US visitor visa (B-1/B-2) interview: common questions and how to prepare

The questions US consular officers commonly ask B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants, what they are checking, and how to prepare your DS-160 and documents.

How the decision is made

A US visitor visa is decided at a short interview at the embassy or consulate, after you submit the DS-160 online form and pay the visa fee. Under US law (section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), every visitor visa applicant is presumed to intend to immigrate until they show otherwise. The officer is checking three things: that your trip is genuinely temporary, that you can pay for it, and that you have reasons to return home.

Questions officers commonly ask

• What is the purpose of your trip?
• How long will you stay, and where?
• Who will you visit, and how do you know them?
• Who is paying for the trip, and how much will it cost?
• What do you do for work, and for how long?
• Who stays at home while you travel?
• Have you travelled to the US or other countries before?
• Have you been refused a US visa before? What has changed since?

How to answer well

Answer briefly, in your own words, and only what is asked. Your answers must match your DS-160 exactly: your dates, your address in the US, who pays, your job and your previous travel. Never recite a memorised script and never guess: if you don't know something, say so.

Documents to bring

• A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
• The DS-160 confirmation page with its barcode
• Your appointment confirmation and visa fee receipt
• Proof of your job or studies: an employer letter, payslips or an enrolment certificate
• Bank statements, or your sponsor's documents if someone else pays
• Evidence of ties to home, such as family, property or a business
• Your trip plan and, if you stay with someone, their address and invitation

The officer may not ask to see them, but having them helps you answer clearly.

Mistakes that lead to refusals

• Answers that differ from the DS-160
• Leaving out social media identifiers, phone numbers or e-mail addresses used in the last 5 years
• Not declaring a previous US visa refusal
• A trip that looks longer or vaguer than your job and finances allow
• Applying again after a refusal with nothing new to show

Key rules to check

Many nationalities can visit without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA, so first check whether you need a visa at all. Fees, interview waiting times and document rules change: always check travel.state.gov and the website of the US embassy or consulate in your country. A refused visa cannot be appealed; you can apply again when something in your situation has changed.

Vizaleo is an independent service, not affiliated with any government or visa centre. Requirements change: always confirm on the official page.