What Happens at the Visa Interview

The visa interview is an important and crucial stage of the Work and Travel USA program that causes a lot of excitement for participants. Preparing for it plays a key role in its success, so it is important to know what to expect and how to behave properly. How the interview goes: 1. The J-1 visa interview for the Work and Travel USA program is conducted entirely in English. This is one of the most important aspects that the consul pays attention to. If your language level is insufficient, it is important to start working on improving it as soon as you register for the program. The consul will want to make sure that you can communicate fluently in English and that you will be able to work in the United States. 2. Prepare to talk about yourself: where you are studying, why you want to participate in the program, and what your plans are after you complete the program. It is important for the consul to understand your motivation for participating in the program and to make sure that you will return home at the end of Work and Travel. Think about what your main goal is and prepare a short speech that shows your seriousness and interest. 3. The main purpose of the consul is to check your English language skills, your motivation to participate in the program and your future plans. The decision to issue a visa will be made not only on the basis of your documents, but also on the basis of how you answer the questions. 4. The process of communication with the consul A conversation with the consul may take from 2 to 10 minutes. It depends on the specific case and the questions the consul sees fit to ask. Here are some important guidelines: * Answer clearly and to the point. The consul asks specific questions and you should answer only those questions. Do not go into too much detail. * Eye contact. When talking, look the consul in the eye. This shows confidence and sincerity. * Stay calm. If you are nervous, it is normal. Try to breathe deeply and focus on the questions. * Don't be deceitful. Sincerity is very important. If you don't understand the question, clarify it: "Did I understand you correctly - do you mean...?" Questions the consul may ask: The consul may ask different questions to check your intentions. Here are the most common ones: * Where do you study? What year are you in? * What's your major? * What do your parents do? * Why do you want to participate in the program? * What are your plans after the program? * Who is your employer in the United States? What will you do at work? * Do you plan to travel at the end of the program? How the interview goes: * Arrive early: It is recommended that you arrive at the embassy 30 minutes before your appointment time. This will give you time to go through the security check and prepare yourself mentally. * Follow the directions of the embassy staff. You will be directed where to go and when to see the consul. * Waiting for the result: If the consul takes your passport and gives you a document with information on where and when to pick it up, it means that the visa has been approved. If the passport is returned with an official refusal - unfortunately, your visa has been denied. Completion of the interview: If you are approved for a visa, your passport with the visa will be delivered by courier or you can pick it up at the consulate. If your visa is refused, your passport will be returned immediately at the interview. Thus, a successful job interview largely depends on your preparation, confidence and ability to clearly state your motivation. Related topics: - Documents for Your Visa Interview - How to Improve Your English - Typical Visa Interview Questions