What to Expect When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa?

Here are a few important tips to help your visa appointment go smoothly:

⏰ 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Most U.S. consulates have a limited grace period. Arriving late may result in being marked as a no-show and having to reschedule.

🗺️ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲:  Parking is almost never available for visa applicants so research public transit and parking options.

🔒 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀: Before your interview, visit the consulate and appointment service websites to understand security information. Most consular sections do not allow suitcases, large bags, food and drink, and weapons. Most will not store those items for you. You don’t want to miss your interview because you cannot secure your suitcase.

Most people would agree that going to a government office to apply for anything official can be stressful. You’re not sure what to expect, what you need to have with you, or how difficult it will be. Applying for a visa to visit the U.S. is no different. Most people have little day-to-day experience with this, and since photos are not allowed, it’s hard to prepare for the experience. I’m going to walk you though the basic process of visiting a typical U.S. consular section overseas for a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa, the most common type.

A B1/B2 visa is for people who want to travel to the U.S. for business or tourism. There’s a long list of what kinds of activities are allowed on these visa types, but that’s a topic for another time. Also, while it’s common for people to apply for and receive a combined B1/B2 visa, it is possible to receive just a B1 or just a B2, depending on your plans and situation. Typically, the default is the combined B1/B2 visa.

Your preparation should start well before the day of your interview. You should already have completed and submitted your online application form for the B1/B2 visa, received a confirmation page (and printed it), paid your nonrefundable fee, and made an appointment online for your in-person interview. Make sure your passport is valid and will not expire before the end of your planned trip. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the U.S. port of entry may limit your allowed period of stay to the expiration date of your passport. 

When you arrive at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you will go through screening process that includes showing confirmation of your appointment date and time (don’t show up too late or too early), a security screen (check website in advance for items not allowed), and check in with a local employee who will also confirm your appointment and may organize your documents or apply a sticker to your passport. You will be directed to stand in a line or to sit and wait for a number to be called, depending on your location. There will usually be many other people going through the process with you, and it may be partially outside. 

Once you are through the screening process, you will be directed to the first of three steps:

Step one is intake. You will approach a window and stand on one side while a local staff member talks to you through thick glass with an open tray in the bottom for document exchange. They will usually use a microphone to talk to you, but sometimes the sound quality is poor. They will almost always speak in the local language unless they think you are unable to, and then they will speak in English. (If you are unable to speak or understand any local language or English, you should contact the consular section in advance to ask for guidance.) They will ask to see your application documents and your passport, will check all details for accuracy, and may take your photograph. They will direct you to the next step in the process. 

Step two is fingerprinting. Your prints will be taken on a special scanner, not ink on paper. You will approach the window and be assisted by a staff member who may or may not be from the local country and may or may not speak the local language. They will guide you through the fingerprinting process. This is not the consular officer, and you should not ask questions about your case. They will ask you to place your fingers on the scanner in a particular order and may ask you to make adjustments or repeat the process. This has nothing to do with you or your case; they just need to make sure they have clear prints. They will then direct you to the next step.

Step three is the visa interview. You will be directed to one of several windows. You cannot choose a different window or ask to wait for a different consular officer. You must go where you are directed. The consular officer will greet you, ask for your documents, and scan the barcode. They will ask for your name to make sure the correct information is on their screen. For a B1/B2 interview, most officers will talk to you in the local language. If you don’t speak a local language they will switch to English. Occasionally an officer might be visiting from another consular section and won’t be able to speak the local language. In that case, a local staff member will assist with interpretation during your interview.