USA VISa assistance

[Musiclover08]

Hi all

So I will be going to the USA in September for a cruise and see that I will need a visa. Of all the other countries I have visited, I have never needed to have an interview for one. Has anyone done this recently and can help shed some light on what to do in said interview?

 

[HavocXphere]

>what to do in said interview?

Present a stable image. i.e. a guy with 2.4 kids and a white picket fence is unlikely to be an evil terrorist.

I'd imagine its going to be routine though.

 

[cobusv]

i did this today to be honest, 4 hour wait and a 2 minute interview. the main thing they want to know is that you have a home, etc to come back to and that you will not stay in the US. If you show that your intentions is good and that you will come back, it's easy peasy.

 

[attienel]

They only ask a few questions and check your supporting documents. After that you get a 10 year visa. Much better that the Shenzhen system where you have to apply each time you go.

 

[BloemGuy]

They only ask a few questions and check your supporting documents. After that you get a 10 year visa. Much better that the Shenzhen system where you have to apply each time you go.

Yes and no. With a Schengen visa chances of being refused entry at the border is almost non-existent. A US Visa only gives you the right to petition entry at a US border and they can send you back if they want. Not that the average guy need to worry about that, but it is somewhat of a difference. Especially if you belong to any group that they may consider a threat.

I remember last year a lady in a burqa got grilled for 45 minutes in DC while we had to wait in line for this to go nowhere.

But the toughest part of the Visa application is waiting patiently till you get asked your question or two.

 

[Roxi_B4b3]

Also went recently. Was really simple. He asked what I'm going to do in USA, who will be coming with me and a bit about my work. You don't have anything to worry about. But it is quite a long wait

 

[waynegohl]

Its such a quick process if all your paperwork is in order. Too many times have I seen people having to leave the US consulate because their pictures were the wrong size. rather too much info then too little.

 

[VQuest]

Also went a few months ago. As above, make sure you have all your documents together, including photos which are exactly as they request. When they say an "interview" it sounds heavy, but I stood at a counter for a minute or two while she asked me what I plan on doing in the States. She was very impressed when I said Route 66.

Main things are that you have enough money for the trip and you have a job you're coming back to.

 

[waynegohl]

It seemed to us that they knew everything about us even before they asked for paperwork. Half the paperwork they don't even check.

 

[calypso]

Book for the earliest appointment. The delays get longer as the day progress.

 

[Colin62]

As calypso said, book for first thing in the morning. It's pretty much a formality, and so that they can scan your fingerprints and confirm all your documentation is correct.

 

[Musiclover08]

Thank you to all who replied. I just saw interview and thought about a white room and a table with two chairs hahaha! Glad it isn't that, all should be well then!

 

[Paul Hjul]

I had an absolute nightmare with the booking process and ended up having somebody from the service provider skype me at 2am from Boston (their time) which was quite impressive whilst annoying actually. It was a case of checking into the consulate and waiting for a 3 minute interview with a member of consulate staff a few routine questions (although the income and dependency one was amusing) and wishing of a prosperous trip before approving without conditions a 10 year multiple entry B1/B2 visa

 

[Paul Hjul]

Thank you to all who replied. I just saw interview and thought about a white room and a table with two chairs hahaha! Glad it isn't that, all should be well then!

Nope those interviews are only if you've got names like Barack or shout bomb at an airport

 

[Ice2Cool]

its like 2 minutes - they just want to check you aren't a terrorist and aren't going to stay permanently. nothing to stress about

 

[Grant]

Thank you to all who replied. I just saw interview and thought about a white room and a table with two chairs hahaha!

with a metal haylide lamp & lie detector at the ready

i worked for the state dept for over a decade at a few consulates / embassies.

the "interview" is little more than a brief verification process

all applications have what is known as a "burden time" - this is the total time required to process the document (visa / passport ...bla bla bla application).

the embassy / consulate despite popular belief, DOES NOT have access to any records / information contained on the host govt's information systems

dont be nervous - unless you have reason to,

answer what is asked, dont ramble on & on volunteering information not already contained within your application.

 

[Musiclover08]

Just a bump. For those in the know, do they advise what supporting documents you will need? Appointment booked for this month

 

[LazyLion]

Proof of income - bank statements and proof of employment - letter from your employer are VERY important.

 

[HavocXphere]

Proof of income - bank statements and proof of employment - letter from your employer are VERY important.

Yep...employer documentation works wonders if you've got it.

I applied for a work visa a while back (not US though) - took exactly 6 hours from applying to 3 month work permit in hand thanks to a letter of invitation from the company there.

 

[Lukcydog]

Proof of income - bank statements and proof of employment - letter from your employer are VERY important.

I disagree with this comment. I went there with only my passport and appointment letter (3 weeks ago). Spoke to the interviewer for 2 minutes and voila. They asked typical questions like:
- Do you own property? (verificication that you will come back to SA)
- Where do you work?
- How long have you been working there?
- What do you do at your work?
- What qualifications do you have?
- Where are you going?
- What are you going to do there?
- How long will you be there for?

It's only in special cases that they request you during the interview to produce these and if you don't have it, you can schedule another appointment the next day/same day and then present the documentation.