United States Visa Interview Sample Questions Answers 2023

Before The Interview

All other applicants of US visa from the age of 14 to the age of 79, have to attend an in-person interview at the US embassy or consulate in their country. The only people exempted from visa application are those who qualify to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization and do not need to attend an interview.

You must book a a US visa interview before attending one. After you complete the DS-160 form online, go to https://ais.usvisa-info.com and pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee and schedule the interview.

Prior to appearing before a consular for your interview the appointment, prepare yourself in advance, so when you meet the consular officer you will know what to say and how to answer their questions. There is a list of common questions that are generally asked in a US visitor visa interview.

Applying for a Visa to travel to the United States of America could be tricky if one is ignorant about likely questions that could be posed to visa applicants.

Being armed with enough information on likely questions will boost confidence levels to fave the Consular irrespective of the questions coming.

Sample Questions

What is the reason for your travel to the United States?

You must answer this question based on your purpose of travel. Before applying for the visa, you must have a plan to support your trip. The Consular Officer may also ask questions to check how you are going to support your travel financially. Based on the category of visa, an applicant may require producing proof of sufficient funds.

What is the duration of your stay in the United States?

As a part of the application process, the applicants need to indicate their intended date of travel to the United States. Based on the purpose of your travel, visa type, and duration of stay, you will need to provide your tentative date of travel. Details such the address where you will be staying, type of residence, etc. could be asked to verify your details/documents submitted by you.

Where will you be staying?

As provided on the visa application form, you will need to mention the address of your stay. If you will be staying at multiple locations, mention the address where you will be staying the most number of days. Ensure you mention the purpose of your travel and be prepared with details as much as possible.

Where do you stay in Ghana?

Mention the city and address, if required. You may be asked related questions to see how long you have been staying at that address, do you come from another city, what’s your native language, etc.

Who is going to cover your expenses during the travel?

Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, you may need to submit proof of sufficient funds to support your travel financially. If your visa category allows you to have someone else cover the expenses for you, you may need to submit a letter of consent along with the required documents.

Is it possible to reduce the duration of your stay?

Mention your travel plan to justify why you need a visa for that particular duration. Also, check with the Consular Office if you need to reconsider the duration of your stay. As long as you have all the details/documents with you to support the duration of your stay, there shouldn’t be any issues.

Do you have any relatives/friends in the United States?

Answer with a Yes or a No. If your answer is yes, mention your relationship to the person and if you are going to meet them. If your answer is a No, mention the purpose of your travel and how much you

Have you been to the United States before?

Answer is Yes/No and briefly mention the purpose of your earlier travel, if required. You won’t be asked much of the details of your past travel, however, if you have traveled earlier, use it to your advantage to stress your intentions of coming back to the native country.

Where will you be working/studying?

If you are applying for work or students visa, provide the address of the employer/office or college university address. It can be helpful to inform about the distance between your office/college address and the place of your stay. Additionally, you can also mention your plan to manage your local travel in the United States.

Is anyone else you know who is coming to the United States with you?

Say Yes/No based on your situation. If you are traveling with someone you know, you can mention it along with answers to any other questions being asked.

What have you been doing in Ghana?

You may be visiting the United States either to work, study or for tourism. If you are going to work, mention your profile along with details of the previous employer. If you are going to study, mention the courses you have completed in Ghana. If you are visiting for tourism, mention your occupation in Ghana.

What are your plans after the visa expires?

You will need to convince the consular officer that you have plans to come back to Ghana before the visa expires. Depending on the situation, you may need to reassure your ties to Ghana to show clear intentions of coming back after the travel plan ends.

If your visa application is rejected, what are your plans?

Don’t be disappointed to hear that but ensure you are able to mention the importance of your travel plan. The Officer may ask similar questions to assess your eligibility for the specific type of visa.

Have you booked the tickets yet?

Though applicants are recommended not to proceed with the booking of airline tickets and arranging the accommodation till the visa is approved, it is good to do your research and have a clear plan. Be smart while answering these questions and mention your reason for doing so. If possible, provide at least the tentative date of travel as per your plan.

Do you have any other plans in the United States apart from the work/study/tourism?

Mention about the places you will be visiting and why they are interesting to you. Based on the purpose of your stay, you can inform about your travel plans within and outside of the United States.

Did someone help you with the application form?

Mention Yes/No based on the reason. It is recommended to go through the terms and conditions of the visa application and also be aware of your rights as a visitor in the United States.

Why do you intend to pursue further education?

Why are you unable to finish your education back home? Why do you want to live in America? Why not pick Australia or Canada instead? It is advisable to talk about the university, its world ranking and how helpful the research facility are, etc.

Will you come back to Ghana during holidays?

The visa officer is interested in learning about your ties to your family and nation of origin. Even if you don’t, let them know that you’ll be returning to your vacations to see your loved ones. Do not mention to the interviewer that you intend to work while staying in the country over the summer or winter vacations. He will think that you are going to the US to work and that you might remain there even after you finish your studies.

Why should you be given a visa?

Be confident about your reasons for visiting US especially if you are applying for a student visa. Do not give them the impression that you do plan to stay in US for the considerable future and that you will be back to Ghana in future.

Why do you want to go to the USA?

State whatever your reason for wanting to acquire the visa. If it is for study purposes or tourism, then say so. Be confident in your answer.

Have you been to the USA before?

That is another question that requires honesty. Saying YES when the reverse is the case, won’t augur well for you. So state your answer honestly.

Who are you going with to the USA?

If you are going on a vacation with your spouse or kids or whoever you are going with, ensure you prove to the consular officer that you will be responsible for them.

How long do you plan to stay in the USA?

Make a conscious effort to understand the visa type you want before answering this question. If you seek a student visa, you should explain you will be home at the expiration of your study, while if you quest for a visitor visa, then you should be ready to tell that you will timely exit the US at the end of your visit or tour.

How much do you think will it cost you to stay in the USA?

You must have a budget and itinerary that will cater for your trip. Your answer will be based on intense research because you will prove to the consular officer that you can provide for your feeding and expenses while in the states.

What do you do for a living?

You will be asked to explain your work portfolio. The consular officer will be able to evaluate your financial strength, which will either strengthen or weaken the United State Visa Interview process.

You will most likely be denied a US visitor or student visa if the consular officer believes you are seeking greener pastures in the US. You should take along the following documents to the United State Visa interview,

Employment letter
Bank statements
Tax certificate
Evidence of income etc.

How will you finance your stay?

Give the consular officer all the proofs, the document listed above is one. For visa applicants on sponsorship, ensure you have valid information from sponsors.