B1/B2 Visa: All you need to know

General information:

Fees: $160

Before you apply check the visa appointment wait time check here

It is a two-day process. It need not be continuous. You can schedule it as you like.

On the first day: Document verification

Second day: Interview

How to apply:

1. 1. File your DS-160 (Non-immigrant visa) through the official website or you can choose any agency to do it on your behalf.

      To complete DS-160 you need:

      A valid passport
      A photo (requirements)

   2. Schedule your interview

 

Required documents on the day of the interview:

• Passport
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fees payment receipt
• Photo

Additional documents:

• Supporting the purpose of the trip
• Ability to pay the cost of the trip
• Intent to depart

Preparation before the interview:

1. Plan everything as if you’re going to the place, you mentioned so when asked you can talk about it. For example,

• Flight (cost, nearest airport to your location)
• Cost of living
• Your accommodation

1. 2. Never forget that this is a non-immigrant visa. Show enough home ties. Some of the common reason

• In case of elective: you need to return to complete graduation
  
  NOTE: if you’re an intern get a NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE from your medical school and an invitation letter for elective

  If you’re working, bring any documentation to prove it.

• Show enough funds for the trip as you’re not allowed work on a non-immigrant visa
  
  NOTE: if any of your relatives or parents are sponsoring your trip, bring an affidavit stating the same.

Tips for the interview day:

• Prepare all your document before a day
• Don’t go unprepared, practice the answer well in advance.
• Be on time
• Be in a regular dress. avoid overdressing as you will go through a security check. Every item you carry will be checked.
• Be confident and polite
• Greet your interviewer
• Keep your answer short and crisp
• Remember you can always lead the conversation don’t bring up something which you can’t answer further.

Most commonly asked interview questions:

• Purpose of the visit
  elective/observership/externship: explain, what is it? What’s your role? what is the purpose of doing an elective? Will you get paid for working? Describe your role and responsibilities.
  Step 3: Why are you taking this? What’s the significance of it?
• Where you will be staying?
• Tell me about your educational background
• Do you have any relatives or friends in the USA? If yes, where they are?
• Duration of your stay? Is it possible to stay for a shorter duration?
• Will you be traveling alone or with someone?
• Have you purchased tickets?
• What will be the approximate cost of your trip? How will do fund your trip? If not you, then who will sponsor your trip? The annual income of your sponsor?
• What are you doing currently?
• Are you earning?
• Sometimes a direct question regarding your return also can be asked: how can you assure regarding your return to your homeland?
• Do you have any other plans in the USA apart from what you have mentioned?
• Do you have any future plans of living in the USA?
• Are you planning to work during your stay?
• Have you visited any other country?

The main reason for visa rejection:

• Incomplete visa application
• Inability to provide all the supporting documents
• Inability to establish eligibility for the applied visa category
• Did not provide an affidavit of support when required

If you have enough time to read the visa denial reasons, you can check it out on the official website here.