Applicant Background
A married couple from India attended their B1/B2 visitor visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. Their OFC appointment was scheduled in February, followed by the visa interview in April. The applicants completed their DS-160 forms independently and carefully included details such as previous employment history, job designations, and social media profiles including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Their intended travel date to the United States was mentioned as December.
The purpose of travel was to visit a family member in Chicago for a short 10-day stay.
B1/B2 Visa Interview Experience – New Delhi
Visa Officer (VO):
Good morning, your passports please.
Applicants:
Good morning, Officer.
(Hands over passports.)
VO:
Where are you going?
Applicant:
Chicago.
VO:
Whom are you visiting there?
Applicant:
My brother.
VO:
What does he do there?
Applicant:
He works as a [designation] at [company name].
VO:
How long will you be staying?
Applicant:
10 days.
(The officer typed briefly.)
VO:
Have you travelled overseas before?
Wife:
Yes.
VO:
Where?
Wife:
Thailand.
VO:
What do you both do?
Applicant:
I work as a [designation] at [company name].
Wife:
I work as a [designation] at [company name].
(The officer briefly looked at the applicants and continued typing.)
VO:
Do you have kids?
Applicants:
No.
(The officer typed again for a few seconds.)
VO:
Congratulations, your visas are approved. Have a nice day.
Applicants:
Thank you.
Key Observations from the Interview
The applicants noted that the entire interview lasted only a few minutes and no supporting documents were requested at any stage. According to their observations, concise and direct answers appeared to work in their favor.
They also noticed that many applicants before them who provided lengthy explanations without being asked were refused visas. In particular, several applicants reportedly discussed their income, savings, or financial details unnecessarily when answering simple questions such as “What do you do?”, which often did not end positively.
One important takeaway from this experience was:
- Keep answers short and precise.
- Only answer what is asked.
- Avoid volunteering unnecessary information.
- Maintain confidence and clarity while speaking.
The applicants also shared insights regarding translators at the U.S. Embassy. They had inquired about Telugu translators for their parents’ upcoming visa interview and were informed that translators may be available on request. However, availability is not guaranteed on every interview day. Applicants may also bring their own translator, subject to embassy verification and approval.
Final Thoughts
This B1/B2 visa interview experience at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi highlights how confidence, honesty, and concise communication can positively influence the outcome of a U.S. visitor visa interview. Even with minimal conversation and no document checks, the applicants were able to secure approval smoothly.
If you are preparing for your own U.S. visa interview, reviewing real interview experiences can help you understand the flow of questions and improve your confidence before the big day.
If you need expert assistance, contact LeSo.
