Are you done with the DWS-160 online application?
And did you book an appointment for US non-immigrant visa interview? If so, then you are definitely in the right blog post.
Your sole goal at this moment is to get a US non-immigrant visa by passing the interview.
Sounds great right. But what if you feel nervousness creeping inside of you?
Just like any interviews, it’s hard to suppress the jitters, but with any one-on-one interaction confidence can calm down your nerves and make the other person comfortable.
Boost your confidence with preparation.
5 Steps to Pass the US Non-Immigrant Visa Interview
Step 1: Gather all the required documents.
After you book an interview online for US non-immigrant visa check your email. Print and bring all the documents along with other requirements in the interview:
- Confirmation letter
- DS-160 confirmation page
- MRV or Scotiabank fee receipt
- Valid passport (at least six months beyond the itinerary)
- Work permit or permanent resident card
- ID (e.g., driver’s license or provincial photo identification card)
- Certificate of employment. For live-in caregiver, a letter from the employer specifying the employee’s work record and itinerary may be asked by the consul. Don’t forget to include contact information for both parties.
- Current bank statement
- Current bills with your name and address
- Other documents required based on the type of visa
You may present only some of the documents listed above. Still it is best to prepare in case the consular officer ask for more proof of Canadian binding ties.
Step 2: Leave everything that is not necessary.
The US Embassy and Consulate in Canada do not permit the following items:
- Backpacks, bags, luggage, or large purses (purses 12 x 10 x 6 in. and smaller will be permitted)
- Food and beverages
- Weapons
- Sharp or bladed objects
- Any liquid or sprays
- Gadgets (e.g., camera, laptop, mobile, CD, MP3, cassette players, and keyless remotes)
- Helmets
- Strollers (acceptable in case by case basis)
Following the security procedures will facilitate the entry. You don’t want to ask for consideration to allow a prohibited item or, as a last resort, throw it away (just like my CD on which I save my visa photo).
Ask someone to come with you if you need to bring and leave a prohibited item before entering the Consulate. This is the safest way to have everything you need—including moral support.
Step 3: Study the sample questions for US non-immigrant visa interview:
- What is your job?
- How long have you been in Canada?
- Do you have any relatives in Canada or in USA?
- What is the purpose of your trip?
- What are the places you are planning to visit?
- Who will accompany you in the trip?
Most of the questions are also found in the DS-160 online form; review your personal copy and take note of the information especially the place where you plan to stay whether in relatives or friends.
The interview will last 5 minutes or more. (Mine lasted 15-20 minutes.) Apparently, waiting for your turn is longer than the interview. (If you plan to have a US visa interview in Calgary, your friend or relative can wait for you in the Calgary Public Library located across the U.S. Consulate General Calgary.)
Regardless of how long it will take, you have to say the right words. You have to convince the consul officer about the purpose of the trip.
So take time and relax in answering each question.
Credibility is everything.
If you pass (disregard if, positivity please), the consular officer will get your passport and give a copy of instructions on how to get your passport delivered.
Step 4: Dress for the occasion.
Show off your new sneakers or heels in another event. For the US non-immigrant visa interview go for comfortable, easy-to-remove clothes.
Your jacket and shoes will be examined. Wear slip-on shoes and just- the-right-fit pants that wouldn’t fall without a belt. And of course please wear socks with no holes.
You’ve worked hard to build confidence; don’t let any embarrassment crash your effort.
Step 5: Arrive on time. The last step, ironically, is the most crucial.
After all the documents and psychological preparation you need to have enough time for the trip and procedures in the Consulate: examining of belongings, checking of required documents, and waiting for the appointment.
Plan the trip, check the road advisory.
By all means do not be late.
Or worse miss the US visa interview. It’s not a pleasant experience to write a letter of request for another appointment. I’m saving the details for another blog post for those who ran out of luck.
Get Ready to Cross the Border
Shrug off any negativity.
Are you feeling the stream of confidence flowing through your nerves now that you know how to prepare and pass the US non-immigrant visa interview.
Go get the visa, your ticket to discover the wonders in fifty states of America.
Are you excited already—about the trip (no doubt) and the interview? Share your dream destination or ask (not so) relevant question.
Shelle says
August 4, 2018 at 9:39 pmHi. Can anyone help me please, I am a Philippine passport holder, I work in Canada as a live-in caregiver and I try to apply a US Visa then it was approved. My question is can I use my US Visa B1/B2 from Philippines going to US? I’m so worried because my US Visa is issued here in Toronto, Canada. I was thinking if they gonna allow me to use that in the Philippines. PLEASE can someone help me?
Carolyn says
August 7, 2018 at 1:58 pmI’m guessing here Shelle. I think you would be able to use the US Visa if you are to leave from the Philippines although it was issued in Toronto. To clarify, is it possible for you to contact the US Embassy in the Philippines via email or social media. Can you let us know the outcome.
Danielle says
July 27, 2018 at 3:34 amI appreciate this post a lot. Thank you.
I recently applied for a tourist US Visa as a Canadian PR. I am really nervous but your post is really detailed and encouraging. I just want to ask about the confirmation letter. What’s that? Is that the same as the confirmation page DS-160?
Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
Carolyn says
July 28, 2018 at 10:55 amThere’s also a DS-160 confirmation page (email). To be safe Danielle, have a hard and soft copy of all the email from the US Embassy. Bring a copy on the interview in case the staff ask for it and to have a peace of mind. Don’t bring a USB in the Embassy. If you have a companion, let them keep your stuff. Good luck!
Dachanana♪( ´▽｀) says
August 2, 2018 at 12:16 amHi! thank you so much for your reply. I pretty much have everything ready for printing. However, I will be going there alone so I am a bit anxious about my personal belongings. Yikes! any tips for sole applicants?
Thank you so much!
Carolyn says
August 3, 2018 at 10:53 pmRelax. Relax. Relax and also bring all the requirements. There will be an inspection as if you are in the airport. I remember taking off my belt. The interview wouldn’t take long so be polite and have patience waiting for your turn. You’ll probably wait for an hour then be interviewed for 10 minutes. Nothing to worry about. Good luck!
Pooja says
July 21, 2018 at 7:05 pmHi there,
Really helpful article 🙂
I have a question: I am planning to visit my friends in US in September. My visa recently expired and I submitted my visa application today. In my application, I have indicated the dates that I am planning to travel and details of my air tickets. After submitting my application, I applied for the interview appointment. Unfortunately, the earliest date available for an interview is in October! This means, my itinerary will not be valid when I go for the interview.
What do you suggest that I do in this case? Would really appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Pooja
Carolyn says
July 28, 2018 at 10:58 amI don’t think there’s a way to get around it. It’s ideal to have a valid visa and passport before booking a flight to avoid any conflict with the itinerary and immigration.
Giselle says
March 7, 2018 at 11:27 amHello, thanks for this post. I am driving to Toronto and I will leave all my stuff in the car. Do you know if I am allowed to go in the Consulate with car keys?
Thank you!!
Carolyn says
March 20, 2018 at 1:24 pmThey will just let them know what are the keys for.
Lilly Vargas says
March 5, 2018 at 6:13 pmIs it possible to apply, in Canada/Vancouver, for a US visitor visa B1/B2 as a Filipina vistor to Canada? I have multiple entry visa to Canada.
Carolyn says
March 6, 2018 at 6:15 pmThat’s a good question Lilly. I’m not sure if you can but you can send an email or call the US Embassy in Canada. It would be great if you can do. Let us know how it goes.
Mandeep Dhunna says
November 11, 2017 at 12:48 pmI am on student visa in Canada and have applied for US visa earler but due to poor luck it got rejected after a year I am planning to apply again. Bit scared any possible tips are helpful. Thank you.
Carolyn says
November 16, 2017 at 11:05 amI am not familiar with student visa application so I can’t give any feedback but I do hope that things will go well for you.
Maria says
October 27, 2017 at 3:07 pmHi there! I have an interview on the 9th of Nov. I’m still under LCP, with an on-going PR application. I am planning to visit my cousin in the US and spend Christmas (4 days) with her. I have a few questions; Do I have to ask her for an INVITATION LETTER? Do I also have to ask her a scanned copy of her Green Card? In my case, my bill statements are all paperless, can I just print them from my email? I’m very confused right now. Please enlighten me. Looking forward on your wisdom. Thank you.
Carolyn says
November 1, 2017 at 3:09 pmWhat I would recommend is to bring any possible proof like an invitation letter to show that the intent is to solely visit your cousin. When I was in the LCP, I showed the letter of my employer because I was accompanying my employer and her kid for a vacation in Disneyland. I didn’t have any issue but I do have to answer a lot of questions. Hope that helps. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Bhanu says
October 3, 2017 at 11:59 amDo I need to carry a photo even though it is uploaded successfully on DS160?
Carolyn says
October 11, 2017 at 7:09 amBhanu you can refer to the printable reminder/confirmation for the things that you should or not bring during the interview.
Fernando Rempel says
September 7, 2017 at 2:55 pmI just received my confirmation of residence today i do not have my PR card yet. We plan on going to Mexico (my home country) for a visit for christmas, we plan on driving there. Should I wait to receive my PR card before applying for US visa or is it safe for me to apply now?
Carolyn says
September 7, 2017 at 6:49 pmYou can make an account now Fernando to find out the requirements since it will probably take a month before you receive the PR card. Once you complete the requirements then you can pay the fee and make an appointment for the interview.
Chuchu says
August 30, 2017 at 8:20 pmHi, my mom just landed in Canada as a Permanent resident, we are planning to apply for her us visa. Do they really need the PR card or can the Confirmation of PR/landing document be sufficient? Thank you 😊
Carolyn says
September 7, 2017 at 6:51 pmHi Chuchu, you can refer to my response to Fernanado.
roy says
July 18, 2017 at 2:57 amHi, I will be appearing for L-1B interview next week , any inputs what they generally ask in Canada for L-1B ? Thanks
Carolyn says
July 19, 2017 at 7:54 amRoy I don’t have personal experience to share about L-1B interview but maybe other readers can help so I’ll be posting your comment. Good luck!
Mo Cay says
June 25, 2017 at 8:59 pmHI Carolyn. thanks for all the info here. I have my interview coming up this week… are there any tips that you can think of? I have all my documentation, recent photos, current bills with address, pay stubs, dl and Canadian citizenship, proof of payment. I am looking to go over on a DS160 to move and start a life there. my company has opened up in the states and I would be able to work for them over there. is there anything else you can think of that I may require?
Carolyn says
June 26, 2017 at 11:14 pmHi Mo. I’ve had an interview for a tourist visa so I’m not sure if you will be asked (as a worker) with the same questions I had years ago. One tip I can give to you is to go over the documents you were able to print or download while applying online. Make sure you read and look for things you might have missed.
Buudduu says
May 24, 2017 at 7:29 amIm on student visa till aug-31st,2017
So what are the chances for approval of visiting visa ?
Wat can i tell the officer a valid reason!!
Can you help me in that.
Carolyn says
May 24, 2017 at 7:45 amHi Buudduu, I don’t have knowledge when comes to student visa. What I do know is that, the officer asks about your ties in Canada: job, relatives etc. I was also asked if I have relatives in the USA. Lastly, I don’t know anyone who was able to get a US non-immigrant visa as a student visa holder in Canada. Let’s see if others can comment about your concerns.
Jamaica Ramirez says
March 3, 2017 at 11:36 pmIf i have my confirmation of permanent residence status do i still need a employer letter thanks
Carolyn says
March 4, 2017 at 10:39 amConfirmation of permanent residence? Do you mean PR card, Jamaica? It is best to have certificate of employment etc just in case the US visa officer ask for it. You only have a few minutes to convince the officer that you are qualified so better come prepared with the documents.
Chester says
September 25, 2014 at 11:40 amJust got approved in my interview – in no small part thanks to this excellent blog. A few comments:
– I did not have a “proof of payment”, but the Application Confirmation page (the one with your appointment date/time, which contains the MRV value and receipt) was enough – but that was because I paid on the website with my credit card. If you have a receipt, bring it, won’t hurt;
– Speaking of it: don’t forget to bring it *and* the DS-160. I’ve seen people on the door with only the DS-160. They were directed to the front booth, but I haven’t seen them inside;
– Other than the mandatory documents above (plus passport), you have to present a proof of Canadian situation status (in my case, a PR card) even before the interview;
– At least two people ahead of me were almost refused because their photos did not look like them / were taken long ago. Seriously, take a fresh picture right when you finish filling the application form. Uncle San was nice that day and had a photo booth available, but you can’t count on it;
– I didn’t need to present additional documentation (possibly for having already had a US visa in the past and being a very “regular” case), but I had it all (check this and the previous post, plus the email with the Appointment page, they cover this in great detail). Even if they didn’t ask me, I was way more confident because I had it. Take no chances.
Again, thanks for the help. Now I’ll just wait a few days and get my passport back, and US will be open for me again! o/
Carolyn says
September 27, 2014 at 3:33 pmCongratulations Chester 🙂
Thanks for all the tips. I edited your comment to highlight the important words for other temporary foreign workers or permanent resident wanting to get a US visa. Just a tip: I brought my work permit with me in the interview. I am not yet a permanent resident (under the LCP) at that time.
So I guess, we’ll just wait for blog posts about your adventures in the US. Enjoy your many future trips.
Tina says
December 5, 2018 at 1:29 pmHi Carolyn, I am planning to have my nanny apply for a US Tourist visa in Calgary. How long is the processing time after interview? I’m asking so we can plan our vacation and bring the nanny along. Thanks!
Carolyn says
December 11, 2018 at 2:24 pmThe best thing to do Tina is to have your nanny book an appointment for the interview as early as possible. The processing of the visa after the approval would take less than a month from what I can remember. It doesn’t matter when are you guys having a vacation but you can include that in a letter (like what I did) for the interview. The agent did read the letter of my employer back then. It includes the itinerary (but haven’t booked yet).