Real questions U.S. immigration officers ask (and how to answer them like a pro)

Picture this: You're at the U.S. Embassy, your palms are sweaty, your heart's racing, and the visa officer looks up with a perfectly neutral expression and asks: "So, why do you want to go to the United States?"

Sounds simple, right? But your answers can make or break your chances of getting a visa. We sat down with Christa Byker, a former U.S. visa officer and current Director of Consular Services at Corstange Law, to get the real scoop on the questions you're likely to face, and how to knock them out of the park.

Christa has worked through hundreds of interviews and reviewed complex cases for travelers denied their ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). She now consults with Argo Visa and runs The Visa View on YouTube, breaking down the mysteries of U.S. immigration in plain language.

Here's your insider guide to the questions U.S. officers actually ask and how to confidently answer them.

1. "What are you planning to do in the United States?"

They’re really asking: Are your activities aligned with the visa type you applied for?

Smart answer: Be clear, concise, and truthful. If you're on a tourist visa, mention sightseeing, family visits, or attending events. Avoid anything that sounds like you’re there to work, study, or overstay.

Avoid: Mentioning any remote work or freelance gigs, even if you're "just checking emails." That can be interpreted as unauthorized employment.

“A lot of people spend too much time on what they want to do in the U.S., but forget to mention why they’ll leave, which is just as important,” says Christa.

iVisa tip: Always have documents to back up your story, like hotel bookings, event confirmations, or your return flight itinerary.

2. "What ties do you have to your home country?"

They’re really asking: Are you likely to return home?

Smart answer: Mention your job, family, school, lease, or anything else that anchors you. You can also highlight strong financial or legal obligations, like owning a business, holding a mortgage, or enrolling in university.

Bonus tip: Bank records, employment contracts, or proof of property can strengthen your case if the officer requests evidence.

"They care more about what will pull you back home than what brings you to the U.S.," says Christa. "If the officer isn’t convinced you’ll leave, you’re not getting the visa."

Avoid: Saying "I just love the U.S." without explaining why you’ll return to your country.

3. "Have you ever been denied a U.S. visa or ESTA before?"

They’re really asking: Are you being honest?

We’ve seen travelers lose their shot at the U.S. because they left out a denial or tried to smooth over the truth.

"I tried to hide my old ESTA denial because I thought it wouldn’t matter. At the interview, the officer already knew. It wasn’t fun explaining that one," says Daniel from Cape Town.

Smart answer: Be upfront. Previous denials aren’t automatic dealbreakers, but fudging the truth is a fast track to a permanent ban.

iVisa tip: Don’t wait for the officer to bring it up, mention it early, and have a short, honest explanation ready

“The system is very unforgiving to dishonesty,” Christa warns. “Even if your reasoning makes sense to you, misrepresentation can have lifelong consequences.”

4. "Have you traveled to certain countries in the past?"

They’re really asking: Could you be considered a security risk?

Certain countries (like Iran, Syria, or North Korea) are red flags in the ESTA system. If you’ve traveled there, you must disclose it.

Smart answer: Be upfront and prepared to explain your reason for visiting. Work, family, or academic visits are often legitimate, just don’t hide them.

“I had a client with a German passport whose parents were Iranian. Even one family visit to Iran triggered an ESTA denial. We had to prepare for extra scrutiny,” Christa shared.

5. "Why did you answer [X] on your ESTA/visa application?"

They’re really asking: Is your application consistent?

Pro tip: Officers may compare answers to old applications – make sure everything lines up, especially if something in your life (like your citizenship, job, or purpose of visit) has changed.

Smart answer: Review your ESTA or DS-160 application before your interview so you can explain your answers clearly. If something’s changed since you applied, update it or be ready to explain.

Red flag: Saying "I didn’t think it mattered" or "I didn’t read that part properly."

"Even a seemingly small mistake like skipping the part about former citizenships can lead to a denial," Christa says.

Bonus round: Real scenarios that led to visa denials

❌ Mistake: Listing the wrong occupation

Reddit may tell you to put "consultant" instead of "journalist" to avoid red tape. But Christa’s advice? Don’t do it.

"Even if it seems harmless, dishonesty is a big deal. The systems are cross-checked. You could be caught later and barred for life."

❌ Mistake: Applying last-minute

Many travelers apply for an ESTA days before their flight, assuming it’ll be approved instantly. But...

“If there’s even a hint of an issue, the system kicks it for manual review or denial. There’s no hand-wringing. It just rejects it,” Christa says. “You need time to pivot to a visa application.”

iVisa tip: Apply for your ESTA at least 3 - 6 months before your trip to allow a safety net.

❌ Mistake: Not knowing what kind of visa you need

Some travelers apply for tourist visas to attend training programs or short-term work stints. That’s a recipe for refusal.

“Know your visa type. Don’t just assume tourist covers everything,” Christa emphasizes.

How can we help with your U.S. visa or ESTA application?

Our aim is to help you get your ESTA without red flags, mistakes, or issues, but also to provide support if things do go awry. We help travelers:

• Understand tricky questions immigration officers are likely to ask
• Identify and correct red flags before submission
• Navigate around common mistakes that cause rejections (like mismatched info or misunderstood eligibility rules)
• Reapply or switch to a visa confidently if ESTA gets denied

  With our support, you're not just applying, you’re applying smart.

Please note: We currently only offer US ESTA applications on our site, but those who need to apply for B1/B2 visas, we connect you with our trusted partner, Visaclick.

Have more questions? Contact us via WhatsApp or iVisa chat. We’re here to answer all your what-ifs and what-nows.