" My brother has been living in the US for the past 13 years and I had always dreamt of visiting him. When I got admission into the university, he decided that he would invite me over since students were hardly denied Visas. My interview was in the afternoon, but I could not stay at home waiting, so I decided to go to the embassy. I waited for a long time in the scorching sun before being led inside. I was very confident before the interview because I had gathered all my documents. I had everything my brother sent me, and the night before my brother quizzed me through some of the questions. My only problem was that I couldn't remember a part of my brothers home address very well, I think the zip code was confusing me. But I knew this was not a problem as other documents like my brothers bank statement was valid.
After sitting in the hall for sometime it got to my turn and this is how the interview went.
US Consulate: Why do you want to go to the US?
Me: I want to go and visit my brother
US Consulate: How long do you intend to stay?
Me: I will stay for the duration of my holiday which is 3 months
She looked up on something on the computer and began typing
US Consulate: What do you do in here?
Me: I am a student at ............. University
US Consulate: Have you ever travelled outside the country?
Me: Yes, Togo and Benin
US Consulate: have you ever travelled to the US?
Me: No
......She then started typing something on the computer again
US Consulate: I am sorry but we cannot issue you a Visa at this time.
Me: Oh
She then handed me a paper which said something about me not being able to prove that I would return back to Ghana.
The whole interview lasted less than 3 minutes and the most annoying part is that she didn't check any of my documents. I had spent a lot of time photocopying each of the documents and arranging them. I decided that I was never going to try for a US Visa again. I left the embassy very angry and I now had to call everyone to explain that I didn't get it"
I'm definitely not a visa expert but I believe that getting a visa really depends on psychology. The visa official starts by sizing you up so try not to look too eager. Also, too many documents gives the impression that "America is a do or die affair". Being too prepared gives the impression that you have over-reheased your lie and this does NOT mean that you should go underprepared.
ReplyDeleteYou want to note that unless your brother has a fancy $250,000 job, you don't want to tell the visa officer that you intend to stay for 3 months. 3 months is almost relocation na, vacation is anything from a few days to a few weeks.
My mom taught me a visa appointment trick - Never wear your best clothes, don't over prepare documents (my aunt kept carrying all of her life's properties, land and co and was constantly rejected till she went really light with the basic things), don't stress yourself about remembering addresses to places you have not been to just know your own house and personal details and overall, NEVER SEEM TOO TENSED OR EAGER, the visa officers can sense that.
P.S. This won't guarantee a visa but might improve your chances.
Thank you for this tip will definitely use this for my interview
ReplyDeleteso nice...thanks 4 d advice.
ReplyDeletelovely blog.
*** MAC-CIDO***
to hell with this people. Treating us like dogs! I don't blame them, I blame our corrupt African leaders who have done their best to ruin the continent for us and make it paramount to travel.
ReplyDeletePeople are quick to think its america refusing you the visa when it is in fact the officer who interviews you. I'm always frightened even with my us passport entering another country because you can get there and the officer checking your valid passport tells you no. These people have the right to say no to you doesn't matter who or what you are.
DeleteThat is so true one US passport holder was turned away at the airport in Johannesburg and sent back to the US because she had previously overstayed her visit in SA. I have also noticed how oyinbo people are usually extra nice to the customs officer in the countries they are visiting because they know they can be turned back at the airport i was once on a queue with one in an African country and the woman was being too nice to the immigration lady you could tell it was fake niceness
DeleteThey know you would not return, esp as a young man with no family obligations back home. Rather you would hustle it out in yankee, adding more to the statistics of illegal immigrants.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, can your brother's income sustain you well within that 3 months without being a burden on him and the government?
Holidays ought to be between 2-4weeks for a young man still schooling.
Best of luck next time.
Its great and informative story about us visa interview and travel service, it's really help most of the people who to get the visa while you are planning to traveling.
ReplyDeleteUS Visa Waiver
Despite the fact that most of these countries will be forgiving towards traditional western method of doing issues, you can be imprisoned if you cannot fork out the actual high okay that may be Carte Visa en Algérie imposed regarding
ReplyDelete