Visitors Visa Questions and Answers:
1. WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO TO USA?
Say what you want to go on a tour and to see what the USA has to offer. After all, you are applying for a US TOURIST visa so your answer should be as simple as that.
2. HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE USA BEFORE?
You might think that the best answer is YES, and you feel that this is your instant ticket for getting a visa. You are wrong! If you haven’t been to the US, don’t lie. Just be honest because lying will get you nowhere.
3. WHY DO YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL AT THIS TIME?
Simply answer that it is your most available time or it is your annual leave from work. If you have other reasons such as having enough savings recently for the trip, then tell the truth.
4. WHO ARE YOU GOING WITH TO THE USA?
Are you going with your relatives or friends? Just make sure you know the basic information of the people you are going with. If you wanted to meet your American boyfriend who you met online and never met in person, I highly suggest you ask him to visit you in the Philippines first!
5. WHICH PLACES ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT?
It wouldn’t hurt to do research on the places you plan to visit before you go to your interview. Let me know if you need further help with this and I would be more than willing to help you. I suggest that you start with the spots near your accommodation because it is more feasible.
6. HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO STAY IN THE USA?
Carefully study you’re itinerary and base your answer from there. Or if you are an employee, check your leave credits and talk to your Human Resources representative on your allowed leaves. If you can bring a form or letter during your interview stating your leave credits, that can help as well.
Remember, if you get an approved USA visa, you’ll surely get a 10-year multiple entry visit visa!
7. CAN YOU STAY FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME?
Similar to the above, you can defend your answer based on your itinerary. And if someone from the US will act as your ‘tour guide’, simply say that you need to adhere with their schedule as well. Hence, a need for a longer time to stay in the US.
8. HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK WILL IT COST YOU TO STAY IN THE USA?
This is why we strongly suggest that you create an itinerary for your US trip. This will give you an idea of how much you need to spend for the entire vacation. You can contact me and I could help you with your USA Itinerary, details here.
9. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
Tell your job, your businesses, and other side jobs, if any. This will give the council an idea if your employer is credible enough. Similarly, they need to know that you are established in your home country and that you are not going to the US for greener pasture. Here are a few requirements to strengthen your claim that you will be back and will not look for job opportunities while on ‘vacation’.
- Certificate of Employment
- Proof of Income for the last 3 months
- Business permits
- Bank statements
Be prepared and bring these documents on your interview, most of the time the Consul won’t ask you to show the proof! For people who work online, I know that feeling of not having those Income Tax Return report, etc. I highly suggest you print your income transactions on your Paypal account if you’re a writer or a designer then compile all of your online portfolios.
10. HOW MUCH DO YOU EARN FOR A LIVING?
Just tell the correct figures. After all, these can all be seen from the documents you have presented during your online application. And if they feel that it is not enough for your trip, might as well prepare for the next question.
11. HOW WILL YOU FINANCE YOUR TRIP?
Show proof that you have saved if any. Or if you are going to be sponsored, get the information from your sponsors. Know what they do for a living and get necessary supporting documents like bank statements, job certificate, tax details, etc.
12. DO YOU HAVE RELATIVES IN THE USA?
Never lie or deny on this even if you won’t visit them on your trip, you must know their names and few basic information including their status in the US. Sometimes, it would help if you have photos with you to further prove your claim.
13. DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS IN THE USA?
Similar to the above, know their names and also the basic information but if they’re not really significant to you then just say so.
14. WHAT ARE THEIR EXACT ADDRESSES?
Try to get their exact addresses before the interview. Don’t just say that they live in Los Angeles or in New York but rather, be specific. Review the information before you go to the interview and always come prepared esp if you mentioned them on your online application.
15. (FOR VISITING RELATIVES/ FRIENDS) HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN LIVING IN THE USA AND WHAT ARE THEIR CURRENT STATUS?
I strongly encourage that you spend time chatting and interviewing your relatives and friends in the US if the purpose of your visit is to meet them. It will really help you to become more confident in front of the consul.
16. (FOR VISITING RELATIVES/ FRIENDS) WHERE ARE THEY WORKING AND WHAT WILL YOU DO DURING THE OFFICE HOURS?
As I have said, get as much information because the consul would like to know if you are just making up stories. Expect to be bombarded with questions. The questions might be redundant but that’s how they will know if you are indeed telling the truth. And when asked what are your plans during the hours and days that your ‘sponsors’ are working, you can say that you are planning to go on short solo day trips near the area so that you can maximize your stay.
17. DO YOU HAVE PLANS OF WORKING IN THE USA?
HUGE NO, and never attempt to work in the US while you are there on a TOURIST VISA. Otherwise, you might get deported and will never see US soil once again. Never even mention that you’re looking for opportunities. NEVER EVER!
18. HAVE YOU ALREADY BOOKED YOUR PLANE TICKETS?
Look for possible booking dates and say that you are eyeing on those dates for your US trip. Have the flight details ready, if possible but don’t pay for the flights yet until you get your visa approved. Flight ticket is not a requirement!
19. HAVE YOU TRAVELLED TO OTHER COUNTRIES BEFORE?
Be honest because they will know if you haven’t. Everything can be validated easily and they have the means to check if you are telling the truth. I always tell my travel coaching clients that it’s better if you get more passport entry stamp from any nearby countries esp those that are visa-free or visa-on-arrival for Philippines passport, you can check the list of those countries here.
20. HOW CAN YOU ASSURE THAT YOU WILL COME BACK HOME?
Show the letter from your employer, if you have any. If you have businesses that you currently take care of, explain it. Or, you can tell them that you don’t plan on ruining your travel records because you still plan to see more places in the future.
My general tip, BE PREPARED and NEVER LIE! These consuls are trained to know if you are lying, so always have the best intentions if you are going to the USA. We want you to have clear records so you can travel the world without facing challenges in the future.
If you need further help with your US Visa application, contact me here. I’ll be also releasing some prepared Itinerary that you can use for visa applications.
Visit
Q: Why do you want to travel to the USA?
A: For tourism purposes and to visit our son/daughter.
We want to visit places such as Niagara Falls, Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. These are within a drivable distance from our daughter’s town. If possible we will also like to visit Las Vegas and California. (Change your answer accordingly.)
Q: Why do you want to visit only at this time?
A: Our son/daughter has arranged for his/her leave from work during that time frame. We are planning to visit the U.S. in the summer months when the weather will be good for tourism. Also, we want to visit the U.S. before we get old, so that we can enjoy all the tourist places fully.
If planning to visit during the winter months, you can say you would like to experience fall colors, snow, celebrate Christmas and New Year in the U.S, etc.
Q: How long will you stay in the U.S.?
A: X number of months.
Q: Why do you want a 6-month visa? Can’t you finish your trip in a shorter time?
A: The U.S. is a large country and there is a lot to see. At an old age, we can’t visit many places in a hurry. Moreover, our son/daughter can not take leave from work for a long period at one time. We would like to experience different seasons in the U.S. and also spend some time with our son/daughter and their family. We want to see fall colors/snow or celebrate Christmas, Independence Day (fireworks), New Year, etc. in the U.S. But a shorter visa would also be acceptable if you feel that is appropriate.
Q: Where will you stay in the U.S.?
A: At XYZ street, city, state, zip. Memorize the address and make sure it is the same as you provided in your visa application.
Q: How much do you expect this trip to cost?
A: My son/daughter is going to take care of all the expenses. Be prepared to show all the Sponsor documents.
Sponsor and relatives in the USA
Q: Who is sponsoring you?
A: Our son/daughter.
Q: Is your son/daughter married?
A: Yes/No.
Q: Does your son/daughter have any children?
A: Yes/No.
Q: Is your daughter/daughter-in-law currently pregnant?
A: Yes/No/I don’t know. Be truthful.
Q: What is your daughter’s birth date?
A: XYZ
Q: What is your son-in-law’s birth date?
A: XYZ
Q: What is the date of your daughter’s wedding anniversary?
A: XYZ. It may be helpful to have some wedding photographs handy.
Q: What will you do at home when your daughter and son-in-law go out to work?
A: Our daughter doesn’t work as she is on an H4 visa (not allowed to work). She has a car of her own and we plan to drive around to visit nearby places.
Q: What does your daughter do?
A: Our daughter is a home-maker.
Q: What does your son-in-law do?
A: He is a mechanical engineer working for a mechanical engineering software company named, XYZ, in XYZ city, XYZ state.
Be prepared to show the proof of employment and other financial papers just in case.
Q: Where do your daughter and son-in-law stay in the U.S.?
A: XYZ city, XYZ state. Memorize the names of the towns thoroughly – this is the primary place you will be visiting in the U.S., so you should know its name properly. You don’t have to tell the complete address, just the city, and the state.
Q: Can I have the contact details of your son/daughter?
A: Provide phone number and email address. Memorize them. Make sure they are the same as in the visa documents.
Q: How long has it been since the last time you met your daughter?
A: This is an important question and should be answered carefully and confidently as per the reality of your case.
Answer for a special case is shown here:
Answer: Our daughter is currently in India, visiting us and her other relatives. We would like to travel with her to the U.S. She will be taking us around the U.S. for sight-seeing. Then after a few months, the two of us will return to India while our daughter will continue to stay there with her husband. We have never traveled internationally before, and it will be comfortable for us to travel to our daughter’s company.
Q: Do you have relatives in the U.S.? Who are they?
A: Yes/No.
Our son/daughter is there. Don’t reveal the details of other relatives unless asked first.
Q: How long has your son/daughter been in the U.S.?
A: For X number of years.
Q: What is the legal status (What visa) of your son/daughter?
A: My son is on an H1 visa, my daughter-in-law is on an H4 visa (Or daughter is on an H1 visa, the son-in-law is on an H4 visa, etc.)
My son/daughter is a green card holder.
My son/daughter is a U.S. citizen.
Be prepared to show proof of their legal status.
Q: Did your son/daughter study in the U.S.? When/Where/What?
A: Yes/No.
If yes, be prepared with details such as the time, university, major, etc.
Q: When your son/daughter went to the U.S. for the first time, what visa did they enter on?
A: Answer truthfully.
Q: How much does your son/daughter earn per year?
A: $xx,xxx per year. Be prepared to show the financial documents such as an employment letter, pay stubs, income tax returns to support this.
Q: Where does your son/daughter work?
A: At XYZ. Memorize the name of the company.
Q: If your son/daughter is studying, who is paying for it?
A: He/She is paying himself/herself for all the expenses. Additionally, he/she is in the condition to pay for all the expenses for our visit as well. Be prepared to show the proof.
Q: When does your son/daughter plan to visit India next time?
A: They don’t have any fixed plan currently. Maybe next year or the year after that. (If you say the same year, the consulate officer may argue that you don’t need to go to the U.S. if they are already coming to India to visit you.)
Q: Do you have any close relatives in the U.S.?
A: Yes/No.
Q: Has anyone filed the green card petition for you?
A: Yes/No
USA TOURIST VISA Questions pdf free download::
Travel, Air tickets, Insurance
Q: Have you booked airline tickets?
A: Yes/No.
Q: Have you been to the U.S. before?
A: Yes/No.
Q: Have you ever traveled internationally before?
A: Yes/No.
Q: When you visited the U.S. before, how long did you stay?
A: Answer truthfully.
Q: When you visited the U.S. before, did you extend your stay? Can I see the extension approval letter?
A: Yes/No. If you applied for a visitor visa extension, show the proof of the extension (I-797, Notice of Action). If you left the U.S. before your extension got approved, and if your extension was rejected, show the proof that you filed for an extension before your I-94 expired and you left before the extension was rejected.
Q: Will your wife/husband accompany you on your trip?
A: Answer truthfully. If only you are planning to visit, be prepared for the answer to why. If you are a widow/widower, answer accordingly. Other reasons could be: too busy with business, can’t get enough leave to go to the U.S., need to take care of family, etc.
Q: When do you plan to travel?
A: In the month of XYZ.
Q: Have you bought your airline tickets?
A: I will buy (our son/daughter will buy) once we get the visa.
Q: Have you purchased visitor medical insurance?
A: I will buy (our son/daughter will buy) once we get the visa.
Q: Do you have a credit card?
A: Yes/No. If you have it, show it.
Work
Q: What do you do in India?
A: Answer truthfully. e.g.,
I am retired.
I am in the business of XYZ.
I work at XYZ.
Q: Who will take care of your business when you are visiting the U.S.?
A: My partner (or son or someone else) will look after it until I return.
Q: Could you please show me your visiting card (business card)?
A: If you are employed or have a business, show the card. If you are retired or don’t have the card, answer accordingly.
Q: If you are working, how will you go to the U.S. for six months?
A: I have accumulated leave over the past several years. Show the leave approval letter.
Q: Can I see your leave approval?
A: If you are employed, show the leave approval letter. Otherwise, answer accordingly.
Q: When did you retire?
A: Answer truthfully. E.g., in March 1999.
Q: How much pension do you get?
A: Answer truthfully. e.g., Rs. 4,000 per month.
Also, show the pension book.
Q: What is your annual income?
A: Answer truthfully.
Be prepared to show proof such as paycheck, income tax return, etc. Avoid using the unit, lakh. Instead, say one hundred thousand.
Q: Your income is not enough to support your travel to the USA. How will you pay for it?
A:
- My son/daughter/son-in-law/daughter-in-law is sponsoring the trip. They will take care of all the expenses during the trip.
- Be prepared to show the documents mentioned in the sponsor documents that your sponsor has sent you.
Q: Will you work in the U.S.?
A: No, I am going there for tourism.
Q: Will you do business in the U.S.?
A: No, I am going there for tourism.
Q: What will you do on your return?
A: Answer accordingly.
Ties
Q: Will you come back to India after your visit?
A: Yes, definitely we will.
Q: How can you assure me that you will come back?
A: All our relatives, including our only other daughter and our only grandchild, are in India. Also, our elderly mother who is partially dependent on us is in India. We own two bungalows and a shop in XYZ city. We have so many rupees in our bank balance. I also run an engineering consultancy business with a partner. (Show documents for all these.)
Q: What property do you have in India?
A: Mention whatever you have (e.g., we have a house/flat/shop, etc.). And be prepared to show the proof of those properties.
Q: Who will take care of your property when you are away from home?
A: We have made arrangements with friends/relatives to take care of them while we are away.
My other son will be taking care of it while we are away.
Q: How many children do you have?
A: Answer accordingly.
Stress upon the children you have in India and also if you have grandchildren in India, be sure to mention them. It would also be good to carry a few family photos proving that.
Q: What relatives do you have in India?
A: Answer accordingly.
If applicable, it would be good to mention the relatives who are dependent upon you, such as old parents, etc.
Q: Where do you stay in India?
A: Tell the complete address.
Other
Q: Do you pay income tax?
A: Yes/No
Q: What is your annual income?
A: State truthfully.
Q: Are you going to the U.S. for any terrorist activity?
A: No.
Q: Who lives with you currently and what do they do?
A: Answer accordingly.
Q: How many siblings do you have? Where do they live? What do they do? How many children do they have?
A: Answer accordingly.
Q: Do you have a car?
A: Answer accordingly.
Q: How many servants do you have?
A: Answer accordingly.
Q: Who will take care of your house when you are away?
A: Answer accordingly.