Embassy Interview Guide

Below are Embassy General Questions / Answers which will help you in your particular interview:

Are You Traveling With Someone Else?
Answer simply with a yes or no. Also, be sure to clarify the relationship you have with the person accompanying you in the trip.

Can You Reschedule A Shorter Trip? Why Do You Need Three/Month Visa?
Mention your interest to sightsee different tourist destinations within the Schengen Area, and that you cannot do that in a short period of time. However, express your complete readiness to reschedule your plans and shorten your trip if needed.

Can You Show Your Bank Statement?
Make sure to not show any hesitation when providing the document of your bank statement to the official.

Do You Enjoy Any Scholarship?
This is another question you should directly answer with a yes or no. In case you have a student scholarship, mention the name of the institution issuing the scholarship, together with the amount of financial support it covers, as well as the period of it.

Do You Have A Covered Health Insurance For This Journey?
Provide the evidence of the covered health insurance for the period of stay in the Schengen Area.

Do You Have A Girlfriend/Boyfriend?
Answer frankly with a yes or no.

Do You Have a Job-Leave Approval Letter From Your Employer?
Simply confirm the possession of this letter from your employer (signed and stamped) and offer it to the official. In case you do not have such a document, it is worthless trying to verbally convince the official about having your employer’s authorization to leave the job during the travel period.

Do You Have Any Children? If Yes, How Old Are They, What Do They Do?
Sometimes you can have difficulties to quickly recall children’s job title, their exact birth date, their exact name of the company, university or school. That is why we suggest you to prepare yourself and memorize such information early enough, to avoid giving a hesitant answer during the visa interview.

You might answer with I do not have any children yet – in case you are married with no children you should state you are unmarried with no children (if single), or, simply state the number of children and their gender – if having children. Anyhow, make your answer a natural one.

Do you Have any Family Member or Friends Living in the Schengen Area?
Make sure to make a list of all the family members and friends living in the Schengen Area early enough before the interview. In case you have forgotten to mention anyone during the interview, the embassy might consider it an attempt to skip the answer.

Do You Have Any Relation With Any Involved Person In Latest Terrorist Activities?
Try to not take it the question as a cautioning. Answer the question truthfully and without a hesitation. Tell the official that you do not have any relative involved in these activities and express your sad about such acts. Show the official you are completely against such awful acts and individuals who commit them.

Do You Have Any Relative Or Any Known Person Studying In This University?
If seeking for a student visa, declare the names and relationship with the relatives or friends that are currently studying in the university in the Schengen Area where you have been admitted to study (if any).

Do You Know The Annual Incomes Of Your Son/Daughter?
State the annual incomes that your children earn. Consult your child on his/her amount of net annual earnings before the interview, in order to offer it correctly this particular information to the official.

Do You Pay Income Tax?
Yes is the answer the official wants to hear from you. Additionally, you might provide an evidence for that. So, show you are a responsible citizen who pays its taxes.

Do You Plan To Pursue Masters Or Doctoral Studies After You Finish Bachelor’s?
Express your concern regarding the current Bachelor studies, but mention that there might exist the possibility for you to consider this opportunity in the long-term future.

Does Your Son/Daughter Have Any Children?
The answer should be simple, yes or no. Additionally, you might state the number and gender of the children of him/her.

Have You Applied In Other Universities And In Which, Also Did You Get Admitted Into Other Universities?
State names of the universities where you applied for admission to (if you applied in more than one), agreeably mentioning if you got the permission to study at any of them, despite the one you chose studying to.

Have You Booked Or Bought The Flight Ticket?
Give the answer simply, by offering the evidence of a booked or bought flight ticket (depending which of the forms you chose to get it as a proof of scheduled transportation).

Have You Ever Travelled To Other Places?
Answer with a yes or no. Also, you might tell countries where you have travelled outside of your living country.

How Did You Choose This University Or College?
Indicate your interest in the specific study field that the chosen university offers. Do some research about the university and talk about distinguishing potentials that the institution has, compared to other alike institutions. In case you have a scholarship to study in this university, prove it with the letter of scholarship. Generally, try to highlight the fact that you were attracted to study there because it fulfills your educational expectations.

How do you heard about this university?
You might explain honestly the way you heard about the university, such as from the internet, friend, family, local informative agencies, or other forms.

How Do We Know You Will Return Home Within The Visa Allowed Period?
Mention to the representative of the diplomatic office your important relationships and educational/professional/personal affiliations in your home country that give you reasons to return. Such can be your family, ongoing studies, a candid ongoing job position, business, property, or other.

How Long are you Going to Stay?
Give an answer that is fully in compliance with your travel itinerary – mention your time of departure and your return. Remember that your visa will be issued depending on the time you plan to stay in the Schengen Area.

How Long Have You Been Working In This Company?
Answer by stating the number of years working for the current company.
How Many Siblings Do You Have? Where Do They Live? What Do They Do? How Many Children Do They Have?

State the total number of sisters and brothers (if any). Give all the other asked above information correctly and with no hesitation. Be as much natural as possible in your conversation.

How Many  Employees Do You Have?
As an employee, you should offer information about the true number of employees, and if needed divide female and male employees in numbers.

How Much Is Your Salary Or How Much Do You Earn?
State your net monthly salary, in case you are an employee. If you are an employer mention the net earnings.

How Much This Journey Will Cost You?
Your calculations must be done early enough the interview. Calculations must include all the investments you do before and after the arrival, as well as during your return to your home country. So, show you are a convincing candidate that properly has projected its financial aspect and is able to deal with them when abroad.

How you will spend your time when you daughter/daughter-in-law go out to work?
Tell you will explore the neighboring area, you will take care of the garden, children, or else. Make sure the answer to be convincing and not a projected one.

How Much Pension Do You Get?
This is another question you should give it right away without not much of thought, stating the monthly amount of money you receive from your accrued pension fund.

Is this your First Time in Schengen Area?
Answer the question with a yes or no, but you can also give details about the number of visits, dates, places you’ve been. Try to be exact with the information you provide.

Is your daughter/daughter-in-law currently pregnant?
Simply reply with a yes or no. If you know the gender of the baby you might state it in a natural way.

Is Your Son/Daughter Married?
Yes or no is enough as an answer.

What are your plans after your return?
In case you are applying for a student visa, tell that you will be likely to apply for a job related to your gained education abroad. In case you are seeking to pursue further studies than the answer must be truthful. Also, in case you are expecting to get professional training or jump up in a start-up company you will state that similarly.

What did you say does your mother do?
Explain the profession and the job of your mother (if a working mother). In case your mother does not work, you should indicate her daily activities, including hobbies and passions.

What do you do in your living country?
Discuss about your activities in your home countries, i.e. education, family, work, hobbies, and other.

What do you know about the country you are visiting?
Take time to do some research about the specific country you are about to travel and the Schengen Area in general. Focus talks a little bit about the freedom of movement, law uniformity and collaboration between Schengen countries. Additionally, mention traveler areas of your interest found in the Schengen Area (i.e.  Eifel Towel, German castles, Amsterdam) and why you chose the specific country for your visit.

What do you know about the country you are about to study to?
Take the time to explore a little about the benefits the education of the country where you are about to study to offers compared to other surrounding countries.

What Does Your Company Do?
Talk about company’s main activities in short. Tell the official in short your company’s main accomplishments in the local or international market. Do not over-talk about each activity of the company just because you are the owner, leading to an over-elaborated and tiresome answer.

What Does Your Son/Daughter/Son-In-Law/Daughter-In-Law/Sponsor/Brother/Sister Do In The Schengen Area?
Make sure to get such information from your relatives enough before the interview, about her/his job, studies and living in the Schengen Area. Write down and try to memorize their university and department they’re studying to, job position and the company working for, and location details. You will not leave an impression of a serious candidate not being able to recall your children’s occupations, so it is of a great importance providing a genuine information in this regard.

What is the legal status (what visa) of your son/daughter?
Indicate correctly the legal status of your children. Contact them early enough to get the correct information, in order to not give unfitting information in the interview.

What Is Your Educational Qualification?
Give an answer by stating your highest received degree from a school or university. Do not start talking about every school and educational institution you attended before, only in case the official asks you to do so.

What is the Purpose of Your Visit?
Being confident when explaining the purpose of your visit is important. Give details to the official why you want to make the visit by offering also the supporting documents evidencing the purpose of it (i.e. Sightseeing France’s tourist areas, professional training, therapy appointment, studies, or other).

What Is Your Daughter’s, Son’s Birth/Wedding Date?
Make sure to offer the correct information. Confirm these dates early enough the interview.

What Is Your Father’s, Sponsor’s Income?
The level of earnings of the father or sponsor should demonstrate to the official their ability to cope with your travel and stay costs abroad for the planned period of stay.

What Is Your University Yearly Cost?
Take the needed time to calculate early enough yearly study and living costs during your stay in the Schengen Area for study purposes. Any misinformed information might seem suspicious to the official.

What Property Do You Have In Your Home Country?
Name assets you own, try to not forget any (i.e. House,  car, other).

What Will You Do If Your Visa Will Be Rejected?
The official wants to hear you have things to do in your country. Tell him/her you have commitments you should take care of, by mentioning your important engagements and relations.

When In Schengen Area, Are You Going To Seek Employment?
If you are seeking for a study or other visa which prohibit seeking employment in the Schengen Area, you must absolutely not hunt for a job. Therefore, you should be clear in explaining that your aim is not to find a job there by emphasizing you completely understand specific visa limitations.

When Was Your Last Time Seeing Your Son/Daughter?
Try to recall earlier than the interview the last time you have met your son/daughter, stating the correct year and month.

When You Will Travel To Schengen Area?
There are many reasons the embassy or consulate representative wants to get your straightforward answer to this question, despite having such information in your booked flight ticket. Mainly the diplomatic office wants to make sure you understand the visa’s validity limitation and that you will not remain in the Schengen Area more than allowed. So, give an answer that goes along with the dates of your booked round-trip flight itinerary or flight ticket.

Where Are You Going To Stay?
Because you might be traveling across the Schengen Area, during your stay in Schengen Area, make sure to mention the place where you will be accommodated during this time, instead of giving detailed information about all the places you will visit. Make sure of the answer to be in full conformity with the proof of accomodation provided amongst other application supporting documents.

Where Did You Finish Under-Graduate/Graduate Studies?
State the name and the location of the university or college where you completed your studies.

Which Company Do You Work For?
Tell the official the name of the company where you are currently working as well as its main area of activity.

Which Countries in the Schengen Area are You Planning to Visit?
Refer to all the countries which you plan to visit when in the Schengen Area. Still, you must state which will be your country in the Schengen Area where you plan to stay the most during your visit.

Who Will Pay For Your Visit?
This is another important issue. Give your best frank answer! The diplomatic office analyzes your financial statements or sponsor’s anyways, and any misled information will prove them you are not a worthy candidate to be given a visa.

Why You Want To Go To The Schengen Area For Three/Six Months Where You Have A Job In Your Living Country?
Specify the exact reason leading you to give up work for six months. Such can be a sick family member, a job training abroad or else. Anyhow, the answer must be true and incontestable.
Other questions might be:

- Who Lives With You Now And What Do They Do?
- Who Will Take Care Of Your Business/House/Property When You Are Visiting The Schengen Area?
- Why Do You Think The University Is Giving You A Scholarship?
- Why Do You Think We Should Give You Visa To Study In Schengen Area?
- Why Do You Wish To Study/Work In The Schengen Area And Not In Your Living Country?
- Will You Do Business In The Schengen Area?
- Will Your Wife/Husband Go Together With You On Your Trip?
- I Don’t Think You Will Come Back, What’s Your Comment?
- Your Sibling Is Working In Schengen Area, Would You Do A Similar Thing?

Recommended to Read: Top Mistakes to AVOID during a Schengen Visa Interview

USA EMBASSY COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS / ANSWERS

Commonly asked questions during USA visitor visa interview. These sample questions and answers will help visitor visa applicants, especially parents, applying from India for B2 visa.
Q: Why are you going to the US?

A: "I am going to visit my son/daughter and for tourism purposes."
Q: Have you been to the U.S. before?

A: Give the true answer Yes or No.

Note: The consulate can check to confirm this answer.
Q: Do you have relatives in the US? If yes, who?

A: Give the true answer Yes or No. "My son/daughter lives there." If you have other relatives in the U.S. mention them.

Note: Do not give details of other relatives unless they ask first.
Q: Who is going to sponsor your visit?

A: "My son/daughter is going to sponsor my visit."

Q: Where will you stay in the US?

A: "We will stay at XYZ Street, ABC City, PQ State, 1234 Zip code."

Note: Memorize the address. It should correspond to the one on your visa application.
Q: What does your son/daughter do for a living?

A: "My son/daughter is a designation for name of company."

Note: Memorize the designation and name of company. Show proof of employment and other employment-related papers at this point, ONLY if asked.
Q: How much does your son/daughter earn?

A: Give the true answer. "My son/daughter earns $ ___ annually."

Note: Carry financial documents to support your answers. Your answer must correspond with the amount given in the visa application.
Q: Where does your son/daughter work?

A: "My son/daughter works for name of company."

Note: Memorize the name of the company.
Q: What does your son/daughter-in-law do?

A: Give the true answer. "My son/daughter-in-law works for ____ company or is a home maker or studies at ___ University."

Note: Mention that they study only if they are on F1 or student visa. If they are on H4 dependent visa, then don't say that they are studying.
Q: Who is paying for your son/daughter-in-law's studies?

A: "My son/daughter is paying for his/her studies. He is able to pay for all our expenses over and above the expenses of his/her wife/husband's studies."

Note: Make sure your documents show clearly that it is possible for your son/daughter to pay for the studies as well as your visit.
Q: How long has your son/daughter been in the US?

A: "My son/daughter has lived in the US for number of years."
Q: Which visa is your son/daughter and son/daughter-in-law on?

A: "My son/daughter is on name/number of visa (for example H1) visa. My son/daughter-in-law is on name/number of visa, for example H4/dependant visa."

Note: Memorize name and number of visa.
Q: Did your son/daughter study in the US? Where?

A: Give the true Answer, Yes or No. If yes, give details of university etc.

Note: Be prepared with details about university, what degree they studied etc.
Q: What visa did your son/daughter enter the U.S. on?

A: Give the true Answer. For example, if they came on a student visa and later changed to work visa, say so.

Note: The consulate can check to confirm this Answer, so always tell the truth.
Q: Is your son/daughter married?

A: Give the true Answer, Yes or No
Q: Does your son/daughter have any children?

A: Give the correct Answer
Q: Is your daughter/daughter-in-law pregnant?

A: "No, she is not."

Note: I guess Not
Q: Will your wife/husband accompany you on your trip?

A: Give the true Answer. "Yes, my wife/husband will accompany me."
Q: If only one person is traveling to the U.S. then they may ask: Why are you traveling alone? OR Why isn't your husband/wife accompanying you?

A: If you are a widower/widow, say so. Otherwise give the reason for your solo visit. "My husband is unable to get leave to go to the U.S."
Q: When do you plan to travel?

A: "We plan to travel in name of month."
Q: Why do you want to travel at that time?

A: "My son/daughter has arranged for leave from work during that period. They will be able to show us around then." If the trip is in spring/summer, you can say "We want to visit during summer as the weather will be suitable for us and we have heard that everything is beautiful at that time of the year" If visiting in fall/winter, say "We want to visit at that time because we want to see the fall colors and snow."

Note: Make sure you are aware of what is good to see at the time of your visit.
Q: What are you going to do in the US?

A: "We are going to travel/visit the interesting places there like: (give some names of famous tourist spots) Disneyland, Niagara Falls, Washington D.C, Las Vegas and spend time with our son/daughter and son/daughter-in-law."

Note: Make sure this answer corresponds with the answer for the previous question.
Q: What is the purpose of your trip?

A: "We are going for pleasure and tourism, to see some of the interesting places in the US and to spend time with our son/daughter (and son/daughter-in-law)."
Q: Have you blocked your tickets?

A: "Yes, we have."
Q: Do you have return air tickets, medical insurance etc.

A: "Our son/daughter will arrange for that after our visa is approved."
Q: How much expense do you expect from this trip?

A: "My son/daughter will be sponsoring this visit."

Note: Never say that you can put up some/part/all of the money.
Q: Have you been outside India before?

A: Give the true answer Yes or No.

Note: If you have been outside India before, be prepared to answer questions about your previous visits.
Q: Is this your first visit to US?

A: Give the true answer Yes or No.

Note: The consulate can check to confirm your answer, tell the truth. If you have visited U.S. before, be prepared to answer questions about your previous visits.
Q: What places do you want to visit?

A: "We want to visit give names of interesting and famous U.S. tourist attractions like Disneyland, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, Washington D.C etc."
Q: How long will you stay in the US?

A: "We want to stay for number of months, for example six in the U.S."
Q: Can't you finish your visit earlier? Why do you want to stay for so long?

A: "There is a lot to see in the US and at our age we cannot do it all in a hurry. We would also like to see fall foliage towards the end of our visit (if going in summer). If we stay for six months, we will be able to do sight seeing and spend time with our son/daughter (and son/daughter-in-law). But a shorter visa will be acceptable if you think it is appropriate."

Note: Say the last sentence about the shorter visit only if you think that they might refuse.
Q: What is the guarantee that you will come back?

A: "I have family and property here in India, so I will definitely come back." Give all the reasons. If you have other children and grandchildren in India definitely mention that. If you have a job or run a business, mention it. Definitely mention if there is someone who is dependant on you in India (like younger child or old parents etc.)

Note: Be prepared for this question. Have papers (property; financial) to prove it. Carry photographs of grand kids (ONLY if they are in India).
Q: When did you last see your son/daughter?

A: "We met out son/daughter when he/she/they last visited us in month and year."

Note: Consulate can check to confirm this answer.
Q: When did your son/daughter last visit India?

A: "My son/daughter last visited India in month and year."

Note: Consulate can check to confirm this answer.
Q: When does your son/daughter plan to visit India next?

A: "My son/daughter may visit late next year or maybe even later than that. They have no fixed plan right now."

Note: Don't say that they will visit in the same year otherwise the Visa Officer might say that you can meet them then.
Q: Where do you stay in India?

A: "We stay at your address in India."
Q: When did your son/daughter go to US?

A: "My son/daughter went to US in month and year."
Q: What work do you do and where?

A: Give the correct answer. If you are retired, say so.
Q: What is your job profile?

A: Give job details, responsibilities etc.
Q: How much do you earn/ What is your annual income?

A: Give true answer and details.

Note: Carry financial documents to support your answers.
Q: If you are working, you may be asked: Did you take leave?

A: "Yes, I have accumulated six months? leave over the past years."

Note: Show leave certificate.
Q: Your income is not enough to support international travel. What do you plan to do?

A: "My son/daughter is sponsoring my visit. He/she will take care of all my expenses for this trip."

Note: Carry appropriate documents. Refer to the checklist on Path2usa.com at: visitor visa interview preparation
Q: If you run a business, you may be asked: Who will look after your business in your absence?

A: "I have arranged for ____person to take care of my business in my absence" OR "My partner will take care of it."
Q: When did you retire?

A: Give the true answer. "I retired in month and year."
Q: How much pension do you get?

A: Give the true answer. "I get Rs.. ___ pension annually."
Q: What assets/property do you have in India?

A: "I have whatever property/assets you have, for example a house or two shops, etc. in India."

Note: If you have property or immovable assets in India, do mention them during the interview - it will be seen as a reason to return.
Q: Who will take care of your property in India while you are gone?

A: "We have made arrangements with relatives/friends to take care of our property for the duration of our visit to U.S."
Q: Can I see you Business/visiting card?

A: If you have a card, show it. If not, say you don?t have one.
Q: Do you have a credit card?

A: Give the true answer, Yes or No. If yes, show it.
Q: Will you work in the US?

A: "No, I am going for tourism and sightseeing. I have no intentions or reasons to work in the U.S."
Q: How many children do u have ? And where are they? What do they do? Are they married?

A: Give the true answer, "I have ___ children. My other son/daughter is married. He/she lives in India and they have a son/daughter."

Note: Definitely mention if your other child lives in India and has children.
Q: What is your son/daughter's birth date?

A: Give the correct answer.
Q: When is your son/daughter's wedding anniversary?

A: Give the correct answer.

Note: You might want to carry a few wedding pictures.
Q: Can you tell me your son/daughter's contact details?

A: Give phone number and e-mail address.

Note: Memorize these. Make sure your answers correspond with details given on visa documents.
Q: Show me your documents OR Has your son/daughter sent any documents?

A: Show documents.

Note: Refer to the checklist of documents at visitor visa interview preparation
Q: My passport is going to expire soon. I do have a valid US visa in this current passport If I apply for a new Passport do I need to get the new US visa in new passport?

A: No.
A valid exisiting visa is good. You can carry the old passport which has this visa stamped.