US Visa Interview: How to Prepare and What to Expect

In September 2025, the State Department narrowed interview waivers, so most applicants now need an in-person interview, including children and older adults who were often exempt before. Waivers remain mainly for diplomatic and official visas and for some renewals of the same visa type, where the earlier visa expired recently, the applicant applies in their country of nationality or residence, and has no prior refusals or apparent ineligibility. Even then, the officer can require an interview.

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can often visit for up to 90 days with ESTA instead of a visa. The ESTA fee has been $40 since September 30, 2025.

1. Complete the online form: DS-160 for temporary visas such as B-2, F-1, or H-1B. Immigrant visa applicants use the DS-260 through the National Visa Center (see consular processing).
2. Pay the application fee. Fees depend on the visa type; check the State Department fee page.
3. Schedule the interview on your embassy's scheduling website. Check appointment wait times first.
4. Attend biometrics if your country has a separate fingerprint appointment.
5. Attend the interview with your documents.

Where to apply. Since September 2025, temporary visa applicants are generally expected to apply in their country of nationality or residence. Applying in a third country can mean longer waits and a harder case to prove.

• Your passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay (unless your country has an exemption agreement)
• The DS-160 or DS-260 confirmation page and appointment letter
• Fee receipts and a photo if required
• Visa-specific documents: an I-20 and SEVIS fee receipt for students, a DS-2019 for exchange visitors, an I-797 approval notice for petition-based work visas, or civil documents for immigrant visas
• Evidence of ties and finances: employment letter, pay slips, bank statements, property records, family documents
• Any past refusal letters and court or police records, if relevant

Officers may not look at most papers. Bring them organized, but focus on answering clearly.

Tips: answer the question asked, in short, honest sentences. Make sure your answers match your DS-160. You may ask for an interpreter in your language. Never guess or invent details; misrepresentation can bar you permanently.

Since 2025 the State Department has also reviewed applicants' online presence more closely, especially for student, exchange, and H-1B applicants, and may ask you to make social media accounts public.

• Approved: the officer keeps your passport and returns it with the visa, usually by courier. The $250 Visa Integrity Fee is collected at issuance where it has been implemented.
• Refused under 214(b): you did not show you qualify; you can reapply later. See visa denials and waivers.
• Refused under 221(g): the officer needs more documents or checks. See 221(g) administrative processing.
• Visa bond: visitors from countries in the bond program may have to post a bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 before the visa is issued. The program became permanent on August 3, 2026 and covers about 50 countries.

• Immigrant visa interviews have been paused worldwide since August 25, 2026. Temporary visa interviews continue. See immigrant visa pause.
• Travel ban countries: nationals of 39 countries face full or partial visa suspensions under Proclamation 10998. See travel ban before paying fees.
• Long waits: some embassies have waits of many months for visitor visas. Some offer expedited appointments for urgent medical or humanitarian travel.