How to Prepare for a J-1 Visa Interview
When attempting to obtain a J-1 visa in order to work in an internship or training environment in the United States, there are a few steps you have to take. Usually the step that makes J-1 candidates the most nervous is the interview at the United States Consulate in your home country. This can be really stressful, so here are a few steps you can take to prepare for the interview!
Organize All of the Necessary Paperwork
After scheduling your interview, and paying the application fee, you will need to organize all the documents and paper’s that you will need for the interview. There are a lot of papers and documents you will need so be very careful that you don’t forget any of them as it may slow down the process of getting approval for a visa to the USA. Here is a list of Documents and Paperwork that you will need to bring to your interview.
Form DS-160- Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application- This is an online form for which you will bring a printed copy of the confirmation page with the barcode.
Form DS-2019- Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status- This form is provided by your sponsor (CETUSA) and you will need to bring this form to your interview.
Form DS-7002: Training/Internship Placement Plan- Since you are taking part in the trainee and intern category, you will need to bring this form to the interview.
The receipt certifying that you paid the application fee.
Extra Passport Photographs- Although this may not be necessary, it is a safe back up to bring if your photo didn’t upload properly.
The original appointment letter for your interview, with an extra copy or two.
Original Bachelor’s Degree Transcripts if applicable, or high school diploma with grades
Evidence of ties to your home country- Be it family, work, or other personal connections, US officials need to know that you plan to leave the United States after your training or internship has ended. Showing evidence of ties to your country will assure them that you don’t plan on staying in the United States Illegally after your experience.
Proof of Financial Ability to Pay- This may include bank statements, pay slips, letters from your employer. Basically anything that proves you will be able to financially support yourself while in the United States will be sufficient in this category.
Once you have all these documents organized and ready to bring to the interview, you can start thinking about the questions they may ask you in the interview. Let it be known that the example questions I will give may not be asked, and there may be some asked that have not been listed.
The questions asked may include…
Why are you going to the United States?
What program are you intending on participating in?
When did you apply for that program?
How are you going to cover your expenses while in the United States?
What will you be doing in the United States?
Although these are obviously not all the questions that will be asked, they give you a good idea of the type of questions that may be asked. The questions however, are not the most important thing to prepare for. The most important thing to prepare for is how to best format your answers.
Since most of those working in the US Consulate are very busy, you should keep you answers short and to the point. Not only will this save the interviewer time, but it will also make a good impression, which is very important. Since these people are so busy, they will likely make their decision early on in the interview. The more questions they can ask early on will allow you to give them more information in less time.
Another important tip is to go into the interview alone. The interviewer wants to hear the answers directly from you, and not your parents or other people. If your parents or another person is helping to finance this endeavor in the United States, bring them, but leave them in the hallway until they are needed for the interview. This allows the interviewer to get all the necessary information, while dealing with you directly for most of the time.
The interview is based on the impression that you give the consular officer. If you are confident and concise in your answers you will have a greater chance of receiving approval.
There you have it! As long as you have your proper documentation, have an idea of the type of questions that are going to be asked of you, and keep your answers fast and thorough you will do great! Don’t stress about the interview, the more calm and collected you are, the better you will do! After completing the interview, you will be one step closer to working in the United States.
To start the process of obtaining an internship or traineeship in the United States, contact CETUSA through our website or any of our social media pages!
