- What is the purpose of your visit to the US? …
- Have you been to the US before? …
- Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US? …
- Details on your friends / relatives in the US. …
- Where will you be residing in the United States?
Tips for USA Tourist Visa Interview 2020 – B1/B2 Visa Interview Questions and Answers
How long does the visa process usually take?
There’s not a specific processing time for each traveler. Processing a visa can take up to 2 or 8 weeks, depending on each case, so better be patient with that. See below the Possible B1/B2 visa questions during the interview.
How much do you expect your trip to cost?
It’s likely that you will be asked a series of financially-related questions. The reasons for this include establishing that you can fund your trip (or have a relative or sponsor who can do that for you), that you have a clear idea of what your travels will entail, and that you are successful in your home country with a stable job or business and are not coming into the U.S. looking for work opportunities.
Similar questions include:
Have you been to the U.S. before?
Most travelers are asked this question so that American officials can learn about the applicant’s visa and immigration history. This helps greatly in understanding the intentions behind the applicant’s wish to visit the U.S. Remember that most of this information can be checked and confirmed by the U.S. immigration authorities.
Related questions include:
Why are you traveling to the U.S.?
Asking about your reasons is a normal part of the process. You should not overthink this type of questions: you’re applying for a visitor visa so you can be concise in replying that you wish to enter the U.S. for tourism or visiting friends and family.
Similar questions include:
B2 Visa Interview Questions, Answers, and Sample Responses
Each visa interview question will have its own purpose of proving whether you are honest in entering the United States or not. Thankfully, these questions are found online – and you may easily practice them before the big day arrives.
There are many different questions in the B2 visa interview – and each of them will have to be answered as truthfully as possible. Ideally, you should not “nerd out” on those questions – but only familiarize yourself in a way that you can provide complete answers. Here are the questions, the way in which you should answer – and also some sample questions in case you have any doubts.
Answer: State the purpose for which you want to travel to the U.S., truthfully.
Sample Response: To visit the place and to visit our son. We also want to visit Niagara Falls and Pittsburg, as it is in the vicinity of where he is living. If possible, we also want to visit other attractions in the vicinity.
Answer: Provide an answer as to why you prefer this time over any other of the year.
Sample Response: We wished to visit during summer when the warmth was just good enough to let us travel around. It was also the perfect time, as our son was able to arrange for leave from work.
Answer: State the number of months that you wish to remain in the U.S.
Sample Response: We wish to stay for six months in the United States.
Answer: Answer truthfully.
Sample Response: We already see our son rarely enough as it is. Plus, there is a lot to see in the United States – something that you cannot do by staying just one month, for example.
Answer: Give the exact address where you will be staying. You may want to memorize it firsthand.
Sample Response: We will be staying at 2287 Oak Street in Old Forge, New York. It is the place where our son is currently staying at.
Answer: If you have an estimate, give it. However, never say that you are planning to cover some of the costs of the trip. Show some sponsor documents as well.
Sample Response: We believe we will spend about $1,000 per month. Our son will be the one to cover our expenses. The average person tends to spend just as much during a trip, and we do not want to overspend either.
Answer: State the person that will be sponsoring your trip, whether it’s your son or daughter that you are visiting.
Sample Response: Our son will be the one to sponsor this trip into the United States.
Answer: Answer yes or no.
Sample Response: Yes, our son is married.
Answer: Provide truthful answers.
Sample Response: No, our son doesn’t have any children yet.
Answer: Be truthful and go with a yes, no, or I don’t know the answer.
Sample Response: No – or at least not that we know of. If she is, then they are probably waiting to tell us during this trip.
Answer: State the day on which your son or daughter was born.
Sample Response: Our son was born on March 8th, 1988.
Answer: State the birthday of your in-law.
Sample Response: Our daughter-in-law was born on November 16th, 1991.
Answer: Provide an accurate answer, and you might want to have some wedding photographs at hand.
Sample Response: Our son and daughter got married on February 14th, which was Valentine’s Day. Here is a date written on the wedding photographs.
Answer: Provide truthful answers.
Sample Response: We plan on taking any form of public transportation that we can and visit nearby places. We also want to help them take care of the house as much as we can, as they have little time on their hands.
Answer: Provide short answers – and only elaborate when asked.
Sample Response: Our son is a web designer at an IT company.
Answer: Provide your answer accordingly.
Sample: Our daughter works as a teacher at an elementary school in the vicinity.
Answer: Provide the city and state where your son is living. Since this will likely be your primary place of residence at the time being, you will have to memorize the address. You do not necessarily have to provide the full answer: just the city and the state.
Sample Response: Our son lives in Old Forge, New York, together with his spouse.
Answer: Provide the details that they need. You may want to memorize them.
Sample Response: Yes, here are his phone number and email address.
Answer: Answer truthfully.
Sample Response: The last time we saw our son was about 6 months ago when they came to visit us during the holiday.
Answer: Answer truthfully – but don’t mention any other relatives except for your children unless you have been asked first.
Sample Response: Yes, we have our son living here, in the United States.
Answer: Answer accordingly by the number of years.
Sample Response: Our son has been living here for four years now.
Answer: Be truthful and accurate in your answer and show proof when asked for it.
Sample Response: My son is a green card holder in the United States.
Answer: If that was the case, be prepared to come with details regarding when, where, and what they studied.
Sample Response: No, my son did not study in the United States.
Answer: Answer truthfully and accordingly.
Sample Answer: My son first came to the United States on an H1 employment-based visa.
Answer: Provide a truthful answer to that, and be prepared to offer proof.
Sample Response: My son earns around $55,000 per year.
Answer: State the name of the company. You may want to memorize it.
Sample Response: My son is employed at Virtual Tech Inc.
Answer: Provide a truthful answer, to which you attach proof.
Sample Response: My son is in the ability to pay for everything, including our stay here.
Answer: Ideally, you should not say the same year. If you do, then the consulate may say that you don’t need to come to the U.S. yourself if they are already planning on visiting you.
Sample Response: My son and daughter in law currently do not have any plans. They may try to visit sometime next year, or later after that.
Answer: Answer truthfully to that.
Sample Response: Aside from my son and daughter-in-law, we have no other close relatives in the United States.
Answer: Provide a truthful answer.
Sample Response: Yes, my son has petitioned so that I may get a green card for traveling.
Answer: Provide a truthful, yes or no answer.
Sample Response: Yes, we have already booked airline tickets.
Answer: Be truthful in your answer.
Sample Response: Yes, we have been to the United States before, also to visit our son.
Answer: Be truthful in your response.
Sample Response: Aside from our previous visit, we have not traveled internationally before.
Answer: Be truthful in your answer.
Sample Response: The last time we visited the United States, we stayed for two months.
Answer: Give your answer accordingly. If you did extend your stay, you may want to show a visa extension approval letter.
Sample Response: No, we did not extend our stay the last time we visited the United States.
Answer: Be truthful – and if you are coming alone, be prepared to say why (e.g. you are a widower, the spouse is too busy with work, etc.).
Sample Response: Yes, my spouse will be accompanying me during this visit.
Answer: Provide your answer according to your plans.
Sample Response: We are planning to journey towards the United States from the beginning of May.
Answer: Offer a truthful answer.
Sample Response: Yes, we have already bought our plane tickets in the event that we get our visa.
Answer: Provide a truthful answer – no matter if you or your child is the one buying it.
Sample Response: No, I will buy the medical insurance once our visa petition is accepted.
Answer: Provide your answer accordingly. Show the credit card, if you do.
Sample Response: Yes, I do have a credit card. Here it is.
Answer: Answer truthfully.
Sample Response: I work for iANMarketing, a copywriting company.
Answer: State who you will be leaving in charge or what will happen with your business during your absence.
Sample Response: My colleagues will be the ones taking care of the business while I am gone.
Answer: This should only apply if you are employed or have a business. If you don’t have a business card or are retired, you should answer accordingly.
Sample Response: Of course, here it is.
Answer: State the reason that allows you to stay there for this long.
Sample Response: Over the past few years, I have accumulated a fair number of leave days. I have also taken a few unpaid leave days to actually enjoy my time there.
Answer: If you are employed, show the leave of approval. If not, answer accordingly.
Sample Response: Yes, here it is.
Answer: Give a truthful answer including the month and the year.
Sample Response: I retired in March 2014.
Answer: provide the exact sum per month. You may also want to show the pension book.
Sample Response: I get $3,723 per month, as it also shows in the pension book.
Answer: Offer a truthful answer over how much money you get every year. You should also offer proof of income.
Sample Response: I get $24,145 per year.
Answer: Mention whether you have sponsors, and be prepared to show proving documents that they can cover your trip.
Sample Response: My son and daughter-in-law will be the ones sponsoring our trip to the United States.
Answer: Answer truthfully and accordingly.
Sample Response: No, I am only there to visit, for tourism purposes.
Answer: Provide your answer truthfully.
Sample Response: No, I am only visiting for tourism purposes.
Answer: Provide a truthful answer to that.
Sample Response: I will be returning to work at the company that I am employed at.
Answer: The correct answer here should be yes, but answer accordingly.
Sample Response: Yes, we will definitely be coming back.
Answer: List all the ties that you have here, which ensure your return. Show documents for any tie you may have.
Sample Response: All of our other relatives are here, including our daughter, our grandchildren, and my mother that is partially dependent on us. We are also the owners of an apartment here, and I also run a business that will require my presence.
Answer: Answer truthfully, and also bring the documentation necessary.
Sample Response: We have a three-room flat, for which we have ownership proof.
Answer: Tell them just who exactly will be taking care of receiving your bills, dusting, watering your garden, etc.
Sample Response: We have made arrangements with a friend living next door to occasionally drop by while we are away. Our other daughter at home also has a key.
Answer: Mention how many children you have, as well as whether they have grandchildren or not. You may also want to carry some pictures with you.
Sample Response: We have two children, one living here and the other in the U.S. Our daughter here has two children.
Answer: List your relatives – but if you can, stress upon those that you are in direct contact with or are dependent on you.
Sample Response: Aside from the children, both I and my spouse have our elderly parents. My wife also has a sister, and I have two little brothers.
Answer: State your complete address.
Sample Response: We live at 7599 Elm Street, nr. 679.
Answer: Answer truthfully.
Sample Response: Yes, I pay income tax.
Answer: Be truthful – with the obvious answer being no.
Sample Response: No, of course not.
Answer: Answer truthfully.
Sample Response: No one lives with us, as each of our family members has his/her own home.
Answer: Answer accordingly.
Sample Response: I have two brothers living here, one of them is a computer analyst, and the other one is a doctor. Only the one that is a computer analyst has two children.
Answer: Answer accordingly.
Sample Response: No, I do not have a car.
Answer: Answer accordingly.
Sample Response: I do not have any servants. Personal Loans for Non-U.S. Citizens!
Generally speaking, what is most important during a B2 visa interview is to remain truthful. You don’t want the immigration officers to catch you lying, as it might ruin your chances of getting a visa.
