Visa interview at the US embassy
When applying for a B2 visa, the applicant must attend an interview with a U.S. consular officer. The purpose of this interview is to validate your visa application. This interview takes place at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the B2 visa applicant’s home country.
For a tourist stay of less than 90 days : you don’t need to make an appointment at the embassy to apply for a B2 visa. You can quickly and easily apply for ESTA online.
How do I make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy?
To schedule an appointment for visa review, applicants must log on to the USCIS website. He chooses the date and time of the appointment online, and most interviews take place Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 am.
How do I prepare for the visa interview?
Once the date of the appointment has been set by the US National Visa Center, the candidate must prepare for the interview. Here are the essential steps to prepare for a successful interview and obtain your B2 visa:
Carry out a medical examination
All visa applicants must undergo a medical examination by a physician approved by a U.S. embassy in the applicant’s country of origin. A list of country-specific instructions is available from the American embassy. A medical examination carried out by a non-accredited doctor will not be accepted for a visa application.
The results of the medical examination are sent directly to the embassy. In some countries, the results are given to the candidate in a sealed envelope to be handed in unopened on the day of the interview.
Gather the supporting documents you’ll need for your interview
Each visa application requires supporting documents. All documents mentioned in the visa application must be submitted in their original version or as certified copies. This is the most administrative part of the B2 visa application procedure.
The B2 visa application cannot be finalized if certain documents are missing. The applicant will have to make another appointment with the embassy to present the missing documents and obtain the visa.
How does the visa interview work?
The applicant must bring the printed confirmation of the visa application to the appointment. Please allow an extra 15 minutes to pass through embassy security before your appointment time. Once the security checks have been completed, the candidate’s fingerprints will be recorded and he or she will be able to access the meeting room.
The appointment at the embassy lasts an average of 15 minutes and is conducted in English. Sometimes the interview can be conducted in the local language if the consular officer is fluent in that language. Here are the main points covered during the B2 visa interview:
- What is the purpose of your stay in the United States?
- What is the planned itinerary, accommodation and bookings?
- How is the stay financed?
To conclude the interview, the consular officer indicates whether the visa has been granted. The stamped passport with the B2 visa will be mailed to you at the end of the interview.
What documents should I bring to the interview?
Applicants must bring all original or certified documents required for visa processing. Here is a list of the minimum documents required:
- Appointment letter
- Valid passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival in the U.S.
- 2 color passport photos that meet visa photo requirements
- Original documents or certified copies of documents uploaded at the time of visa application
- Proof of payment of the visa fee is kept in the applicant’s file.
What happens if the candidate does not attend the interview?
If the applicant fails to appear at the scheduled appointment, the file will be closed and the visa application cancelled. Fees paid will not be refunded.