B1 Business Visa Interview Preparation & Tip Visa interview is the most important part of the entire process of obtaining a visitor visa

(also known as tourist visa or B2 visa). Despite having all the documents and meeting all

the criteria, visa applications often get refused. Knowing what to expect, and being

prepared for the visa interview can mean the difference between visa approval and denial.

Below mention are few tips based on applicant experience.

Don't get nervous with the word "interview". This is not like a job interview. However, it is

an important process for you otherwise you wouldn't spend the time and money to appear

for the interview. The most important thing that you can carry with you is your self-

confidence. Applicants who are well prepared, answer confidently, and have a genuine

reason to apply for the visa is usually successful in getting the visa.

The first essential step toward a successful interview is preparation

General Preparation

Get some information or general knowledge on what the visa is all about, the

process, etc?

Prepare for most commonly asked questions.

Reach the consulate at least 15-20 mins prior.

Ask for an interpreter if you are not conversant or confident in English.

Document Preparation

Fill all the forms/applications neatly and completely.

Know what you have filled in the form, esp if you have taken guidance from others.

Frequently, elderly people who apply for visa do not know what they have written in

the application form because the sponsor fills the application for them.

Answer the questions in the form truthfully.

If getting copies of documents ensure that the copies are readable.

Verify that the names, date of birth, etc, are matching with the information in your

passport.

Organize your documents in proper logical order. A well organized and orderly set of

documents will make it easier for you to find the right documents quickly during the

interview, so you will not get nervous.

Interpreter

Many applicants are experts in their task but they may not know English or it may not

be good enough. However, if you are able to communicate in English, it is best to

choose the interview in English, instead of asking for an interpreter. You should not

worry about the American accent of the consular officer.

Interpreters mess up many times. They are sometimes more rude than the consular

officer. Without understanding everything, they sometimes communicate to the other

party in a hurry and that creates the problem or unnecessary prejudice in the mind of

the consular officer. Sometimes, they don't translate correctly and the meaning of the

matter changes drastically.

Moreover, if you can show that you can communicate in English, it is a positive point in

getting the visa because this ability would actually be useful to you in conducting

business related activities for which you are applying for the visa.

They are not looking for a particular accent or grammatical accuracy.

Demonstration

In order to apply for a business visa, you must showcase that:

The purpose your trip is to enter the U.S. for business related activities, but not to

conduct business or take gainful employment.

You intend to remain in the U.S. for a specific, limited time period.

Your strong ties to your home country including you have a clear intention to

maintain the residence outside the U.S. that will ensure that you will leave the U.S.

at the end of your authorized stay. This can include family, work related and/or

social ties. This is necessary because the U.S. immigrant law assumes that everyone

applying for a new immigrant visa is a potential immigrant and the burden is on you

to overcome that presumption.

Your adequate financial means to take care of the expenses while traveling and

staying temporarily in the U.S.

As the circumstances of each applicant vary, it is not possible for the consulate to specify

the exact documents that would be most suitable. The consular officer relies primarily on

the interview to determine your eligibility for business visa. Even though suggested

documents may help you in your interview, very little importance is given to them. Of

course, you must use only valid documents, as fraud or misrepresentation can result in

permanent ineligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

If a business visa applicant's family (spouse and children) are also accompanying him/her

on a tourist visa and if this trip is expected to be a long trip, the consular officer may

suspect your true intentions

Physical Preparation

Image is often as important as content. What you look like and how you say

something are just as important as what you say. So dress up nicely and smile.

Attitude Preparation

Provide to-the-point, clear, and concise answers. Do not provide any information that

is not relevant or is not asked. (In many cases, this is where people make a mistake

by giving unnecessary details that were not asked for).

Do not argue.

Do not ask unnecessary questions.

Be polite.

During the Interview

Greet the interviewer when you see him or her the first time.

Communicate clearly. Do not hesitate to politely ask to repeat or rephrase the

question if you don't understand the question.

Interview Tips

You should be able to communicate clearly about your age, education, experience,

duration of your business, your relationship with the company who is sending you to

the U.S., length of employment with them, their income, your marital status, your

details about the children and their whereabouts. You should be ready to provide the

proof for all of these matters to the extent possible.

You should have formal wear. Men should wear a tie. In any case, dress according to

your social and/or professional status. If you are an executive (such as owner,

director etc.), you should wear a tie and suit.

Maintain eye to eye contact with the consular officer. Do not show any signs of

nervousness as tapping fingers on the window, playing with your ring or tie.

If you are going on behalf of your company and if available, wear your company's ID

in a visible manner.

The consular officer may not ask you for all the documents or any document. You will

need to push applicable documents appropriate in answering the questions.

If your colleagues from your company have been to the U.S. on a business visa, you

may want to discuss with them the kind of questions and documents asked for your

specific situation so that you can get a better idea.

Many activities such as wearing weird clothes, too much make up, too much jewelry,

clean the glasses too many times, adjusting the hair frequently because they

obstruct your eyes are negative factors in getting the business visa.

Avoid communicating in a fake American accent.

Post Issuance Tips

You should avoid changing your status to H1B or L1, once you enter the USA on a

business visa. If needed, you can go back to the home country, and get an H1B or

L1 after that. You may be in trouble if you change your status to H1B or L1, after

entering the U.S. on a B1.

You should avoid starting a new company, opening bank accounts, getting life

insurance, etc. If really needed, consult a good immigration attorney as all those

things are indications of you intending to stay longer in the U.S.

Many times business visas are issued as B-1/B-2 multiple entry. If that is the case,

you can enter the USA either for business purposes or for tourism purposes, even if

you originally got that visa for business purposes, provided there are no special

annotations on the visa stamps.