US visa interview
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US visa interview
I appreciate this may have been asked before but I couldn't really find anything with the search function.
My visit to the US embassy is coming up regarding the renewal of my US crew visa. What exactly is the purpose of the interview they will be conducting? What kind of questions can I expect? If anybody has some other useful info, I would be pleased to hear it.
Many thanks.
My visit to the US embassy is coming up regarding the renewal of my US crew visa. What exactly is the purpose of the interview they will be conducting? What kind of questions can I expect? If anybody has some other useful info, I would be pleased to hear it.
Many thanks.
Re: US visa interview
Absolutely nothing that you need to be prepared for or worry about. I did mine in Frankfurt and I wouldn´t even call it an interview. More like a short chat with the lady behind the counter. After waiting for quite some time the interview itself took less than 5 minutes.
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Re: US visa interview
Just out of interest, what are the sort of things they 'chat' about? Questions like, have you ever been a member of Al-Qaida? Or is it all about us not getting jobs in the US?
Re: US visa interview
Well, I am not sure they have a set format or catalogue off questions but I suppose interview experiences will vary quite a bit. I had absolutely no questions about terorrism or anything like it. The lady just read the supporting letter that my company gave me, asked me a couple of questions about the company and where in the U.S. we go to and that was it. I guess they very quickly decide whether you are a genuine pilot who needs the visa for his job based outside of the U.S or not. A bit like the profiling at airports or the questioning by immigration officers, I guess.
Re: US visa interview
Hi Pelican
I went for a visa interview in London last year. On arrival I was issued a number on a set of stickers. When that came up on the big screen, I went to the desk thus indicated.
I was called twice - once to hand in my documents, then once again for a quick three-minute chat with a particularly pleasant official. No tricks, drawn-out questioning or suspicious gazes. The visa I was applying for would have been different from yours, I suspect, but I can't imagine it making that much difference.
All told I was there for just short of ninety minutes, including about a twenty-five minute wait in the queue outside for the security screeners. In fact I spent nearly as long sat in the park across the road, having arrived early. There isn't a great deal to do once inside though, so take a paper or book for the wait.
I also went in a suit and tie and on arrival found myself to be considerably overdressed - although a good impression probably did me no harm.
Hope this helps.
I went for a visa interview in London last year. On arrival I was issued a number on a set of stickers. When that came up on the big screen, I went to the desk thus indicated.
I was called twice - once to hand in my documents, then once again for a quick three-minute chat with a particularly pleasant official. No tricks, drawn-out questioning or suspicious gazes. The visa I was applying for would have been different from yours, I suspect, but I can't imagine it making that much difference.
All told I was there for just short of ninety minutes, including about a twenty-five minute wait in the queue outside for the security screeners. In fact I spent nearly as long sat in the park across the road, having arrived early. There isn't a great deal to do once inside though, so take a paper or book for the wait.
I also went in a suit and tie and on arrival found myself to be considerably overdressed - although a good impression probably did me no harm.
Hope this helps.
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Re: US visa interview
Nothing to worry about ........... unless Billie-Bob catches your eye (the guy with the white gloves) and mouths the words ... "you gotta perdy mouth" ....... then start to worry
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Re: US visa interview
make sure you have paid first prior to joining the queue. (ie have the red receipt from the bank with you). If you havn't paid you will get sent to the nearest local bank round the corner, and wait again when you get back to the embassy.
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Re: US visa interview
Did me interview a few months ago in London. Questions were straight forward and basically trying to work out if you would be a threat in control of an aircraft. Got me passport back the next day. Just get there early I was processed within about an hour of arriving.
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I've just done mine in London. The interview consisted of exactly two questions - How long have I worked for my current employer and who did I work for before that. Both answers were already on the application form anyway. That was it, interview over in thirty seconds.
Passport arrived by courier the very next morning.
My appointment was for 0800 and I was out of there by 0945 and I hadn't prepaid. Would have been a lot faster if I had prepaid but I didn't have the required pay-in slip until I joined the embassy queue. Would recommend that you sort this first if possible. Also, if you have the early appointment of 0800 get there to join the queue early (bear in mind that the queue is outdoors) as this will make a big difference to your waiting time indoors. There will be lots of other people with the same appointment time as you and you will be seen in the order that you enter the building (you take a ticket like at some supermarket deli counters). I can see how an appointment later in the day could leave you waiting for hours.
This info was for a renewal, it may take longer for an initial issue. The new crew visa lasts ten years not five.
Finally, your photo must have been taken within the last six months so if they ask you when it was taken be ready to answer accordingly or you'll be sent to get another one.
Hope that helps.
Passport arrived by courier the very next morning.
My appointment was for 0800 and I was out of there by 0945 and I hadn't prepaid. Would have been a lot faster if I had prepaid but I didn't have the required pay-in slip until I joined the embassy queue. Would recommend that you sort this first if possible. Also, if you have the early appointment of 0800 get there to join the queue early (bear in mind that the queue is outdoors) as this will make a big difference to your waiting time indoors. There will be lots of other people with the same appointment time as you and you will be seen in the order that you enter the building (you take a ticket like at some supermarket deli counters). I can see how an appointment later in the day could leave you waiting for hours.
This info was for a renewal, it may take longer for an initial issue. The new crew visa lasts ten years not five.
Finally, your photo must have been taken within the last six months so if they ask you when it was taken be ready to answer accordingly or you'll be sent to get another one.
Hope that helps.
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Thanks everyone for the replies.
I have finally done my renewal and it was a bit of a non-event (not that I am complaining). The queing outside didn't last particularly long and once inside I was called withing five minutes to hand in my paperwork and after another 15 minutes or so I was called for the interview.
The interview was all about nothing. Everything was in conversational tone, none of the posturizing that Americans specialize in and which so get's on my nerves. Just like Munkeh posted, only two questions: How long have I worked for my current employer and who did I work for before that? Again, both were on my form.
I do suspect though, that had I been born in, oh say, Bagdad, the interview might have been of longer nature. I wouldn't dare suggest profiling comes into it though.
I have finally done my renewal and it was a bit of a non-event (not that I am complaining). The queing outside didn't last particularly long and once inside I was called withing five minutes to hand in my paperwork and after another 15 minutes or so I was called for the interview.
The interview was all about nothing. Everything was in conversational tone, none of the posturizing that Americans specialize in and which so get's on my nerves. Just like Munkeh posted, only two questions: How long have I worked for my current employer and who did I work for before that? Again, both were on my form.
I do suspect though, that had I been born in, oh say, Bagdad, the interview might have been of longer nature. I wouldn't dare suggest profiling comes into it though.
