(g) may arise because further information or documentation is required or because the application requires administrative processing. A 221(g) refusal can later be reconsidered and the visa issued if the outstanding issue is resolved.

The outcome will depend on whether the officer is satisfied that you qualify for the visa and are not subject to a ground of ineligibility. A visa cannot be issued until all required processing has been completed.

Visa approval

If the application is approved, the embassy or consulate will generally retain your passport so that the visa can be printed and placed inside it.

You will then be informed how the passport will be returned or collected. Local procedures vary between posts, so applicants should follow the instructions provided by the embassy or consulate where they applied.

Approval at interview does not mean that you should make irreversible travel arrangements immediately. Visa issuance still has to be completed before the passport is returned.

Once the visa is issued, check the visa carefully to make sure the biographical details and visa classification are correct.

Refusal under section 214(b)

A nonimmigrant visa application may be refused under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act where the applicant has not established eligibility for the visa classification sought.

For visa categories subject to the presumption of immigrant intent, a refusal can also arise where the officer is not satisfied that the applicant has established the required intention to leave the US following the temporary stay.

A section 214(b) refusal is not subject to a formal appeal process. An applicant can make a new visa application, but will generally need to complete the process again and pay a new application fee. The Department of State advises that reapplication may be appropriate where there is additional evidence or a significant change in circumstances relevant to the earlier refusal.

Simply filing the same application again without addressing the issue that led to refusal may result in the same outcome.

Refusal under section 221(g)

An application may be refused under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act if the consular officer does not yet have sufficient information to conclude that the applicant is eligible for the visa or if further administrative processing is required.

A 221(g) decision is legally a refusal at that stage, even though the case may later be reconsidered and the visa issued.

Where additional documentation or information is required, the consular officer should tell you what needs to be provided and how to submit it.

Applicants should respond carefully to the request rather than sending large volumes of unrelated evidence. The aim should be to address the specific issue identified by the consular post.

Administrative processing

Some applications require further administrative processing after interview.

Administrative processing can involve additional review or checks after the application has been refused under section 221(g). Once that processing is completed, the consular officer may reconsider the application and determine that the applicant is eligible for the visa, or conclude that the applicant remains ineligible. The Department of State confirms that the time required varies according to the individual circumstances of the case.

There is no reliable standard processing period that applies to every case.

Applicants placed into administrative processing should follow any instructions issued by the consulate and monitor the case status where appropriate. Repeated enquiries generally do not accelerate the process unless the post provides a specific procedure for urgent cases.

Refusal on another ground of ineligibility

A visa may also be refused because the consular officer finds that a statutory ground of ineligibility applies.

These can include certain criminal grounds, previous immigration violations, fraud or willful misrepresentation, unlawful presence and other grounds listed in section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The consequences depend on the particular ground. Some grounds apply only for a defined period, while others can result in long-term or permanent ineligibility unless a waiver is available and granted.

Applicants should therefore identify the precise statutory basis for any refusal rather than treating all visa refusals in the same way.

Can you reapply after a US visa refusal?

Whether it makes sense to reapply depends on why the application was refused.

Following a section 214(b) refusal, a fresh application can be made, but applicants should first consider what would materially change the officer’s assessment.

Where an application has been refused under section 221(g), the appropriate course may instead be to provide the requested information or wait for administrative processing to conclude rather than submit a new application.

Where the refusal is based on a statutory ground of inadmissibility, the position is different again. The applicant may need to determine whether the finding is legally correct, whether the ineligibility is temporary or permanent and whether a waiver is available.

Summary

US visa interview questions will vary by visa category and individual circumstances, but applicants can expect scrutiny of their travel plans, background, finances, immigration history and eligibility.

Preparation should focus on giving accurate, consistent answers that align with the DS-160, any underlying petition and the actual purpose of travel. Particular care is needed where there are previous refusals, immigration violations, criminal issues or discrepancies in the application.

After the interview, the visa may be approved, refused or placed into further processing. The correct next step depends on the legal basis for the outcome.

Need Assistance?

NNU Immigration are a team of US immigration attorneys. We advise on all types of US visa applications, and guide applicants through the petitioning process, including preparation for the US visa interview questions.

For specialist advice on your application or interview, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation to speak direct with one of our US immigration attorneys.

US Visa Interview Questions – FAQs

What questions are asked at a US visa interview?

US visa interview questions vary by visa type and individual circumstances. Applicants can expect questions about the purpose of travel, proposed activities in the US, employment and finances, family circumstances, previous US travel and immigration history and any matters relevant to visa eligibility.

How long does a US visa interview take?

There is no fixed interview length. Many interviews are brief, but the time required depends on the visa category, the application and whether the consular officer needs further information or clarification.

What documents should I bring to a US visa interview?

The documents required depend on the visa category and the consular post. Nonimmigrant visa applicants will generally need their passport and DS-160 confirmation page, together with any other documents required for the specific visa. Applicants should check the instructions issued by the embassy or consulate before attending.

What should I do if I do not understand a question?

Ask the consular officer to repeat or clarify the question. It is better to make sure you understand what is being asked than to guess or give an inaccurate answer.

Can a US visa be refused because of answers given at the interview?

Yes. The consular officer can refuse the visa if your answers show that you do not meet the requirements of the visa classification, raise a ground of ineligibility or fail to establish eligibility under section 214(b), where applicable.

What happens if my US visa is refused under section 214(b)?

A section 214(b) refusal means the consular officer was not satisfied that you established eligibility for the nonimmigrant visa classification sought. There is no formal appeal, although you can submit a new application.

What does a 221(g) refusal mean after a visa interview?

A 221(g) refusal means the consular officer cannot issue the visa at that stage. You may be asked to provide additional information or documents, or the application may require administrative processing. The case can later be reconsidered if the outstanding issue is resolved.

Can I reapply after a US visa refusal?

In many cases, yes, but whether reapplying is appropriate depends on the reason for refusal. A new application after a 214(b) refusal may have little prospect of a different outcome if the relevant circumstances have not changed. A 221(g) refusal may instead require further documents or completion of administrative processing.

Can I change an incorrect answer on my DS-160 before the interview?

Errors should not be ignored. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to correct the information or complete a new DS-160. Applicants should follow the instructions of the embassy or consulate handling the application and ensure that the information relied on at interview is accurate.

Do all US visa applicants have to attend an interview?

No. Certain applicants may qualify for an interview waiver, although eligibility is now limited and consular officers retain discretion to require an in-person interview. Applicants should check the current rules for their visa category and consular post.

Glossary

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