Tourist Visa (usa) Interview Questions

[johndpoole]

What is typically asked in the interview process? Do you review application and documents with the Embasssy employee? How long does the interview usually last?

From things I have read here, it often sounds like they do not even review a good portion of the paperwork that is submitted ... even bank info.

My GF has her interview very soon and she is wondering what to expect.

Thanks for any insight from those who are familiar and been through the process. Please also feel free to share any tips.

[Svenn]

My wife's experience was a bit odd I think- behind a pane of glass, the officer saw on her paperwork that she was married, started smiling, asked her for the certificate, then asked if she loved me or not.... and that was it. My wife had to insist that she look at my reference letter, whereupon she almost started laughing I guess because of my comical writing style. The officer seemed to make up her mind that she'd get a tourist visa when looking at the certificate. And yes, she didn't even look at our photos, bank records, property ownership details etc. I think our extensive travel record, which the officer can see on the main application, sealed the deal and she didn't want to look at anything else.

I can recall much worse stories on thaivisa though- in one experience a very rude officer immediately called up the resort the applicant apparently worked at and asked the manager if they knew the applicant. The officer used the wrong nickname so the manager didn't recognize the reference, a real pity. The officer furiously told the applicant they were a liar and had to go. Other applicants I think get taken into private rooms, I'm not sure though.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Svenn

[DirectorIntegrityLegal]

They will likely ask routine things like:

How long do you intend to stay?

Where will you stay?

Do you have relatives in the USA? etc.

A real issue is one of honesty, a lot of people try to get these visas with a preconceived notion that they may marry their girlfriend in the USA and adjust her status there. If you intend to marry, then you should disclose that she has a US Citizen fiancee. They will likely deny the application and tell her to apply for a fiance visa.

If you truly do not have marital intentions then you should still make it clear that she is your girlfriend and you are a US citizen. I believe this is necessary because it is a material fact to their adjudication of her application under 214b of the US Immigration and Nationality Act that should be disclosed as failure to do so could be construed as a misrepresentation of a material fact which could be grounds for finding her inadmissible to the USA.

The best tip: Tell the unequivocal truth.

All the Best and Happy New Year!!

Ben Hart

US Immigration Attorney

Integrity Legal

[johndpoole]

They will likely ask routine things like:

How long do you intend to stay?

Where will you stay?

Do you have relatives in the USA? etc.

A real issue is one of honesty, a lot of people try to get these visas with a preconceived notion that they may marry their girlfriend in the USA and adjust her status there. If you intend to marry, then you should disclose that she has a US Citizen fiancee. They will likely deny the application and tell her to apply for a fiance visa.

If you truly do not have marital intentions then you should still make it clear that she is your girlfriend and you are a US citizen. I believe this is necessary because it is a material fact to their adjudication of her application under 214b of the US Immigration and Nationality Act that should be disclosed as failure to do so could be construed as a misrepresentation of a material fact which could be grounds for finding her inadmissible to the USA.

The best tip: Tell the unequivocal truth.

All the Best and Happy New Year!!

Ben Hart

US Immigration Attorney

Integrity Legal

I really appreciate your time in responding Ben.

A big concern I have is they are going to think we intend to marry. She was turned down for a Finance visa a number of years ago w/a previous boyfriend. However, I am already married though separated now for a number of years. I keep getting told I should stay out of this but am thinking I should right some kind of letter explaining my situation. On the other hand, I really don't have any documents to support I am not divorced or let alone married. I checked online and California takes up to 6-months to produce a marriage certificate where we were married. The other thing is I have been living in Thailand for near a year and I intend to return and don't even have a permanent residence in the USA right now. I work for a US company (online) but am staying in Thailand on an EDU Visa. I hear age can also be a factor and am hoping her at 36 and me and 44 is a good thing.

Would truly appreciate any thoughts on documents we might add or if staying away from my issues is the better idea.

[steelepulse]

SPAMMER!

[mizzi39]

Who's the SPAMMER? You? Pulling up a post from last year?

[Hans Brix]

who's a spammer? I dont get it

****Mizzi beat me to it

Edited September 13, 2010 by Hans Brix