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U.S. Embassy/Consulate Interviewing Tips
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U.S. Embassy/Consulate Interviewing Tips

Interviewing Tips

Preparing for you U.S. Embassy/Consulate Interview

The majority of Career Training USA participants will be required to interview at the embassy/consulate in order to receive a J-1 Visa. (Still need to book an interview? Here’s how.)

Who needs an interview? Canadian citizens are exempt from both the embassy visit and J-1 visa requirement to enter the U.S. All other nationalities must attend an in-person interview. If you are required to interview at the embassy, you can prepare for your appointment using the following tips:

Tip #1: Gather all required documents

Bringing all the required documents to the embassy or consulate is the most important thing you can do to ensure your interview goes smoothly. Read the requirements listed on the website for the U.S. Embassy where you will be applying, as these requirements are subject to change and may vary by location. Here is a list of documents you’ll need to bring at a minimum:

  • DS-2019 Form
  • DS-7002 Training/Internship Training Plan
  • Current passport, be sure to check the validity requirements for your country
  • DS-160 Confirmation Page
  • SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
  • 5 x 5 centimeter (2 x 2 inch) color photo of yourself taken within the past six months (if required by the embassy). Note: this should be verified against current embassy requirements as photo specifications can vary by location and may have been updated.
  • Proof of funds for the duration of your stay in the U.S.
  • Proof of home country ties (see below tip)
  • Other documents as required by the embassy

Consular officers are required to assume that all non-immigrant visa applicants are intending to immigrate to the U.S., so you’ll need to prove that you plan to return home after your program.

You must show compelling ties to your home country, such as:

  • Family members who still live in your hometown
  • University classes to attend after your program
  • Acceptance letter from a new degree program in your home country
  • A job offer lined up after you return
  • Bank statements showing financial assets in your home country
  • Proof of property ownership
  • Anything else that indicates your clear intention to leave the U.S. at the end of your program.

This can vary greatly from country to country and consular officer to consular officer; it’s a good idea to bring this kind of documentation with you so that you will be prepared to present it if needed.

Your embassy interview will be in English – not in your native language. Consular officers will be looking to see if you possess proficient English skills so that you will be successful on your program.

It would be best to practice your English daily, preferably with a fluent speaker, in preparation for your U.S. experience. This practice will also help you prepare for your interview!

Remember to dress nicely. You don’t need to wear a suit, but it is highly encouraged that you wear neat, clean clothes since first impressions can mean a lot. We also recommend arriving at the embassy early.

You may want to bring some water and a book in case you have a long wait. However, be sure to check the entry requirements on the embassy’s website. Some embassies do not allow backpacks or large electronics into the building.

It is important that you do not bring parents, family members, or friends with you to the interview. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family or friends. Speaking for yourself shows that it’s your decision to travel and that you are ready for this independent experience. If you will be bringing a dependent on a J-2 Visa, however, they should accompany you to your interview.

The Career Training USA program is a cultural exchange program, not a work program or pathway to immigration. While visiting friends or family in the U.S. and practicing English may be additional benefits of this visa, the primary purpose of your program is to experience U.S. culture and receive practical training related to your academic studies or occupational field.

Walking into your interview can be nerve-racking, but it’s important to maintain your composure! The most important thing to remember on your interview day is to be polite and honest. 

Once it is your turn to interview, you will usually submit your documents at one window and then be asked to move to another window or room for your interview. Try not to be nervous and remain calm! Listen to the question asked and respond accordingly. Answer the consular officer’s questions as best you can, and don’t try to prepare speeches for the interview. You want to come across as authentic as possible!

Some of the questions participants have been asked in the past include:

  • What will you be doing in the U.S.?
  • Tell us about any previous visits to the U.S.
  • What are your plans for when you return home after your program?

After a successful interview, the consular official keeps your passport for processing, which now takes longer due to enhanced social media vetting—all visa applicants must set their social media accounts to “public.”

While the timeline for processing may vary based on location and officer, average wait times are:

  • 3-5 days for social media review
  • 5-10 days for passport return

If approved, you’ll receive your passport with the J-1 visa sticker; if denied, you’ll get a letter explaining why and information about re-applying.

Important: Contact InterExchange immediately if denied—we can discuss your options and provide guidance for a second attempt, but we allow a maximum of two interview attempts before canceling your application.