A key part of the US B-2 Visa application process is the requirement to attend a visa interview. Preparing for your B-2 visa interview will help to improve your chances of being granted the visa.

You should familiarise yourself with all the information you have provided in your application form, bring all necessary supporting documentation and use the following common B2 visa interview questions to help you prepare.

 

What happens during the B-2 visa interview?

 

B-2 visa applicants aged between 14 and 79 are required to make an appointment at the Embassy or Consulate where they filed their petition. In the UK, this will be either the US Embassy in London or the Consulate General in Belfast.

Applicants aged 80 or over, or under the age of 14, may be eligible to apply for their visa by courier.

You will need to bring your appointment confirmation letter to the interview.

You won’t be admitted into the Embassy or Consulate until 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. If you arrive late, your appointment may be cancelled.

While the B2 visa is typically short, lasting only around 5 – 10 minutes in most cases, you should allow 2 to 3 hours for your time at the Embassy or Consulate. You will also be required to have an electronic scan of your fingerprints taken while you are there.

Prepare well for your interview. Go through your application and ensure you have to hand all the information you need to answer questions fully and accurately.

 

Examples of B-2 Visa interview questions

 

The B-2 visa interview can cover a lot of ground. The consular officer is able to question you on a broad range of topics to determine if you satisfy the requirements of the visa for eligibility, that your purpose of travel meets the restrictions under the B-2 visa and that you have intent to leave the US at the end of your permitted stay by demonstrating you have sufficient ties to your home country.

While each interview will be different, and will be shaped by your specific application and the information you have provided, there are a number of common areas that you may be asked about and as such should prepare for.

Remember to always answer honestly and keep your responses brief.

The types of questions you could be asked at your B-2 tourist visa interview include:

 

Reasons for travel

 

• What is the purpose of your visit to the US? Here you should provide your reasons for travel. Are you planning to visit friends and family, or to go for a holiday?
• Why are you travelling at this particular time? – You may be attending a wedding or other celebration. Or to spend Christmas there. It may be the only time you can travel. You will need to give valid reasons.
• How long are you intending to stay?
• Why do you need a 6 month visa? – They will want to know why your trip can’t be done in less time.
• Where are you going to be staying? – You will need to provide any booking information you have for hotels, family addresses etc for all places you intend to visit and stay.
• How will you pay for the trip? You will need to demonstrate that you know how much you are likely to need and if you have the resources to support your trip. You may be staying with family and some expenses may be covered by them, you will need to explain that. You may need to show sponsor documents at this point.

 

 

Family members and sponsors in America

 

• Who is your sponsor? This could possibly be a family member
• Are they married?
• Do they have children?
• How many children?
• What are their birthdates?
• When did they get married?
• What do they do for a living?
• What will you be doing when they are out at work?
• You may need to give all their contact details
• How long since you last saw them?
• Do you have any relatives or friends in the US? Again, be honest. The adjudicator will be looking to be satisfied that you will not stay in the US – being open about your US-based friends and family will avoid any potential suspicion about your plans.
• How are they in the US? i.e. are they on a visa, green card or American citizen, what type of visa will be required too.
• Did your sponsor study in the US? If so you will need to provide information of when, where and what they studied.
• Are they planning on visiting you any time soon? If they are planning on visiting you within the year, the consular officer may feel this is an unnecessary trip.
• Have you had a green card application put forward by anyone?

 

 

Travel plans

 

• Have you booked/bought your flights? What are the details?
• Have you ever visited the US before? If you have been to the US previously, give brief details including the reason for your visit – medical reasons, tourism.
• If yes, when and how long did you stay for? If on a previous visit you overstayed past your visa validity, you should state this. The adjudicator will have access to this information so it is best to be upfront.
• When you last visited, was your stay extended? If it was, you will need to provide your extension approval letter.
• Who will be travelling with you?
• When are you planning on travelling?
• Do you have visitor medical insurance? – you will need to show this if you have it
• Have you got a credit card?

 

 

Your work information

 

• What do you do for a living?
• If you have your own business, you will need to provide information about who will be taking care of the business while you are away.
• Are you retired?
• How much is your annual income?
• If you are planning on staying for 6 months you will need to provide your approval to leave from your employer
• Are you going to do business in the U.S?
• Are you planning on working in the U.S?
• What are you going to do when you return home?

 

 

Ties to your home country

 

• Are you going to return to your own country after your visit? The B-2 visa is a temporary visitor visa. You cannot remain in the US past your permitted period of stay. The adjudicator will want reassurance that you will leave the country when you are supposed to.
• Can you demonstrate your reasons to return home? Here you will need to explain about family, friends, work etc that are keeping you in the UK, as evidence that you intend to leave the US after your visit.
• Do you have property in the UK? Detail all properties you own, including your home address. This will help to show that you will return home after the visit.
• What is happening to your property while you are away? Who will be taking care of your property while you are away and give their details.
• What relatives do you have in the UK? If you have any that are dependent on you for support, it would be helpful to mention them here.

 

 

B2 visa supporting documents

 

You should take the following documents with you to the interview, as a minimum:

 

• Print out of the confirmation page from your DS-160 form.
• Your passport, valid for at least six months past the period of stay in the USA.
• Digital photograph.
• Details of your travel plans and accommodation.
• Details of any visits to the US in the past five years.
• Your cv.

 

In addition to the above, you may need to bring further documents depending on your circumstances. For example, if you have any planned medical procedures or appointments.

 

Tips to prepare for your B2 visa interview

 

Review your application details
Make sure you are familiar with the information you entered on your DS-160 form. Any inconsistencies between your answers and your application can raise red flags.

 

Bring all required documents
In addition to your passport and confirmation pages, carry proof of your travel plans, financial means, ties to your home country (e.g., job letter, property deeds), and previous travel history if applicable.

 

Understand your travel purpose
Be ready to clearly explain why you are visiting the US. Whether it’s for tourism, visiting family, or medical treatment, your explanation should be specific and truthful.

 

Practise clear, brief answers
Consular officers conduct many interviews daily. Keep your responses short and direct. Answer only what is asked, without volunteering extra details unless necessary.

 

Stay calm and respectful
Remain polite and professional throughout the interview. Nervousness is normal, but over-explaining or appearing evasive may harm your credibility.

 

Be honest about your intent
Emphasize that you plan to return to your home country. Provide evidence if possible, such as employment or family obligations.

 

Dress appropriately
While there’s no dress code, dressing neatly shows you’re taking the process seriously.

 

Prepare for common questions
Expect to answer questions about your job, income, prior travel, accommodation in the US, and how long you plan to stay.

 

Need assistance?

 

If you are looking to apply for the B-2 visa, and require guidance and advice with your application, including the interview, NNU’s specialist US attorneys can help. We can support with completing the necessary application paperwork and preparing for the interview. Our US immigration specialists also bring specific expertise in complex applications such as criminal waivers where you have a past conviction.

If you have a question about the B visa, or any other US immigration-related matter, please contact us for advice.

 

B2 interview questions FAQs

 

What is the purpose of a B2 visa interview?

The B2 visa interview is meant to assess whether you intend to visit the US temporarily for tourism or medical reasons and whether you meet all visa requirements.

 

What types of questions are asked during the interview?

You may be asked about your travel plans, financial situation, ties to your home country, prior visits to the US, and reasons for returning home.

 

How long does a typical B2 visa interview take?

Most interviews last only a few minutes. The consular officer makes a decision based on your responses and supporting documents.

 

Do I need to speak English during the interview?

It helps if you can answer in English, but interpreters may be allowed in some cases. Many consulates offer services in multiple languages.

 

What documents should I bring to the interview?

You should bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation, financial documents, and any documents showing ties to your home country.

 

What are common reasons for B2 visa denial?

A visa may be denied if the officer believes you intend to overstay, lack strong ties to your home country, or cannot afford your trip.

 

Can I reapply if my B2 visa is denied?

There is no mandatory waiting period, but you should reapply only if your circumstances have changed or you can provide new evidence.

 

Is there a dress code for the visa interview?

There is no official dress code, but you should dress neatly and respectfully as you would for a business meeting.

 

Do I need to show proof of travel bookings?

It is not required, but showing planned travel arrangements can help demonstrate that your trip is genuine and time-limited.

 

How can I increase my chances of B2 visa approval?

Answer questions honestly, show strong ties to your home country, and provide clear documentation of your intent to return.

 

Glossary

 

 

Term	Definition
B2 Visa	A nonimmigrant visa for individuals entering the US temporarily for tourism, vacation, or medical treatment.
DS-160	The online nonimmigrant visa application form required for most temporary US visas, including the B2 visa.
Visa Interview	An in-person meeting at a US embassy or consulate where an officer evaluates your eligibility for a visa.
Consular Officer	A US State Department official who reviews visa applications and conducts interviews abroad.
Visa Denial	A decision made by a consular officer that an applicant does not qualify for a visa under US law.
Proof of Funds	Documents showing you can financially support yourself during your stay in the US without working.
Strong Ties	Connections to your home country, such as family, employment, or property, that indicate you will return after visiting the US.
Nonimmigrant Intent	The requirement that B2 visa applicants demonstrate they plan to visit the US temporarily and will return home afterward.
Reciprocity Fee	An additional visa issuance fee that may apply depending on your nationality and the type of visa requested.
Interview Waiver	A process that allows certain visa applicants to renew without attending an in-person interview, based on eligibility criteria.