We have put together a few tips below to guide you in your visa applications and interview.

 1. TIES TO HOME COUNTRY:

All non-immigrant visa applicants are viewed as intended immigrants until they can convince the consular officer otherwise. To do so, one must be able to show they have a very strong reasons to return to their home country or strong ties with their home country. This can include jobs, family, inheritance, investment, etc.

2. FLUENCY IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE:

Knowing that the interviews are conducted in English Language, applicants must learn to relate with the consular officer fluently in English or request a translator (For those who do not understand English).

3. SPEAK FOR YOURSELF:

All interviews with the consular officer should be taken in person and not in proxy. This is to provide yourself with the opportunity to showcase your oratory skills and conduct your biometrics registration at the embassy. Making anybody other than yourself take the consular interview on your behalf might be a first step to creating a wrong impression of yourself (if you are above 17 years old). Speak for you and express yourself well enough.

4. KNOW THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT FITS YOUR CAREER PLANS (FOR STUDENTS):

To convince the Consular Officer that you are indeed planning to study rather than to immigrate, you should articulate the reasons why you want to study a particular program in the said country/school and how it is going to boost your professional career in the nearest future.

5. BE CONCISE AND CONSCIOUS:

Because Consular Officers have little time to attend to a lot of applicants, it is imperative to be straight to the point when responding to questions thrown at you. Being conscious will also form an overall positive/good impression about the applicants and help in straightening out the conversation between them and the consular officer. An important way to get conscious is to prepare for the interviews aforehand and anticipate any questions during the interview.

6. BACKUP DOCUMENTS:

Be sure to have all documents required for your interview/application and ensure to have them appropriately arranged according to the specifications of the embassy to give the consular officer a clear glance. Badly arranged and sequenced documents can make the interview process clumsy which can further create a negative impression of you in the mind of the Consular Officer.

7. MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE:

It is very important to be calm and composed during the interviews. Ask questions during the interviews but do not engage the Consular Officer in an argument. If you are refused a visa, ask the Officer for the list of recommended documents for your next interview and get reasons for the refusal.