::: USA Visa Interview Tips :::

Visa interview tips

These tips are suggestions to help prepare you for the US visa interview that you will have to submit to in order to secure a J-1 visa to participate. The J-1 visa is the only type of visa that can be permitted to travel to and work in USA.

·        The very first thing that each visa applicant should do is check the Non-immigrant visa page of the United States Embassy website of his/her country.

·        Under the new visa application procedures, it is advised applicants for all nonimmigrant visas including J-1, apply as early as possible. Please be sure to have the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) fee paid and receipt of payment with you when going to the interview. The SEVIS fee for camp counselors is $35 U.S. Dollars.

·        Applicants may apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to   do so. The consular officer may need to get special clearances depending on the nationality of the applicant and this requires additional time.

·        Embassies and Consulates are able to issue a J-1 visas no more than 90 days prior to the camp start date. If you apply for your visa more than 901 days prior to your start date as provided on the form DS-2019, the embassy or consulate will hold your application until it is able to issue the visa. Consular officials will use that extra time to accomplish any of the necessary special clearances or other process that may be required.

Ties to your home country: Under U.S law all applicants for nonimmigrant visas, such as J-1 student visas, are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home countries that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States.”Ties” to your home country are the things that bind you to your home town, homeland, or current place of residence: job family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments etc. If you are a prospective undergraduate, the interviewing officer may ask you about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country. Have exact dates and possibly airline reservations. Bring supporting documentation when available. Also be sure can explain that you have the financial resources to participate in the program.

Each person’s situation is different, of course, and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter which can guarantee visa issuance. If you have applied for the green card lottery (DV lottery) you may be asked if you are intending to immigrate. A simple answer would be that you applied for the lottery since it was available but not with a specific intent to immigrate. If you overstayed your authorized stay in the United States previously, be prepared to explain what happened clearly and concisely with documentation, if available.

English: Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language. Our suggestion is to practice English conservation with a native speaker or previous USA visitor before interview and DO NOT prepare speeches!! Speak for yourself and don’t bring your parents or family members with you to the interview window. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. A negative impression is created if you are not prepared to speak on your own behalf.