As mentioned before, attending an in-person visa interview is your last chance to prove that you have enough money to back up your trip. Make sure you are well prepared!
You should already be very familiar with the basics of the immigration process, including what documents you’ll need and how long it will take to complete it.
Now, everything else can easily get lost or misplaced so here we go: do not forget these things!
Bring copies of all documents (proof of residency, employment, etc.), as well as photo IDs such as driver’s licenses, passports, and proof of address.
We also recommend bringing two pieces of luggage – one large suitcase for clothes and toiletries, and another small bag or backpack for the rest of your belongings.
Not only does this save time, but it helps prevent delays due to weight restrictions at the airport. And even though there may be free Wi-Fi at the hotel, you never know if they’re going to check who connected and why.
Lastly, try to arrive early to relax and prepare for your departure. You don’t want to be distracted by traffic when you’ve got nothing but downtime ahead of you.
Even though you will probably be asked to dress casual for your visa interview, you should still make an effort to look professional. This means keeping it simple with jeans or sweats and either having them cleaned or taking along some new clothes.
You do not want to arrive at the airport late and find out that they have started the interviews already due to poor appearance.
Furthermore, we recommend bringing one change of clothing in case something does not work out and you need to go back home early.
Having one set of comfortable clothes is also helpful as you can always use those while staying here.
We suggest being online before your visit to see if there are any recommendations about what to bring and/or how to prepare. You never know – maybe someone else has done this before and left with great tips!
And lastly, remember your manners! When meeting people from other cultures, be respectful and greet them.
The second way to prepare for your visa interview is by knowing the location ahead of time. You can do this in two ways- through research or via someone you know who has been there before.
If you are already familiar with the location, that is definitely an advantage over people who have never visited it!
By doing some quick research, you will be able to find out some important information such as whether the restaurant/business gets good reviews, what types of foods they offer, how expensive the food and drinks are, and if anything specific seems overly priced, look elsewhere.
This will help give you an idea of whether or not this location is within budget and if the quality is worth paying more money for. It also gives you a sense of whether or not this place is well maintained and whether the staff looks comfortable working there.
Overall, you want to make sure that you’re looking at both costs and benefits and not only from their hospitality side but also from a financial standpoint.
Before your visa interview, make sure to have all of your documents in order and ready. You do not want to be scrambling at the last minute!
Make sure to research some things about the company that hosts the interview. Find out if there are any special rules or regulations they may ask about.
In addition to having proof of income and bills paid, it is good practice to prepare answers to potential questions that may arise.
After arriving at the visa interview, the next step is to message your close acquaintances or colleagues that will be hosting you for the visit. This can be done through various social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp.
By doing this, they will know when you are free and what time frame you would prefer to meet. More than likely, their office is closed during non-work hours so it’s best to let them know of these times before making the trek out there!
If possible, try to coordinate with someone who knows the exact day you’ll be here and how long you’ll be staying. This way they won’t have to worry about anything beyond having enough rest and food. They also deserve credit for helping you connect with us, our country, and ourselves!
To avoid any complications, we recommend using one of the above mentioned social media sites to communicate. You can say something like “I am traveling for work soon and I will need your help in setting up an appointment. Let me know if you are available during the following days and times and I will make sure everything goes smoothly!”
Be careful not to overdo it though as this may come off as phony or too promotional.
If you’re thinking about applying for a visa, do not underestimate the importance of telling your loved ones that you are going to be away for an extended period of time.
This will be very difficult at first, but eventually they will get used to it and understand why you need this trip. This will help them cope with the separation while you’re gone.
They may also need some extra supervision or care while you’re away so make sure you plan ahead and don’t expect too much back after you go!
Some things you can do before traveling abroad include finding part-time work, arranging childcare, paying off debt and saving up for any big purchases (like a new smartphone).
These things will give you some financial breathing space when you return home.
It’s important to be familiar with the visa office before you visit. You can research their website, talk to people who have visited recently, and/or call or email them directly to make sure your are prepared for what to expect!
It's also worth noting that some offices may ask about previous visits to ensure you don't fall under suspicion of working while in the country. This is totally normal protocol so nothing weird at all.
I've heard stories where applicants didn’t realize they needed to bring proof of adequate life insurance until minutes before they arrived, which obviously isn’t ideal but things do sometimes go wrong.
After you have confirmed your appointment, make sure to prepare for your interview! This includes editing and reviewing your current resume, finalizing your study materials and practicing your answers in the event that there is a question about yourself or your career.
It is very important to be prepared for this meeting! You will need to bring copies of both your passport as well as your visa documents. Make sure to review these settings ahead of time so that nothing gets lost nor do we forget anything crucial!
Once again, stay calm and relaxed before the interview to ensure everything goes smoothly. Try not to get too stressed out or nervous because this can affect your performance negatively.
We would like to tell you how to prepare for your B2 visa personal visit interview, but unfortunately, we are not allowed to disclose such information due to privacy laws.
When you dress for your visa interview, make sure that it is nice but not too flashy or conspicuous. You do not want to look like you are trying to impress people with your lifestyle.
You want to convey that you are professional and have done business in the past. Make sure your clothes fit well and are clean. If possible, wear clothes that were cleaned before hand.
Avoid wearing logos or materials that may be considered expensive unless you have proof of income or savings. People will assume that you cannot afford such products if they see them.
If possible, wash and put away any items you have outside of the room where the interview takes place so that there is no chance of someone noticing and asking about them later.
