Schedule and prepare for your B1/B2 Visa interview online

Are you planning to travel to the United States for business or tourism purposes? If so, you may need to apply for a B1/B2 Visa. The B1/B2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States temporarily. To get this visa, most applicants must undergo a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

In this article, we'll guide you through the U.S. Visa application process and scheduling and preparing for your B1/B2 visa interview online! Using our cutting-edge technology, we've rescheduled interviews for more than 2100 applicants almost 2 years earlier than their original appointment.

Additionally, with the help of our team of expert agents, we’ve compiled a list of top tips for a successful visa interview with examples of the most frequently asked questions.

Let’s get started!

What is a B1/B2 Visa for the United States?

The B1/B2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the United States government. It is commonly known as the “visitor visa” and is intended for travelers who plan to enter the U.S. for business (B1) or tourism (B2) purposes.

If you are looking for a long-term, immigrant visa for the United States, check out the diversity lottery application or contact your nearest U.S. Embassy for more info.

Do you need a visa to travel to the United States?

Use our convenient Visa Checker Tool to find out if you need the B1/B2 Visa to visit the United States and start your application!

Citizens of over 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) can visit the U.S. for tourism or business purposes without a visa. They must, however, register for an ESTA, which is easy to apply for online. If your country is not on the VWP list, you will need a U.S. B1/B2 Visa.

How to apply for the B1/B2 Visa online

With us, applying for your U.S. B1/B2 visa is your best way to increase your chances of approval! We offer complete guidance from start to end, a comprehensive guide to fill out the application form, and schedule an interview appointment - usually much earlier than when you do it yourself!

Here are the steps:

1. Fill out your basic details: Check your eligibility on our website or through our user-friendly iVisa app by filling out your basic information and travel details. Always review all your data carefully to avoid errors.

Our expert agents will also check your application form to ensure it’s government-compliant and complete.

2. Pay the visa fees: Some nationalities may need to pay the government fees directly to the consulate or embassy. In these instances, the fee is NOT included in our total cost.

After the payment, you’ll receive further instructions from our team to fill out the simplified application form, which documents to upload/bring, and schedule the visa interview on your behalf.

3. Attend the U.S. Visa interview: Prepare for and attend the visa interview appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you’re applying for a visa renewal, you may be eligible for an interview waiver.

After the appointment, simply wait to pick up/receive your passport with your approved visa.

Continue reading for more info about the visa interview, expediting the scheduling process, and how to prepare!

The importance of the B1/B2 Visa interview

The visa interview is a crucial step in the B1/B2 visa application process.

Simply put, without one, you won’t get a visa to the United States.

The U.S. Visa appointment is meant to assess your eligibility, intentions, and qualifications for entering the United States. The in-person interview allows the consular officer to review your application, ask questions, and evaluate your responses to double-check if you qualify for the visa.

Therefore, it is essential to schedule the interview date as soon as possible, and prepare thoroughly to ensure a successful outcome.

Why schedule your U.S. Visa interview appointment with us?

We get you earlier dates so that you can get your United States visa faster with our technology and team of iVisa Experts. Get the following benefits when applying through our platform or app:

• 100% government compliance: Our team of iVisa Experts will review all information and ensure it’s 100% compliant with government requirements.

• Unlimited access to our team of iVisa Experts: You’ll be assigned iVisa expert agents to guide you through the application process and answer any questions.

• Simplified application form: Applying for a B1/B2 visa can be confusing and tedious. At iVisa, we’ll ensure only to include relevant questions, making the application up to 50% shorter than usual!

• Apply at your own pace: Save your progress, make changes, and come back to it later whenever you need a break.

• Step-by-step guidance: Apply with us and receive a PDF manual with all the tips to answer difficult sections, guidance on preparing for your visa appointments, and a step-by-step guide to get your document without problems.

And the best of all…

• An earlier interview appointment: In case the government provides a very distant date, we offer a tool to find the earliest dates possible! With our cutting-edge technology, over 2100 applicants have already been able to schedule their interview appointment 2 years earlier than expected!

Testimonies for our appointment scheduling tool

“With iVisa, I managed to get my appointment almost a year earlier. 311 days earlier, to be exact!” - Katherine from Canada

“Thanks to iVisa, I rescheduled my appointment 1.5 years earlier than the government date assigned me in the beginning.” - Lameck from Zambia.

We have helped over 2100 applicants to get an earlier

Step-by-step process to schedule your U.S. Visa interview

Count on our B1/B2 Visa application service to help maximise your chances of approval, and schedule your visa interview earlier than usual!

When applying on our platform, you’ll receive complete instructions with all the steps to schedule an appointment as early as possible.

Get an earlier visa interview appointment

We often get the question: ‘Is it possible to expedite the B1/B2 Visa appointment?’.

Once you have all your documents, you need to schedule your appointment at the embassy or consulate, for which we give you all instructions. In some cases, applicants can request an expedited appointment, for example, citizens traveling for business very soon, education/exchange (F, M, J visas), or a medical emergency.

However, if you don’t fall under one of the above categories, we can still help you get an earlier appointment date. With our cutting-edge technology, we do a daily check of upcoming dates, and assist in booking an earlier appointment!

Apply now to start your trip as soon as possible!

Required documents for the US visa appointment

During the embassy or consulate appointment, the visa applicant must present supporting documents. This includes the following:

• DS-160 form - You will get this during the visa application process on our platform.

• Passport valid for at least six months.

• Appointment confirmation.

• Proof of residence.

• Two color photos - If you don’t have one, use our affordable digital photo service!

Other supporting documents to back up the information given in your application form.

What to expect during a visa interview for the United States

All your effort to accurately fill out the DS-160 form and gather all documents will have been in vain if you don’t have a successful interview. That's why preparing for this final visa application step is so important.

Common questions asked during the U.S. Visa interview

Preparing for your visa interview doesn't have to be stressful. If you answer all questions truthfully and provide supporting documents to back up your answers, you’ll have nothing to worry about.

Here are some of the most common B1/B2 Visa interview questions to help you prepare and get your visa approved without issues:

1. What is the purpose of your trip? Evidence of your employment and family ties may be enough proof to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country.

If you are doing a student visa interview, questions about the purpose might include why you are choosing the U.S. over another country and what degree you are studying.

2. Where will you stay during your trip? You must inform the government where you will stay in the United States., such as a friend’s or family member’s house or which hotel(s). If you’re traveling around the country, provide a list of all the places you plan to visit and any planned accommodations.

3. How do you plan on paying for your trip to the United States? There is no specified amount you need to have. However, the key is to show that you can cover all the expenses associated with your trip. This includes flights, accommodation, daily costs, and medical expenses in case of an emergency, among others.

Ensure you can prove that you have the financial resources to cover these expenses by providing bank statements, salary slips, credit cards, and travel insurance.

4. Have you been to the U.S. before? Describe the reasons why you have visited the United States previously, such as tourism, business, studies, training, visits to family and friends, or medical reasons. You must disclose any stays beyond your visa validity, deportations, or detentions during previous visits.

Consular officers already know if you have visited before, they simply want to make sure you are not living in the U.S. illegally by consecutive visits, for example.

Tips for a successful U.S. Visa interview

Here are a few more essential tips to help you prepare for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate near you:

• Practice English: The interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language. If you don’t feel confident about speaking in English, practice with native speakers before the interview. However, do not memorize answers, to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Be concise: Because of the many applications, consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. In most cases, they make their decisions based on the impressions they form during the first few minutes of an interview. Keep your answers to the officer's questions brief and to the point.

• Do your research: To prove the purpose of your trip, make sure you know the basics about the places you will be visiting, the activities you want to do, and how to get there. For student visas, it’s important you know the details about the particular program you’ll be following.

• Economic situation in your home country: Statistically, getting a U.S. Visa will be harder for travelers from countries with economic challenges. You are more likely to be asked about your financial situation, job, and intention to return.

• Ensure you have all the required documents: Bring all the required documents to back up your purpose of travel, in English, and legible. When applying through us, you’ll receive a full list of the required documents.

• Dress appropriately: Don’t overdress, but ensure your outfit is neat and comfortable. Opt for a shirt, rather than a hoodie.

• Be respectful: If you meet all the requirements and answer all questions honestly, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Don’t argue with the officer or cause a scene.

Interview waiver eligibility

The Interview Waiver Program is established by the United States Department of State that allows certain individuals to apply for a visa renewal without the need for an in-person interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

This program aims to streamline the visa application process for low-risk travelers who have previously been interviewed and thoroughly screened.

You must meet the following criteria to apply for your visa renewal without an interview:

• Previous visa: Applicants renewing any visa in the same category within 48 months of expiration are eligible for an interview waiver.

• Visa category: The Interview Waiver Program is typically available for certain visa categories, including B1/B2 visas for business and tourism purposes.

• No security concerns: You should not have any security concerns or significant changes in your circumstances since your previous visa issuance.

• No refusals: This waiver does not apply to applicants who have a previous refusal that was not subsequently waived or overcome.

Get ready to travel to the United States!