How Do You Fail A Visa Interview?

Are you wondering how you failed a Visa interview? I’m Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, your friendly immigration lawyer in Texas, here to answer all of your immigration questions.

When you’re thinking about how to prepare for a Visa interview at the U.S.  Embassy or Consulate in your country, you need to look at the type of Visa that you are applying for and what it requires. What are the parameters? 

For example, if you are applying for a Tourist Visa, that’s a Temporary Visa that only allows you to come to the United States for six months at a time. Although, you shouldn’t usually come for that long and you can watch some of my other videos to understand why. 

But when you’re applying to come on a six-month trip, the requirements are that you’re not working and you’re not intending to reside permanently. So what does that mean? 

That means that when you go to your interview, you need to show that you have a lot of assets and money to support yourself for a long trip to the  United States without working. Or, that you have steady employment in your country and ties to your country. Maybe you have your children there, they’re enrolled in school. 

Maybe you’re caring for an elderly relative. You want to show the reasons that you have to go back home so that the consular officer doesn’t worry that you’re actually intending just to come to the US and overstay your Visa. 

The truth is that of the undocumented population in the United States which is now more than 12 million people, about half of them entered on a Visa and overstayed. So, it really is something that the embassy or the consulate is looking at. Is this person going to comply with the terms of their Visa and leave the United States within the time allotted? 

So, think about what you’re having to prove to them. If you’re coming to visit someone who’s a friend or a relative, you can think about having them write you a letter of invitation. I don’t really think that that is all that necessary based on the cases that I’ve seen but it is an option now. 

If you’re applying for a different kind of Visa, maybe a Student Visa, maybe an Employment Visa, you’re going to have different parameters. On a Student Visa, you’re going to be studying in the United States for a much longer period of time so you definitely have to show your ability to support yourself for your tuition and your time in the United States. You don’t need to show for example that you have a job in your home country to go home to because that would not be expected in that type of Visa. 

So, these are some tips for how not to fail your Visa interview. Come prepared. Bring your documents. Look through the type of Visa that you’re applying for and what are the requirements for it. Be able to explain to the officer through your words and your documents how you are going to comply with the terms of that Visa. 

I will also say it’s a whole lot easier to renew a Visa that you’ve had than to apply for the first time. So, if you’re doing a renewal, and you’ve been complying with your previous Visa, that’s going to make things easier on you. 

Also, the country where you’re living does matter. Immigration will pay attention to what is the typical behavior of immigrants in this particular country when they come to the United States. So, if you are from a country that has a lot of undocumented people coming to the U.S., it’s going to be a lot harder to get a Temporary Visa to come here. That just is the reality. So, it’s something to know and be prepared for. 

Summary

Preparing for a successful Visa interview involves tailoring your approach to the specific type of Visa you’re applying for. Whether it’s a Tourist, Student, or Employment Visa, you must understand the requirements and demonstrate your intent to adhere to Visa terms. Providing solid ties and financial capability can also increase your chances of a positive outcome on your Visa application. Remember that proper preparation and a clear understanding of the Visa process are crucial to navigating the interview successfully.