It's the Green Card interview time around here and I thought of giving some advice on facing the visa interview.
First thing to remember is that visa interview is many faceted - personal as well as unpredictable factors can decide if your visa application is a winner or gets rejected.
What consular officers would really like to see is that applicants are honest, do not overstay, and do not mess things up if the visa is granted. Their biggest concern over visit visa applicants really is possibility of staying illegally in the U.S. But Diversity Lottery being something else, please don't go there (interview) and play “I don't wanna stay in America” card, Pleeease.. Whole point of going for DV Lottery interview is staying in U.S.
In simpler terms, here is what you need to prepare for that US Green Card visa interview.
1. Be honest – DV lottery is a state department matter and the interview guy doesn't really care who you are – but things might not turn in your favour if he thinks you are a liar. So please be honest as much as humanely possible.
2. Have your documents ready – this includes those police certificates, educational qualifications, marriage and other certificates, and sponsor details. Don't go there and look lost in a cart load of documents. Have them neatly in a folder, just take the ones that matter.
3. Dress nicely – Americans like to dress up and don't look like a jerk! Impressions matter! A tie and neatly ironed cloths are quite helpful and will consolidate your position.
4. Know what you are saying to the interviewer: Sometimes they might ask a random question or two on your occupation or motives. Have some idea what to say if asked on these matters.
5. A formal greeting before you sit down – Good morning – is such a neat icebreaker and puts both of you at ease. No need to bend over backwards or look servile, but everybody appreciates a pleasant person. Know that.
6. If you could, take some bank documents to prove your earning potential and ability to support yourself during the first few hard months in U.S. Although they are unlikely to discuss finance in depth, having these helps.
7. Be assertive but pleasant. Cut an image of being formal yet outgoing. Whatever you do, avoid expressing opinions on politics and religion – no matter which side of fence you fall in these matters.
8. If you are asked a tough question like “why are you leaving home to settle in U.S.”, don't panic. Tell him something neutral like “there is plenty opportunities to realise dreams in U.S.”, or how about “I want to build a better future for my children” - DON”T say something like “I am so fed up living in this rathole..” Because most Americans are good patriots and such comments don't cut a fine image of you in them.
Finally, winning Green Card Lottery (as it's commonly called) does not guarantee you American visa. Consular officers aim to get desirable people into U.S., not those whom they deem are undesirable or unlikely to be successful in U.S. (and join the state charity burden). So try to make a good impression backed up by good paper evidence if needed. Word of caution here about new regulations: Some people get rejected over educational qualifications. You must have at least A/L (= U.S. High School Diploma), OR 2 or more years of recent work experience in one of the qualifying occupations. This means if you are a degree holder or have good A/L (passed!) - then don't mess it up by sticking in a work qualification!!!
here is the link if you need further information:
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/diversity-visa/if-you-are-selected/confirm-your-qualifications.html
Good luck
First thing to remember is that visa interview is many faceted - personal as well as unpredictable factors can decide if your visa application is a winner or gets rejected.
What consular officers would really like to see is that applicants are honest, do not overstay, and do not mess things up if the visa is granted. Their biggest concern over visit visa applicants really is possibility of staying illegally in the U.S. But Diversity Lottery being something else, please don't go there (interview) and play “I don't wanna stay in America” card, Pleeease.. Whole point of going for DV Lottery interview is staying in U.S.
In simpler terms, here is what you need to prepare for that US Green Card visa interview.
1. Be honest – DV lottery is a state department matter and the interview guy doesn't really care who you are – but things might not turn in your favour if he thinks you are a liar. So please be honest as much as humanely possible.
2. Have your documents ready – this includes those police certificates, educational qualifications, marriage and other certificates, and sponsor details. Don't go there and look lost in a cart load of documents. Have them neatly in a folder, just take the ones that matter.
3. Dress nicely – Americans like to dress up and don't look like a jerk! Impressions matter! A tie and neatly ironed cloths are quite helpful and will consolidate your position.
4. Know what you are saying to the interviewer: Sometimes they might ask a random question or two on your occupation or motives. Have some idea what to say if asked on these matters.
5. A formal greeting before you sit down – Good morning – is such a neat icebreaker and puts both of you at ease. No need to bend over backwards or look servile, but everybody appreciates a pleasant person. Know that.
6. If you could, take some bank documents to prove your earning potential and ability to support yourself during the first few hard months in U.S. Although they are unlikely to discuss finance in depth, having these helps.
7. Be assertive but pleasant. Cut an image of being formal yet outgoing. Whatever you do, avoid expressing opinions on politics and religion – no matter which side of fence you fall in these matters.
8. If you are asked a tough question like “why are you leaving home to settle in U.S.”, don't panic. Tell him something neutral like “there is plenty opportunities to realise dreams in U.S.”, or how about “I want to build a better future for my children” - DON”T say something like “I am so fed up living in this rathole..” Because most Americans are good patriots and such comments don't cut a fine image of you in them.
Finally, winning Green Card Lottery (as it's commonly called) does not guarantee you American visa. Consular officers aim to get desirable people into U.S., not those whom they deem are undesirable or unlikely to be successful in U.S. (and join the state charity burden). So try to make a good impression backed up by good paper evidence if needed. Word of caution here about new regulations: Some people get rejected over educational qualifications. You must have at least A/L (= U.S. High School Diploma), OR 2 or more years of recent work experience in one of the qualifying occupations. This means if you are a degree holder or have good A/L (passed!) - then don't mess it up by sticking in a work qualification!!!
here is the link if you need further information:
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/diversity-visa/if-you-are-selected/confirm-your-qualifications.html
Good luck
